Converting a caravan into a boat

Jazzybaby
Jazzybaby Forum Participant Posts: 109
edited May 2020 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hi all, it seems that all waterways will be open by 1st June at the latest for cruising. Exert below from Gov.uk

"You can now do all non-powered water sports on EA waterways and some waterways will be ready for leisure cruising as early as this week, with the rest by 1 June"

No all I need is some info how to covert my caravan into a boat.   No jokes about buying a leaky lunar pleasewink

Comments

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2020 #2

    There was an enterprise quite a number of years ago, on Norfolk Broads I think, where people were able to put their touring caravan onto a small barge and cruise the waterways.  If it is still an option the risk assessment must be almost as large as a caravan.

  • JollyKernow
    JollyKernow Forum Participant Posts: 2,629
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2020 #3

    Ha good idea

    Quick story. Last September we went back to Spain just after the gota fria had struck the Alicante region. A friend has a storage yard that had 80 vans on from small 2 berth caravans to 40 foot fifth wheelers. All were floating for 2 weeks in contaminated water. During the clear up we found a Burstner caravan that only had minimal damage compared to the rest. So, get a Burstner, tie an outboard on the tow hitch and away!!yellwink

    JK

  • LeTouriste
    LeTouriste Forum Participant Posts: 348
    edited May 2020 #4

    Problems that immediately come to mind are getting the caravan onto/off whatever the floating medium is. Actual size/weight of the van contribute to level of difficulty.  Additionally, stability would be an absolute necessity to avoid risk of capsizing.  The higher the Centre of Gravity for the whole of the floating combination, the greater would be the risk.

    From the point of view of British Waterways, I would imagine them applying a safety factor for avoidance, as far as possible, of the need for rescue assistance which would violate distancing advice.   In this respect, sailing could well be restricted to conventional vessels with known reliability.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2020 #5

    Le T, it wasn't serious. 🤣🤣

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2020 #6

    Here you go, JB.

    "Do you have a caravan and looking at upgrading?

    Make sure you do your research and check out the Caraboat design which is a caravan and also a boat. We know 👀 How awesome is that!

    It's perfect for those travellers that want to spend their time either during the day on the water and then travelling to their destination by road.

    Go to www.caraboat.com.au for more info"

    https://www.caraboat.com.au