Summer is here and, as it just so happens, the perfect summer vehicle is coming up at auction. The Boaterhome, an iconic, super-rare and very awesome RV-style rig, has resurfaced.
The Boaterhome is a spin of a basic Ford Econoline van (the E0350 series), first sold in the mid-’80s in the U.S. and revived in the mid-’90s in Canada. It is widely believed that only 21 vehicles of this type were produced in total, and instances of restored units are incredibly rare. This is one of them, and it’s about to cross the auction block with Barrett-Jackson, at the upcoming Las Vegas event between June 30 and July 2.
This Boaterhome will sell at no reserve, as a whole unit including the Ford van and the boat hull in the back. As of the time of press, the auction house has not listed a price estimate but, considering we’re talking about one of the most easily recognizable and strangest vehicles ever, it’s safe to assume it won’t be cheap.
The Boaterhome is half boat and half RV, and its appeal at the time of its introduction was that it was road-legal and could launch the boat directly at the ramp, without further hassle. In road mode, the boat serves as living quarters and, in this particular instance, it’s furnished to accommodate up to four people, and has kitchen and bathroom facilities. Also in road mode, you can move from the cabin to the living area with ease.
The boat in the back is fiberglass with a modified V hull, powered by a Mercury Cruiser 260ci inboard/outboard engine. Because it integrates seamlessly into the rig, driving the Boaterhome doesn’t feel like towing a trailer with a boat on top, but is comparable to the experience of driving a limousine. To launch the boat, one simply drives the rig backwards into the water. The van can drive off afterwards.
In case the Boaterhome looks familiar to you, it’s because this unit is very famous. It’s the same one that’s been featured in various media throughout the years, including in Street Muscle Magazine – you can see it in action in the video below. It belongs to John Ortlieb from Nevada, who once owned two Boaterhome units, one inherited from his father and another bought from a junkyard. According to John, the boat can travel at 40 mph (64.3 kph) on water, while the rig can cruise comfortably at 100 mph (161 kph) on the highway.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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