Life is about compromises, we're taught as kids when we have to choose between activities we love best because there simply isn't enough time to do it all. Compromising, prioritizing, and then accepting the choices we make are a must for a frustration-free life.
But what if we didn't have to choose, or compromise, or decide which of two nice things we can have because having both at the same time isn't attainable? Then, we get something like the Caravanboat Departure One.
Caravanboat is a German builder of – you guessed it – towables that are both caravans and boats. The flagship product is called the Caravanboat Departure One, or Departure One, or simply Caravanboat, for short, and it's been around in physical form since 2018. Today, it's available in two different models (sizes, really), each offered in three trims.
In reality, though, a travel trailer you can launch on a body of water is not a novel idea. Products of this type have been around since at least the early '60s, when humanity’s interest in amphibious vehicles peaked. They emerged on the niche at the intersection between the RV industry and the boating sector and never quite stepped into their own because of prohibitive pricing and certain limitations imposed by their trying to be both things at once.
Photo: Caravanboat
Amphibians, it would seem, have always been plagued by this: they can never match their single-purpose counterparts, either on land or on water. They've overcome this disadvantage in recent years, but as far as pricing goes, well.. let's just say that it's still not for the faint of heart.
The Caravanboat is a good ample of how one such amphibious towable can mature and grow into a luxury product. It's a travel trailer on land and a houseboat on water, one that you could even use out at sea, as opposed to calm bodies of water like lakes and slow rivers, as is the case with other similar launches.
The Caravanboat is made of sturdy aluminum with high-quality finishes, so it's lightweight and durable and, just as importantly, almost maintenance-free. Whether on land or on the water, it can sleep the entire family, as long as it doesn't count more than six members – and whoever is footing the bill can afford the extra options, like the pop-up bed on the roof.
Photo: Caravanboat
They also get a complete but rather compact kitchen, a wet bathroom with a choice of toilet and a sink, and the chance to spend unforgettable days and nights wherever they want. Highlights include panoramic windows, enough space to chill both inside and outside (even on the fully walkable roof), and versatility by means of a wide array of optionals.
The Caravanboat Departure One comes in two sizes, M and XL, with each getting a Free, Premium, or Ultimate trim. Logically, the Departure One M Free is the cheapest of the bunch because it's just a shell on a 3.5t trailer.
At the opposite end is Departure One XL Ultimate, which is your fancy travel trailer slash houseboat – and which you can further customize as you see fit. The company offers options to upgrade everything from the trailer to the finishes, autonomy (solar, water tanks, toilet), and safety.
Photo: Caravanboat
The XL Premium is 8 meters/26.2 feet in total length (to the 7 meters/23 feet of the M model), with an empty weight of 1,800kg (3,968 lbs). You get two solar cells and dual 100Ah lithium batteries, shore connection, foldable railing, and a choice of propulsion, from 15 hp to 50 hp standard outboard engine or electric. Higher performance is possible on request because, as the saying goes, everything's possible when money's no object.
On land, both the M and the XL variants can be towed by an SUV.
The standard XL Premium spec also includes a 70-liter (18.5-gallon) gas tank, two 160-liter (42.3-gallon) tanks for fresh and waste water, and a layout with two open cabins and one bathroom. The kitchen is open-plan, with the basics in terms of appliances but customizable to taste.
The bow cabin doubles as a lounge and dining area. The aft one opens directly onto a small swim platform that can be fitted with an outdoor grill – at an extra charge, of course.
Photo: Caravanboat
Maximum speed on water is 15 knots (17.2 mph/27.8 kph) for the XL model and 10 knots (11.5 mph/18.5 kph) for the M. On land, the Departure One goes as fast as you can tow it, as long as it's in accordance with local limitations.
The Caravanboat Departure One is described as the ultimate vacation vehicle that lets you enjoy adventures"without borders" and without compromise in terms of comfort and luxury. That last part is key to tailoring your budget expectations, which is a very delicate way of saying this is a premium product in every sense.
Speaking in concrete figures, the Departure One M Free starts at €84,031 (approximately $90,100 at the current exchange rate), while the Departure One XL Premium is €114,284 ($122,500). Neither amount includes taxes or, for that matter, all the upgrades that would truly make it a luxury, self-sufficient vacation vehicle.
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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