‘World’s smallest’ houseboat that fits in pickup truck completes 12-mile trip on West Coast

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Batten down the tiny hatches!

YouTuber David Rule has built the the “world’s smallest” houseboat, taking the miniature vessel on a 12-mile trip through West Coast waters.

Dubbed the “Tinytanic,” the bantam boat measures just eight-feet long and 3.5-feet wide, but it comes complete with more amenities than you’d imagine.

YouTuber David Rule built the “Tinytanic,” the world’s smallest houseboat. Youtube/David Rule
Measuring 8 feet long and 3.5 feet wide, the vessel is small enough to fit in the bed of a pickup truck. Youtube/David Rule

Rule documented the building process in a YouTube video that has racked up over 3 million views in under two weeks. The vlogger built the vessel out of cedar, pine and plywood placed atop pontoon floats and covered in an aluminum roof.

Rule build the boat’s main structure from cedar, pine and plywood. Youtube/David Rule

The Tinytanic may be small, but Rule decked it out with a surprisingly luxurious interior including a bed, sink, single-burner stove, mini fridge, recessed lighting, power outlets and windows.

The ship even has two 100-watt solar panels on the roof.

To power the boat, Rule installed a Minn Kota electric trolling motor with 30 pounds of thrust. Outside the main cabin area, the boat boasts a deck with enough space for Rule to stand and fish from.

The boat even has two 100-watt solar panels on the roof. Youtube/David Rule
Rule decked the boat out with a surprising interior including a bed, sink, mini fridge and recessed lighting. Youtube/David Rule

Once the boat was complete, it was time to set sail. The vessel was so small it fit in the back of Rule’s pickup truck.

To put his creation to the test, Rule set out on a three-day, 12-mile journey on the Pend Oreille River in Washington state, fishing and camping by the river along the way.

Rule tested the boat’s power with a three-day, 12-mile journey on the Pend Oreille River in Washington state. Youtube/David Rule

He began his journey at Metaline Falls, traveling north through a canyon to Peewee Falls. The trip began without a hitch, but on day two the motor’s battery began to run low due to the limited solar power.

“This might be the most ridiculous build I’ve taken on in my entire life,” said Rule. “But it ended up working better than I ever could have imagined.”


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