Exploring Joe Manchin's Luxurious House Boat

Joe Manchin, the senior United States senator from West Virginia, has a houseboat named Almost Heaven, which he calls home when he is in Washington. The 65-foot vessel, built in 2001, is often the site of bipartisan meetings between senators and political strategizing. Manchin reportedly purchased the boat for $220,000, though it is insured for $700,000.

Joe Manchin's houseboat is called 'Almost Heaven'

Joe Manchin's houseboat is called Almost Heaven. The vessel is 65 feet long and was built in 2001 by Custom Steel Boats of Merritt, North Carolina. Manchin bought the boat in 2013 or 2014 for $$220,000, although it is insured for $700,0000. Almost Heaven is where Manchin typically lives when in Washington, and he has hosted several senators from both parties on the boat, including Ted Cruz, Tom Harkin, and Chuck Schumer.

It is 65 feet long

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin's boat, Almost Heaven, is 65 feet long. It is a recreational vessel that serves as the senator's residence in Washington, D.C. It is best described as a houseboat rather than a yacht, according to experts.

The boat's large, open spaces make it well-suited for hosting parties and networking with colleagues. Senator Manchin routinely invites senators from both parties for evening cruises with pizza, beer, and the occasional bottle of merlot.

Almost Heaven was built in 2001 by Custom Steel Boats of Merritt, North Carolina. It has 1,500 square feet of interior living space, including 3.5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The boat also features a bright and open living/dining area with a granite dining table.

Senator Manchin purchased the boat in 2013 or 2014 for $220,000, although it is reportedly insured for $700,000. This lower purchase price may be due to the seller's eagerness to get rid of the boat.

It was built in 2001

Joe Manchin's boat, Almost Heaven, was built in 2001. It is 65 feet long and was built by Custom Steel Boats of Merritt, North Carolina. It is Manchin's residence in Washington, D.C., and has been described as a "floating incubator" of bipartisanship, where he has hosted senators from both parties for pizza, beer, and the occasional bottle of merlot.

The boat was purchased by Manchin in 2013 or 2014 for $220,000, although it was insured for $700,000. Before Manchin bought it, the boat was called the Jennifer Ann or Jennifer Anne and was owned by David and Jennifer DeLancey. It was also previously owned by pop star Billy Joel.

Manchin bought it for $220,000

Joe Manchin's boat, the Almost Heaven, is a 65-foot vessel built in 2001 by Custom Steel Boats of Merritt, North Carolina. Manchin bought the boat for $220,000, a price that independent experts have described as a "hell of a buy". However, the boat is insured for $700,000, which is closer to its market value.

The boat is Manchin's primary residence when he is in Washington, and he has hosted several senators from both parties on it, including Ted Cruz, Tom Harkin, and Chuck Schumer. Manchin has described the boat as a "floating incubator" for bipartisanship, and it has been the site of core group dealings on the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

While Manchin's boat has been described as a "luxury yacht" by critics, experts in the yacht business disagree. Ken Fickett, a boat builder specialising in trawler yachts, says that the boat "is certainly a long way from being a yacht", and that "there’s no one that I know in the marine industry that would say, 'Yeah, that’s a yacht'". Veteran yacht broker Jeff Merrill agrees, saying that "sedentary boats used as an on-the-water living platform have a niche, but they are rarely considered yachts".

The Almost Heaven would best be described as a houseboat, and it could be argued that it provides Manchin with low-cost housing as well as a venue for networking with colleagues.

It is insured for $700,000

The boat owned by Joe Manchin, a senator from West Virginia, is insured for $700,000. The vessel, named Almost Heaven, is Manchin's primary residence when he is in Washington. It is a 65-foot-long houseboat, built in 2001 by Custom Steel Boats of Merritt, North Carolina. Manchin purchased the boat in 2013 or 2014 for $$220,000, a price that some experts have described as a "hell of a buy".

The boat has become well-known as a place for social gatherings and bipartisan negotiations among politicians. Manchin has often invited senators from both parties to his boat for evening cruises, with pizza, beer, and the occasional bottle of merlot.

The boat's insurance value of $700,000 has been a topic of discussion in the media and political ads. In 2018, a National Republican Senatorial Committee ad described the boat as a "$700,000 D.C. luxury yacht", sparking a fact-checking investigation by PolitiFact. Experts have differing opinions on whether the vessel qualifies as a yacht, but ultimately, the description depends on the beholder's perspective.

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