I'm not planning on anchoring in a marina, because no marina seems to accept homemade houseboats. I would happily pay moorage fees, but finding a moorage is a problem. I'm at my wits end with renting, I can't even afford to eat properly or take care of my cat properly or even pay for medical things I desperately need. I am responsible, I care deeply about the environment so much that I am visibly upset when I have roommates who don't recycle. I try and keep clean and I have a squeaky clean criminal record. I want to live minimally, and exposed to nature as much as possible. I figure making my own houseboat would be a good way to save money so I can try and get a leg up and be close to nature.

If I do make it, I plan on starting with the bare minimum (a wooden platform floated with marine foam/homemade dock floats, with a tent on top and a trolling motor). I plan on building it into something bigger and prettier as time goes on with the money I'd be saving with rent. I'd have a composting toilet, and dump it responsibly. I'd shower at a friend's place or with filtered river water until I can get a shower installed.

Could I make one and get away with just trolling here and there or will the water cops come after me? Where could I dock when I want to go get groceries and run land errands? How long can one stay anchored in place?

I know this is going to piss some people off, but I've struggled my entire life and the idea of suicide is becoming more tempting the longer I struggle (yes I've seen a therapist, lots of them, taken lots of different colorful meds too over a period of 15 years, none of it helps me - what would help though is changing my current situation). I just need something so I don't become homeless, or driven completely insane having to live with people I can't stand. I also can't drive a car, so I can't go live in one of those either.