A shantyboat is a small crude houseboat. there is a long history of people building and living in shantyboats, the obvious choice for itinerant workers, miners, dockworkers, and displaced agricultural workers. two years ago, i started creating my own shantyboat, largely from recycled materials.. Oct 5, 2013- explore johnbsanderford's board "2013 shanty boat designs", followed by 230 people on pinterest. see more ideas about floating house, boat house and shanty boat.. Sep 17, 2019- explore hbmetalman's board "shanty houseboats" on pinterest. see more ideas about boat plans, boat design and boat..