Woman Ditches Hollywood Glam for This Tiny, 400-Square-Foot Houseboat
- Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:06am by
Liz Klimas
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Heather Wilcoxon’s vibrantly colored boat is a sight to see on the San Fransisco Bay, next to expensive and pristine white yachts. While other dock posts in the bay remain a drab brown, Wilcoxon’s sports an orange pattern.
“Give me a paintbrush and I’m dangerous,” she said to Fair Companies, explaining that the boat she’s been living on for the last four decades is a constant work in progress.
Wilcoxon said she left Hollywood at age 20 and never went back. Her father filmed for Caddyshack and was the original Marc Anthony in Cecil B. DeMille’s “Cleopatra”.
Watch Fair Company’s footage of Wilcoxon showing off her turn-of-the-century home (Note: This video has a moment of brief profanity.):
Fair Companies has more:
“I don’t have huge payments, I’m not stressed out by a job, I make just enough money to pay for my lifestyle, I don’t need a lot of money for a big house with 3 cars and 5 bedrooms and big payments, it‘s not what I’m interested in.”
[...]
Wilcoxon lives on about $12,000 a year, paying a small monthly fee to the cooperative for berth rights (which includes sewage and laundry). Her electric bills are only about $12 in the summer and $60 during the frosty winter months.
Her minimal expenses allow Wilcoxon to live as an artist. Her work has been shown in the American University Museum (Washington DC) and she’s represented in New York (Brenda Taylor Gallery) and San Francisco (Jack Fischer Gallery), but her most enduring work is her boat home itself.
“Houseboat living!” Wilcoxon said of her maybe 400-square-foot vessel. “I mean, this is a house boat, it is not a floating home. You can still move the boat.”
Fair Companies reports that Wilcoxon is not alone in her houseboat endeavors on the bay, as a few other artists and boat workers have built a “floating village.”





















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Comments (143)
sweathog1948
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:17pmI guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like her boat for living on. It so much nicer than been homeless and living under an overpass on a freezing night. She has all she needs and is able to support herself. With 4 large dogs that would not work for me, but I like it very much.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:38pm… whatever makes yer boat float …
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:21pmSelf-sufficient, independent, intelligent, talented, warm in the winter, cool in the summer…I’m impressed…simple…it makes her happy…what else is there?
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 7:16amThere’s a part of me that would love it, but it’s not practical for a family of 4, 2 being children, and a dog, cat and hamster.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 9:33amJust another san fran hippie… who cares.
Report Post »mrfunn
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:03am@AzDebi
“Self-sufficient, independent”?
Lived 14 years on the hook in a ‘weekender’ sloop with a homemade wind generator and a solar panel for power. Once a week, I rowed 1/2 mile to get food, water and exchange books.
Compared to other sailors, I didn’t consider myself self-sufficient, independent.
I like it, but she hasn’t gotten her feet wet yet.
Report Post »Jinglebob
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 11:39amSan Fran Hippie. Needs only some flowers in her hair.
Report Post »Nickachick
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:01pmWhat a lovely, sweet living space she has created for herself! It’s very clean, pretty, playful, and colorful.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 6:31pmI wonder how many others are living on their boats in that marina, or any other. Of course, we can‘t get any news on them since they’re not Hollywierd dropouts, their parents don’t work there, or they aren’t as flamboyent.
Report Post »A pretty interesting lifestyle, to be sure- maybe well worth emulating. Unless you’re a snob, of course, and have to have everything better than the Jones.
mrfunn
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 6:45pmLocal governments have attempted to restrict live-aboard boaters across the country. Federal law prevents them from doing anything about federal navigable waterways. Some areas allow marinas to have live-aboards that have been grandfathered in, no new live-aboards.
Report Post »patricius
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:14pmHow sad that so many here can think of nothing better to do than to belittle this woman. In the worst case scenario, if she is living off of welfare (while she is more likely living off the money her father made in Hollywood), the viciousness shown here in comments is still despicable. Where is your charity?
“Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.”
Report Post »jaswalt
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 6:45pmI’m still looking for the vicious comments that you refer to. Everybody seems to be pretty charitable in their remarks–how she carved out a lovely home for herself, how she’s not living on welfare…
Report Post »alina.bolero
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:05pmKudos for living within your means hun. Stress free living without having to worry about managing the condition of a whole bunch of useless stuff.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:21pmSo her life has meaning ….how?
Report Post »dejavu43
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:26pmDear Paperpusher: her life has meaning to HER. YOU are irrelevant, your opinion even more so.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:29pmThanks for the clarification. It’s SELF CENTERED
Report Post »monkeymom
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:53pmThere’s no way for you to know how selfish or unselfish her life is. Her lifestyle likely allows her a good deal of “free time” – perhaps she uses that time to serve others.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:32pmGood points Monkeymom:
Report Post »But I did not say she’s Selfish.
I said with a distinction that she is Self Centered.
People who are Self Centered are not barred from acts of Kindness. The Question that Mankind has asked from the beginning is what does my Life Mean? What Gives My Life Meaning?
Khthulhu
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:18pmIt’s her business whether her life has meaning. Life doesn’t have to have meaning. Maybe it has meaning for her and that’s perfectly acceptable. More power to her for being happy and having the courage to live within her means. I can think of few ways to live more happily and in harmony than living on a houseboat, rocking with the rhythm of the waves.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:34pmI say why not? She is at least independent and content so I have to respect her for that. It would not bother me to do the same. I would never want to be a burden to my loved ones and if that were an option, I would go for it. As far as the dogs go, I would certainly take my pets with me.
Report Post »marjorie faye
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:55pmShe did not comment on whether her life has meaning. She said the woman lives within her MEANS,meaning that she does not spend money she does not have.
Report Post »symphonic
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:57amI want to be positive about this, paying her way and all, but do we have to call her an “artist?”
Also, do the adjacent boat owners have ANY say about hanging out with boat trash in the marina?
Report Post »jaybake32
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:38pmUh, who decides whom should be called an “artist?” Usually only under-successful artists seem overly concerned with entitlement to the label “artist,” which when you think about it sort un-artistic. Me thinks you troll much, starving blue artist.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:39pmI think she calls herself an artist because her work is in some museums, she must sell some too. What do you care about the marina – unless you too berth there? And if you do and do not like it go float somewhere else! ( or discuss your concerns with the marina owners; or God forbid this woman) She is paying dock fees and the owners are obviously OK with it. That is what AMERICA is all about; being free to live as you like.
Or would you rather the government tell her how to live; and a little later you as well?
Report Post »Pharmer1
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:08pmsooooooo who doesn’t like the decor? Hope that isn’t a GUY complaining about the funky paint-job.
The boat isn’t nasty or dirty, so it’s fine.
Pharmer thinks the guys who run building associations with the obsessive need for all the houses to look alike should have their testosterone levels checked.
I see signs of good judgment in this woman……. she left hollywood and did what she wanted.
I see no signs that she’s a parasite sponging off of her fellow man.
Good for her.
Report Post »stefooch
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:52amShe makes enough money to cover her life-style. Not sucking from the government teet and screaming for “more stuff.” She is free and independent. Good for her.
Report Post »Johnnygo
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:32amI did this for many years but living in a bus, camper, hotels, homes,etc: while following my trade as a painter/drywall person. I traveled all over the west including hawaii a few times. I dragged along a wife and three children. We home schooled. We had a great time and I never ran out of a job. Great experience for the young. The wife never complained. Was her idea, mostly. They are grown now.
Report Post »koibaby
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:46amI love her boat home. In the world but not of the world.
