Living afloat

The story of the Luxe Motor MS Watergeus and how to convert a Dutch barge into a houseboat

May 2008

Part 1

13th May 2008

Sad news today, an English house boat burned down in Bruges. The cause is unknown, but it is sad to see such a nice ship to go up in flames. Pictures will follow.

Wheelhouse just received it first coat of linotop oil

Wheelhouse just received it first coat of linotop oil

17th May 2008

The other side of the hold is nearly finished. The wood structure has been made. The first side which had been insulated received a layer of multiplex. I went though the plans for the next couple of weeks and what my intentions where with the rooms.

18th May 2008

Wheelhouse + paint

20th May

Oostende voor Anker

22nd May 2008

Today, the wheelhouse received a second coat of linotop oil. My father continued drilling holes in the metal roof for the wooden framework.

In the meantime I cut some insulation.

23th May 2008

In the evening I put in most of the insulation on starboard side. I started cutting the small green wooden planks and fixed them to the framework. All together, it makes it a very strong construction.

wood arrived

24th May 2008

Today we put the remaining insulation and started putting anti-damp foil on top of it. This will normally prevent any possible condensation from getting to the wood.

Putting anti-damp foil on the insulation

It was a busy day, we finished welding the little metal pieces on the den to hold the hatches and the roof of the back accommodation was painted light gray instead of dark green. Not only will it become less hot inside, it looks much cleaner as well.

No more dirty ropes holding the hatches...

The roof of the back accommodation painted light gray

25th May 2008

We went to get the doors. A carpenter knew where I could find some doors with glass panels. THe doors are fine, but handles and frames are missing. Not that bad, since the door is the most expensive part. Also interesting is the height of 1,90m of each door!

26th May 2008

Friday evening I noticed water was high in the Canal, not unusual but not for longer then a day. It is now four days, so I had to make some of my ropes more loose. At the other hand it gave me he opportunity to take pictures of the ship from a different angle.

High on the water...

27th May 2008

Today we went sailing on the Marie-Galante, my neighbour's spits barge. She was built in the same year as the Watergeus, but had always been upgraded and even as a house boat she is keeping her standard very height. Having a modern Caterpillar engine, DAF bow thruster and hydraulic steering, she is a beauty to sail on.

Leaving the mooring

Along the Watergeus

Along the Watergeus

Leaving Bruges

Passing under a bridge

Bruges behind us

The rudder, a real beauty to sail with

Moored in Plassendale for a small break

On the way back I sailed with her and I really was amazed of her steering, so fluently so nice and that for a spits barge!

It was a great day with a great ship and lovely people! The perfect combination for a good house boat society.

31st May 2008

Today we did some more work on the sides, paneling the frame with sheets of multiplex. In the afternoon, we made the floor for the office space and yes, it took us with four people a whole afternoon to get it done, around 20m2. The result is good, a nice wooden azobe floor.

Floor in office space nearly finished

Floor in office space nearly finished