German artist, Dieter Erhard, designed from a plain 64 foot steel hull, a new unfinished, gulf shrimp boat, an art studio and international art production and exhibit space
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Bozo, a Vietnamese shrimper, started the boat in the 1980s and Buddy Cross a professional welder, bought it from him before Dieter Erhard bought it from him. (20 years ago).

The floor and the fuel tanks had to be cut out in order to be able to walk into it. Raised on 5 foot walls and an upstairs built on top, it became soon the Art Center Seadrift, LLC with its president Dieter Erhard.

In 2017 and after having received many international artists, Erhard decided to keep the premises private.

Dieter and his wife Miriam living most of the year in Germany, but at least once a year you will find them residing in the Art Boat.

The outside sculpture space offers a variety of art pieces and the hotel guests across the street as well as driving by traffic enjoy the ever-evening changing light show, that’s projected on the boat at Hwy 185 north side.

If one sees the big door open, Dieter welcomes visitors and usually gives a private tour. Best time to catch him is spring or fall
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Seadrift and its habitants are proud to have him and his unique Art Boat in town. Everybody in town have been very helpful to Dieter’s needs and always keep an eye on it. Feel welcome to visit, but remember it´s private property! Just look and take as many pictures as you like.

For more photos of the Art Boat and other weird homes, see: weirdhomestour.com