Life on the water

Our protagonists not only build floating homes—they live in one themselves. Year-round!

Ekaterina Karsakova and Alexander Klimchuk, along with their son Luka, aboard their own houseboat

Imagine living in Moscow during the workweek, then raising anchor on weekends or holidays to set your home adrift for an adventure.

Is that even possible? Yes—if you own a houseboat. Moreover, our protagonists build floating homes designed to freeze into… ice. There’s nothing else like them in the world.

Dream Meets Reality

Ekaterina Karsakova and Alexander Klimchuk began building houseboats in 2016.

Both had already established successful careers: Ekaterina sold luxury cars and founded Club GT, which hosts annual rallies; Alexander spent 25 years constructing aircraft and helicopters, launched Russia’s first helicopter club network, “Aerosoyuz,” and founded an academy training competitive pilots.

A houseboat can be both a residence and a hotel, say the founders of Houseboat.ru

But the couple shared a long-held dream: a home by the sea. During a trip to the U.S., they stayed in a floating house and were so inspired, they decided to build their own.

“We researched the market thoroughly, but realized what we wanted didn’t exist—we had to create it ourselves. That’s how the idea for a houseboat production company was born,” says Alexander Klimchuk.

…Six months later, they completed their first two-story houseboat—for themselves. The novelty attracted attention, and orders began pouring in. Soon, the couple dove headfirst into the industry.

A floating home is a “smart” space—warm, dry, and cozy

“Living on a houseboat transformed our quality of life so profoundly, we wanted to popularize this trend in Russia. Life on water improves physical and mental health: no urban stress, no negativity. It’s like a parallel world—nature, silence, and the freedom to change locations effortlessly,” Alexander explains.

A Home That Sails

Demand for floating homes is rising in Russia, with around 200 now in the Moscow region. Buyers also hail from St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast, Tatarstan, Altai, and Karelia…

For context: The U.S. has about 1 million houseboats, the Netherlands 100,000, and the UK over 15,000. Even Parisians are embracing the trend—over 3,000 now live on water.

Bedroom interior in a floating home

But houseboats aren’t just residences. This summer saw Russia’s first floating hotels docked at uninhabited islands in the Ladoga Skerries. A Tesla-inspired electric houseboat set sail for Nizhny Novgorod, while Kazan welcomed the country’s largest floating sauna—350 sq. m!

“A houseboat is classified as a small river vessel, yet it’s several times larger and wider than a yacht. Instead of cramped cabins, you get full-sized rooms and bathrooms—at a fraction of a yacht’s cost,” says Klimchuk. “Houseboats have hull numbers and ship certificates. While residency registration isn’t yet available, growing demand may push legislative changes. They dock at marinas, with monthly mooring fees averaging 30,000–50,000 rubles, including electricity. Annual maintenance costs range from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles.”

Dining area interior

Some houseboats defy winter—no need to haul them ashore. Their steel hulls allow year-round living. Houseboat.ru specializes in these models, a rarity globally. “We design superstructures for energy efficiency, reducing costs and maximizing winter comfort. It’s as cozy as an apartment, with systems engineered for subzero temperatures,” says Karsakova.

Your Personal Ark

The couple now lives full-time on a 500 sq. m houseboat. Benefits abound: no upstairs/downstairs neighbors, urban noise replaced by nature, and endless waterfront leisure.

“On weekdays, it’s a Moscow apartment; weekends, a countryside retreat; holidays, a luxury river yacht,” Alexander describes.

Travel without leaving home—even while cruising, the houseboat remains stable, indistinguishable from land-based homes. Advanced ventilation, heated floors, and smart climate systems prevent dampness.

85% of houseboat components are domestically sourced

All systems are self-sufficient. Notably, 85% of materials are Russian-made, and the designs remain globally unique.

A New Lifestyle

Primary clients are entrepreneurs and mid-tier executives, often seeking commercial use—floating offices, hotels, restaurants, or saunas. Others simply crave the lifestyle. Premium houseboats cost 300,000–400,000 rubles per sq. m, comparable to budget-class new builds.

Sizes range from 20 to 600 sq. m. Over 100 Russian families now own floating homes.

Children’s room in a houseboat

Currently producing 30 houseboats annually, the company aims to reach 400 per year by 2028. A recent agreement will establish a Moscow-region shipyard, with investments totaling 1.5 billion rubles.

Experts predict a surge in Russian houseboat demand within 2–3 years—unsurprising, given the country’s 2 million lakes (over 350,000 sq. km) and 2.5 million rivers (8 million km combined).

“We’re making the world happier, sharing our energy, and converting everyone to houseboat life,” laughs Ekaterina Karsakova.

The article’s protagonists on the deck of their new 500 sq. m home