The Aquavan 2007 Review

I must admit that when I had previously seen Aquavans at caravan shows, I passed them by with hardly a second look. Not being a boating person myself I wasn't too impressed at the thought of launching a caravan into the water somewhere and sailing off down a river.

That all changed when I received an email from Michael Pyne - a fellow trombonist and an Aquavan enthusiast. Mike and Judy invited us to visit their Gippsland home at Nicholson, Vic, and become acquainted with their Aquavan.

It was serendipity that we were on our way home from a winter sojourn up north and coming home around the coast, so we could fit in a couple of days on the Pynes' lovely property.

The Aquavan had been back to the factory in Melbourne for a few updates and had just been brought home the weekend before our visit.

Over a wonderful meal Judy had prepared for us the night we arrived, we discovered we had a great deal in common and the red wine and conversation made a pleasant evening pass all too quickly.

It was agreed that if the weather was OK we would get our first taste of waterborne caravanning next day, although Vi was less than enthusiastic. She likes water in views - not as something to be on or in!

Next morning there was a strong wind alert for the Gippsland Lakes so discretion said no boating unless the weather improved during the day. Vi was the only one not disappointed.

I was amazed. Where's the nearest caravan park to Southbank? There was the Aquavan tied up on the Yarra at Southbank next the Melbourne CBD!

Then there was a view of the Pynes' Aquavan tied up at the Botanical Gardens and them riding their 'aquacycles' along the river.

There were shots exploring the Maribyrnong in Melbourne, travelling 500km down the Murray from Mildura to Mannum, sailing along the Hawkesbury River, camping at all sorts of pristine riverside stops and, of course, taking in our beautiful lakes including the Hume Weir, Eildon, Nagambie and the wonderful Gippsland Lake system on their doorstep.

Mike and Judy took us on a guided tour of the scenic district they live in, including a visit to Paynesville where they pointed out the place right in the heart of town where they tie up when visiting by water.

When we got back the wind had dropped and we were soon heading down to the boat ramp at Nicholson to launch the Aquavan and see what it was like in its own watery element.

Launching looked like a breeze, but of course Mike and Judy had done this many times before.

In just a few minutes we were heading serenely downstream with hardly a discernable movement of the vessel, with the 'crew' all seated in comfort listening to music from the built-in sound/video system, and watching the pelicans sculling out of our way as we entered their territory.

Who's the Captain?
"Who wants to drive?" Mike asked. "Me please," I almost shouted as we moved out of the river into Lake King. So there I was, seated at the wheel, eyes roaming from the red and white marker posts that marked the channel to the compass heading, correcting gently when the wind and current decided to push us off course.

While I was doing my impersonation of a blue water skipper, Mike and Judy were busy getting a cuppa brewed. Can you imagine sitting in a travelling caravan and making a cup of tea?

Everything inside the Aquavan is like a caravan complete with stove, refrigerator, shower/toilet and loads of cupboard space including a small full length wardrobe.

Two daytime seats convert into double beds at night. Whether you're moored in some out-of-the-way backwater or set up in a busy caravan park, you have everything you need.

Mike came back to the wheel. "The crew are mutinying", he said. "They say it's getting late and we need to turn back!" "Clap 'em in irons and throw them in the brig," I replied. It doesn't take long for me to pick up the seafaring lingo.

However not wanting to upset the ladies, I did a 360 degrees turn and headed back towards the Nicholson River.

Mike took over for the run to the ramp while I drank my coffee and we watched a stunning sunset.

It did nothing for our confidence when Mike told us he had never retrieved the craft at night and the light over the boat ramp was out. However when he switched on the van's floodlights everything lit up like daylight and in no time at all we were snugly back on the trailer. Vi and I had stayed seated in comfort while Mike and Judy went about their task.

The Bottom Line
While we were cruising Mike and Judy sang the praises of Andrew Kain who, with his skilled team, builds the Aquavan in Bayswater, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

Nothing has been too much trouble it seems and they have been a bit like guinea pigs as their van had been through quite a number improvements at their suggestion after a bit of experience of using the van.

A most enjoyable day was concluded with a lovely meal and more wine at the Nicholson Hotel. I won't be buying an Aquavan just yet but I now have a much deeper understanding of their allure for people who love the water.

For more information contact Aquavan, Factory 2, 9 Jersey Rd, Bayswater, Vic 3185, (03) 9738 0984, web: www.aquavan.com.au, email: aquavan@tpg.com.au

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