Magazine Article

After our tour of Holiday Mansion International’s first completed creation—the splendid 4914 Coastal Commander—we have two words for the company: Welcome Back

At first we were a bit surprised by what we heard. Boston? The first Holiday Mansion to roll out of production since the company's acquisition by Twin Anchors Marine is headed to Boston? We had assumed the 4914 Coastal Commander would land in the Houseboating Headquarters of Kentucky and Tennessee, or maybe shoot down to Florida to meander the Intracoastal Waterway in that region. But Boston? New England is a gorgeous location, but certainly a nontraditional location to unveil to the world the latest from the revamped, reborn houseboat manufacturing legend, Holiday Mansion.

Then again, Boston made sense, we thought. This is a region profoundly aware of its past. And a hefty portion of that history is linked to the water (remember Plymouth Rock and the Tea Party?). Even the USS Constitution, America's first naval battleship, welcomes thousands of tourists per year at its Boston-based museum. Yes, Boston made sense.

By the time we arrived in the Massachusetts capital, anticipation had enveloped us. Houseboat was to be the first magazine to formally walk through the boat and capture it on camera. We timed our entry perfectly-Ed and Sue Maynard, the Maryland-based brokers of Martin Associates Yacht Group who had the privilege of delivering the fiberglass beauty to Boston-had spent the previous days wrapping up the testing and assembly. (The Maynards are no strangers to the popularity of Holiday Mansions-Martin Associates was the largest Holiday Mansion dealer in the world. "We can't keep new or used Holiday Mansions in stock," they told us.)

No wonder. With Twin Anchors' modifications, the new 14-by-49-footer exhibits even more unrivaled splendor inside and out as do its vintage forebearers. Unlike many houseboats today, Holiday Mansions are singular in design and presentation. We had not seen a photo of the new Coastal Commander, named My Holiday, previous to our trip, but we immediately recognized it. "That's it," we said to ourselves as we pulled into the marina's parking lot. You can't mistake a Holiday Mansion.

The story of how the Holiday Mansion found its way to Massachusetts is one of trust, "hand holding" and a floating home. My Holiday, owner Gary Adelson owns furnished rental properties in Boston and stumbled upon a unique B & B at a Boston marina-a Boat & Breakfast. He loved the idea. "Some people pay outrageous amounts of money to have a view of the water," Adelson said. "I figured it would be even better to stay on the water."

A novice to boating, Adelson purchased a fantastic home on the water in Cape Cod and had it towed to a Boston marina, only to learn that his "houseboat" was actually a floating home, and could not be used as rental property because it did not propel under its own power. Unfazed, and with a new-found understanding of what a houseboat is, Adelson searched the Internet for houseboat information. What he found shocked him. "Much of what I saw was absolutely gorgeous," he said. "The stunning interiors and amenities on some houseboats rival those of a suite in Boston's finest hotels." He also discovered that the majority of houseboats are built for lakes and rivers, and that the Northeast is not a houseboating hotbed.

He decided to attend the National Houseboat Expo on Louisville, Ky., with his brother, who has owned many boats, as he felt it was an ideal opportunity to receive a crash course in houseboating. He knew that Boston's climate, saltwater and traverse waterways posed a certain challenge in finding the right houseboat, and Holiday Mansion International seemed to fit the bill, even though the new company had yet to manufacture a boat at the time of the Expo. "I told them from the beginning that I needed hand holding," Adelson admitted, "and I've never had such a positive experience with a major purchase. Although I knew there was a risk in being the buyer of a new product, one that I couldn't see, feel or touch, I also knew that they had something to prove, and the entire industry was watching."

One of Adelson's key points during the selection of a manufacturer was the workmanship. He examined the interior craftsmanship of Twin Anchors' houseboat on display at the Expo, and knew that it represented the level of handiwork he would receive on My Holiday,. Now completed, Adelson knows he made the right choice. My Holiday, dazzles on surface inspection, and doesn't disappoint under the microscope. The woodwork is yacht-like in its quality, and the finer points, such as the caulking in the head and the wires stored in the lockers, are meticulously carried out.

The boat's basic floor plan is similar to the older Holiday Mansions. The salon/galley area on the main level hides a cuddy beneath, but still features comfortable 6-foot-5 headroom throughout. Sloping, 32-inch-wide stairs under the console lead to a lower guest stateroom and bath at the boat's bow, and stairs at the galley escorted us to the spacious master stateroom and bath at aft. The cuddy and guest stateroom are joined by a convenient walkway accessible through the guest bath. A hatch in the salon is a secondary way to reach the cuddy (a convenient way to watch the young ones!).

