Is it a caravan or boat?
Australian boat manufacturer launches a rig that is both a caravan and a boat in oneComposite Cats has announced the release of the CaraBoat which, as the name suggests, is both a caravan and a boat.
The NSW-based manufacturer says it is the culmination of more than four years of development and although the concept is not new, Composite Cats says this is as good as it gets.
A stylish, sleek, aerodynamic caravan that is as easy to tow and is no higher than a normal off-road caravan, but then, when in boat mode you have a safe, high-performance liveable boat.
According to the Caraboat designers, the high-speed, long-range, and shallow draft of the CaraBoat gives RV travellers a platform to discover the many protected waterways they discover in their travels.
The CaraBoat boasts some clever fixtures and features many of which are standard equipment. Models can have a 'hidden helm' so that when in caravan mode the boat steering and engine controls conveniently disappear into a cupboard.
Featuring a twin engine design, standard setup is for two, 30hp, fuel-injected four-stroke outboards, which combined put around 30 amps back into the batteries and are easily pull started if required.
Top speed is around 17 knots (31.5km/h) and a very economical cruise speed is around 13-15 knots (24-28km/h).
Caraboat is easily launched and recovered thanks to a purpose built trailer. Four-wheel disc brakes and a breakaway safety system are standard equipment.
Built at the company's Port Stephens factory using mostly Australian-sourced parts, the CaraBoat is available with 180-litre freshwater, up to 75 litres grey water and 19 litres black water tanks, and up to 80 litres of fuel for lengthy cruising.
There are three different floor plans to choose from, and each model sleeps up to four adults. All have toilet and shower and a swim shower on the rear deck.
The Caraboat is 7.5m long and 2.5m wide (and has an overall trailer length of 9.2m). It weighs 1700kg unladen, with a ball weight of 245kg and ATM of 2500kg.
Internal ceiling height is 1.9 metres and a 2.0 metre version of all models is available as an option.
Pricing starts at $143,000. See the Caraboat website for more.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
