Famous Floating Chapel

The Famoust Floating Chapel Houseboat is for Sale. Formerly one of two floating chapels in the world. Now a floating church house for sale!

Beguiled — Yes, this houseboat is captivating. People stop and point. They snap pictures and wave. They want to see inside.  From your deck, you smile and wave back. They are mesmerized. They wish they were you…or, could at least be with you.”

Formerly known as the “Chapel on the Bay” she actually was a wedding chapel, one of only two floating chapels in the world.

In that life, she was featured on the “Travel Channel” and written about in the “London Daily Mail”. After a complete redesign and repurposing, she is now an enticing home. What will she be in her next life when she is yours – perhaps a permanent home in Seattle or on the Chesapeake, or serve as an Airbnb at a marina. Or, will you float down the Intracoastal Waterway while entertaining friends? Possibly, she will be your office where clients immediately recognize your brand and what separates you from competitors. Maybe you are a chef/restauranteur and you will woo clients aboard for dinner cruises. So many options!

Read about the Famous Floating Chapel in the Robb Report!

Yes, she is beguiling. And her next life is limited only by your imagination. What will she be?

More than $1,300,000 has gone into her original construction and recent conversion to a luxury floating home. Much of the original chapel design remains, including a 30-foot steeple, 7 soaring stained-glass windows each covered with hurricane-resistant glass, arched solid-wood chapel doors, metal roof, and covered and open decks for entertaining and enjoying the views.  The total surface of the catamaran barge is 1800 square feet including decks and the 1050 sq. ft. house.

Inside are all the luxuries and comforts of home. Totally transformed, the open-concept design includes a living room that opens onto one of the covered decks, a stunning kitchen with modern appliances, granite countertops, and the same beautiful hardwood floors found throughout the living room and entry.  Also on the main level is the master suite with ensuite bath and a second guest bath.  A spiral stairway leads to a second loft bedroom. 

Based at a beautiful marina on the Manatee River in Palmetto, Florida, she is completely air-conditioned with large fans providing supplemental cooling for more moderate days.  Travel and enjoy nights on the water — an eight-kilowatt generator keeps everything functioning normally.  Motion-dish satellite TV antenna included! 

Powered by two Diamond Series Cummins Diesel engines, the Famous Floating Chapel is totally self-propelled and can be moved under her own power at about 6 knots.  Famed Naval Architects Daniel J. Avoures and Associates designed and built the original ship.  No detail was overlooked in crafting a vessel capable of holding up to 110 persons while providing safe and comfortable passage with maximum maneuverability.  The home can edge right up to a dock or reception spot – no need for a dinghy! 

Weighing 33 tons, and measuring 30’ x 60’, the infrastructure of this low-maintenance all-fiberglass vessel is impressive.  Floating on twin catamaran hulls, she has less resistance when moving through the water and can maintain steadiness while gliding through small waves.  Rather than anchors, electric winches power steel beams that drop to steady the vessel in wind.  This feature permits mooring in shallow waters as no keel is necessary.

The Famous Floating Chapel is totally furnished with items shown in the pictures, including a 65″ flat screen TV, leather furniture, outdoor seating, and gas grill, plus a well-stocked kitchen. You can actually live aboard at the marina for $900 per month!

View our other houseboats and floating homes for sale.