Our first thought after an initial tour of the houseboat was, "If this boat is for rent, sign us up." The houseboat had yet entertained a visitor-even Adelson himself had not spent much time aboard then-but we felt at home. The galley is subtle in nature with a compact bar space and blond teak paneling, but lacks nothing-roomy refrigerator, trash compactor, microconvection oven and magnetic cabinets doors are standard features. ("Gary doesn't cook and enjoys coffee," Sue Maynard said, "so the boat is designed around his needs.") The ceiling fabric on My Holiday, is the same as that commonly found on luxury yachts, and the rope lighting under the valances and the scattered tungsten lights pleasantly accent the beige and onyx black décor throughout. (A navy décor is also available).

The boat sleeps eight-the master stateroom and guest stateroom each feature queen-sized beds, the cuddy has a full-sized and the salon sofa converts to a full-sized. The guest stateroom is as roomy as the master staterooms in many cruisers, and is a storage-space dream with a full-length hanging locker, three additional locker areas and four drawers. Impressively, the guest bath features a shower. (The master bath even has a bathtub/shower combo.) Both baths offer deep under-sink cabinets, a frequently ignored detail on houseboats.

Liberal storage space continues in the master stateroom and bath, with seven clothes drawers, a triangular, 32-by-32-inch hanging locker and another angled locker. Twin bedside stands, a 77-inch headroom and tinted glass and skylight at the rear highlight the open feel.

In the cuddy is a stacked washer/dryer combo. The salon's entertainment console (fully customized, of course) and the accompanying Sony sound system transform a simple DVD player and television into a resounding movie theater. To test its capabilities, we watched the opening 10 minutes of Twister. We are still trembling. Even with the boat's bow thrusters and Microcommander controls, we could not have guided it under the Golden Gate Bridge in our state of audio shock. The sound clarity is that stirring.

We spent so long admiring the interior of My Holiday,, we almost neglected the exterior. If we had, we would have overlooked a radar arch that sits six inches taller than the previous Holiday Mansion versions and a command bridge that features an icemaker, music center, wet bar and durable seating. The top deck area seats 10 for entertaining multiple guests, as well. The main deck features ample walkarounds and the stainless railings are designed for safety on tending lines or anchoring.

The boat's 72 inches of freeboard, combined with its planing/coastal-cruising hull makes the boat an ideal choice for coastal cruising. For an area like Boston, Adelson clearly made a wise choice in manufacturers.


