Houseboat life in winter - how we live in wintertime

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What is houseboat life like in winter? We live in a houseboat all year round and we are sometimes asked what it is like to live in a houseboat, especially in winter. Many people realise that houseboating has its charm in the summer, but what is it really like in the winter?

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Houseboat life in winter

We think every season has its charm, and that's also true when it comes to boating. Here, in Pampas marina in Solna where we live, there are 40 houseboats and floating villas for year-round living. In other words, we are a bunch of people who live here all year round, and it's really cosy.

Some of the floating homes are, like ours, different kinds of boats and barges, which have had completely different functions in their earlier life, and have been converted into houseboats. Others are newer and built from the start as floating villas.

Snow on the piers?

There are four piers here in Pampas Marina, and along two of them are houseboats and floating villas. In winter, these are ploughed and sanded by Pampas Marina, the company that owns and manages the marina. "It's good because we have to walk here, but also sometimes we need to push trolleys with groceries and other things.

All we have to do is sweep our own boardwalk.

Ice on the water?

What about ice on the water? In fact, the Pampas marina is an "ice-free marina", which is achieved by installing large propellers under the surface to keep the water moving and not freezing.

In this year's photos, you can probably see some ice anyway, which is because the cold came very early, before the marina had time to install the propellers. Normally, however, there is very little ice in the marina, which is good for the houseboats and the occasional leisure boat that remains in the water over the winter.

Snow and ice on the houseboat?

Won't there be snow and ice on the boat then? Yes, of course there is sometimes. Most of the time we don't have to do much about it, apart from sweeping the entrance. Sometimes, however, if it snows heavily on the slope, so that the snow lies diagonally on the roof, Peter may have to get up there to shovel. Otherwise, the weight of the snow causes the houseboat to tilt, and then the eggs end up at one end of the frying pan when you fry them ...

Heating in the houseboat?

But what about heating in the houseboat? Well, here in Pampas marina, all houseboats have electricity, water and sewage connected, so most things work just like in any other home. We have a Nibe boiler, which gives us underfloor heating and heating via two radiators. In addition, we have an air heat pump, which provides a pleasant heat in the indoor air.

We also have a small dehumidifier in the boiler room, which does not provide heat, but makes the air less humid. Last but not least, we have the possibility to make a fire in our stove. It's cosy sometimes, when it's really cold outside.

So, what is houseboat life in the marina like in winter?

So, what is houseboat life in the marina like in winter? We think every season has its charm, and winter is often quiet and peaceful. Compared to summer, there are far fewer boats, if the water is even navigable, and also fewer weekend floaters on the docks.

But it is not completely quiet. Both ducks and swans move around the area and the occasional boat passes by, if the water is navigable.

The restaurant, K4 Pampas, is also open for lunch, weekend brunch and Christmas dinner. So yes, we have a few weekend visitors here even in winter. Especially if the weather is nice.

What questions do you have about boating in winter?

Do you have any other concerns about winter boating? Ask your question and we'll do our best to answer.

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