Description

1981 Carlcraft 45'

(Liveaboard Rights Included)

Contact:
Kathy Heet, Broker
(661) 400-4487

Thoughtfully Rebuilt Floating Home with Serious Craftsmanship & Year-Round Comfort

Meet Why Naut?, a 45’ Carlcraft houseboat built in 1981 in Goodlettsville, TN, and transformed into a truly exceptional floating residence. This is not a surface-level refresh—it’s a near-total rebuild driven by function, durability, and comfort. Over 4,000+ hours of meticulous renovation went into reimagining every inch of this vessel, inside and out.

From structural upgrades and insulation to custom windows, electrical systems, and residential-quality plumbing, Why Naut? was rebuilt by an experienced boater with the singular goal of creating a comfortable, efficient, year-round liveaboard. The result is a rock-solid floating home that feels more like a thoughtfully designed small house than a traditional houseboat.

Powered by a reliable Volvo inline 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel with Volvo-Penta outdrive and equipped with a boat-safe engine heater, this vessel is well-suited for extended living in all seasons. The wide 14’ beam, intelligent use of space, and reinforced structure make this Carlcraft stand apart in both livability and build quality.

Key Features & Specs

Length Overall (LOA): 45’
Beam: 14’
Net Tons: 40
Year: 1981
Builder: Carlcraft (Goodlettsville, TN)
Hull: Fiberglass
Engine: Single Volvo inline 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel
Drive: Volvo-Penta outdrive
Climate Control: 16,000 BTU Carrier reverse-cycle marine A/C & heat

Interior & Structural Renovation Highlights

This vessel underwent a near-complete interior demolition and rebuild, including:

• Interior stud-wall “skeleton” construction (exceeds many newer houseboats)
• 1” foam insulation on all interior deckhouse surfaces
• Reinforced overhead rafters and subfloor stringers
• New subfloors in galley, head, and stateroom
• Bilge coating and upgraded through-hull fittings
• Fresh-water supply management manifold upgrade

Windows, Power & Systems

• $10,000 custom double-pane Hehr windows and sliding main hatch door
• Upgraded 50-amp / 250-volt shore power system
• New electrical wiring and appliances installed to ABYC standards
• Battery charger circuit breaker installation
• Depth finder installation and upgraded wiring runs

Tanks & Mechanical

• Twin 82-gallon aluminum fuel tanks (positioned abeam of engine)
• 110-gallon aluminum fresh water tank
• Boat-safe engine heater for cold-weather operation

Deck & Exterior Upgrades



• Exterior fiberglass repair and paint on aft deck / stateroom overhead
• Custom aluminum stanchions and railing (manufactured by Gibson Houseboats)
• Bimini frame and top
• Deck box
• Chafe guard, aft solar vent, fuel fill neck, signal bell
• Forecastle overhead support coxcombing
• Cuddy wire cover

Why Why Naut?

This is a rare opportunity to own a structurally upgraded, intelligently rebuilt, liveaboard-ready houseboat that prioritizes comfort, insulation, and systems over cosmetic shortcuts. For buyers seeking a serious floating home with real bones—and not just fresh finishes—Why Naut? delivers.