Houseboats are more than just a trend

Depending on the size and fittings of the houseboats and the area where they will be used, they are fitted with 15 horsepower engines, which is crucial if the owner wants to operate the boat without a licence. The boat builders also have environmental concerns in mind. “We are looking into energy recovery using photovoltaics and electric hybrid drives,” says Andre Becker.

The innovations start on a small scale. For example, they made wooden wheels so that they can move and turn the heavy parts of the boats, which means that they no longer need a crane. Their customers value their inventiveness and the fact that the boats are made by hand. The enquiries they receive from new customers, who have generally heard about them by word of mouth, are very varied and come from all corners of Germany, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands.

Their houseboats have become holiday homes, party venues and business premises. The team in Magdeburg has received orders for boats for meetings, seminars and coaching sessions, which are essentially floating open-plan offices with projection walls and good lighting. The trend for living permanently on the water is arriving in Germany from other countries and boats are being made into all-year-round residences.

Echtzeit - Online Magazin - Out on the river: hand-made houseboats