More than 70 percent of our planet’s surface is covered by water, which means only a quarter is destined for wheeled vehicles. If you like RV life, that means the places you can visit are limited compared to what Earth has to offer.
But why stop at a faraway camping site when you can do it in the same motor home? That was the idea of the Caracat 860 – a catamaran caravan that was the brainchild of a German company called Schneider Caravaning. It joins the small boat/camper vehicle population out there, redefining the meaning of exploration.
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Live Image Photo Credit: CC Weiss / New Atlas
When the electric boat and trailer are rolled into one, the Caracat lets you camp on land and water. It comes in three sizes, from 6.6 meters (21.7 ft) to 8.6 m (28.2 ft).
On land, the Caracat needs to be towed by truck or SUV (photo shows the Mercedes-Benz G-Class) but on the water, the Caracat can be propelled on its own via a Torqeedo electric motor or an 8-15 horsepower petrol motor. Upgrades to more powerful electric motors or diesel engines are available. Onboard power comes from the battery with the charger, but can be extended using a 200 Watt Tomatech solar panel.
Based on New Atlasthat Caravans from €130,000 (about $129,400 at current exchange rates) for the smallest model.
The money gets you a luxurious interior with leather and Alcantara trim plus teak flooring. The floor plan includes toilets and showers, a kitchen and a sofa lounge that converts into a sleeping area. There is also a pop-up roof top, offering a total package that can accommodate up to six people.
To enjoy the open waters, Caracat also has a small balcony in the bow and back deck. There is also a sundeck above which is equipped with a canopy that can be opened.
