The Cat Cruisers Blog
News, updates, and stories from the world of Cat Cruisers.
Manly Boat Ramp Works: What Moreton Bay Trailer Boaters Need to Know This Summer
Manly boat ramp works run to December 2026, with one ramp open at a time and Toondah Harbour bed levelling. What Moreton Bay boaters should plan for.
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NewsGold Coast 500 2026: The Caravanner's Guide to Race Week on the Glitter Strip
The Gold Coast 500 lands on Surfers Paradise streets 23–25 October. What caravanners and boaters need to know about road closures, parking and staying close.
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NewsARENA Backs Australia's Largest Vehicle-to-Grid Fleet Trial in the ACT
ARENA will fund JET Charge to roll out up to 130 bidirectional EVs across the ACT Government fleet — Australia's largest commercial vehicle-to-grid deployment.
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NewsPlug-in hybrids emit almost as much CO₂ as petrol cars in real-world driving, report finds
New European data shows plug-in hybrids registered in 2024 averaged 145 gCO₂/km on the road — six times their official figure and only 14% below petrol cars.
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NewsSydney Just Had Its Busiest Rescue September on Record. Most of the Callouts Were Preventable.
Marine Rescue NSW ran 298 missions in September, a Sydney record — and most were preventable. The pre-launch checklist that keeps you off the list.
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NewsTaree-built teardrop campers give EV owners a lightweight towable that won't drain the battery
A Taree machinery manufacturer is building sub-400kg teardrop campers designed to be towed by small cars and EVs — priced from $19,900, with no 4WD required.
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NewsRecord Trips, Softer Sales: What the Latest Caravan Industry Numbers Mean for Buyers
Australians took 17.9M caravan trips in the year to June 2026. Fresh CIAA data shows demand up and the market cooled — here's what it means for buyers.
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NewsAustralian EVS enters voluntary administration: what it means for Australia's EV conversion industry
Newcastle EV converter Australian EVS entered voluntary administration on 12 October, seven months after a federal case study. What happens next.
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NewsNSW's 23,000 Swing Moorings Are Under Review. Here's What It Means for Where You'll Keep Your Boat
The BIA took NSW's 23,000+ swing moorings fight to Parliament House in October 2026. Here's what mooring reform means for boat storage costs — and your options.
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NewsEVX unveils Polecharger Rapid, an Australian-made kerbside DC fast charger
Melbourne-based EVX has unveiled Polecharger Rapid, a 40-50 kW pole-mounted DC fast charger designed and manufactured in Australia for kerbside deployment from
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NewsThe New Spirit of Tasmania Ships: What Triple the Caravan Capacity Means for Your Tasmania Trip
Spirit of Tasmania's new ships start 31 October with triple the caravan capacity and pet-friendly cabins. Here's what caravanners need to know before booking.
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NewsToyota HiLux BEVs enter live production at BHP's Goonyella Riverside mine
Two battery-electric Toyota HiLux utes are now working at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's Goonyela Riverside coal mine — a quiet milestone in Australia's mining elect
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NewsAmpol's $225m Evie takeover: what charging consolidation means for regional EV drivers
Ampol will buy Evie Networks for $225m, creating a 1,425-bay national charging network. What does fuel-retailer consolidation mean for regional drivers, towers
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NewsMelbourne Boat Show 2026: A First-Timer's Guide to Buying at Docklands
Melbourne Boat Show 2026 runs 15-18 October at Docklands with free entry and two Asia-Pacific premieres. Here's how first-time buyers should work the show.
