Top 10 Houseboats 2027

Direct Answer

The Best Overall houseboat for 2027 is the Sumerset 16x75 Liveaboard, starting around $895,000, which pairs a 75-foot LOA, a 16-foot beam, four private staterooms, twin diesels, and a 20 kW genset to deliver the most complete full-time liveaboard package on inland lakes.

The Best Value pick is the Catamaran Cruisers Aqua Lodge 16, starting near $185,000, which delivers a genuine floating apartment on a stable aluminum-pontoon catamaran hull for a fraction of a fiberglass cruiser's price. This list is built for cruisers and liveaboards who want real berths, working generators, full galleys, and lake-stable hulls — whether the budget sits near $150,000 or stretches toward a custom $1,200,000 flagship.

Every pick below uses real model-year specs, beams, berth counts, and MSRPs.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each houseboat against what full-time and weekend liveaboards tell builders and brokers they actually care about. We leaned on published data from Boating Magazine, Discover Boating, BoatTEST, boats.com, Power & Motoryacht, and manufacturer pages. The weighting:

• Build quality and reliability — 25%
• On-water performance and hull stability — 20%
• Value and price — 15%
• Comfort, berths, and layout — 15%
• Features, power, and tech — 15%
• Resale and brand strength — 10%

A houseboat that nails square footage but skimps on generator capacity, or floats beautifully yet bleeds value at resale, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Sumerset 16x75 Liveaboard 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $895,000 | Best for: Full-time liveaboards who want a turnkey floating home

The Sumerset 16x75 is the most complete liveaboard houseboat you can order. It runs a 75-foot LOA, a 16-foot beam, and a low 2.5-foot draft on a welded aluminum hull, sleeping up to 10 across four private staterooms plus convertible salon berths. Twin Cummins 6BT diesels push it to a comfortable cruise, while a 20 kW Onan diesel genset runs two HVAC zones, the residential galley, and a washer-dryer at anchor.

Standard features include a full-beam master, granite galley counters, a flybridge helm with Garmin GPSMAP chartplotters, a hydraulic swim platform, and roughly 400 gallons of fresh water. Sumerset's reputation for heavy-gauge welds and dealer support anchors the win.

Pros:

• Four private staterooms sleeping up to 10
• 20 kW diesel genset runs full residential systems at anchor
• Heavy-gauge welded aluminum hull built for full-time living
• Flybridge helm with twin Garmin chartplotters

Cons:

• Near-$900K entry price is a serious commitment
• Custom build lead times can stretch past a year

Verdict: The Sumerset wins on balance — space, power, build quality, and liveaboard comfort with no real weak spot.

2. Catamaran Cruisers Aqua Lodge 16 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $185,000 | Best for: Buyers who want maximum living space per dollar

The Catamaran Cruisers Aqua Lodge 16 is the smartest value play afloat. Its twin aluminum pontoon catamaran hulls give it a remarkably stable platform with a shallow 1.5-foot draft, and the 44-foot LOA with a 16-foot beam opens up a full one-bedroom apartment layout.

It sleeps four to six, runs a single or twin outboard or diesel I/O rated to roughly 150 hp, and supports a 7 kW genset for the residential galley, rooftop deck, and AC. You get a real queen stateroom, a full bath with a shower, a residential refrigerator, and a sundeck up top — all for a price closer to a mid-size cruiser than a custom houseboat.

Pros:

• Lowest entry price of any liveaboard pick at $185,000
• Twin-hull catamaran platform is exceptionally stable
• Full apartment layout with queen stateroom and full bath
• Shallow 1.5-foot draft opens up skinny-water lakes

Cons:

• Pontoon hull tops out at modest cruising speeds
• Less storage and tankage than a full-size cruiser

Verdict: The Aqua Lodge is the value champion — a genuine floating apartment for a fraction of a fiberglass houseboat.

