New Wave Docks launches motor barge kit concept

Aggressive welded bow points and two bar

By Steve Bareham, Nelson, B.C.

There's a new multi-functional option for people wanting a large, stable motorized floating watercraft that's affordable, be it for use as a pontoon boat, a work barge, floating gazebo, or mobile dock. 

Just introduced by New Wave Docks, 100 Mile House, B.C., the sturdy wide-body catamaran give buyers a durable, high-weight capacity boat that can be assembled literally in a day and purchased for $5,995 FOB 100 Mile House, B.C. Shipping to most locations in B.C. and Alberta is less than $1,000.

This is no prissy unit; it’s built to be used and to last for many years thanks to thick poly floats and aluminum rails. Pictured is the 8 foot x 18' 3"  foot Wolverine unit with six NW1400 floats and four hydrodynamic bow and stern cones that provide an incredible 9000 pounds of submersion capacity. This mean you can carry 4,500 pounds on deck -- that's a lot for an 18-foot craft.
Its stability comes from the board weight dispersion, i.e. it's pretty much solid hull underneath. Also note the shape of the float bottom. The contour not only makes it more water worthy under power, but it also boosts strength in contrast to flat-surface floats. It also provides four full-length keel surfaces for skid plates; each float is predrilled with stainless inserts to accept bolts.

The nose and stern cones mean the craft is hydrodynamic in forward and reverse

At the stern is a motor mount area (see photo below). Note the aggressive bow treatment with welded in bar to make beaching or docking the craft easy. Each float also has a keel attachment system.

I like this product because it literally does everything: party barge, floating gazebo, work barge, you name it and all at low cost for high quality and huge weight capacity. All you really have to do is slap down four sheets of marine plywood, attach a motor and you're on your way if you just need a work barge to move things.

BUT YOU CAN GET CREATIVE!

New Wave also makes post bases to securely hold a deck fence or vertical members if you want a superstructure bolted to the deck. You can dress this boat up as much or as little as you want, e.g. add a superstructure with bimini top and patio furniture. All it needs for power to zip along at about 15 mph is a 25 HP high thrust outboard engine such as the Yamaha T25 ($5,000 retail Canada):

http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/details.php?model=4321&group=OB&catId=28

A 9.9 HP Mercury Bigfoot($3,000 retail) will push you fine, too.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/outboards/fourstrokes/8-9.9/?model=2

Engine mount for motor barge or mobile dock uses.

You can literally have a great boat for about $10,000, brand new motor included.

These boats can be scaled up or down in size at very reasonable prices. Or, if you just need a dock and don’t care if it’s motorized, that’s even less money. The floats manufactured by New Wave are roto molded poly 5/16th thickness so very tough.

Shipping costs are surprisingly reasonable given the way New Wave packages the kit, i.e. not much more than it would cost you to drive the return trip with hotel, gas, and food expenses, not to mention at least two days of time.

For more information contact New Wave Docks: www.newwavedocks.com