VikBoats teases floating pop-top camper van
A roof-top tent is one of several surprises contained in this concept pleasure cruiser that the multinational boatmaker promises to make a realityVikBoats, an international team of designers, engineers and shipbuilders from Russia, Turkey and the Netherlands, has unveiled an all-weather cruiser with a pop-top camper on its roof.
The as-yet unnamed 30-foot project boat uses battery-fuelled inboard electric motors, along with a specially designed twin-fin displacement hull, to provide enough emissions-free reach to last an entire weekend, the boat-maker claims.
The design includes a single mast-and-boom davit reaching to the rear of the transom, which serves as either a swim deck or tender storage, a fishing-friendly cockpit and a rooftop tent so owners can sleep outdoors whenever they want.
At 10 metres long, 3.4m wide and displacing 5.0 tonnes, the hull draws only 0.9m. Inside, the VikBoats project will accommodate up to six people in four separate beds, and a single crew in comfort.
Plan to take time to get anywhere, though. The VikBoats project will cruise at a leisurely 6.7 knots, but open the taps of the 25kW electric motor and you’ll hit a top speed of 7.8 knots – or about the same speed you travel at looking for a car park at a busy shopping centre. If winds get up, there’s a reserve diesel motor that can take over once the batteries – which have hopefully topped up via roof-mounted solar panels – are tapped out.
Diesel version planned
If the idea of balancing electrons and hydrocarbons isn’t your gig, there’s a pure hydrocarbon-fuelled 40hp diesel version that will travel up to 635km on a single tank – significantly more than the electric version’s estimated 130km range.
“The lifting device on the mast makes it easier to work with an auxiliary boat or a jet ski and allows to load a heavy load into the cockpit if necessary,” VikBoats said.
You need not worry about running aground, either.
“The underwater part of the vessel is designed taking into account the possible landing on the ground,” it said. The propeller and rudder are well protected from hitting the bottom or submerged objects, strong side fins reduce pitching and serve as protection and support for the hull, if the boat got into the low water zone and lay on the ground.
“The fins, in combination with the steering system of the boat, provides excellent stability and maneuverability on the course.”
More electric range coming
Vik Boats said it was working on increasing the boat's energy efficiency to give it much further reach.
“Now we are working on a promising version of the electric drive with high-performance propellers,” it said. “This drive will increase the range by 80 per cent with the same supply of electricity.”
Watch this space.
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