First-Timer FAQ: Straight Answers About Owning a Boat-Caravan
By Jason Rieck
Co-Founder & Lead Designer, Cat Cruisers
Whether you've owned a tinny, a caravan or nothing at all, the same questions come up when people look at a boat that doubles as a caravan. Here are straight answers. Where the rules depend on your state, I've pointed you to the right authority.
Licences and paperwork
Do I need a boat licence? Yes. You'll need a recreational marine licence to skipper any Cat Cruiser. In Queensland, Maritime Safety Queensland requires a licence for any boat with an engine over 4.5 kW, and you get one by completing an approved BoatSafe course. Other states run their own schemes, and our state-by-state guide covers them.
Do I need a special licence to tow it? In most cases, a standard car licence covers towing. The real limit is your vehicle's ratings, not your licence. If you're unsure, check with your state transport department.
Does it need registering? Yes. The boat and the trailer are registered separately. In Queensland, all boats with an engine of 3 kW or more must be registered when they're on the water.
Towing and launching
Can my car tow it? It depends on the model and the vehicle. The 650 is around 1,750 kg on its trailer. The 750 and 870 are heavier, especially once loaded with water and gear, and need a vehicle rated to tow 3,500 kg braked. Four separate limits all have to be met, not just the towing capacity, so run your vehicle through our free Can You Tow It? tool.
Is launching hard? If you can reverse a trailer, you've mastered the hardest part. Practise in an empty car park first, pick a quiet weekday for your first few launches, and do all your preparation in the rigging area rather than on the ramp itself.
Where can I launch? At suitable public boat ramps, like any trailer boat. Needing only shallow water to float helps at smaller or tidal ramps.
On the water
How far can it go? About six hours of continuous running on a charge at cruising speed. We quote that at 5 knots, which is roughly 30 nautical miles in still water. On the 870, roof solar stretches that to roughly eight to nine hours on a sunny day. Go faster and the range drops quickly, so plan your day with some charge in reserve.
How fast does it go? It's designed around relaxed cruising rather than top speed. Think of it as a floating holiday house, not a ski boat.
What if the weather turns? Check the Bureau of Meteorology marine forecast before you head out, every time. One advantage of a trailerable boat is that you aren't tied to one waterway. If the forecast for the open bay looks poor, you can tow to a sheltered river or lake instead.
Is it OK for kids? Yes, with the right gear and rules. In Queensland, children aged 1 to under 12 must wear a properly fitted lifejacket in an open boat that's underway, or in any open area of a boat that's underway. See MSQ's lifejacket rules, and our school holidays post on getting the family on the water safely.
Living aboard
Can I sleep on it at anchor? Yes, that's half the fun. Just check the local anchoring rules first. Some areas have time limits. On the Gold Coast, for example, parts of the waterways allow only 24 hours in any 30-day period.
Can I stay in a caravan park? Parked on its trailer at a powered site, it works as self-contained accommodation. Every park has its own rules about site length and what it accepts, so ring ahead and tell them what you're bringing.
Is there a toilet and a shower? Every model has a marine toilet with a holding tank and a fresh water system, and the 750 and 870 have a shower. You empty the holding tank at a pump-out facility.
How do I cook? On an induction cooktop, with a fridge alongside. There's no gas on board.
How do I charge it? Plug it into a power point at home or at a powered campsite, and the roof-mounted solar panels top it up during the day. Overnight on a powered site is the simplest routine. The 870 can also fast-charge in about an hour on a suitable fast charger. At anchor, its 5 kW of solar tops the battery up. Refilling from completely flat on sunshine alone would take about three sunny days, so topping up as you go is the norm. Our charging guide explains the options.
Ownership
What maintenance is there? Much less than with a petrol boat: no oil changes, no fuel filters and no spark plugs. You'll still look after the hull, check the batteries' health, and care for the trailer, which means greasing bearings, checking brakes and rinsing it after every saltwater launch. See our guide to electric boat maintenance.
Where do I keep it? In a driveway, a shed or a storage yard. Measure your space before you buy. If it will sit on the street or a verge, check your local council's rules.
Is there a warranty? Yes. Our published warranty is five years on the hull and two years from the manufacturer. Ask us for the full terms.
Can I see one? Yes. Book a consultation or sea trial and we'll show you around.
Still deciding?
If you're weighing up your first boat in general, our first boat buyer guide covers the big decisions. Or start with the 650, 750 and 870 and ask us anything.