Zoltan's boat plea gets no callers

An Aucklander who came up with a creative solution to skyrocketing house prices has been so far unsuccessful in search for a financial backer to fund the dream.

Zoltan Buday yesterday revealed he wants to buy a 78ft yacht to live on but said he is short $300,000. To cover the shortfall he needs a keen financier or philanthropist to lend him the money.

After going public with his quest via a half page advertisement in today's New Zealand Herald, Mr Buday said he was yet to receive calls from interested parties.

"There have been a lot of people wanting to find out what is going on, they just want to talk about it but apart from that I have not heard from anyone who can help out which is a bit disappointing," he said. "But we will see how we go."

He had however received two emails from members of the public offering to sell him their boats.

"One of them was from a guy who has a 46ft launch.. who said look you could afford to buy this one. I had someone else say look I have got a houseboat if you want it."

He said it was only day one however and "it is early days".

The Australian born Hungarian, who works full time as a croupier at Sky City Casino, has been living in New Zealand since 2008 after immigrating from Australia with his then wife and three children, Jade, 14, Hunter, 7 and Sienna, 3.

He came up with the idea of living on a boat after he and his wife split up around this time last year and he began looking for property to buy.

After a year spent searching for affordable housing, Mr Buday began looking at alternative options.

"I have been looking at the prospect [of living on a boat] for months and months and have been looking at boats overseas and thought this is something I can afford to do."

Mr Buday said he had spotted a boat, which is currently moored overseas, selling for around $300,000.

The boat boasts four bedrooms, a kitchen and living area and on-board generator, he said.

Once on the boat, Mr Buday estimated his monthly living costs - including insurance, food, diesel and mortgage repayments - after buying the boat would equate to around $1200 per month which he says is affordable.

"You have just got to do the best you can and it is bloody tough. Walking into the market it was fantastic because we had a bit of cash. Now I am poor compared to what you have to do to get something to live in. It is just a nightmare."