Living afloat

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

March 2010

6th March 2010: Salvage

In the early morning, when I was on deck, I noticed a small boat drifting by with nobody aboard. It was a little to far from my ship to grab it with a hook, so I went to land and threw an anchor to the boat to get it.

Boat floating on the canal

In the afternoon I put some green near the gangway.

10th March 2010

Some boats have been passing at high speed, causing the little boat nearly to sink.

13th March 2010: Deck

The first nice day to work outside. I have some time, so I just started cleaning the gang board of the ship near the back accommodation. Two small pieces were cleaned, all paint and rust removed. Once finished, a good coat of primer was put on the blank metal.

Port side

Starboard side

In the late afternoon, I went checking the little boat. Since it is taking more and more water, while it has not been raining, I decided to have a closer look at the hull. While standing in the boat, water came into my boots. I discovered the plug for the air tanks is missing. I have no suitable crane so I added a few more heavier ropes to my ship. If it sinks completely, the ropes will hold the boat.

Let's hope the ropes will hold it

I really hope the owner will come and collect it.

14th March 2010: Flags

Some more flags are now hanging in the mast. The spring is coming (or let's hope so). I added some more flowers since it brings some colour to the boat and to land.

20th March 2010: Annual houseboat meeting

We had our annual meeting with the houseboat people of Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and a few other cities.

Besides the meal, party and performance of the band there was also an official part. Since today I'm the chairman of the Vlaamse Woonschepen.

21st March 2010: Cleaning up

With a big hangover, we had to clean the boat we rented out for the party. It was a hard job. In the afternoon I visited a few barges and had a nice chat.

27th March 2010: Deck

Again time to work on the boat, this time I continued with the gangway. I managed to do a big part of two meter, so progress can be seen now. In the late afternoon I started gardening on my boat and put some flowers for the spring and summer.

My little davit for the front was delivered as well today. I'll use it to hold an anchor like the old days.

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