Holiday mansion

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Holiday Mansion was a U.S. fiberglass houseboat manufacturer founded in 1965 in Salina, Kansas by Jack Byquist. They produced thousands of houseboats in the 29–49 foot range for over three decades. In their prime, Holiday Mansions were popular with lake boaters and coastal cruisers from the Chesapeake Bay down to Florida’s coast. The spacious interior combined with a shallow draft and low purchase and operating costs made it a natural boat for rental agencies.

Most Holiday Mansion hulls were a modified cathedral bow entry that sloped slightly to an almost flat bottom at the stern. A substantial center skeg allowed fair stability for tracking. The normal single or dual inboard/outdrive power combination provided enough power for cruising. Higher output engines enabled many boats in the 35 – 39 foot range to ride on plane and even pull skiers.

Displacement for the dry boats was around 16,000 lb (7.25 metric tons) for the basic 35’ model to over 22,000 lb (10 metric tons) for the 49’ coastal models. Fully outfitted and fueled, the boats could displace much more. This meant that weekenders and live-aboards alike could keep the boats loaded with equipment and stores and still be able to cruise safely and efficiently.

Although many different models were offered with hundreds of possible variations, the general layout and configuration of the boats were rather consistent between models. Most boats had an upper salon with helm controls at deck level. Aft and a few feet lower than deck, a galley with a convertible settee was standard. Below the salon was a cuddy cabin consisting of two double beds with a narrow passage between them. Sometimes a storage locker or dresser was installed in place of one of the berths or the berth width was lessened to accommodate it. A stand-up head was placed under the helm allowing room for an enclosed stand-up shower or 36” tub surround in addition to the head and small sink.

Contents 1 Hull Configurations 2 Power 3 Amenities 4 Models and lengths 5 Current Information 6 Summary

[edit] Hull Configurations

Although the superstructure remained consistent on most models, the profile differed according to the various options. A "Coastal" package was included on many boats. This was an additional fiberglass "skirt" above deck level that circled the superstructure at the gunnels. This also added an additional two feet of overall boat length at the bow. Despite some beliefs, this did not add ability to the boat for cruising in rough water. The hull shape remained the same and the only benefit of the coastal package was reduced spray and the shipping of water over the bow.

Two basically different superstructures (fiberglass top of the cabin) were available on the 35-41 foot Holiday Mansion models. One superstructure allowed for the salon and galley configuration mentioned above and had a large aft deck with lids covering the engine compartment. Another extended the superstructure all the way aft over the engine and allowed for an additional stateroom and head aft of the galley. In this configuration engine access was gained by an engine lid that doubled as a berth support. The superstructure was also pushed out to even with the gunnels. This eliminated the walk around deck, but allowed more room for the aft stateroom and galley.

Flybridges were options that many Holiday Mansion owners chose. This outside helm allowed extra seating on top of the superstructure over the salon as well as a place to pilot the boat outside. Maneuvering the boat was easier given the 360 degree unobstructed view. Stainless stanchion posts and lifelines added to the profile as well as adding safety for navigating the decks underway or at rest. Later flybridges added a fiberglass radar arch.

A swim platform was included on most Holiday Mansions. Some models had an integrated fiberglass platform that added to the LOA of the boat. Others had added teak or fiberglass platforms that were not considered when naming the model by its length.

[edit] Power

Most models came equipped with single or dual gas engines with outdrives. Diesel options were rarely seen. Fuel tankage was a respectable 100–300 U.S. gallons (380–1140 liters) set in two tanks on opposite sides of the engine compartment. Crusader, Mercruiser, and Volvo engines were available with power ranging from 200–450 hp (150–335 kW). After market engines and drives make their way into some Holiday Mansions along with various stern and bow thrusters to aid maneuvering.

[edit] Amenities

Most Holiday Mansions came standard or factory equipped with the following creature comforts to create that "home from home" feeling:

• Liquid Propane oven and burners
• Water heater
• 30–120 gallon potable water storage
• head with holding tank or MSD
• shower and head sink
• galley sink
• 12 V and 120 V refrigerator
• roof mounted a/c
• 12 V lighting
• 12 V car stereo
• fold out settees
• galley table

[edit] Models and lengths

Most Holiday Mansions were named for their length. There were other designating monikers that concerned hull and superstructure additions. The following is a brief (and probably not all-inclusive) list of the designations:

• Flushdeck Barracuda – 35′ 3″ LWL (Length at the WaterLine) 12′ beam (width)with or without a flybridge, no additional fiberglass, usually with an added teak swim platform
• Coastal Barracuda – same hull as flushdeck, added coastal fiberglass gunnels and bow adding 2.5′ to the LOA – marketed as 38′
• Aft-Deck Coastal – same as Coastal above with superstructure accommodating an aft stateroom
• Wide-Body Aft Cabin – 35′ 3″ LWL, marketed at 39′ LOA, having a coastal package and flared gunnels that brought the beam to 14′. The superstructure allowed an aft stateroom
• 41′ Mediterranean – same hull, coastal package, and superstructure as the coastal barracuda with an integrated fiberglass swim platform bringing the LOA to just under 41’
• 46′ Flushdeck Barracuda – This is a completely different V-hull that is 46′ long and flared gunnels giving a 14′ beam. These hull molds and the right to produce the boats were purchased from Chris Craft. Their “Aqua-Home” houseboat was popular between the late 1960s and early 1980s. Holiday Mansions produced from these molds are referred to as 46′ Flushdeck Barracudas or AquaHomes.
• 49’ Coastal Cruiser or Coastal Commander – This is the same hull as above with a coastal package and added or integrated swim platform bringing the LOA close to 49′. Power usually comes from twin gas engines mated to V-drives and shafts with twin rudders as opposed to the standard inboard/outdrive seen in smaller HM’s

These designations followed production until the early 1990s when a 3-digit designation was employed. The model 410, for example, was the 41′ Mediterranean.

[edit] Current Information

Due to increased production costs, quality control issues, and competition from more popular manufacturers, production was stopped around 1996. Holiday Mansion reached its zenith when its boats were chosen as pace boats for the 1992 Olympics in Spain.

Holiday Mansion was purchased by a Canadian boat manufacturer in the late 1990s and production of newer lines that follow the widely known layout were produced. The company, now known as Holiday Mansion International produced models in the 38–49 foot range.

Most information shows that the new Holiday Mansion could not gain the favor among boaters it once had. Mass production seems to have stopped around 2003. Some later dated models appear for sale from time to time. This may be leftover hulls or “one-off” models as funds are available for building. Any update to the health of Holiday Mansion International would be welcome.

[edit] Summary

Although not seen as well-built or popular, Holiday Mansion houseboats have a loyal following among lake boaters and coastal cruisers alike. Either as a weekend runabout or a waterfront home, these boats function as stable platforms for family enjoyment. Older models are still fetching respectable sums. There seems to be no shortage of boats for sale or buyers interested in purchasing them.