Houseboating Adventures - Issue 18 - (Page 25)

HBA: Please describe Boatel in detail. B: Boatel is 71.5’ long and 28’ wide. Total height is around 23’, and the draft is 3’. The displacement is around 45 tons. The boat moves along with two Honda 115HP 4 stroke outboards. Steering is hydraulic to the helm, whilst throttle is electronic to the helm. Boatel creates the house power with an 8kva automated under deck generator, linked to two Trace Inverter Chargers, which charge 24 x 2V cells. This system is fully automated based on voltage and amperage, allowing us full flexibility in appliances including dishwasher, microwave, oven, 3 fridge’s, cinema projector, TV, Xbox, surround sound hi-fi system, two air conditioners, and commercial coffee machine. HBA: What are the exclusive innovations that appear on Boatel? B: There are many. Starting with the structure. The structure is totally unique, and was designed to withstand flexibility that is inherent in traditional houseboats. The success of this has enabled massive glass panels, huge mirrors, and large bathroom tiles. The house also has many innovative features that others now try to copy, but can’t do well because it is a complete package. The innovation starts with the entry atrium. It creates a hotel style lobby, but also enables a single driving position with exceptional visibility from upstairs. Upstairs is important because that is where the holiday action is happening. Whilst upstairs, there are enough lounge and dining chairs, as well as table space for each of the ten guests, and the exterior deck flows directly out from this space, not up a ladder to the roof. Essentially upstairs alone gives 360 HBA: Boatel is a very impressive and unusual houseboat. What was the inspiration behind its design? B: My wife Susan and I are both architects, and avid houseboat holidayer’s. Each time that we went on a houseboat holiday we would spend the time discussing how we would have designed the vessel differently. On a professional level, we became involved in several top end hotels, and that was the catalyst that made us realize that the houseboat market had not yet evolved to that level. Accordingly we let our imaginations run wild, with the Boatel being the result. HBA: When and where was Boatel built? B: Boatel was built by our architectural practice in Mannum, South Australia, around 5 years ago. The traditional houseboat builders were not prepared to construct something that in their opinion was not a houseboat. We didn’t construct it like a houseboat either, taking just 3 months for the process. Boatel has been awarded Australia's first 5 star houseboat rating. This rating is by AAA Tourism, the same organization that rates hotels, motels and caravan parks in Australia. Boatel is now without question the most luxurious vessel available for hire on any Australian waterway. )6B@" A05("%C&5AB9&@

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Houseboating Adventures - Issue 18

Houseboating Adventures - Issue 18 Editor's Desk Desert Ritual River Dream Boatel 2007 Top Houseboating Accessories 2007 Impact Design of the Year 2007 Comeback Company of the Year Florida A-Z The Perfect Florida Houseboat Under Thirty Feet? Adventure Guide

Houseboating Adventures - Issue 18

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