Report Post »voxoffreedom
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:42amJust a simple woman who is artsy crafty living the life of the starving artist on water.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:36amit is, what EVERY large vessel is…a floating apartment, condo, hotel room (Carnival), townhouse, single family OR mansion. she prefers living the ghetto style of Key West WHICH IS another suburb of San Fransisco and homes of the “rainbow flag” bumper sticker
“not there is anything wrong with that” lol
Report Post »Seneca264
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:28amI bet the other boat owners in the marina love getting up in the morning and looking at this garbage. Wicoxon apparently does not know that there are actually “boat trash” marinas that would welcome this moron with open arms. If I was a boat owner in this marina, I would wait until she leaves and then sink her boat. End of problem. This is the only way to get rid of morons like Wilcoxon who love to push their trash on other people.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:35amLook at it this way, if any enemy of the US catches sight of this floating art-thing they will die of laughter before being able to carry an attack out.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:02pmYou Seneca, are a shinning example of the elitist garbage that clutters out country. I would much rather have her as a neighbor than the likes of you!
Report Post »garylee123
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:05pmI read the electric meters in that area in the 70‘s and early 80’s. Nothing but a hippie lifestyle then and looks like it hasn’t changed.
Report Post »GerriDavid
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:45pmWell Seneca, would you also burn down your neighbor’s house when they left for work if you did not like the way it looked?? Kindling is right. I would NOT want to live next to a piece of garbage like you either!!
Report Post »Choctaw25
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:49pmPeople like you are why I live in the country (in the sticks to people like you).
Report Post »People sticking their noses into other people’s business is why this country is going down the crapper.
If she is not on welfare or food stamps, but is supporting herself, I’ll leave her alone and so should her uppty neighbors.
Have you ever seen any public housing that is not graffiti laden on every square inch of the walls. We are paying for that lifestyle and we’re told we are racist if we complain about it.
zman173rd
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:14pmSo many here complain about fed and local govt’s taxing us to death, too many laws include city codes and municiple contraints that don’t allow us simple freedoms. U moan and groan about big gov’t, then moan a groan about a woman who lives life a little differently than others. I don’t care for hippies. As long as they leave me alone. She’s leaving me alone by keeping her hand out of my pocket.. Good for her. BTW, looks a bit larger than 400 Sq Ft.
Report Post »Khthulhu
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:29pmHey, be sure to tell us all where yours is berthed so I can do the same to yours. This is her life and her home. How can you even think of destroying someone’s home like that? What kind of small-minded person are you? Shall I judge your mean little existence with the same barometer? If her neighbors don’t like how she keeps her side of the street they can complain to management, same as anyone else in the world. You, on the other hand, don’t understand how anyone can live differently than yourself, so that makes you a prejudiced moron. I think she’s awesome…and I‘m a US Constitutional Tea Party Conservative who will protect her right to live as she likes so long as it doesn’t infringe upon the rights of others. Sinking her boat would break her heart, which would be a sin, and I’m not interested in doing it.
Report Post »stevenlemon
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:55pmYou mean just having to LOOK at her boat is so offensive that you would sink it?
Report Post »Looks to me like not all the trash is on her boat.
mrfunn
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 8:01pmThe Sausalito marina has been a San Francisco attraction for a while because of the ‘colorful’ boats.
Report Post »I made it a point to visit in 1975.
fatsomann
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:21amShe is living within her means. Nothing wrong with that.
Report Post »symphonic
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:54amshe is not an artist. Anyone could have painted a boat in such hideous mix of random colors.
Report Post »jaybake32
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:39pmYes Symphonic is the Decider of who is an artist. He hath decided….
Report Post »SistaTriscuit
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 7:25pmSymphonic – oh, Blue One, it clearly states that she has work that is being shown & sold in galleries… so yes, I’d say she CAN use the label of “artist” if she so chooses. Who determines who is or is not an artist, after all. Art takes many different forms.
For the naysayers here, all I can say IS FOR CRAP SAKES, people! The woman is paying her bills & living a life of simplicity that makes her happy. She is not on the gov’t teat, so who cares WHAT she lives in if it makes her happy? Here I thought that the AMERICAN DREAM was all about living life in the manner that makes us happy & feeling fulfilled – whether that be a 10 million dollar home in the Hollywood hills or a 400 sq ft house boat that is painted like a hippie bus. So long as it‘s infringing on no one else’s rights or harming anyone, I say leave her alone!
