Living afloat

The story of the Luxe Motor MS Watergeus, the beurtschip Frantsis and how to convert a Dutch barge into a houseboat
Also containing one of world's largest house boat gallery

Converted barges in Ghent #1

Ghent is the place in Belgium to find houseboats. over 250 boats are moored there, most of them barges of the 'Spits' type. There are some very nice vessels, but there are many boats that do damage the reputation of the honest and serious people living afloat.

Four spitsen in Ghent, the old skippers living on them.

Spitsen being converted (one already scrapped)

Three spitsen in Ghent, waiting to be converted.

Various barges in Ghent, used as houseboats

Three converted spitsen in Ghent with a mooring

Spitsen being converted to houseboats in Ghent

A converted spits with mooring in Ghent.

Another converted spits with mooring in Ghent.

Spits converted in the early years of houseboats in Ghent

Spits in Ghent, keeping the original lines while being a houseboat

Spits in Ghent, waiting to be converted into a houseboat. She is one of my favourite vessels.

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