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ProductWhat Does a Boat Actually Cost to Own in Australia? The Honest Annual Numbers
The sticker price is only the entry fee. Here's what Australian boat ownership really costs per year — registration, insurance, servicing, storage and the line
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EventsWhat Melbourne Leisurefest 2026 Told Us About the Future of Caravanning
Melbourne Leisurefest has wrapped for 2026. The 48V power wave, the toy hauler's arrival and the motorhome surge were the stories of the show — here's what they
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NewsIsuzu rules out the electric D-Max for Australia — where the electric ute race stands now
Isuzu has cancelled the electric D-Max for Australia, citing weak demand. Here's what the decision says about BEV utes, PHEV tow vehicles and what buyers should
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NewsAussie-Built Dream Haven Familia Takes on America: The Compact Family Off-Road Caravan, Explained
Dream Haven's Gladiator Familia — an Australian-built compact family off-road caravan with bunks and serious off-grid gear — is about to debut in the US. Here's
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NewsAustralia bought an EV every 100 seconds in 2026 — but utes and trucks are still stuck in neutral
EVC's State of EVs 2026 shows record Australian EV sales — one every 100 seconds — yet electric trucks and vans remain under 1% of their markets. Here's the gap
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NewsAlways be charging: how Fortescue plans to run electric haul trucks BHP says can't work
Fortescue's electric haul truck plan comes down to charging strategy, not battery size. Here's the "always be charging" playbook, the rollout dates, and what it
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NewsBYD puts vehicle-to-grid in Australia's best-selling EV — and V2G stops being a curiosity
BYD has expanded Amber Electric's V2G program to the Sealion 7. Here's what vehicle-to-grid actually does, what it's worth, and who should care.
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NewsWho pays for Australia's EV chargers? Regulator backs plan to spread the cost across every power bill
The AEMC has backed a plan letting electricity networks fund public EV chargers through everyone's power bills. Here's what it means for drivers.
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NewsThe Caravan Market Just Flipped. Motorhomes Are Surging While Towables Cool — Here's What Buyers Should Do
New RAV data shows Australian caravan registrations down 10.8% while motorhomes surge and import brands gain ground. What the 2026 market shift means for buyers
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NewsWhat the Coalition's NVES repeal pledge means for ute buyers, towers and the conversion industry
The Opposition has vowed to repeal Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard within 30 days of office. Here's what it means for diesel ute buyers, towers and
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NewsA $1,399 Power Station Just Changed the Caravan Off-Grid Equation
Anker SOLIX launched its S2000 portable power station in Australia this week. We look at what 2kWh and 1,500W actually gets caravanners — and how to size off-gr
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ProductWhat Is a Cat Cruiser? A Plain-English Guide to the Boat That's Also a Caravan
Boat by day, caravan by night. What a Cat Cruiser is, how a weekend works, what's on board, the three models in plain terms, and who it suits.
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ProductTowing a Cat Cruiser by the Numbers: ATM, Towball Download and GCM
Four legal limits have to be met at once when you tow. The definitions, our current weights, how the trailer braking rules apply, and a worked example using the 870.
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ProductOff-Grid by Design: Charging, Solar and House Power on an All-Electric Boat-Caravan
No gas, no generator, no fuel. The energy budget behind an all-electric boat-caravan: what shore power and fast charging deliver, what 5 kW of solar really adds, and what a night uses.
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ProductInside the Electric Drive: Twin Motors, Two Batteries and the Six-Hour Day
How a Cat Cruiser's electric drive works, why the drive and house batteries are separate, and what "about six hours" really means in kilowatts once you do the maths.
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LifestyleFirst-Timer FAQ: Straight Answers About Owning a Boat-Caravan
Licence, towing, launching, range, kids, caravan parks, toilets, charging, storage and warranty. Straight answers to the questions first-timers ask about a boat-caravan.
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ProductElectric Boat-Caravans: A Practical Briefing for Tourism Operators, Marinas and Councils
What operators, marina managers and council staff need to know about trailerable all-electric vessels: commercial survey, site approvals, charging capacity, ramps, anchoring and sewage.
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ProductOff-Grid Power for Mining, Resources and Remote Infrastructure
Remote sites run on diesel by default — with all the fuel logistics, cost and emissions that brings. A solar-charged battery trailer offers a cleaner way to power work beyond the grid.
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ProductPower Anywhere: Mobile Battery Trailers for Events, Emergencies and Remote Work
When the grid isn't there — or isn't enough — a towable battery delivers clean, quiet power for events, disaster response and remote operations.
