When Jason and Cayley saw this tiny houseboat, it was obviously run down from years of neglect.
It had beautiful dark green and red windows that surrounded the entire boat.
And it was also surrounded by a wooden exterior that’s been peeling, dirty, and just run-down. It had originally been built as part of 25 boats for the World Expo in Victoria, Canada in 1986.
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But its better days are definitely way behind it now.
Jason and Cayley, who are boat builders and carpenters, respectively, offered less than $6,000 for the boat and got it. They then spent the next year and a half restoring the houseboat to its full glory.
Jason has been living on the water for the past six years because he wanted to learn wood boat construction.
“It’s been wonderful. It’s something that gets in your blood,” Jason told Exploring Alternatives. “Being able to wake up and see the tide and the wind on the water and know what the day may be like is really fantastic.”
When Jason and Cayley met, Jason wanted to learn more about wood boats and Cayley was obsessed with tiny homes. So this reconstruction was the perfect project for them!
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But it wasn’t until they started the repairs that they learned how much was needed to be done.
They actually ended up replacing about 10 to 15% of the hull and gutted the interiors for a clean slate. They even had all-new wiring and plumbing for this vintage boat.
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Jason and Cayley had big plans for this boat.
“We did this project for ourselves. We really put our hearts and souls into it. [And] we had the right skill set to get this done,” Jason added.
And after more than a year, they were able to create a single-family home on the water that was 30 feet long and 12 feet wide.
On the main level, you’ll find the kitchen, living/dining room, and bathroom. Would you believe they were even able to fit a tub inside the bathroom?
Granted, it’s not the biggest bathtub but to have any kind of tub in there is remarkable.
And, as with any tiny home, the stairs are not just stairs.
The steps of the stairs have been fitted with drawers and serve as extra storage in this tiny home. The bottom step has the longest drawer obviously. You can store non-food essentials here, like trash bags, sponges, or toilet paper. Or maybe you can use it as a pantry and add food essentials.
The stairs, of course, lead to the bedroom and a small den on the second level.
So many windows wrap around the head of the bed and it’s great to wake up to sunlight streaming on your face.
And if you don’t want that, there’s a rod to hang up your curtains to keep the light out until you wake up. On the other side of the bedroom, they were able to fit two comfy chairs for the den or reading area. Windows that bring in natural light also surround this area.
And the best part with any houseboat is that you get an instant rooftop deck. Jason and Cayley designed the rooftop level with outdoor seating and planter boxes, perfect for morning coffee or a nightcap.
Jason and Cayley lived on this boat when they finished it but now, they believe someone else should enjoy the houseboat.
The stunning vintage Expo 1986 boat is now up for sale.
Watch the video below to see all the improvements Jason and Cayley made on the boat.
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