The Nutshell prototype is nearing completion. The hulls, deck, bridgedeck and coachroof are from female moulds. Also hatches, transoms, liner, space-frame and ceiling beams.
Looking good.
Pics from before the intro
Category: Life afloat
Happy 2022! Hulls are complete
The hulls of the prototype are now complete and ready to receive the bridge-deck. They’re looking good in pure white.
Further finishing is required and the moulds will be polished for the first production hull. In the meantime we will start installing systems and testing the de-mounting system.
Canvas enclosures
Tents! Well you either love em or you’ve actually been camping.
But marine awnings? A whole different thing. They are so good nowadays they’re pretty much a standard on any boat. Strung between a coachroof-lid and a bulwark, they stop wind and rain from ruining your evening, while still giving you that terrific view of the cute bay or harbour that you chose to stop the night in.
So given the option of enclosing a space for the times when the weather’s a bit dodgy or living within three walls when every cell in your body screams “I wanna be outside on this perfect evening”!What do you do?
Well I overstated it a wee bit, but you get the picture? Having a nice wide aft deck, on a boat designed for barmy weather, I’d rather have it open and close it up when needed.
Picture gallery of the accommodation
Towing a Nutshell
While towing the Nutshell 26 is possible behind an SUV it is not an exercise to be taken lightly. Experienced drivers won’t have problems (it’s the same as towing a similar size centre console boat). Height is an issue but the weight is similar.
The complexity is with narrowing the boat. The trailer is designed to take care of this, but the boat has to be prepared before-hand. I suggest that this may not be an ‘every weekend’ exercise.
If you want to day-sail the boat, and leave off all the liveaboard kit, then the boat becomes a great water-sport base. You can load canoes, SUPs etc into the back of the boat and, once launched, you have a big aft deck, fridge and storage, plus a day-bed.
There will be two types of trailer. The standard one will tow the boat in the wider position. The split-back will additionally enable the narrowing of the hulls. This would be particularly useful for a yard managing multiple boats – that needs to access public roads to launch or recover. Or any business that stores the boats undercover – the space-saving for narrow boats is considerable.
Charter and rental options
The brochure outlining opportunities in the adventure tourism and hospitality industries is now available. As a business situated near sheltered waters, be it lagoon, river, canal, bay, island or lake consider exploring this option for when travel starts up again. As a private owner, placing your Nutshell in a managed fleet can generate income and significantly reduce the hassle of ownership.
In 2022 we intend to introduce a scheme whereby you can own shares in multiple destinations, or exchange usage with other owners for a more rounded sailing experience.
A real sailing boat
The deck layout of the Nutshell 26 is also flexible. The simple Uni-rig means the deck is not cluttered and this leaves lots of side deck and trampoline areas to play
- Main solar panels 4 x 350W – these are glass fronted and framed panels out of the way of everything
- Additional optional solar panels on the pull-out roof panels. Two of these add a further 4 x 240W for a total of 2,36KW (theoretical)
- A standard SUP board fits over the foredeck – together with space along the deck-edges you get to take a lot of toys with you
- The optional Code0 sheets to the side-deck, right aft, and from there down to a deck-block and onto the winch at the mast. This sail is flown loose from the upper-most halyard
- The standard Genoa sheets feed aft around the back of the roof and down to a deck-block. It is completely self-tacking and rolls away onto a furling forestay
- Trampoline material fills the foredeck and keeps everybody safe. A great place to sun-bathe
- Deck hatches allow storage of more toys. Below these are sealed buoyancy compartments that make the boat unsinkable
- The deck shower can be used to rinse-off with hot fresh water
- The roller furler rope runs along the starboard side. It can be lead to the winch but mostly will be pulled by hand
- A passarel or gang-plank stores over the rope bins aft and is hoisted up to the spreaders. A tie-off system raises it above reach and it can be locked in that position. Great for stern-to moorings in the Med.
- Fenders drop-down to come alongside low walls or floating docks. In the stored position they still protect the boat from damage and allow other boats to raft-up alongside
Flexible layout
Good use of space is essential in compact cats. Yachts offer probably the most efficient use of space. Vast experience in designing charter catamarans – where you get 6 double en-suite cabins in less than half the size of a tennis court – allows extreme efficiency without compromising the feeling of roominess.
- The galley counter converts to a dining table by sliding it inboard. In the centre position it hides the sink and cooker.
- The queen-size berth is also a comfy couch for watching the scenery slide by
- The loose seating converts to single upright chairs, a couch and an occasional extra berth
- The shower unit is behind a door that, when opened, expands the cubicle into a full size, private shower. Steam escapes outside and the drain goes straight into a holding tank. Using this to wash off with fresh water after a swim, the waste water can run overboard.
- The heads do not open into the cabin, keeping all smells outside. If you’re away from people you can enjoy a ‘loo with a view’
- The 12V fridge is top-opening and slides out from under the cooker. A deep cool box in the hull adds extra capacity.
- The tillers lift up when not in use allowing the entire aft deck to be enclosed. When manoeuvring under engines alone they drop-down to lock the rudders
- The large, flat windscreen in front opens to give proper ventilation in mild weather
- Access to the sea is down one transom. Garbage stowage is in the other. Folding bikes and other toys go forward
- Suitcases and large items go under the berth. A hanging locker and shelves takes the rest of your stuff.
- Tablet / phone / camera / drone charging in a dedicated station at the inside helm
New Partnership
Imagine this is the view from your apartment bedroom
Now imagine you could take your apartment for a spin
In association with Waterfront Houseboats we are about to catch up with your imagination.
The Waterfront Houseboat company operate funky sleep onboard houseboats in the Cape Grace Marina and the brand new Nutshell 26 can be your home-from-home there.
Welcome Aboard
Welcome to Waterfront House Boats. Situated at the Cape Grace Marina adjacent to the 5 star Cape Grace Hotel, at the very heart of the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town. This unique experience offers you the opportunity of “living on the water” with frolicking seals, fish and bird life to keep you entertained and all that the Waterfront and Cape Town has to offer on your doorstep.
Wake up with the sound of water lapping against the hull. Take an early morning stroll to buy your fresh croissants and eat them on board with a lovely cup of Nespresso coffee while enjoying expansive mountain and city views. With everything in easy and safe walking distance the entire V & A Waterfront is an extraordinary experience.
Eat out an any of the more than 80 restaurants and eateries. Ride bicycles or jog to the Sea Point promenade. Stroll across the swing bridge to the award winning Zeitz Mocca Museum or take a ride on the Cape Wheel. Visit the Watershed and OZCF markets selling produce, clothing, accessories and jewellery all of which is locally produced.
Or chat to us about our exclusive offerings such as a tour through the canals, a private dinner while moored off Quay 4 or even a trip to Granger Bay to enjoy the festival atmosphere created by The Grand.
Certainly a unique experience not to be missed.