3. Sharpe 18x80 Custom

Starting MSRP: $1,050,000 | Best for: Buyers who want a wide-beam custom luxury build

The Sharpe 18x80 is a Kentucky-built custom flagship for owners who want the widest, most residential layout on the lake. It runs an 80-foot LOA, an enormous 18-foot beam, and a 2.5-foot draft, with twin Volvo Penta diesels and a 27 kW Onan genset. The extra beam buys a full-size kitchen island, a king master suite, three guest staterooms, and a top deck big enough for a hot tub and wet bar.

Standard kit includes bow thrusters, hydraulic swim platforms, and a flybridge with Raymarine Axiom electronics. Sharpe's hand-built reputation and limited annual output keep resale strong.

Pros:

• Massive 18-foot beam for residential-grade interior volume
• King master plus three guest staterooms
• 27 kW genset supports hot tub, wet bar, and dual HVAC
• Bow thrusters and hydraulic swim platforms standard

Cons:

• Seven-figure pricing and high slip fees
• Wide beam limits where it can be hauled or stored

Verdict: A wide-beam custom showpiece — the choice when interior volume and luxury top the list.

4. Bravada Mywayy 75

Starting MSRP: $925,000 | Best for: Buyers who want modern styling and tech-forward systems

The Bravada Mywayy 75 brings a contemporary, yacht-inspired look to the houseboat world. It measures 75 feet LOA with a 16-foot beam and a 2.5-foot draft, powered by twin Cummins QSB diesels and a 22 kW genset. The Mywayy line is known for tech: touchscreen helm displays, app-controlled lighting and HVAC, lithium house banks, and rooftop solar options.

Inside you get three to four staterooms, a designer galley, and a glass-walled salon. Bravada's modern fit-and-finish and customizable floor plans make it a favorite for younger liveaboard buyers.

Pros:

• Modern yacht-style helm with touchscreen displays
• Lithium house bank with rooftop solar option
• Three to four staterooms with designer galley
• App-controlled lighting and climate systems

Cons:

• Tech-heavy systems add service complexity
• Premium pricing close to the Sumerset

Verdict: The tech-forward pick — best for buyers who want modern styling and smart-home systems afloat.

5. Destination Yachts 70 Catamaran

Starting MSRP: $780,000 | Best for: Cruisers who want a stable wide-body catamaran hull

The Destination Yachts 70 Catamaran uses a twin-hull design for outstanding stability and efficiency. At 70 feet LOA, a 16-foot beam, and a shallow 2-foot draft, it sleeps up to eight across three staterooms. Twin Yanmar diesels drive the catamaran hulls economically, and an 18 kW genset powers the residential galley and dual-zone AC.

The catamaran platform reduces roll at anchor and improves fuel economy versus a flat-bottom build. Standard features include a flybridge with Simrad electronics, a full-beam salon, and a generous bow lounge.

Pros:

• Twin-hull catamaran reduces roll and boosts efficiency
• Three staterooms sleeping up to eight
• Shallow 2-foot draft for lake versatility
• Fuel-efficient twin Yanmar diesels

Cons:

• Catamaran beam limits some marina slips
• Fewer dealers than the mono-hull builders

Verdict: The efficient cruiser — pick it for catamaran stability and lower running costs.

6. Trifecta 28 Houseboat Pontoon

Starting MSRP: $135,000 | Best for: Weekend liveaboards who want an affordable pontoon platform

The Trifecta 28 is a pontoon-based houseboat that brings overnight cruising within reach of weekend buyers. It runs a 28-foot deck on triple aluminum pontoons with a shallow draft under 1.5 feet, powered by a single outboard up to 150 hp and a small 5 kW genset.

Inside you'll find a convertible berth for two to four, a compact galley with a fridge and stove, an enclosed head, and a rooftop sundeck with a slide option. It's the entry point to the category — easy to trailer to lake ramps and simple to maintain.

