Wheelchair Accessible PowerCat

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by BCD, Jun 22, 2013.

  1. Leo Lazauskas
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    Leo Lazauskas Senior Member

    It is certainly a splendid looking boat, but I'm always suspicious of
    self-assessment like "amazing performance".
    What do you mean by that, and is there any objective measure for this claim?
     
  2. SamSam
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    Location: Coastal Georgia

    SamSam Senior Member

    Well, maybe I was wrong and out of line. I think there would be a big market for a handicapped operable boat and there would be a lot of interest on the forum over the specifics of them. As Alik said, it's not my responsibility where people post or about what, and if BCD is alright with it, this is as good a place as any to discuss the subject.

    The difference between what BCD has and what I believe Alik posted was one was handicapped accessible and this one is handicapped accessible, operable and liveaboardable. It would be interesting to know how far that goes. I can't imagine it being "single handed" capable, but is the galley able to be utilized by someone in a wheelchair and are both forward and aft decks accessible? The stateroom also? How about getting on and off the boat, how is that accomplished? Also it would be interesting to know how much "sea" a handicapped person could expect to be able to weather.
     
  3. kach22i
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    kach22i Architect

    Interesting project.

    There have been several design students with similar assignments which would have been interested in this design.
     
  4. BCD
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    BCD Junior Member

    One of the main design considerations was to enable the helm to have good vision over the front bulkhead. To do this we raised the entire floor of the bridgedeck. This allowed steering from the wheelchair. (Note joystick steering and electronic controls)

    039 copy.jpg

    One of the benefits of this approach is that it allowed for great tunnel clearance. Even on a large seaway at 18 knots there is little to no tunnel slap. (The boats beam is 6.5m)

    036 copy.jpg
     
  5. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    The demihulls look to be roughly 1.5m wide at the waterline, which seems a lot for a boat with a WLL of what, 13m ?
     
  6. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    I've heard Alik describe the considerations which went into designing a power cat for a client in a wheelchair, and it went considerably beyond meeting common "accessibility" standards.
     
  7. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    The results of a Coventry University "design" project for a powerboat for a person in a wheelchair were presented at the marine design conference in Coventry in 2011. The discussion which followed was lively and highlighted the differences between those who's primary consideration is aesthetics and those who place an emphasis on functionality.
     
  8. SamSam
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    Location: Coastal Georgia

    SamSam Senior Member

    I imagine it would.

    The considerations for wheelchair operable and live aboard ability must also be extensive, especially if the boat was also to be operated and lived aboard by people without a disability.
     
  9. BCD
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    BCD Junior Member

    The Coventry conference sounds like a great initiative. When designing this boat for me, being in a wheelchair, we went through similar functionality vs aesthetic discussions. We wanted an accessible boat without it looking "disabled".
     
  10. catdinghy
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    catdinghy Junior Member

  11. cburt
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    cburt New Member

    Hi. This is the style of boat I have been searching for. I am in a wheelchair and think this would work great for me. Please let me know what you are asking for it, and additional details.

    Thanks,
    Chuck
     

  12. BCD
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    BCD Junior Member

    Yeah Chuck she is an awesome boat. She is for sale for $419,000. Located in Sydney.
     
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