http://www.housetrip.com/en/amsterda...FYlaMgod9BQA_g

shows some houseboat rentals.

WOW! we will definitely look into these. Sounds really cool!
thanks.

Some houseboats are plagued with plumbing problems I understand so check reviews from say TripAdvisor, etc. before settling on one - any location in the Jordaan is superb so location does not matter much.

However - so few of the rentals show that they are actually in the Jordaan. This is the area that we want to locate!

the jordaan hasn't much in the way of canals, as it's outside the canal ring, beyond prinsengracht.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordaan

Jordaan don't have many canals - look at the map - it is full of canals if this map is really of the Jordaan.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-amsterdam.cfm

A current thread about houseboats in A'dam.

PalenQ, I used to live on 2e Lindendwarsstraat, so right in the middle of the Jordaan. Bloemgracht etc are too narrow for houseboats. Those are on Prinsengracht, so outside of Jordaan. There used to be more canals in the 19th century (Lindengracht, Palmgracht, Westerstraat) and these were all filled in because of unsanitary conditions ie they were open sewers.

Any houseboat rented will be on Prinsengracht, or on Brouwersgracht, on the edge of Jordaan, not in it. Brouwersgracht would be the preferred location by the way, because of its proximity to Haarlemmerstraat.

This is great location information. I also enjoyed the thread that PalenQ posted as it addressed a big concern: Hot water and musty smelling boats! I also have the issue that my husband is 6'5" and I fear he may not "fit". I sure want a houseboat to work, though. I look forward to further suggestions.

thanks.

Well the Dutch are the tallest people in the world I think or just about so houseboats may be make for tallish guys.

Let's hope so!

Ok, we located an interesting houseboat with 2.45 ceiling height. However--it is in oude Houthaven. Is this the more industrial section of town, or a nice location? I definitely do not want lots of movement in the water, either.

Well it is IME not the dreamy canals lined with ancient facades but yes a more commercial area - not sure there would be that much noisy unless you are right on the big harbor as some houseboats there are - some are more like hotels - it's a houseboat but I would think not in the dreamy areas most would like.

That said it is a fairly untouristed area and a short walk to the Dam and the center of town.

Houthaven is a longish way from the city centre, and public transport there can be sporadic, especially in the evenings. Oude Houthaven is rather closer to the centre, as PalenQ indicates, but Houthaven proper is farther. If it's behind Van Diemenstraat: perfectly acceptable, but if it's behind Tasmanstraat, I'd pass.

Do they indicate where it is exactly?

If it's this one http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p1051850#map it's in Oude Houthaven.

Prinseneiland is directly behind, which is nice, but public transport is not so good there. Only one bus, and lots of gaps at night, so if you're out on the town, expect to walk back. You must weigh if you want that.

the facilities look smashingly nice but the location is inconvenient and not the dreamy canals associated with more traditional house boats - in fact this looks more like a ship converted to a hotel - which is fine but not the dreamy houseboat experience and the area is one of the least attractive in Amsterdam IME - lack of public transit could be a detriment.

Prinseneiland is exceedingly beautiful though...

We based 6 nights in Haarlem and took day trips to Amsterdam, Delft and Utrecht. We enjoyed the slower pace of Haarlem as well as the savings of a hotel outside of Amsterdam (we stayed at Stemples, room 21 and loved it). This was on the advice of a Dutch neighbor. For us it was an ideal arrangement.

https://www.google.com/search?q=prin...=1600&bih=1075

Yes Prinseneiland is one of Amsterdam's hidden, from most tourists who at most see it from a train going into or out of Amsterdam - I've walked around there many times - quaint for sure and I believe a tram line terminates there so maybe public transit ain't bad then to that hotel ship.

Westerpark across the bridge to the south is also a gem - come here to see Amsterdam's Turkish and other Muslem communities outside in their traditional garb on a nice day.

the area south of Westerpark and to the east a bit used to be the den of many alternative life styles and a touch of that alternate lifestyle hangs on though the old buildings that once were famous squats in the 70s are now upscale flats it seems.

this could be a sweet sweet place to stay come to think of it!

https://www.google.com/search?q=west...=1600&bih=1075

Ok--this helps SO much - I will cancel the thought of the oude Houthaven boat (and yes, Menachem - you found the boat we were looking at). SO--back to the drawing board. There are SO MANY apts and boats for rent in AMS!! rather overwhelming, actually. I'm anxious to find the perfect fit and move on to planning the trip! Knowing areas to focus in on, though, helps. I'll report in after looking around some more.