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:13amIt’s funny that there is millions and millions and millions of acres of open land people can build on, and yet they think it means something to live in a 400 sq.ft. house. It means the land is locked because your souls have been placed on the market for sale for the maintenance of currency and power, and that’s why the land is locked out of the reach of people to live on.
Report Post »starboardlady
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:12amHeather is an individual and an artist who is not infringing herself on anyone else or the gov’t. This is her version of living the American dream. Self reliance is truly a great attribute and she is a perfect example. Big kudos to Heather.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:10amI think im gonna downsize this year….
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:11pmI know I am, house is for sale, and I ‘ll get exactly what I can afford, which may turn out to be a 35ft pull along trailer-home. Just want to be debt free and prepared.
Report Post »usernametaken
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:08amwould’ve of much preferred a video of the camera babe … ShaWiiiiinnnggg
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:08amI remember your father in the movies – he was a fine actor – even in a few Tarzan movies – watch out for the diesel heater – very dangerous – carbon monoxide fumes. Note: To the one who keeps messing up my comments when I type – It’s not a very good ideal – people use to mess with me in college – they always came back to me to apologize – please do not type-over my comments. Besides, I do not want the lady harmed!!!
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:12pmA few people have perished in their automobile using charcoal before – stay safe.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:54amThe only thing missing from this wreck is a sighn that says “garage sale’. What a mess.
Report Post »truthseekerusa
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:02amTo each his/her own. One person‘s hovel might be another person’s castle if he/she is trying to live within their means and causing no harm to others.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:12amI would hate to be the neighbor and have to look at that shthole every day.
Report Post »truthseekerusa
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:25amJCGunner: I notice you use the word “hate” in your message as well as obscene language in your message. Says more about you than the woman who has chosen this lifestyle.
“….to be choked with hate
Report Post »May well be of all evil chances chief.”
[William Butler Yeats: A Prayer for My Daughter]
randy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:25amHOA= Home Owners Association
Report Post »SO where is the BOA, Boat Owners Association?
What a DUMP!
JLGunner
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:54am@ truth nice try. If this was parked next to your house and, just for kicks, it was a lady with a strong southern draw, missing teeth and her moo moo was terrycloth instead of having that snazzy asian print, your opinion would definantly change. Lay off the medicinal marijuana.
Report Post »noland
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:43amYa think NEA sends hera check? Only if shes a Registered Democrat, you know she is. I dont know of any conservative artist except that one guy that painted the american beauty, our flag that was shown here on the blaze.
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:35amThere are a bunch of us out here, no NEA checks, but artists/musicians/writers nonetheless.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:21pmArtists, I dont thing making macaroni necklaces is considered art.
Report Post »Brooke Lorren
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:55pmI happen to be a conservative and a writer, and so is my husband. I write 90% nonfiction on the internet, my husband is a published fiction writer. I would guess that most of the writers on the Blaze are conservatives too…
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 7:58pm“I dont thing making macaroni necklaces is considered art.”
No, that would be crafts. And your point is?
Report Post »ebayer
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:42amI’m jealous.
I love being on the water.
I like that she’s independent.
Report Post »She makes her own way.Good for her!
Rickfromillinois
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:37amSomebody living a simple and happy lifestyle. Good for her.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:44amSo she wouldn’t buy “ Nike Air Jordan ” teenis shoes ?
Report Post »Shamrock241
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:48amYes she maybe living a happy simple life and looking at Artsy/Fartsy lifestyle i bet she votes Liberal Democrat/Obummer and is Anti Millitary, she live’s in the safty of that harbor because of the men and women who defend it with Guns and Bombs, i think they call it WAR!!!!! She’s a Pacafist/Hippie and i would have no problem with her living that way as long as she would stay home on Election day and keep her trap SHUT about the Military.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:29amWell that’s nice she lives such a modest life-style, but I’ll be keeping my 1500 Sq.ft. house. How is it that people think they can just become one thing or another without coming up step by step without their nakedness being discovered? Wilcoxon will not have this life-style any longer than she thinks she has influenced who she wants to influence, and even for others it is a current fad.