	Used 2001 Holiday Mansion 49 ft Cruiser Boat Florida Private Party Yacht! \| home About Us \| Specifications \| Interior Photos \| Magazine Article \| Contact Us \| Vessel Condition \| Financing \| Fax Info \| Application Form \| Print AdV info \| Review-Inspection Magazine Article ARTICLE FROM HOUSEBOAT MAGAZINE HOLIDAY MANSION IS BACK! By Scott Springer - Editor of Houseboat Magazine February 1, 2001 After our tour of Holiday Mansion International’s first completed creation—the splendid 4914 Coastal Commander—we have two words for the company: Welcome Back At first we were a bit surprised by what we heard. Boston? The first Holiday Mansion to roll out of production since the company's acquisition by Twin Anchors Marine is headed to Boston? We had assumed the 4914 Coastal Commander would land in the Houseboating Headquarters of Kentucky and Tennessee, or maybe shoot down to Florida to meander the Intracoastal Waterway in that region. But Boston? New England is a gorgeous location, but certainly a nontraditional location to unveil to the world the latest from the revamped, reborn houseboat manufacturing legend, Holiday Mansion. Then again, Boston made sense, we thought. This is a region profoundly aware of its past. And a hefty portion of that history is linked to the water (remember Plymouth Rock and the Tea Party?). Even the USS Constitution, America's first naval battleship, welcomes thousands of tourists per year at its Boston-based museum. Yes, Boston made sense. By the time we arrived in the Massachusetts capital, anticipation had enveloped us. Houseboat was to be the first magazine to formally walk through the boat and capture it on camera. We timed our entry perfectly-Ed and Sue Maynard, the Maryland-based brokers of Martin Associates Yacht Group who had the privilege of delivering the fiberglass beauty to Boston-had spent the previous days wrapping up the testing and assembly. (The Maynards are no strangers to the popularity of Holiday Mansions-Martin Associates was the largest Holiday Mansion dealer in the world. "We can't keep new or used Holiday Mansions in stock," they told us.) No wonder. With Twin Anchors' modifications, the new 14-by-49-footer exhibits even more unrivaled splendor inside and out as do its vintage forebearers. Unlike many houseboats today, Holiday Mansions are singular in design and presentation. We had not seen a photo of the new Coastal Commander, named My Holiday, previous to our trip, but we immediately recognized it. "That's it," we said to ourselves as we pulled into the marina's parking lot. You can't mistake a Holiday Mansion. THE ROAD TO BOSTON The story of how the Holiday Mansion found its way to Massachusetts is one of trust, "hand holding" and a floating home. My Holiday, owner Gary Adelson owns furnished rental properties in Boston and stumbled upon a unique B & B at a Boston marina-a Boat & Breakfast. He loved the idea. "Some people pay outrageous amounts of money to have a view of the water," Adelson said. "I figured it would be even better to stay on the water." A novice to boating, Adelson purchased a fantastic home on the water in Cape Cod and had it towed to a Boston marina, only to learn that his "houseboat" was actually a floating home, and could not be used as rental property because it did not propel under its own power. Unfazed, and with a new-found understanding of what a houseboat is, Adelson searched the Internet for houseboat information. What he found shocked him. "Much of what I saw was absolutely gorgeous," he said. "The stunning interiors and amenities on some houseboats rival those of a suite in Boston's finest hotels." He also discovered that the majority of houseboats are built for lakes and rivers, and that the Northeast is not a houseboating hotbed. He decided to attend the National Houseboat Expo on Louisville, Ky., with his brother, who has owned many boats, as he felt it was an ideal opportunity to receive a crash course in houseboating. He knew that Boston's climate, saltwater and traverse waterways posed a certain challenge in finding the right houseboat, and Holiday Mansion International seemed to fit the bill, even though the new company had yet to manufacture a boat at the time of the Expo. "I told them from the beginning that I needed hand holding," Adelson admitted, "and I've never had such a positive experience with a major purchase. Although I knew there was a risk in being the buyer of a new product, one that I couldn't see, feel or touch, I also knew that they had something to prove, and the entire industry was watching." OUR INSIDE VIEW One of Adelson's key points during the selection of a manufacturer was the workmanship. He examined the interior craftsmanship of Twin Anchors' houseboat on display at the Expo, and knew that it represented the level of handiwork he would receive on My Holiday,. Now completed, Adelson knows he made the right choice. My Holiday, dazzles on surface inspection, and doesn't disappoint under the microscope. The woodwork is yacht-like in its quality, and the finer points, such as the caulking in the head and the wires stored in the lockers, are meticulously carried out. The boat's basic floor plan is similar to the older Holiday Mansions. The salon/galley area on the main level hides a cuddy beneath, but still features comfortable 6-foot-5 headroom throughout. Sloping, 32-inch-wide stairs under the console lead to a lower guest stateroom and bath at the boat's bow, and stairs at the galley escorted us to the spacious master stateroom and bath at aft. The cuddy and guest stateroom are joined by a convenient walkway accessible through the guest bath. A hatch in the salon is a secondary way to reach the cuddy (a convenient way to watch the young ones!). Our first thought after an initial tour of the houseboat was, "If this boat is for rent, sign us up." The houseboat had yet entertained a visitor-even Adelson himself had not spent much time aboard then-but we felt at home. The galley is subtle in nature with a compact bar space and blond teak paneling, but lacks nothing-roomy refrigerator, trash compactor, microconvection oven and magnetic cabinets doors are standard features. ("Gary doesn't cook and enjoys coffee," Sue Maynard said, "so the boat is designed around his needs.") The ceiling fabric on My Holiday, is the same as that commonly found on luxury yachts, and the rope lighting under the valances and the scattered tungsten lights pleasantly accent the beige and onyx black décor throughout. (A navy décor is also available). The boat sleeps eight-the master stateroom and guest stateroom each feature queen-sized beds, the cuddy has a full-sized and the salon sofa converts to a full-sized. The guest stateroom is as roomy as the master staterooms in many cruisers, and is a storage-space dream with a full-length hanging locker, three additional locker areas and four drawers. Impressively, the guest bath features a shower. (The master bath even has a bathtub/shower combo.) Both baths offer deep under-sink cabinets, a frequently ignored detail on houseboats. Liberal storage space continues in the master stateroom and bath, with seven clothes drawers, a triangular, 32-by-32-inch hanging locker and another angled locker. Twin bedside stands, a 77-inch headroom and tinted glass and skylight at the rear highlight the open feel. In the cuddy is a stacked washer/dryer combo. The salon's entertainment console (fully customized, of course) and the accompanying Sony sound system transform a simple DVD player and television into a resounding movie theater. To test its capabilities, we watched the opening 10 minutes of Twister. We are still trembling. Even with the boat's bow thrusters and Microcommander controls, we could not have guided it under the Golden Gate Bridge in our state of audio shock. The sound clarity is that stirring. We spent so long admiring the interior of My Holiday,, we almost neglected the exterior. If we had, we would have overlooked a radar arch that sits six inches taller than the previous Holiday Mansion versions and a command bridge that features an icemaker, music center, wet bar and durable seating. The top deck area seats 10 for entertaining multiple guests, as well. The main deck features ample walkarounds and the stainless railings are designed for safety on tending lines or anchoring. The boat's 72 inches of freeboard, combined with its planing/coastal-cruising hull makes the boat an ideal choice for coastal cruising. For an area like Boston, Adelson clearly made a wise choice in manufacturers. His next step? Using it. "It may be a while before I try driving it," Adelson confessed. We've already volunteered to do the honors. Scott Springer is the editor of Houseboat. HOUSEBOAT MAGAZINE ARTICLE ABOUT HOLIDAY MANSION: Houseboat Staff Report January 27, 2000