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The MiniBig Trailer Boat Is the Best (and Cutest) of Both Worlds

If you feel like you could do without wasting so much time choosing between one thing or the other, 2-in-1 solutions exist. The MiniBig is one such solution: a trailer on land and a boat on water, it could be the perfect weekend getaway vehicle.
The MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cute 14 photos
Photo: Carinterior Takahashi
The MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cuteThe MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cute
The MiniBig is not new to the market, having first been introduced in its home country of Japan in 2015. However, since it was never made available outside of its borders, it resurfaces online every year or so, drawing attention to its multi-functionality and very cute design.

In reality, an amphibious trailer like the MiniBig is not a novelty even on the U.S. or European market. The Sealander, designed by Daniel Straub for the company of the same name, and sold out of Germany since 2014, employs the same principles and similar form factor, to outstanding results. It is perhaps the most famous amphibious trailer in the world.

Without a doubt, there is a very small niche on the market for this type of vehicle, which remains of high interest to weekend warriors looking to get an all-in-one solution for their adventures, whether they’re on dry land or out on the calm waters of a lake. These weekend warriors must also be very well-heeled, because niche products are always priced above average.

The MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cute
Photo: Carinterior Takahashi
The same goes for the MiniBig. It’s a trailer that is so lightweight that it can be towed with any vehicle you may have, and which you can then back directly into the water, and use as a boat – but only on calm waters, and never on rivers or out at sea. Because it doesn’t need a trailer during road use, you can launch it at the ramp by simply driving it into the water. In order to use it as a boat, though, you first have to strap an outboard engine to it. Maker Carinterior Takahashi is offering a choice of them, but not a single one is included in the price of the trailer.

The MiniBig measures 439 cm (14.4 feet) in total length, including the hitch, 164 cm (5.38 feet) in width, and 193 cm (6.33 feet) in height. It features two openings on either end, which come very in handy during water operation, offering cross-ventilation and preventing the interior from turning into a legit greenhouse. Unlike the Sealander we covered on a previous occasion, there is no skylight integrated into the roof.

The interior is modular, offering maximum functionality depending on the time of day. There’s a small kitchen block with a sink and some storage, and another unit where you could place a small cooker and some more kitchen stuff. During the day, you have two benches facing each other and a small table, while at night, the entire surface turns into a bed. This sounds more complex than it is in reality: this is a small area that aims to offer home-like functionality, so everything is downsized to the maximum.

According to the maker, the MiniBig can sleep three people before buoyancy becomes an issue. It’s perhaps for the best if they’re of a more slender constitution, or there will be little room left to move around in your sleep.

The MiniBig trailer boat is equal parts trailer and boat, very cute
Photo: Carinterior Takahashi
For a weekend fishing trip or some sort of getaway, either romantic or not, the MiniBig is perfect if you’re not the kind to get hooked up on stuff like a proper meal, privacy or personal space. You have a place to sleep, a place to quickly assemble a snack, and perhaps more importantly, protection from the elements. You also have handrails on one end, for quick access to water. Add a porta-potty, and you have all the basic needs covered.

Moreover, due to its small size and light-weight, the MiniBig can be towed without a license, and can be used on the water with just a small boat operation license, at least in Japan. If the outboard you choose is less than 5 hp (3.7 kW), then you won’t need a ship inspection, either. Put it differently, the MiniBig is so small that it’s able to skirt certain local regulations, and is thus more convenient than a boat on a trailer.

The MiniBig can be just as convenient on the road, as a camper, with the same condition that you’re not particularly picky about on-the-road accommodation. Based on the video available at the bottom of the page, it can even serve as a storage room for all your gear.

Pricing for such an amphibious trailer starts at ¥2,280,000, which is a little over $17,600 at the current exchange rate. If you add the outboard engine, entertainment options like a TV and speakers, and other necessary stuff, you’re looking at a much higher bill, and by the time you’re done, you’ll probably be wondering whether such a 2-in-1 solution is worth the hassle.

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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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.
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