New houseboat arrives at Horseshoe Pond in Presque Isle State Park

Jim Kowalski is living his dream.

Ever since he was a child, the Erie native gazed longingly at the houseboats on Horseshoe Pond at the southeast end of Presque Isle State Park. And now, at 61, Kowalski says he's been a proud owner of one for four years.

But like many dreams, this one comes with a dose of reality — in this case, the upkeep involved in maintaining a floating home, especially one that's nearly a century old.

With rotting wood and maintenance costs abounding, Kowalski said he opted out of maintenance and for a more complete solution: a brand-new houseboat.

"It's a replacement — and an upgrade," Kowalski told the Erie Times-News.

A closer look at houseboats:How Horseshoe Pond became home to Presque Isle State Park's houseboats

The new houseboat, which will consist of a living room, kitchen, one bathroom and one bedroom, was recently placed in Horseshoe Pond by Erie-based Lakeshore Towing Services Inc.

Construction is ongoing, he said.

Eric Guerrein, president of Lakeshore Towing, said the houseboat weighed roughly 46,000 pounds and was equipped with a new frame and pontoons by Gene Davis Sales and Service in Erie.

"Right now, the old houseboat and the new one are tied together in Horseshoe Pond," Guerrein said. "Once the new one is completed and (Kowalski) moves all his belongings, then we're going to remove the old one."

Guerrein added that Kowalski's old houseboat was not the one that partially sank in 2020 after one of its steel tanks ruptured. He said that houseboat was fully repaired by the following year.

The 24 houseboats located on Horseshoe Pond are governed by the commonwealth — since they are located in a state park — and no more can be added. They also must abide by certain guidelines, such as the space they occupy — no more than 2,000 square feet.

Tom Bloom, a longtime owner of a houseboat who also serves as president of the Presque Isle Houseboat Owners Association, said while additional houseboats are prohibited on Horseshoe Pond, replacements are allowed.

"Out of the 24, there are about seven or eight that have been newly replaced with a new structure," he said. "Because with some of them, when they get to be 100 years or more, things start falling apart no matter how well you take care of it. And that was the case with this one here."

Kowalski, who uses his houseboat primarily as a summer getaway, said he didn't have a specific date when his move will be complete but added he is looking forward to the new house.

"I've always thought Presque Isle is the greatest asset we have and this houseboat is just a wonderful summertime spot," he said.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Houseboat on Presque Isle State Park's Horseshoe Pond gets replaced