Float-A-Home: A Free 1972 Plan for a 21 ft Houseboat
Ernst Lanzendorfer's 1972 21 ft houseboat offers living space for three to four on a strong, heavy-keeled hull.
Float-A-Home is a small houseboat for people who would rather wake up on the water. Ernst Lanzendorfer drew it at 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 7 ft 3 in (2.2 m) wide, with living space for three to four people. The hull is strong, with a heavy keel and close-spaced framing. Power tops out at 120 hp, enough to move your floating cabin between favourite coves.
Float-A-Home at a glance
| Detail | Float-A-Home |
|---|---|
| Type | Houseboat |
| Length | 21 ft (6.4 m) |
| Beam | 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) |
| Capacity | Living space for 3–4 persons |
| Construction | Strong hull with heavy keel and close-spaced framing |
| Power | 120 hp maximum |
| Designer | Ernst Lanzendorfer |
| First published | Spring 1972, p. 33 |
| Craft Print | No. 369 |
| Plan sheets | 8 |
Living aboard
Close-spaced framing and a heavy keel give a sturdy foundation, which matters when a boat carries a cabin, people and supplies. That solidity helps the houseboat feel settled at anchor. It is a build meant to last for years of weekends on the water. Solid and reassuring.
A 7 ft 3 in beam keeps the boat compact enough to manage, while still leaving room for three or four to live aboard. Eight sheets cover the hull and living space in detail. It is a good size for a couple or small family who want a floating getaway without a huge vessel. That balance between size and space is the heart of the design.
The original plan sheets
These are the 8 original sheets from 1972, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
Ernst Lanzendorfer designed Float-A-Home, which was published in Spring 1972 on page 33 and issued as Craft Print No. 369. The eight sheets cover the hull and the living space, from keel and framing to the cabin above.
Before you build
- Keep to sheltered water such as lakes and rivers, as houseboats are built for comfort rather than open seas.
- Ventilate the living space well and fit proper detectors if you plan to cook or heat aboard.
- Stay under the 120 hp maximum and keep heavy items low to protect stability.
Download the plan
The full 1972 Float-A-Home plan in one file: all eight sheets, ready to print or keep on a tablet.
Download the complete plan (PDF, 8 sheets, 6.8 MB)
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