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NewsEV Fleet Charging Without the Grid Upgrade: Mobile Battery Power for Councils
Councils are locked into net-zero targets, but grid upgrades for depot charging are slow and costly. A mobile battery trailer offers a way to charge EV fleets today.
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ProductDiesel-Free Site Power: The Battery Trailer Replacing Generators on Australian Job Sites
Diesel gensets are noisy, dirty and hard to run in built-up areas. Here's how a mobile battery trailer delivers quiet, emissions-free power on construction and civil sites.
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NewsAustralian Sailing Just Signed a Six-Year RIB Deal. Here's Why It Matters for Every Aussie Boater.
Australian Sailing signed a six-year RIB deal through Brisbane 2032. What a rigid inflatable boat is, why coaches love them, and what it means for boaters.
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NewsLifejacket Laws in Australia: What National Safe Boating Week 2026 Means for Your Summer
National Safe Boating Week 2026 puts lifejacket laws in Australia in the spotlight. What AS4758:2022 changed, the level you need, and how to stay legal.
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LifestyleMoreton Bay by Boat: The Gold Coast Weekend Cruise Owners Keep Rediscovering
Moreton Bay is the Gold Coast weekend cruise owners keep rediscovering. The route — Peel Island, Dunwich, Dux Anchorage — and how to plan it yourself.
Read MoreQueensland's First Coast Guard Flotilla Just Changed Names. Here's What Gold Coast Boaters Need to Know.
After nearly 60 years, Southport's volunteer Coast Guard flotilla has joined Marine Rescue Queensland. What changes for boaters — and how to log on before your
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ProductBuying Your First Boat in Australia: Seven Things to Sort Out Before You Hand Over Money
Before the deposit, before the sea trial, before the excitement — here's the seven-item checklist every first-time Australian boat buyer should clear, from lice
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ProductYou Can Already Tow a Caravan. Here's What Changes When the Trailer Carries a Boat.
937,000 Australians tow RVs — and most of the skills transfer straight to boat trailers. Here's what carries over, and the four boat-specific habits that save b
Read MoreSydney's first electric ferry is a trial. The 2026 date has already moved.
NSW has contracted Richardson Devine Marine for one 24-metre electric trial ferry. It is due to run for 12 months from early 2028, then the Fish Markets route in 2029.
Read MoreA keel on the Swan is a start. The wharves are still a tender.
Echo Marine has laid the keel for the first of five Swan River electric ferries. Each is specified for 100 passengers and 25 knots. Services are expected from late 2027.
Read MoreCity hydrofoils just raised A$27 million. That is not a boat on a trailer.
Auckland's Vessev raised US$19 million (A$27 million) to build more electric hydrofoils. Australian cities are the demand story, not a backyard boat.
Read MoreForty per cent on batteries is the number. One hundred per cent is the plan.
CSL's MV Yampu has started limestone runs in South Australia. Batteries cover 40 per cent of the time for now, with charging at Birkenhead.
Read MoreThe biggest battery ferry still hitched a ride. Arrival is not a timetable.
Hull 096, built in Tasmania for Buquebus, has reached Uruguay on a heavy-lift ship. Commissioning comes before any River Plate service.
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NewsNMC vs LFP vs LTO: Three Lithium Batteries Explained
NMC, LFP (LiFePO4) and LTO are all lithium batteries, but they behave very differently. Here's what each name means and what each one is good at, in plain Aussie English.
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NewsSodium-Ion Batteries Are Coming: The Honest Pros and Cons
Sodium-ion batteries use sodium, the element in table salt, instead of lithium. Here's what they're good at, where they fall short and how they compare, in plain Aussie English.
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NewsAre Lithium Batteries Dangerous? The Honest Answer
Lithium battery fires are real, but the risk depends on the battery. Here's what Australian fire services and government data say, with the jargon explained in plain Aussie English.