Pros:

• Affordable entry into houseboat ownership at $135,000
• Shallow draft and trailerable pontoon platform
• Enclosed head and compact galley with fridge
• Rooftop sundeck with optional water slide

Cons:

• Tight sleeping capacity for full-time living
• Small genset limits residential appliance use

Verdict: The weekend starter — ideal for buyers who want overnight lake cruising without a six-figure leap.

7. Gibson 5500 Standard

Starting MSRP: $215,000 | Best for: Buyers who want a proven, classic fiberglass houseboat

The Gibson 5500 is a long-running classic that defined the affordable fiberglass houseboat. It measures 55 feet LOA with a 14-foot beam and a 2.5-foot draft, powered by twin gas or diesel I/O drives and a 12.5 kW genset. The layout sleeps six across a private aft stateroom plus convertible salon and dinette berths, with a full galley and a separate head with a shower.

Gibson's wide dealer network and decades of build history mean parts and service are easy to find, and the boats hold value well in the used market.

Pros:

• Proven fiberglass hull with decades of build history
• Private aft stateroom plus convertible berths for six
• 12.5 kW genset runs galley and AC at anchor
• Strong parts availability and resale value

Cons:

• Older styling than the modern custom builders
• Gas I/O drives need regular service

Verdict: The proven classic — buy it for easy service, solid resale, and a time-tested fiberglass hull.

8. Harbor Master 520

Starting MSRP: $245,000 | Best for: Coastal-lake cruisers who want a sturdy widebody layout

The Harbor Master 520 is a widebody fiberglass houseboat built for comfortable inland and coastal-lake cruising. It runs a 52-foot LOA, a 15-foot beam, and a 3-foot draft, with twin Crusader gas engines or optional diesels and a 13.5 kW genset. The widebody design pushes the cabin out over the side decks, opening up a roomy salon, a full galley, a private master, and a convertible guest area sleeping six.

Standard kit includes a flybridge helm, a swim platform, and ample rooftop deck space for lounging.

Pros:

• Widebody design maximizes interior salon space
• Private master plus guest berths for six
• Flybridge helm and large rooftop deck
• Sturdy fiberglass hull for coastal-lake cruising

Cons:

• Deeper 3-foot draft limits skinny-water access
• Gas engines trail diesels on range

Verdict: The widebody cruiser — strong for buyers who want salon space and flybridge comfort at a fair price.

9. Lakeview 65 Trailerable Series

Starting MSRP: $320,000 | Best for: Owners who want a large yet relocatable houseboat

The Lakeview 65 splits the difference between a full custom and a weekend pontoon. At 65 feet LOA, a 16-foot beam, and a 2-foot draft, it sleeps up to eight across two to three staterooms on an aluminum hull. Twin gas or diesel drives and a 15 kW genset support a residential galley, two HVAC zones, and a washer-dryer prep.

The Lakeview's selling point is relocatability: the modular build can be disassembled and trucked between lakes, a rare feature in a boat this size. Electronics include a Garmin helm suite and a bow thruster option.

Pros:

• Relocatable modular build can be trucked between lakes
• Two to three staterooms sleeping up to eight
• 15 kW genset supports dual HVAC and laundry prep
• Aluminum hull with shallow 2-foot draft

Cons:

• Relocation logistics are costly and slow
• Fewer dealers and longer service waits

Verdict: The relocatable pick — ideal for owners who change lakes and want to bring their houseboat along.

10. Thoroughbred 70 Custom

Starting MSRP: $840,000 | Best for: Buyers who want a high-performance custom houseboat

The Thoroughbred 70 rounds out the list as a performance-leaning custom build for owners who want speed alongside comfort. It measures 70 feet LOA with a 16-foot beam and a 2.5-foot draft, powered by twin high-output diesels and a 20 kW genset. The hull is tuned for a faster cruise than most flat-bottom houseboats, and the layout sleeps eight across three staterooms with a full galley and a flybridge helm carrying Raymarine electronics.

Standard features include bow thrusters, a hydraulic swim platform, and a top deck rigged for water-toy storage.

