‘Caracat’ Is a Camper Van and Catamaran
The “Caracat” as you would expect from its name, can convert from an electric camper to a catamaran in a snap. Extending the hulls or pontoons under the trailer transforms it into a boat. For either land or sea excursions, it can easily accommodate four to six people. Depending on your needs, you can order a 20-foot, 25-foot, or 28-foot living space.
What does converting into a catamaran improve?
Heidelberg, Germany, manufacturer Caracat got a patent for the system. The two hulls improve vessel stability over how it would be without. It also acts to raise the craft above the water for an easier, faster glide rate.
Power can come from a number of different combinations. Either an eight or 15-hp outboard motor comes as either electric or gas-powered. You can also order a 25 hp inboard diesel engine in conjunction with, or instead of the electric or gas engines.
Is the Caracat catamaran interior basic or luxurious?
It can become a floating residence besides being either a catamaran or camper van. To that end, the interior is not short of features. The overall design gives a luxurious look to it. All of the windows feature thermal tempering and laminated safety glass.
Teak wood abounds, and both the bathroom and kitchen feature polished granite. Gas, diesel-electric, or electric-only can be chosen to power the heating, air-conditioning, and kitchen built-ins. A pop-up feature on the roof increases overall cabin height. The lounge area is easily transformed into a sleeping area, too.
How environmental is the Caracat?
All toilet waste is burned within the catamaran/camper van, and both the refrigerator and wine cooler are solar powered. The solar panels can also provide juice for the eight-horsepower electric engine.
You get a choice of three separate outside lounge areas. With the pontoons are extended, it creates a lounging area on each side. Also, an upper deck allows for room to accommodate a number of sunbathers. Combined, it creates a wrap-around deck.
According to Designboom, no special licenses are necessary to drive and/or maneuver the Caracat other than a standard driver’s license. The Caracat is compact enough that it can be stored in a regular garage space, too
Sea, lake river, land, the Caracat catamaran, and camper have you covered
“There is no longer dissemination between sea, lake, river, or land. We have created a home that will belong to you wherever you wish,” says Caracat literature. Currently, the base price starts at $130,000.
As with everything that tries to be everything, the Caracat isn’t for everyone. The available power doesn’t make this a speedboat. And the extra pontoons to make it a catamaran add weight to the camper that wouldn’t be there otherwise. But for some, this could be the perfect piece of the vacation camping puzzle to fit in as much as possible for a single unit.
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