# Houseboat platforms and floating cabins on Pontoonz pods > 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. Source: https://www.pontoonzboats.com/houseboats/ 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. - Made in New Zealand - 5,000+ pods sold - Marine-grade polyethylene - 15+ year product life - Est. 2003 ## A garden shed, two hulls and a 9.9hp outboard Two hulls of six [Main Boat Pods](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/pods-and-pricing/#main-pod), 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 ## 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. ## 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. ## A floating house, cabin or floating home on water A tiny house or floating home 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 ## 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. See our [consents guide](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/guides/pontoon-consent-nz-australia/). ## How many pods does your houseboat need? Enter your deck size and the load it has to carry, including the cabin. ## Houseboats built on Pontoonz pods [Cedar-clad houseboat — 8.1m twin hull, 12 + 2 pods, 2003](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/projects/) [Floating house — Moored on an estuary](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/projects/) [Houseboat under construction — Cabin framing on pods](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/projects/) [Timber-clad houseboat — Pontoonz platform](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/projects/) [Cabin houseboat — Outboard-powered, Pontoonz hulls](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/projects/) [Tent-on-platform — Overnighter on coloured pods](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/projects/) ## Built by real people. Proven on the water. **Original customer story** Published by Pontoonz **Richard** Pontoonz customer · Customer testimonial > Hear how Richard used the Pontoonz modular system and why the finished boat delivered practical value with very little maintenance. **Hear it directly from Richard** His experience building with the Pontoonz modular system. ### Why people choose Pontoonz **Richard** Customer review It's a lot of boat for the money, zero maintenance, quick to build. A true kitset. **Original 2003 build** Owner story The first cedar-clad Pontoonz houseboat was built on an 8.1 metre twin hull—and it is still afloat today. **SailGP marker fleet** Proven project Pontoonz pods have supported marker boats and buoys at SailGP regattas worldwide since 2018. **Tonga work barge** Pacific project An 8 metre Pontoonz work barge helped move horses off an island after the Tonga tsunami. ## Questions about building a houseboat ### Do I need boat-building skills to build a houseboat on pods? 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 an outboard motor on a houseboat? 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 for a houseboat in NZ or Australia? 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. ## Tell us about your houseboat Every quote comes with a recommended configuration, volume pricing and freight to your address or nearest port. [+64 (0)9 444 2000](tel:+6494442000) [+64 (0)27 555 2100](tel:+64275552100)Mobile, call or text SailGP & America's Cup marker boats · Trading since 2003 > “It's a lot of boat for the money, zero maintenance, quick to build. A true kitset.” Richard, Pontoonz customer, Customer testimonial - Configuration recommended with every quote - Volume pricing and freight to your address - Trading since 2003 ## Other ways to use the same pods ### [Pontoon boats and kits](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/pontoon-boats/) Build your own pontoon boat on pods: any length, any layout, from-prices published. [Explore](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/pontoon-boats/) ### [Floating saunas](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/floating-saunas/) A sauna cabin and plunge deck on 6 to 8 Main Boat Pods. [Explore](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/floating-saunas/) ### [Consents for pontoons and houseboats](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/guides/pontoon-consent-nz-australia/) Who to ask in New Zealand and Australia before you launch. [Explore](https://www.pontoonzboats.com/guides/pontoon-consent-nz-australia/) ## Contact Pontoonz - Phone: +64 (0)9 444 2000 - Mobile (call or text): +64 (0)27 555 2100 - Post: PO Box 695, Warkworth 0941, Auckland, New Zealand - Free quote: https://www.pontoonzboats.com/contact/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pontoonz/