Floating caravan hits the water

On the Move Caravans in Melbourne has joined forces with Sunsetter Pontoon Boats in Echuca to produce a unique trailerable houseboat that is equally at home on the water as in the caravan park.

Supplied with a galvanised trailer, the Drifta “caravan on water” floats on a US-manufactured base comprising three, aluminium 25inch diameter compartmentalized pontoons which support the marine decking pressure treated floor.

The caravan/accommodation section is manufactured at On The Move’s Campbellfield, Victoria factory and is loosely based on the company’s entry-level Infinity caravan model. The interior layout features an east-west double bed layout in the rear, though to allow for the front and rear entry doors required on a houseboat.

The relatively compact cabin also includes a shower/toilet in the centre and kitchen and dinette towards the front, including two, swiveling captain’s chairs, one of which can used at the driver console.

Well equipped with 190 litre water capacity, two 4.5kg gas bottles, 12/240V battery system, and hot water system, the Drifta also comes standard with LED lighting inside and out, AM/FM/CD/DVD player with internal speakers, reverse cycle air-con, and a 22inch LED TV.

Along with decent storage space, the kitchen is set up with cooktop, rangehood, grill and microwave, 110 litre 12V/240V fridge, and stainless steel sink with flick mixer taps.

Decked out with a gloss white and graphite finish, the classy interior also features a skylight, double glazed windows, postform benchtops, aluminium splashbacks, and metal sided drawers.

“We still build it to a similar construction to a caravan, but of course we use marine grade aluminium wall cladding on the outside,” says On The Move's Lennie Mifsud.

“Internally we used fibreglass panels and marine grade vinyl floor, to give it that durability against the water.”

The 22ft long Drifta on display at the National 4x4 & Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo in Melbourne had a Tare weight of approximately 2600kg (including trailer and outboard motor). The on-the-road price was $90,000.

The Drifta can be custom built to suit most requirements, and is available with a number of optional extras including a solar package, satellite, gas heating, BBQ, oven, washing machine, and leather trim.

Strong enquiries and at least one order has resulted since the Drifta made its public debut earlier this year at the Melbourne Boat Show. Mifsud said future plans include getting the pontoon base manufactured locally rather than the US.

“We want to try and keep (the manufacturing) all in Australia,” he said.

More info: On The Move Caravans or Sunsetter Pontoon Boats