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The Caraboat was a unique caravan/boat hybrid produced during the 1970s. As of today, the Caraboat is considered a collectors piece amongst caravan enthusiasts.
The boat aspects were designed by small boat designer John Askham.[1] The hull and boxy superstructure are moulded from GRP, with large windows. The road chassis is a T-shaped steel backbone, inside the hull. The two wheels are carried on independent suspension units bolted through the hull to the crossmember. Towing is with a caravan-like towbar, hinged and bolted through the front of the hull. Unlike a conventional caravan, there is no jockey wheel, making handling difficult on slopes, such as slipways.[2] Propulsion of the original Caraboat was by a waterjet drive and an internal Lombardini 4-stroke engine,[3] although most surviving examples have been converted to use outboard motors.[2]
Restoration of a 1970s Caraboat in Bristol was the subject of an episode of More4's My Floating Home in 2018.[2][4]
Dimensions edit
- Length
- 16 ft (body)
- 18 ft (overall)
- Width 6 ft 10 in
- Height 8 ft 6 in
- Headroom 6 ft 3 in
- Weight 1600 lb
References edit
- ^ "Caraboat advert". c. 1970s.
- ^ a b c "Bristol & Vancouver Island". My Floating Home. Series 2. Episode 7. 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Original Caraboat Jet Propulsion Unit". Caraboat. 13 August 2007.
- ^ "Frog Prince on TV - My Floating Home, More4, Tuesday 22 May 9PM". Caraboat. 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Caraboat advert". c. 1970s.
External links edit
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