1. This is the story about a Houseboat called “Laughing Waters”

2. Houseboats are like chickens teeth,
very hard to find, especially when you want to buy one real soon.
Some stunning houseboats in America and Australia, not much choice in South Africa. So finally we find a 10M houseboat for sale in the Cape. Flew down to Cape Town, rented a car and drove to Port Owen. Loved it, bought it.
The then owner arranged to put it on a flat bed truck and ship it to Manten Marina on the Val Dam. We did some basic designs as to what we wanted changed and Dick Manten’s team took over and now you will see “Laughing Waters” meandering along the 1100 kilometres of the Vaal Dam water frontage.
2 x Double beds , Bar, Shower, running Hot & Cold water, Oven to bake bread, Chicken, Gas Hob, Aft balcony to fish from and 2X85 Yamaha motors, means you can “Run” when you need to.

3. Port Owen.
We took the boat out up the River, then down the river and out to sea. Loved it.
Fish finder said that the Fish were there, but those fish were “Out to Lunch” on the day.

8. Arrives safely from Port Owen to her new home on the Vaal Dam.
As you can see from the water line, fantastic draft clearance.

9. New stripes, Lipstick and Makeup .
Now what to do with the inside?

11. Like the Bar & Barstools, but something is missing?

12. This is my funny drawing of how the “Lounge Table” will have a backrest during the day, then become a headboard when it turn into a double bed at night.

13. That’s it.
Just like my drawing.

16. Another brilliant drawing of how the double bed in the front will look like.

17. Getting there, looks a bit ruff,
needs some carpeting as well.

18. That’s looking a lot more refined.

19. See, my “blueprint” is becoming a reality.

21. A mattress and some cushions might make a change for the better!.

22. Aha, that’s better

23. Into the water you go.

25. All painted, polished, with new interior and ready to “sail” into the sunset.

28. This looks like a nice place to drop anchor for the night!

29. Anchors away.

32. BEFORE.

33. AFTER

40. Weekend is almost over and so is this story.

41. Dream, then make the Dream come true.
April 2010
Dream, then make the Dream come true.
The End.
Dick Manten did the all the Woodwork, Painting, re-newing etc
Peet did the carpets on the wall & upholstery, cushions, ideas galore &
My wife is an artist and did the finish touches to make it a home from home.
Me! I just forked out the cash for the fantastic job everyone did +_ R50K