Houseboats offer new living in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Downtown Wilmington is known for its waterfront views, but some residents are taking that a step further by living directly on the water.

Docked in a local marina along the Cape Fear River, a series of newly finished houseboats are offering a different take on waterfront living. From the outside, the floating homes stand out along the river. Inside, they are designed to resemble traditional homes, complete with kitchens, living spaces, and bedrooms in a compact layout.

For many owners, the appeal goes beyond the view.

Adam Slack, who owns two of the houseboats, said he plans to use them for friends, family, and personal “staycations.” He said the experience of staying on the water is both unique and familiar.

“It’s fun. It’s unique. You can feel it sway just a little bit, you know, sometimes, not all the time, but you can feel it sway just a little bit, so it’s just something different. In the inside, it feels like you’re in an actual house, and it’s really nice. It does not feel like a boat, there’s no helm, you can’t drive it, there’s no engine, but it’s kind of the best of both worlds,” said Slack.

Laura Dodd, who also owns one of the houseboats, played a role in their design and construction. She said the project offered an opportunity to blend functionality with creativity.

“Adam has been so passionate about these houseboats for so long, and when he had this opportunity, I absolutely jumped on it. Not just for the financial part, for the ownership part, but for the design part. It was a super fun process to work through,” said Dodd.

Owners say the houseboats offer a lifestyle that combines the comforts of a traditional home with the experience of living on the water — a concept that continues to draw interest along Wilmington’s riverfront.