|
 |
|
|
Barge Retrofit
Many older houseboats were built with
either Styrofoam or fibreglassed plywood pontoons for floatation.
Over the years this material has deteriorated to the point of imminent
failure, and in some cases people have added weight in the form
of additional rooms and decks, putting extra load on the floatation.
To place these existing structures on a concrete barge entails
building temporary support walls and guides in the barge, and attaching
scaffolding to the barge.
|
|
 |
|
Waiting to float onto a barge at Sausalito
dry dock circa 1985 |
|
The barge is then towed to the adjoining slipway and at low tide filled
with water by means of 4 diameter siphons. When the tide rises it
covers the barge. At high tide the houseboat is floated into position
above the barge and locked into position with the guides,
lines and winches. As the tide recedes, the houseboat settles into place
on the temporary support walls. When the tide has dropped enough to expose
the top edge of the barge, pumps are started to remove all of the water
from the barge.
|
 |
|
Barge just launched and ready to receive
transfer of existing home. |
|
On the next cycle of rising tide, the houseboat on the new barge
can be floated to the Aquamaison slipway and removal of the old
floatation and re-supporting of the structure commenced. This is
a labor-intensive process. As a small portion of the old floatation
is removed, that portion of the structure is supported. Slowly all
of the old floatation is removed and the old structure fully supported.
At that point, sealing and waterproofing between the house and
the new barge must be carefully done.
|
Sometimes re-siding of the house is needed as leaks that previously passed
behind bad siding and window trim into the bay will now fall into the
new barge.
Most older boats have formed a hog which is a curving of
the floatation, and when placed on a new barge will straighten out, sometimes
causing sheetrock to crack, doors and windows to jam.
Aquamaison has successfully completed over 50 of these float on
retrofits, creating much needed additional living and storage space, and
the peace of mind for the owners who no longer have to worry about sinking.
| |
 |
|
 |