Read MoreNewsThe World's Biggest Electric Ship Was Built in Tasmania. Here's How It Works
A 130-metre ferry built in Hobart is the biggest battery-electric vehicle ever made. Here's how 40 MWh of batteries, light waterjets and quick top-ups make it work, in plain English.
Read MoreNewsBatteries Today
Why some batteries last and others fade or swell comes down to tiny, unwanted chemical reactions inside them. A plain-English guide to battery side reactions, based on an article by Dr Ouyang Chuying.
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NewsThe First Caraboat 650 Legacy Just Hit the Market. Boat by Day, Caravan by Night.
The first Caraboat 650 Legacy is for sale on the Gold Coast — $219,000, 10 hours on the Suzuki, 1,100W of solar. Here's what it proves about the towable live-aboard category.
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evsThe MG I wouldn’t have bought — until this one
Australia gets world-first launch of the MG MGU9 electric ute: 3.5-tonne towing, 6.6kW vehicle-to-load, 102.2kWh battery. What towers and fleets should know.
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LifestyleGold Coast School Holidays: Getting the Family on the Water This Spring
Gold Coast school holidays run 19 Sep–5 Oct 2026, and the whale season is still going. Here's how to plan a family day on the water this spring.
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NewsA Second Major Queensland Caravan Builder Has Collapsed. Here's What It Means for Buyers.
AOR has entered administration, months after Zone RV's collapse. What happens to your deposit and warranty — and how to vet a caravan builder before you buy.
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ProductWhat Size Boat Do You Need? A Sizing Guide
Choosing the right size boat is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as a buyer.
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NewsHow Quiet Electric Boats Protect Marine Life
Electric boats can reduce underwater noise by up to 43 dB. For whales, dolphins, and marine species that depend on sound, that is a lifeline. Here is what the science shows.
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ProductWhat Makes a Boat Feel Luxurious? The Details That Matter
Luxury in boating isn’t about gold-plated fittings and crystal chandeliers. It’s about thoughtful design, quality materials, and details that make every moment on the water feel effortless.
Read MoreFishing From a Catamaran: Why Anglers Are Switching
Recreational fishing is booming in Australia, and catamarans offer the stability, deck space, and shallow draft that make them capable fishing platforms.
Read MoreHow to Reduce Your Environmental Impact on the Water
From anti-fouling paint choices to sewage management and plastic reduction, every boater can take practical steps to protect Australian waterways. Here is what the science says and what you can do.
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ProductCatamaran vs Monohull: Which Hull Type Is Right for You?
The catamaran vs monohull debate is one of the oldest in boating. An honest comparison of both hull types to help you decide which suits your style and waters.
Read MoreFirst Boat Buyer Guide: What Every Australian Needs
Buying your first boat is exciting but overwhelming. This guide covers everything Australian first-time buyers need, from hull types and propulsion to budgeting.
Read MoreZero-Emission Boating: Electric Propulsion's Future
Recreational boats produce disproportionate emissions for their size. With the IMO targeting net-zero shipping by 2050 and electric technology maturing fast, zero-emission boating is arriving.
Read MoreGlamping on the Water in a Floating Catamaran Hotel Room
Australia's glamping market is projected to reach USD 187.2 million by 2030. Water glamping on a luxury catamaran offers hotel-quality comfort in the most spectacular settings.
Read MoreBoat Registration and Licensing: A State-by-State Guide
Boat registration and licensing rules vary across every Australian state and territory. This guide breaks down the requirements so you can get on the water legally and confidently.
Read MoreBoating the Gold Coast: Local Waters and Hidden Spots
The Gold Coast offers some of Australia's most diverse boating waters, from the calm Broadwater to the open ocean beyond the Seaway. Here's where to go and what you'll need to get there.
Read MoreThe Boat-Caravan Hybrid: One Vessel for Land and Sea
Australians love both caravans and boats. A boat-caravan hybrid combines overnight accommodation with genuine boating capability in one vessel, towed behind your car.
