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Description
The Apart XL houseboat for sale is one of the largest houseboats in the Apart line. It measures up to 12 m long and 5 m wide, draws only about 0.5 m, and is driven by two high thrust 50 hp outboards with a thruster for easy berthing. Each unit is built individually, with a layout designed around how you plan to use it, whether that is a private home, a holiday rental, an office or a restaurant on the water. It is new, built to order, CE certified, and we quote delivery worldwide.
This page covers the specifications, the choice of catamaran or trimaran floats, the off grid systems available, where you can take it, the many ways owners use it, ownership costs, ordering and delivery.
Apart XL houseboat for sale: Specifications
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Apart XL (Apartboat XL) |
| Type | Large motorized houseboat on floats |
| Condition | New, built individually to order |
| Overall length | Up to 12.00 m (about 39 ft 4 in) |
| Maximum width | 5.00 m (about 16 ft 5 in) |
| House dimensions | 8.50 m x 4.50 m |
| Draft | About 0.5 m |
| Hull | Two floats (catamaran) or three floats (trimaran) |
| Float material | Steel, aluminium, concrete or polyethylene, to suit your needs |
| Engines | 2 x 50 hp high thrust outboards |
| Handling | Control panel, control system and thruster |
| Design category | D (sheltered waters) |
| Certification | CE certificate and declaration of conformity |
| Optional systems | Heating, solar power, water purification or desalination, sewage treatment |
| Price | $127,900 |
Because every Apart XL is built individually, the final layout, equipment and price are confirmed in your quote.
A Big Floating Home With a Shallow Draft
The Apart XL gives you a house footprint of 8.50 x 4.50 m on a platform up to 12 x 5 m. That is room for a real living area, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms, plus outdoor deck space around the house. Yet the boat draws only about half a metre, so it can reach shallow lakes, river backwaters and moorings close to shore that deeper boats cannot use.
That combination of space and shallow draft is what makes the Apart XL houseboat for sale so flexible. It is big enough to live in comfortably, and still nimble enough to move between rivers, canals, lakes and sheltered coastal waters.
Catamaran or Trimaran Floats
The Apart XL floats on either two floats in a catamaran layout or three floats in a trimaran layout. Both use displacement floats that sit in the water and support the house steadily.
- Catamaran (two floats) gives a wide, stable base with a simple structure.
- Trimaran (three floats) adds a central float for extra buoyancy and support under heavier layouts or equipment.
You can also choose the float material. The builder works with four types:
- Steel for strength and a traditional feel.
- Aluminium for lighter weight and good corrosion resistance.
- Concrete for a very stable, heavy base often used for fixed floating homes.
- Polyethylene for low maintenance and resistance to rot and rust.
We will help you choose the right combination based on where the boat will live and how much it will move.
Twin 50 hp Outboards and a Thruster
A big houseboat needs confident handling. The Apart XL is driven by two independent high thrust 50 hp outboards. High thrust motors use gearing and propellers designed to push heavy loads at low speed, which is exactly what a houseboat needs. Two engines give you redundancy and better control when turning.
A thruster and a central control panel make berthing far easier. You can nudge the bow sideways into a tight spot without a crowd of helpers on the dock.
If you are supplying or replacing motors, browse our Mercury 50 HP outboards, Yamaha 50 HP outboards, Suzuki 50 HP outboards and Honda 50 HP outboards, and ask us which suit the boat.
Off Grid Options on the Apart XL houseboat for sale
The Apart XL can be specified with systems that make it independent of shore connections:
- Heating for comfortable year round use.
- Solar panels to generate your own electricity.
- Water purification or desalination to make drinking water from the lake, river or sea.
- Sewage treatment so waste is processed on board.
With the full package, the boat can stay away from the marina for long periods. That opens up remote moorings, private lakes and sites where shore services are not available.
Where You Can Use the Apart XL
The Apart XL is built to design category D. Under the European Recreational Craft rules, category D covers sheltered waters in winds up to force 4 and significant waves up to about 0.3 m, with occasional waves up to 0.5 m. The builder notes that, with its twin outboards, control system and thruster, the Apart XL can be used on rivers, canals, lakes and sheltered coastal waters. Always stay within category D conditions and check the forecast before moving.
Ways Owners Use the Apart XL houseboat for sale
A private home
With room for a full living space, the Apart XL can be a permanent home or a spacious holiday house on the water, usable all year round.
A holiday rental
Larger floating homes appeal to families and groups. Rented by the night or week, the Apart XL can earn income when you are not aboard.
An office on the water
Imagine meeting clients in a floating office. The Apart XL makes a memorable workspace or studio.
