They seem to be everywhere right now. Many websites cropping up, photos of shantyboats down south. Nothing new, but there seems to be a new interest. It's understandable with the high cost of housing alone. But this design by Harry Bryan(long time Wooden boat magazine contributor, designer and boat builder) seems to hit the core of what might interest a slice of more mainstream, even the non boater. One of these 20'ers can be delivered for 75k from his shop. That may seem like a lot to some but he's built a boat with his typical high quality. The plans are for sale as well and the skill level required to build a shantyboat isn't that high. Homebuilts, especially on a commercially built barge base, could be pretty affordable.

I don't see a landside exodus of people moving onto the water. I see these being an interesting idea for seasonal sheltered water, even here in Maine. Robinhood Marine in Maine has a similar idea on their website for a short term vacation rental. There are those that "own" moorings all over the coast, these shanty boats are boats(propulsion and all) but only designed to sit.

A new marine industry? Good or bad(both)?