Report Post »truthseekerusa
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:38amEliasim: Such harsh words for someone has found her peace by living on this small houseboat among others who enjoy that lifestyle. Judge not lest you be judged. I hope the New Year will bring joy and peace to your heart.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:38amAnother term for those kinds of people is “Pig” in that they gobble down the current trend or flow of water without chewing their cud about the direction of life.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:41amtruthseekerusa,
Report Post »Haha. Life’s all about judging. And by the way: I want to be judged…..don’t you?
Eliasim
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:42amtruthseekerusa,
Report Post »Additionally, when you say to me “Judge lest you be judged” you are judging me.
Eliasim
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:46amThese people, they change their life-style, acquiring smaller homes and things because they don’t want people to want to steal what they have – it’s a move of self preservation, and to influence. The real question is: how quickly would she walk out her front door, and leave her things at the mercy of strangers?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:07amAfter-all things are only things, and living is living. I have always lived a modest life-style in that things don’t mean much to me. Neither would I ever take a life or give my life in defense of mere things. If a system has become so corrupt that mobs of people want my home and things, then they can have it, and I would get myself and mine away from them as the mob battles itself, because the last people standing will be those who can walk away because they have went to the mountains of their heart.
Report Post »MeMadMax
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:28amActually, we are all gonna need a boat to get out of the US.
Planes are no good, fuel will be expensive and the DHS gantlet…
Going south is no good, mexico is a warzone.
North is prolly ok, but canadians are more socialist than we are…
No, imma get a sailing vessel and head out to some deserted island in the pacific while the rest of the world burns =D
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:27pmCanada–that trend has been on a reverse gear for a couple of decades, maybe a bit slow but persistent. I’d say that at present as socialism goes, US beats Canada hands down.
Report Post »RodT82721
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:24amGood for her! But she isn’t unique, there are thousands of full time Rvers out their traveling this great nation and enjoying life with out the need for a 3,000 square foot, money pit with a mortgage.
Report Post »400 square feet is more then most motor homes provide.
Nothing brings peace of mind, like living within ones means IMHO.
Jomil48
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:26amSmart Girl
Report Post »truthseekerusa
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:48amRodt82721: You are right. My late husband and I started out with a tent, then a tiny trailer and then over the years a 30″ motor home as a way to escape from the pressure of our business life. Not only did we see the wonders of America, Canada and Mexico, but met some of the awesome people along the way. Your post brought back memories we could not have experienced any other way. Thanks for that.
Report Post »gunslinger9729
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 5:02pmThere are tons of people living just like her in different kinds of boats too. Some in power boats like hers and more in sailboats that have less “floorspace” than her boat but they too are vrey happy. The only difference iss that she likes to paint hers a little more lol. If you own a wodden boat like hers you paint it too just most do not use sooo many colors but some do. I think its up to her to decide whats good or not and as long as the marina does not bitch why should any one else. I would love to be a liveabord too but thats not how things go right now but even though I live in a “house” in town mine is only 940 sq feet so its not much different. G.
Report Post »Todd P
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:23amHaving lived aboard a boat for many years myself, I can really appreciate her lifestyle. It’s good to be free!
Report Post »PIL
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:39amSo what do you do if there’s a hurricane, tsunami, or some major storm? Navigate somewhere else?
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:14pmPil, in San Fransisco Bay?
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:21am.
Report Post »Looks pretty cool to me!
If it’s Sausalito, there is a big houseboat community there.
BobtheMoron
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:18amAnother very strange story about a strange person who likely voted for Obaama
Report Post »truthseekerusa
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:31amBobMoron: Wrong attitude toward someone who has chosen a lifestyle rather than the one you may have chosen. Compare this with the people who bought houses and took on mortgages they could not afford and then expected the rest of us to bail them out.
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