Boatavan targets nomadic anglers

When the lure of big barramundi calls, fishing folk in southern states have a problem -- do you tow a decent sized boat north and sleep in a swag or do you take a comfortable caravan and put up with the limitations of a small cartopping tinny?

Melbourne fishing enthusiast Theo Hass reckons he has the perfect solution -- the Boatavan, a caravan that can fit an decent-sized boat and trailer in the back while still giving reasonable living room.

An engineer who has designed everything from automotive production lines to theatrical special effects, Hass will unveil his Boatavan at the Melbourne Leisurefest which runs at Sandown Racecourse from October 1 to 4.

He is hoping to generate enough interest from fellow fishing fans to put the Boatavan into full commercial production.

Hass called on a lifetime's experience of fishing and camping to build the Boatavan.

"I go fishing in the far north and I wanted to take a van and a boat with me," he told the Boatsales Network. "You don't want a little tinny in croc-infested waters, so I needed to combine a decent-sized boat with a decent-sized van without it being too heavy or too big."

He also wanted something that could be towed by a normal medium-sized four-wheel drive vehicle.

His Boatavan can carry a 4.3 metre boat and trailer in a rear opening garage and still offer an inner spring double bed and a kitchen, bathroom and living area.

Hass's design breakthrough was a split-level layout with the kitchen and bathroom on the "ground floor" and the living and sleeping quarters "upstairs" above the boat garage -- with a tilt pop-top providing ample headroom.

The boat, on it's trailer, loads into the van via an integrated drop-down ramp at the rear. An electric winch pulls in the boat/trailer combination and hatches in the van's side give access to secure tie-down points.

The Boatavan has an overall length of 6.8 metres, a width of 2.4 metres and a combined tow weight of 2800kg -- within the capabilities of many mid-sized four-wheel drive vehicles.

The prototype on display at Leisurefest has a three-way fridge, a four burner stove with grill and oven, a shower and toilet and gas hot water. It can carry two 4.5kg gas bottles and 170 litres of water in two tanks.

Admission to Leisurefest, running between at Sandown Racecourse from October 1 to 4, is $12 for adults and children under 15, accompanied by an adult, are free. Pensioner concessiona and Seniors Card holders pay $10. Car parking is free.

See the official Leisurefest website for more details.