A small Canadian company is building the prototype of a 30-foot, off-the-grid blend of a houseboat and a unique catamaran cruising boat. The main cabin is designed as a “Muskoka Room” to resemble a cabin in the north woods.
The new NC9 is the creation of the North Channel CabinBoat Company and it’s being built of aluminum by Henley Boats on Manitoulin Island. It’s originally meant for the rugged North Channel, part of the Georgian Bay on Lake Huron, one of the most popular cruising grounds on the Great Lakes, and a favorite spot on the Great Loop.
The semi-displacement catamaran hull is powered by twin 150-hp Suzuki outboards with high-output alternators. The flat roof holds solar panels producing more than 2,000 watts, plus wind generators, feeding a lithium ion battery bank. The company says there will be enough power to run the hotel-load services for a week without turning on the 3.5-hp generator.
“The NC9 was conceived by a couple of older boaters who wanted a boat that’s comfortable, safe, and simple to run, dock and anchor,” said company president Allan Hollman, “so a catamaran was a no-brainer.” The cat’s inverted bows add to the waterline for additional speed, while the cat is stable at anchor underway.
The master stateroom, with a double berth, runs the full 14-foot beam between the two bows. A head with an electric toilet is in one bow, with a large separate shower.
The cabin is enclosed with three screened casement windows on each side, and patio doors on the aft bulkhead. The dinette converts to a double bed for guests.
The company says the NC9 “is primarily designed and set up for a single person or a couple of an older demographic who prefer to cruise extensively alone but it can easily accommodate a couple of friends for a few nights.”
Read more at http://henleyboats.com or email northchannel@bell.net