A restaurant, cafe or bar
The builder lists restaurants and food and entertainment venues among the uses. A floating cafe or bar draws attention and footfall in a harbour or riverside setting.
Promotional and event space
Businesses use houseboats for showrooms, launches and events. The layout can be designed around your brand.
A base for water sports
Many owners keep a day cruiser, tender or jet ski moored alongside, using the Apart XL as their home base.
Designing Your Apart XL houseboat for sale Layout
At your request, the builder designs the arrangement of rooms, outdoor space and equipment for your individual project. A family home might have two or three bedrooms, a large living area and a big terrace. A rental might focus on an open plan space with great views. A cafe needs a service kitchen and seating. Tell us how you will use the boat and we will pass your brief to the designer with your quote request.
Mooring, Permits and Rules
Rules for houseboats differ widely between countries, regions and waterways, and rules for commercial use such as rentals or restaurants are often stricter. Before delivery, check:
- Whether you need a marina berth or can moor at private property.
- Registration and any licence needed to drive the boat.
- Whether live aboard use is allowed.
- Permits for rentals, food service or events.
- Waste water rules and pump out facilities.
- Shore power and water connections, if not fully off grid.
- Insurance requirements.
The CE certificate and declaration of conformity help with registration and approvals. We will supply the documents your local authority asks for.
Running Costs to Plan For
- Mooring, which varies widely by location and berth size.
- Insurance for the structure, engines, contents and liability, plus business cover if needed.
- Utilities if connected to shore, or system upkeep if off grid.
- Fuel for the twin outboards when cruising.
- Maintenance for floats, engines, thruster, systems and finishes.
- Winter care in cold climates.
Off grid systems cost more up front but can reduce long term utility and mooring costs by letting you use cheaper or remote moorings.
A Day Aboard
Morning on a quiet lake. The solar panels are already topping up the batteries as the sun rises. You make coffee in the kitchen and take it out onto the deck. The kids are still asleep in their room. Later, you start the twin outboards and cruise slowly to a new spot across the lake, nudging the boat into a shallow bay that a deeper vessel could never reach. Friends arrive by tender for lunch on the terrace. In the evening you watch the sunset with the whole family around the table, then drift off to sleep to the sound of water against the floats.
Running a Cafe or Restaurant on the Apart XL houseboat for sale
A floating venue is a strong draw, but it takes planning. Start with the location. A busy harbour front, a riverside walkway in a city or a popular lake beach gives you passing trade. Then check permits early, since food service on the water usually needs approval from both the waterways authority and the local health or licensing office.
Design the layout around service. Give the kitchen good ventilation, enough power for your equipment and easy access for deliveries. Plan seating inside the house and on deck, with railings and shade. Think about toilets for guests, waste storage and how you will handle grey and black water. Finally, talk to an insurer about public liability before you open.
Running a Floating Holiday Rental
Families and groups love a big houseboat stay. To make the Apart XL houseboat for sale work as a rental:
- Confirm that your mooring allows paying guests and whether a permit is needed.
- Decide whether guests stay moored or may cruise. Most rental owners keep large units moored for simplicity.
- Choose a layout with private bedrooms and a big shared living space.
- Add the off grid systems if you want to offer remote, peaceful moorings.
- Write a clear guest guide covering power, water, waste, heating and safety.
- Arrange cleaning, laundry and maintenance between stays.
- Market the view, the deck and the experience of sleeping on the water.
Living Aboard Full Time
With heating and the right insulation, the Apart XL can be a full time home. Owners who live aboard enjoy daily contact with nature, a smaller environmental footprint and the freedom to move. A few things make it easier: a reliable postal address, a nearby place to park a car, good mobile coverage for work, and a plan for winter. Check whether your mooring and local rules allow residential use before you commit.
Delivery and Launch Day
A boat of this size needs a careful plan. We coordinate transport to the nearest suitable port or delivery point, and your marina or a local crane company handles the launch. Check that roads and the launch site can take a large load, and that your berth is ready with lines, fenders and any shore connections. After launch, the systems are tested and you receive the builder’s handover notes before your first night aboard.
The Apart XL Through the Seasons
Spring is time to inspect floats, lines and engines and clean the exterior. Summer brings long days on deck and peak rental demand. Autumn often gives the calmest, quietest days on the water. In cold climates, agree a winter plan with your marina: heating, frost protection for water systems, ventilation and whether the Apart XL houseboat for sale stays afloat or comes ashore.
More Questions Buyers Ask
How many people can live aboard?
That depends on the layout you choose. Tell us how many bedrooms you need and the designer will plan around it.
How shallow can it go?
