The House Boat

I enjoyed the challenge of building and launching this boat. It gave my family and I some fond memories on the upper Mississippi. My fondest memory though, was that it was instrumental in me getting my first significant project after moving to Columbia.

The project was an addition and kitchen remodel for Mrs. and Mr. Marvin Baker on Independence St. I was bidding against a local contractor who had told the Bakers that the wall I was proposing to eliminate could not be eliminated. Needless to say the Bakers were skeptical.... of me.

On my next visit with the Bakers I brought the house boat photos with me. After viewing the photos Mrs. Baker said “Gary if you can build a boat like this you are able to build our room” and I did.

The other contractor.... he soon tired of the building business and went on to other endeavors.... he is now one of the areas better farm realtors. If you need remodeling call me. If you need a farm or other such real estate, call Jerry (Country) Coats.

See the green garage in the photo to the left? Well green in today’s sense, and grey in color. I had a sub-contract to tear the garage down and build a new one. The garage was in good shape, certainly better than the one I didn’t have. The problem was the garage was in University City Mo. And I lived in St. John, Mo. I raised the garage off the footings and backed my truck into the garage with only the front bumper protruding. I then nailed carrier rafters across the ladder racks from side studs to side studs, left the jacks down and drove off. It was 5am on a Sunday morning, driving across University City up Pennsylvania Ave. and out the St. Charles Rock Rd. I believe the garage still stands today, 45 years after it was to go up in smoke.

Copyright 2008 © Naugle Company.