My House is a Boat!
Image Credit: Arkup.
I've recently stumbled upon something truly wild. It's a floating house. Yes, a house that floats. On water. Like a boat. But also not a boat. It's more like... a floating condo. With solar panels. And a hot tub.
Before you start picturing yourself sailing off into the sunset, let's get one thing straight: this thing is not exactly designed for ocean voyages. It's called the Arkup 50, and it's part of a "Livable Yacht" series. I mean, they call it a yacht, but it's more like a stationary houseboat. But then again, who am I to judge? Maybe this is the future of real estate. Waterfront property taken to a whole new level, literally.
Image Credit: Arkup.
So, what's the deal with this floating abode? Well, it's 50 feet long, and it has a maximum floor space of 2,218 square feet. Well … that's big! And it's got these massive wraparound windows that would make any Instagram influencer drool. Plus, there are optional folding decks for when you want to pretend you're on a real yacht.
Here's a curious thing: this house has legs. Yes, legs. Four motorized retractable pilings, to be exact. These bad boys can lift the entire house above the waterline. Why, you ask? According to the geniuses behind this creation, it's for stability. You know, in case you're prone to seasickness. Unfortunately, it only works in shallow water. So, if you're planning on sailing to Tahiti, you might want to invest in some Dramamine.
Image Credit: Arkup.
Did I mention that this floating house is loaded? It's got a Starlink internet system, so you can stream Netflix even in the middle of nowhere. It's got a desalination unit that turns saltwater into freshwater. Who needs bottled water when you have the entire ocean at your disposal? And, of course, it's got solar panels. A whole 12kW array of them hooked up to a 75kWh battery bank. Plus, there's a 15kW (20hp) diesel generator for backup, just in case the sun decides to take a vacation.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can even get a propulsion version with a 67kW (90hp) electric thruster and a 10kW (13hp) bow thruster. So, you can actually move this thing around. Just don't expect to win any races.
The interior is all light and airy, thanks to those giant windows I mentioned earlier. The main deck has a living room with a built-in sound system and a massive TV. Perfect for movie nights. There's also a kitchen by German designer Häcker because, apparently, even floating houses need fancy kitchens. And, of course, there's a bathroom and a spacious bedroom.
But the real fun is on the upper deck. This is where you'll find the hot tub. Oh yes, a hot tub. There's also a smaller kitchenette, some seating areas, and another sound system. And if that's not enough, you can always head out to the optional folding decks, which have an outdoor shower and - just in case - a removable safety railing.
So, how much does this floating paradise cost? The base price is $900,000. But remember all those optional extras I mentioned? Yeah, those can add up quickly. So, unless you've got a spare million or two lying around, you might want to stick to traditional housing. But if you've got the cash, why not? It's not every day you get to live in a house that floats.
