Yes, that’s right, this ‘cara-boat’, or ‘water-van’ if you will, can be towed along like a regular caravan, but also comes with an outboard motor so you can steer it along the river if you get the urge. Not only that, it also accommodates its own cooking and washing up unit, with two benches that can also be transformed into a sleeping area. So you don’t need to worry about packing the camping stove and pumping up the air bed, you can just load up the car with clothes, a few stubbies, and food (or just your fishing gear if you’re feeling extra ambitious) and you’re all set for a relaxing weekend by, or in, the lake.
A Porta-Potti is also an optional addition, so when you’re on the water you don’t find yourself rushing back onshore to the nearest…tree.
The brainchild of German industrial designer, Daniel Straub, he says the invention of the Sealander came from his own personal experiences merged with his academic background.
“I have been fuelled by my own passion for both camping as well as boat trips as a great and comfortable way to spend some quality time in the nature, close to those accompanying you.
“During my studies, I focused on the combination of mobility with adequate dwelling – as limited space creates very specific challenges for function as well as design. So the vision of an amphibian caravan is the result of a long process defining my own concept of freedom combined with flexibility.”
The outer shell is made with a high quality material, glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) by hand lay-up composite moulding, providing stability which is not usually seen in traditional caravan design.
For those of you who aren’t convinced by the boat’s unusual shape, you can be reassured that because of the width of the lower shell, the vessel’s depth is minimal, and this ensures a stable position on the water, which is supported by the location of the chassis at the balance point.
“The lower shell also has double flooring, which is split into several closed air chambers. So in the unlikely event of a leak, water will not seep inside, as only the underwater hull of the sub-floor will fill with water,” Daniel says.
The great part about Sealander is that you really can take it anywhere (legalities permitting), and you don’t even need to launch it from a designated boat launch or trailer system; in many cases you can merely pull up to the shore and roll in, and because of its light weight, it can often be hauled out by hand.