The draft is about 0.5 m, which lets it reach many shallow lakes and backwaters.
Can I add a hot tub or roof deck?
Many extras are possible on a custom build. Ask us and we will check with the builder.
How long does the build take?
It depends on your specification and the builder’s schedule. We confirm an estimate with your quote.
Apart XL houseboat for sale vs Other Houseboats
| Model | Length x width | House | Engine | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apart XL | 12.00 x 5.00 m | 8.50 x 4.50 m | 2 x 50 hp | $127,900 |
| Barge house | 15.00 x 5.05 m | 11.00 x 4.50 m | 2 x 50 hp | $159,900 |
| Home on water | 13.50 x 5.00 m | 9.60 x 3.30 m | Stationary | $129,000 |
| Apart M | 8.40 x 3.60 m | 5.50 x 3.40 m | 25 hp | $69,900 |
Choose the Apart XL for a large, mobile, customisable floating home or business with off grid options. Choose the barge house if you need even more space for up to 12 people. Choose the home on water if your boat will stay in one place.
Which Float Material Suits You?
Steel is strong and easy to repair by any marine welder, but it needs good paint and anodes to control corrosion, especially in salt or brackish water.
Aluminium is lighter than steel and resists corrosion well, which helps if the boat will move often. It costs more and needs care to avoid galvanic corrosion with other metals.
Concrete gives a heavy, very stable base that barely moves when people walk around. It suits homes that will stay in one place, and it is slow to move under power.
Polyethylene does not rust or rot, needs very little maintenance and handles knocks well. It is a popular choice for fresh water lakes and for owners who want low upkeep.
Tell us where the Apart XL houseboat for sale will be moored, whether in fresh or salt water, and how often it will move, and we will recommend a combination.
Bring Your Toys
A large houseboat makes a great base for water sports. Many owners keep a small tender, a jet ski or a paddle board alongside. A light inflatable such as a Takacat 340 LX is ideal for trips ashore, fishing and exploring shallow water while the house stays at anchor. Ask us to quote a tender and outboard with your boat.
Insuring a Large Houseboat
Ask a specialist marine insurer to cover the structure and floats, the two outboards and thruster, the contents, liability, and any business use such as rentals or food service. Give them the mooring location, how often the boat will move, and whether anyone will live aboard.
How Ordering Works
- Brief us on how you will use the boat and where it will live.
- Design the layout with the builder’s designer.
- Choose catamaran or trimaran floats, float material and systems.
- Receive your quote with full specification, price and build estimate.
- Build to order.
- Delivery to your nearest port or agreed point.
- Launch and handover at your mooring.
Worldwide Delivery
We sell the Apart XL houseboat for sale to buyers worldwide. Because of its size, delivery is planned for each order, covering transport, the nearest suitable port and the launch method. Send us your location and we will include a freight plan and quote.
Please read our terms and conditions and refund and return policy, and see our customer reviews.
Caring for Your Apart XL houseboat for sale
- Inspect floats, mooring lines and fenders regularly.
- Clean floats at the waterline to limit growth.
- Service both outboards and the thruster on schedule.
- Maintain solar, water and sewage systems as the maker advises.
- Ventilate the house to prevent condensation.
- Protect water systems from frost in cold climates.
- Wash and treat exterior finishes each season.
Safety Aboard
Keep life jackets for everyone, fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, a horn and navigation lights. Fit smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If you use the boat commercially, check fire safety and escape route rules for public use. For background on design categories, see this Recreational Craft Directive overview.
Buy the Apart XL houseboat for sale From Us
NJ Marines Outboard Engines is based in Fresno, California, and supplies boats, houseboats and outboards worldwide. Call or WhatsApp +1 209 690 5983, learn more on our about page, or contact us via the contact page.
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FAQ: Apart XL houseboat for sale
How big is the Apart XL?
Up to 12 m long and 5 m wide, with an 8.50 x 4.50 m house and about 0.5 m draft.
What powers it?
Two high thrust 50 hp outboards, with a thruster for berthing.
Can it be fully off grid?
Yes, with heating, solar power, water purification or desalination, and sewage treatment options.
Can I design the layout?
Yes. Each unit is built individually to your brief.
Can I use it as a business?
Yes. Owners use it as rentals, offices, restaurants and event spaces, subject to local permits.
Is it CE certified?
Yes, with a CE certificate and declaration of conformity.
Do you deliver the Apart XL houseboat for sale worldwide?
Yes. We plan and quote delivery for each order.
Final Word
The Apart XL houseboat for sale is a spacious, shallow draft, customisable floating home that can go off grid and move under its own power. Whether you want a home, a rental or a business on the water, contact us today for your quote.
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