Custom River Boat Flat Bottom 40ft 12m 2012

"NUTSHELL" (it's all in a)
PRICE - $59,000 ono Launched 23/7/2012
SIZE - 12m x 2.5m DRAFT - 120mm
TYPE - RIVER CRUISER - 60HP Outboard (EVINRUDE)
ULTRA-LIGHT, COMFORTABLE LIVE ABOARD, WITH FLAT BOTTOM. DESIGNED TO BE BEACHABLE ON SAND FLATS.
Built by cat designer, John Hitch for his own use, using vacuum bonded epoxy glass fibre on plastic honeycomb core (sandwich construction). Can't rot, absorb water or delaminate. Unsinkable, transportable by road on semi-trailer if required. Amazing economy - 4nm/litre at 6kts or can plane at 15kts.
ELECTRICS
Total of 250W solar panels controlled by 30A MPPT charging 220 AH LIPO Batteries. Outboard starter batteries also LIPO and linked to main battery by VSR, also emergency link switch.
7" GPS Plotter screen with satellite overlay (Garmin).
Forward looking sounder. (not working)
Waeco fridge with freezer compartment 12V.
LED lighting throughout most of boat.
2 x 12V Cafrano fans.
170W inverter to charge electronics or run 240V fans or other equipment eg TV.
Tap activated freshwater pump to galley sink and bathroom sink, also connected to solar camping hot water shower ie plumbed in.
Saltwater deck wash type pump to wash anchor chain if muddy. Hose fixed under anchor roller. 2-way switch for hosing elsewhere.
5 x 12V and 3 x 240V outlets wired in.
ACCOMODATION
From aft going forward:- lazarette under cockpit floor - two side by side floor hatches.
Fuel tank under cockpit floor, baffled, approx. 100L feeding motor via filter separator and fuel cock.
Cockpit seats at least 5, plus helm seat. Plenty of storage under seats including stern anchor and rope locker.
One step down companionway to cabin floor, full headroom virtually throughout.
Galley with double sink to port, 2 burner Maxie metho stove starboard and portable camping gas stove.
Plenty of bench space both sides and loads of stowage space over and under with sliding doors. Foot operated drinking water faucet supplied by 80L stainless steel tank via potable water hose and Aqua Filter.
Going forward is settee berth to port and opposite is a 4 person raised dinette seating with table. Plenty of storage space underneath dinette floor and seats. Under the settee is the main water tank, approx 200L, a gauge for which is visible from inside the galley locker.
Going forward to port is the wide office bench with drawers on one side and portable seat. Bookshelves above. To starboard, is the head (porta potty) and shower recess with curtain. Shower water can be mostly drained via a small bilge pump with switch.
Going forward are wardrobes (large) either side, and clothes lockers above.
Going forward, are large single berths either side, with custom made inner spring mattresses (very comfortable) and large stowage spaces under.
From the companionway one can walk right forward to the anchor locker which has a separate place for rope and chain and a hatch above a standing space between the bunk area and the anchor locker, from where the anchoring is done via an up-down switch to the rope/chain electric windlass. The anchor self-stows on a short sprit. Other equipment includes portable VHF, mobile phone aerial, fenders, mooring lines, etc.
Boat is fully mossie screened inside.
Cockpit clears front and sides can roll up, sunscreen aft, seat cushions for cockpit.
SURVEY 2018- all good.
"NUTSHELL" is an exceptional boat ideally suited to an elderly couple for example, due to its ability to anchor on sand flats at high tide, swim over clean waist deep water, and be able to step off the boat easily and go for walks at low tide whilst high and dry. Being so light, Nutshell is easy to push or pull when in shallow water, if required. It is capable of going up shallow creeks where only tinnies and kayaks can otherwise go and be in complete isolation. To do this it is best to reverse in so that you can see the depth easily and find a suitable spot to anchor fore and aft over a sand bank. As most bays in the Pittwater/Cowan/Hawkesbury/Brisbane Waters, have these sandflats and creeks, it is ideally suited to this area. Alternatively, it could be trucked anywhere on a 40ft flat-top semi trailer. It could also be used as a temporary, comfortable home, on a land site, due to its flat bottom and self-contained systems.
The boat is fitted with 4 lifting points which are bonded into the structure with unidirectional carbon fibre, so that it can be easily lifted by a truck crane.
Includes 8' lightweight fibreglass dinghy and outboard motor, lightweight carbon fibre blade sculls.
Non-perishable food.
Includes many extras eg. Personal EPIRB, portable spotlight (LIPO), torches, fans, tools, spare prop, lifejackets, in other words, boat is ready to move in and go.