--- title: "Houseboat Platforms NZ & Australia | Pontoonz" description: "Houseboat platforms and floating cabins on Pontoonz pods in NZ and Australia. 8.1m twin hull from NZ$7,620, tri hull from NZ$11,430. Supplied direct or through your builder." url: https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/houseboats/ --- ![Cedar-clad Pontoonz houseboat moored on a bush-lined estuary](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/cedar-houseboat-2.DGeWfKfc_ZBIe1Y.jpg) Houseboats & Floating Living # Houseboat platforms and floating cabins on Pontoonz pods The first Pontoonz was a cedar-clad garden shed on an 8.1m twin hull in 2003. It's still afloat. Build the houseboat, floating cabin, office or weekender you've been thinking about, yourself or through your builder. [Get a quote](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/contact/)[Call now +64 (0)27 555 2000](tel:+64275552000) SailGP & America's Cup marker boats · Trading since 2003 ![The original Pontoonz shed houseboat with its owner standing in the doorway](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/shed-houseboat.DkD2KHEJ_1GYvgE.jpg) The Original Build ## A garden shed, two hulls and a 9.9hp outboard Two hulls of six Main Boat Pods, a Bow Pod on the front of each, timber runners and a deck, and a cedar-clad kitset shed on top. 8.1 metres long, pushed along by a 9.9hp four-stroke high-thrust outboard. Built in 2003 to potter around the estuary with family and friends. It's still afloat. - 12 Main Boat Pods + 2 Bow Pods - Timber runners and joists, drilled and bolted to the pods - No fibreglass, no welding, no marine trade Platform Options ## Twin hull or tri hull Both start from the same Main Boat Pods. Pick the hull count for your width, cabin weight and how much water you want to carry. Most popular ### 8.1m twin-hull platform 12 Main Boat Pods + 2 Bow Pods. The original Pontoonz layout. Suits cabins, weekenders and floating offices up to about 3.5m wide. **From NZ$7,620**ex GST · about AU$7,010 · pods only Wider, heavier, self-contained ### 8.1m tri-hull platform 18 Main Boat Pods + 3 Bow Pods. The middle hull doubles as fresh, grey and black water storage, at 350 litres per pod. **From NZ$11,430**ex GST · about AU$10,516 · pods only AU$ prices are indicative. Freight is quoted to your address or nearest port. Volume breaks apply from 10 pods. Working With A Builder ## Pontoonz supplies the platform. Your builder does the cabin. Many houseboats are built this way: we size and supply the pods, your builder fixes the deck and builds the cabin on top. For Australian projects, we quote the platform landed at your port so your builder can start as soon as it arrives. [Construction guide](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/how-it-works/)[Shipping to Australia](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/australia/) ![Houseboat cabin with timber framing and clear panels under construction on a pod platform](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/houseboat-build.Cx-ffXoi_Z1jimCX.jpg) ![White floating house on a Pontoonz platform moored on a calm estuary](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/houseboat-white.gtKnPkcq_Z1WJYB8.jpg) Floating Tiny Houses ## A floating house, cabin or tiny home on water A tiny house on pods is the same build as a houseboat without the outboard. The platform carries the cabin, the deck and the people; the tri-hull layout adds water and waste storage below deck. Size the platform to the cabin's weight with the calculator, then send us the plans. - Floating cabins, studios, offices and weekenders - Add pods later if the cabin grows - No antifoul, 15+ year pod life Consents & Registration ## What to check before you build ### New Zealand Mooring a houseboat usually needs a mooring or coastal permit from your regional council, and a cabin used as a dwelling may need a building consent from the district council. Rules vary by region and waterway, so talk to your councils early and before you order. ### Australia Houseboats are registered and regulated by each state's maritime authority, and some waterways have their own rules for size, sewage holding and mooring. Check with the authority in your state before you build. We're happy to supply pod specifications for your application. Size Your Build ## How many pods does your houseboat need? Enter your deck size and the load it has to carry, including the cabin. Your estimate **12**Main Boat Pods **2**Bow Pods NZ$7,620 ex GST · about AU$7,010 (indicative) · freight extra Estimates assume half immersion and an even load. Every configuration is checked by Pontoonz before a quote is sent. Houseboat Projects ## Houseboats built on Pontoonz pods [![Cedar-clad houseboat under way](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/cedar-houseboat.CkqJj12m_ZPeP1c.jpg)**Cedar-clad houseboat**8.1m twin hull, 12 + 2 pods, 2003](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/projects/)[![White floating house on a Pontoonz platform](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/houseboat-white.gtKnPkcq_Z1WJYB8.jpg)**Floating house**Moored on an estuary](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/projects/)[![Houseboat under construction on a pod platform](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/houseboat-build.Cx-ffXoi_Z1jimCX.jpg)**Houseboat under construction**Cabin framing on pods](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/projects/)[![Timber-clad houseboat with wide windows on pods](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/thailand-houseboat.Ci6sZQyC_1reoN1.jpg)**Timber-clad houseboat**Pontoonz platform](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/projects/)[![Houseboat with timber cabin and outboard on a tidal flat](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/houseboat-cabin.CkVU3Z7x_ZQSoTu.jpg)**Cabin houseboat**Outboard-powered, Pontoonz hulls](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/projects/)[![Tent pitched on a small multi-coloured pod platform](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/_astro/tent-platform.CPI35Qqe_1LMkFP.jpg)**Tent-on-platform**Overnighter on coloured pods](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/projects/) Houseboat FAQs ## Questions about building a houseboat [All FAQs](https://www.pontoonz.co.nz/faqs/) ### Do I need boat-building skills? No. The pods bolt together using the moulded tie-off points, and the deck is timber runners and joists, drilled and bolted straight onto the pods. If you can build a deck, you can build a Pontoonz. ### Can I put a motor on it? Yes. The 8.1m cedar-clad houseboat runs a 9.9hp four-stroke high-thrust outboard on Main Boat Pods with Bow Pods. ### Where does the water and waste go? On a tri-hull platform the middle hull doubles as fresh, grey and black water storage, at 350 litres per pod. ### Do I need a consent? Usually for the mooring, and sometimes for the cabin. In New Zealand talk to your regional and district councils; in Australia, your state maritime authority. ### How much does a houseboat platform cost? An 8.1m twin-hull platform starts from NZ$7,620 ex GST in pods; a tri hull from NZ$11,430. Freight is quoted to your address. ### Can you supply my builder directly? Yes. We supply the platform to you or your builder, and for Australian projects we quote it landed at your port. No-Obligation Quote ## Tell us about your houseboat Every quote comes with a recommended configuration, volume pricing and freight to your address or nearest port. [+64 (0)27 555 2000](tel:+64275552000)[info@pontoonz.co.nz](mailto:info@pontoonz.co.nz) SailGP & America's Cup marker boats · Trading since 2003 - Configuration recommended with every quote - Volume pricing and freight to your address - Trading since 2003 --- Pontoonz (Pontoon Marine Systems) · +64 (0)27 555 2000 · info@pontoonz.co.nz · PO Box 695, Warkworth 0941, Auckland, New Zealand