Pros:

• Performance-tuned hull cruises faster than rivals
• Three staterooms sleeping eight with full galley
• Bow thrusters and hydraulic swim platform standard
• 20 kW genset runs dual HVAC and residential systems

Cons:

• Performance hull burns more fuel at cruise
• Custom build limits dealer support

Verdict: The performance custom — pick it when you want speed and comfort in one liveaboard package.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Houseboat

• Generator capacity — A liveaboard houseboat lives and dies by its genset. Confirm the kW rating runs your HVAC zones, galley, and laundry simultaneously; under-sized power ruins full-time comfort.
• Hull type and draft — Aluminum and catamaran hulls offer stability and shallow draft; fiberglass adds a smoother ride but more draft. Match the draft to your home lake's water levels.
• Berth count vs real privacy — Count private staterooms, not just sleep capacity. Convertible salon berths inflate numbers but reduce privacy for full-time living.
• Tankage — Check fresh water, holding, and fuel capacity. Bigger tanks mean longer stays at anchor between pump-outs and fills.
• Systems redundancy — Twin engines, dual HVAC zones, and a backup pump matter more on a floating home than on a day boat.
• Slip and haul-out reality — Confirm your beam fits available slips and that a haul-out yard can lift the boat for bottom work.

What matters less than marketing implies: rooftop water slides, hot tubs, and oversized TVs. They sell the dream, but generator capacity, hull build, tankage, and resale strength affect your years aboard far more.

FAQ

Which houseboat is the best overall for 2027? The Sumerset 16x75 earns our top spot for balancing four private staterooms, a 20 kW genset, a heavy welded aluminum hull, and full liveaboard systems with no major weakness.

What is the best value houseboat? The Catamaran Cruisers Aqua Lodge 16 starting near $185,000 delivers a genuine floating apartment on a stable catamaran-pontoon hull for far less than a custom fiberglass houseboat.

Can you live aboard a houseboat full time? Yes. Picks like the Sumerset 16x75, Sharpe 18x80, and Bravada Mywayy 75 carry residential galleys, multiple staterooms, large gensets, and dual HVAC zones designed for year-round living on inland lakes.

What size generator does a liveaboard houseboat need? Full-time boats generally run 15–27 kW diesel gensets to power two HVAC zones, a residential galley, and laundry at anchor. Weekend pontoon houseboats can manage with 5–7 kW.

Which houseboats have the shallowest draft? Catamaran and pontoon designs lead: the Aqua Lodge 16 and Trifecta 28 draw under 1.5 feet, opening up skinny-water lakes that deeper fiberglass hulls cannot reach.

Do houseboats hold their value? Proven builders like Gibson and Sumerset hold value well thanks to strong parts availability and dealer networks, while custom builds from Sharpe and Thoroughbred retain value through scarcity and hand-built quality.

Bottom Line

For 2027, the Sumerset 16x75 is our Best Overall houseboat — starting around $895,000, it wins on space, power, build quality, and full liveaboard comfort. The Catamaran Cruisers Aqua Lodge 16, from about $185,000, is our Best Value, delivering a real floating apartment for a fraction of the price.

If your needs lean toward maximum luxury, catamaran stability, a relocatable build, or a weekend pontoon, use the decision tree above to route yourself to the Sharpe, Destination Yachts, Lakeview, or Trifecta instead. Buy on generator capacity, hull build, and tankage — not rooftop gadgets — and you will love the years you spend aboard.

Sources

• Boating Magazine — houseboat reviews and buyer guides
• Discover Boating — houseboat types and ownership
• BoatTEST — houseboat tests and specifications
• boats.com — houseboat listings and pricing
• Power & Motoryacht — cruising boat reviews
• Sumerset Houseboats — models and specs
• Sharpe Houseboats — custom builds
• Bravada Yachts — Mywayy houseboat line
• Catamaran Cruisers — Aqua Lodge specs
• Gibson Boats — houseboat history and models

*Houseboat review — houseboat reviews, rating, best houseboat 2027, and a review of the top liveaboard picks for buyers.*