We Bought a $4K Boat To Turn Into a Tiny Home in Massachusetts—Now We’re Selling It for $140K

Jake Doggett, 26, was living in Seattle when he got the call. His childhood best friend, James Little, asked him if he wanted to head back to Massachusetts, where they both grew up, so they could start a building project together. Doggett had recently finished a travel truck build, which he documented on his YouTube Channel, Salvage to Scenic.For Doggett, it was an easy yes.The next question: “What should we build?”After much back-and-forth, their shared love of boating and the ocean inspired them to build a houseboat—a larger endeavor than either anticipated. Loading...Jake Doggett and pal James Little with the pontoon boat shortly after purchasing. Salvage to ScenicLoading...Expanding the pontoon into a houseboat took time, money, and ingenuity. Salvage to ScenicBuilding a floating tiny homeThey found a 24-foot long pontoon boat for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Hanover, NH, and snatched it up for a cool $4,000.By the fall of 2024, they started building. At first, they considered it just a passion project. “It was never intended for full-time use,” says Doggett, admitting they simply wanted a fun hangout for friends and family, especially on weekends. But no matter how long som...