You want to WHAT??? (T/C slide-in on 28' aspen catamaran/proa hull)

Hi guys. Newby here. I am very intrigued in regards to the 28 foot Aspen catamaran with the Proa hull. It seems to be economical to run and having a single diesel would mean only one engine to maintain, at least from what I have read. I am approaching retirement and had the intention of buying an F550 Ford truck and having a double or triple slide "T/C slide-in" on the rear. Somewhat like the Patriots Bill Belichik who loves to have players that can play more than one position, I got to thinking, why not put the T/C on the hull. O.K. why??? #1.The campers are insulated. #2 When you have the slides , you can open up the interior to between 10 and 11.5 feet. That being said, I absolutely would prefer to have that hull made in "aluminum". When I travel to the Pacific Northwest, there is considerably more obstacles in the water from what I have read and aluminum seems to be rather popular there. A bit stronger than fiberglass. Again, all this is from what I have read. Constantly learning. Also, being that the camper can be taken off the boat, I can put it on the truck if I wanted to. Maybe you can understand what I meant about the Patriots. Anyway, I would really appreciate any and all responses from you guys. Thank-You. Louie

 

Thats a really intriguing and useful idea there RD!

The ultimate solution would be the land vehicle that 'transformers' into the sea vehicle, but your idea is a great practical start.

Can you put in a link to their PROA model pl;eae - I can only find the Catamaran.

cheers

 

You want to WHAT???

Rwatson. When you go to www.Aspenpowercatamarans.com just click on (innovation) and up pops 4 different infos. Louie

 

Rwatson it is a cat with asymetric hulls. I do not know that it would qualify as a proa?

 

I looked at it,thought it was a cat but on closer look one hull is quite a bit narrower,and has only one engine in the larger hull.
Not sure that means it is a proa...but nice layouts anyways

 

Found it

"new hull design and drive system that can be described as a "single diesel power proa." While identical in profile, the hulls are very different in plain view, with one hull 35 percent thininer than the other"

I guess if creeps in as a Proa - two hulls, but one is different

 

You want to WHAT?

O.P. here. Do any of you guys know of a company that can or already does make that hull in aluminum? Thank-You. Louie

 

There wont be any, Louie. Its a specialist design. You will probably have to get one designed from scratch along the same principles, or buy the fibreglass version.

Its true that working boats tend to be aluminium, but fibreglass isnt weaker, in fact its stronger pound for pound. Its just that fishermen really dont want the hassle of fixing up any scratches or dings that fibreglass might accrue.

You may be prepared to do that little bit of maintenance in order to get the hull you want.

Personally, I think you could probably get a lot of value by getting a custom built 'set' designed - the camper top and hulls, in say fibreglass over timber or hi-density foam.

You would enjoy a greater degree of insulation, with potentially a lighter construction than aluminium. You could get the camper top made really streamlined in fibreglass ( not so easy in aluminium) so that it would not reduce boating performance in big winds.

But most of all, a custom design would ensure that the weight distribution and general fitment was exactly what you needed - and not a botch job between two components not designed for each other.


Now, as a personal favour to me - why dont you get that trailer drawbar incorporated in the design as an anchor holder, and have the wheels tuck up under the hull like they do on aircraft, so you can drive off the ramp after a launch, not towing anything.

That would be a really great system to own. I would buy the video.