Read MoreWhy Buying an Australian-Made Boat Matters
Australia's boating industry supports thousands of jobs and a network of small manufacturers. Here is why a locally built vessel supports communities and suits Australian conditions.
Read More10 Weekend Boating Destinations on the Australian East Coast
From tropical islands to hidden river bays, the Australian east coast is a boater's paradise. Here are 10 weekend destinations you can reach from your local launch point.
Read MoreBoat Camping 101: Your Guide to Overnight Adventures
Spending the night on your boat opens up a world of adventure. Here is everything you need to know about boat camping, from essential gear to finding the perfect anchorage.
Read MoreWhat Is an Amphibious Boat? How Land-and-Sea Vessels Work
From WWII military origins to a growing recreational market, amphibious boats have evolved from battlefield vehicles into leisure vessels. Here is how the technology works.
Read MoreTrailerable Boat Registration Rules in Australia
Thinking about owning a trailerable electric catamaran? Here is what you actually need for boat and trailer registration, towing licence rules, and insurance in Australia.
Read MoreRamp Freedom: Why Shallow Draft Changes Where You Launch
A shallow draft and trailerable design mean Cat Cruisers can launch at small, shallow, or remote boat ramps other vessels cannot reach. Here is how it works.
Read MoreThe Trailerable Electric Luxury Catamaran Is Coming
After years of engineering and countless prototypes, the Cat Cruiser is currently in build. Register your interest, then tow it to the ramp and answer the call of the water.
Read MoreHow to Finance a Boat in Australia: What to Expect
Boat finance in Australia is more accessible than most people think. Here is a general guide to loan types, deposits, and terms to help you start the conversation.
Read MoreTowing a Catamaran: Weight Limits and Tow Vehicle Guide
From GCM ratings and braking regulations to choosing between a LandCruiser and a Ranger, here is every detail Australian boaters need to know about towing a catamaran safely and legally.
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ProductElectric Boat Maintenance: What You Need to Service
No oil changes, no spark plugs, but not zero maintenance. A plain-English guide to what an electric boat still needs: battery checks, anodes, antifouling and a simple routine.
Read MoreTrailerable Catamarans: The Freedom to Launch Anywhere
With hundreds of thousands of registered boats in Australia and marina berths costing thousands a year, trailerable catamarans offer a smarter path to boating freedom.
Read MoreElectric vs Petrol Boat: True 5-Year Cost of Ownership
Forget the sticker price: the real comparison between electric and petrol boats plays out over years of fuel, maintenance, and servicing. Here is the breakdown.
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ProductSolar Panels on Boats: Can You Run a Catamaran on Sunshine?
Can you run a boat on sunshine? A plain-English guide to what solar panels can and can't do on a boat, and why solar stretches a sunny day rather than replacing charging.
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ProductHow to Charge an Electric Boat, From Shore Power to Solar
How do you charge an electric boat? A plain-English guide to kWh vs kW, 15-amp outlets, marina shore power, fast charging and solar top-ups.
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ProductLithium Batteries for Boats: LiFePO4 vs NMC for Marine Use
LiFePO4, NMC and LTO explained in plain English: which lithium battery suits a boat, why safety and cycle life matter, and how to look after one.
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ProductHow Far Can an Electric Boat Go? Range and Speed Explained
How far can an electric boat go? A plain-English guide to why speed drains batteries so fast, why hull shape matters, and what it means for a Cat Cruiser.
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ProductElectric Boat Motors: Types, Power, and What to Look For
Outboard, inboard or pod? kW or horsepower? A plain-English guide to electric boat motors, why torque and efficiency matter more than big numbers, and how to choose.
Read MoreElectric Catamarans Explained: Twin Hulls, Electric Power
Twin hulls cut drag, improve stability, and create more usable space, pairing brilliantly with electric propulsion for smarter, more efficient boating.
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ProductWhat Is an Electric Boat? The Complete Australian Guide
What is an electric boat, how does it work and does it suit Australian boating? A plain-English guide to motors, range, charging, safety and the quiet.
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