Boating Industry Canada just had to share this one with our readers! It’s an example of extreme ‘out of the box’ thinking; and it looks like the box was a major design influence! The “ELYSIUM Rideabout 40” wants to be ridden, not driven – and it has a unique hull and steering position.

Already the name of this newly designed, one of a kind German powerboat from Lake Constance, the “ELYSIUM Rideabout 40” indicates major design differences with conventional boats. Rideabout describes the unique seat and steering position of skipper and mate. The bench seat is reminiscent of a motorcycle and is placed 1.3 meters above the boat deck. Instead of a steering wheel, there is a teak covered handlebar with integrated controls. With this, until now, unique steering method for a 40 feet (12 meters) boat, the cross-bonded mahogany hull of the “ELYSIUM Rideabout 40” with its weight of eight tons, can be maneuvered inch-perfect and exactly. Extraordinary performance, effortless handling and speeds up to 40 knots (45 mph/72 km/h) are provided by two Volvo Penta diesel engines with 272 KW/370 hp each. The engines are fitted with a special catalytic converter and sound absorbing system, permitted on Lake Constance. So, they meet the strictest licensing requirements in the world. The tank capacity of 211 gall
ons (800 liters) diesel, offer a range of 400 nautical miles (720 kilometers).

The developers and owners of “ELYSIUM – Fine Wooden Boats”, the mechanical engineer Hans-Joachim Kurz and the designer and wood working engineer Hartmut Grupp, want to focus on further highlights with this special tender, which is made of teak, mahogany and stainless steel and built at the traditional shipyard Denninger & Maile in Langenargen. On deck, there are eight, automatically extensible seats. As the Rideabout 40 can also be used as comfortable day cruiser, there is under deck a small pantry, a shower cabin, a toilet and sleeping accommodations for two to three persons. The hull with the straight prow is consequently designed in V-form to provide stability even in rough seas. The stern is designed in characteristic W-form. According to customers’ request, it can also be off-white colored and fitted with hydraulically extensible bathing platform and ladder. Sportive elegance in harmonic combination with modern art of wooden boatbuilding, outstanding technology including fully integrated dataflow and con
trol system with two colored screen displays, will be the worldwide unique characteristics of the “ELYSIUM Rideabout40”. Building time will be 15 months and the price for the completely equipped powerboat will be 890.000 Euro. For more information: www.elysiumboat.de 

Photo: Still a model, but in summer 2012, the “ELYSIUM Rideabout 40” will be built in Langenargen on Lake Constance.  The price for the completely equipped powerboat will be 890.000 Euro.