What's New in Truck Campers

Read article : What's New in Truck Campers

It’s also an economical approach, with campers starting at under $15,000 and extending upward to $40,000 or more. At the low end, you’ll find basic sleeping accommodations. Spend more and you can get many of the luxury features that would be found in a small motorhome, with good kitchens, full bathrooms, queen-size beds and entertainment centers.

The size of the camper is necessarily limited by the size of the pickup hauling it, but there are lots of options to choose from. And with new materials enabling manufacturers to reduce the weight of their campers, it’s possible to pack more amenities inside a camper without overloading the truck.

Here is a sampling of new campers offered by leading manufacturers:

Adventurer
The Adventurer 93FDS, a 2007 floor plan available in June, will add to a wide array of camper models designed to fit everything from small imports to big one-ton trucks.

The new 93FDS has a full-wall slideout that extends the dinette and refrigerator area. The dinette converts into a bed, enabling the camper to sleep four. The bathroom is given extra spaciousness with a huge skylight.

The suggested base retail price of about $24,000 includes numerous standard features, such as solar reflective windows, a Dometic two-door refrigerator-freezer, a fiberglass shower inside, an outside shower, a slide awning, an exterior yard light, and Happijac electric remote jacks to simplify loading and unloading. The holding tanks are heated and enclosed.

Adventurer campers are lighter in weight than many competitors because of their design and construction, including an aluminum frame and fully laminated walls. The Model 93FDS has a box length of 9 feet, two inches, and an estimated dry weight of 2,850 pounds.

For information, contact Adventurer Manufacturing Ltd, 33541 Maclure Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2S 7W1. Phone (604) 852-5731 or visit www.amlrv.com

Alpenlite
Alpenlite made its reputation in the truck camper field by pioneering aluminum frame construction and vacuum bonded walls. That emphasis on technology continues today with features such as block foam insulation, a laminated, vacuum-bonded crowned roof and a gelcoated exterior surface.

Now in its 34th year of building truck campers, Alpenlite offers eight floor plans in a range of sizes. One of its best sellers is the top-of-the-line Santa Fe 1150, which is Alpenlite’s biggest and roomiest model.

The Santa Fe 1150 includes a full queen-size bed, a center dry bath with a tub and shower seat area, Karadon solid surface countertops, and a basement storage area. The fresh water and other fluid tanks are all large-capacity, enclosed, and insulated so that the camper can be used in all seasons. Among the options is a dinette skylight with a retractable shade.

The dinette area slides out for extra room and can be converted to a bed for an additional sleeping area. The suggested retail price on the Santa Fe 1150 is $26,592. If you don’t want a slideout, you can choose the Santa Fe 1100, which offers much the same floor plan as the 1150, and also offers the option of a dinette with a fold-away table and two Flexsteel swivel chairs.

For information on Alpenlite Limited truck campers, contact Western Recreational Vehicles, P. O. Box 9547 Yakima, WA 98909. Phone (800) 777-4133 or visit www.wrv.com.

Arctic Fox
Arctic Fox truck campers, such as the new model 990 Silver Fox edition, are durable and rugged enough to endure cross-country and off-road travel because of innovations in camper engineering.

The Silver Fox edition features an aircraft-style superstructure, transverse floor, and a full-wall slide room that is 26 inches deep. The transverse floor design increases the width of the floor inside, creating a feeling of spaciousness. By using a dual rack and pinion slide mechanism and a strong aluminum superstructure, Northwood Manufacturing builds its Arctic Fox campers so that the slideout can be extended even while people are sitting in the slideout area. Heavy-duty rollers move the slideout smoothly and quietly, while five separate seals guard against water intrusion during wet weather.

With the extra depth of its slideouts, Arctic Fox is able to offer several options. For example, in the overhead bunk option, a hinged interior panel folds down from the upper wall and ceiling of the slideout and converts into an additional bunk bed over the dinette. Another option is a lounge instead of a dinette, with an optional “roll-over” lounge that converts into an extra sleeping area. All standard dinettes also convert to beds.

The bedroom suite in the Arctic Fox features a deluxe queen-size mattress with coordinated bedspread and window valence accents. A folding wall between the main cabin and sleeping area provides privacy.

Arctic Fox campers come in three interior color schemes. The interiors include solid oak hardwood features, textured wallboards on the interior walls and Ozite finished ceilings. Vinyl floor coverings are commercial grade, and there is also a carpeting option. The company offers campers in a range of floor plans, all with full-wall slideouts. The wet bath version of the Silver Fox Model 990 carries a suggested base retail price of $23,929.

For information on Arctic Fox campers, contact Northwood Manufacturing, 59948 Downs Road, La Grande, OR 97850. Phone (541) 962-6274 or visit www.northwoodmfg.com.

Bigfoot
New for 2006 from Bigfoot Industries in British Columbia is a long box version of the short box 25C9.4 camper that was introduced last year. These models are part of the Bigfoot 2500 camper series.

The model offers a spacious layout, with an aft galley with a three-burner cooktop, stainless steel double sink, 6-cubic-foot refrigerator and dinette with face-to-face seating.

All of the models in the 2500 series are constructed from two molded fiberglass shells and insulated with 1 1/2-inch high-density polystyrene block foam insulation. The fresh and wastewater holding tanks are enclosed, insulated and heated by a 30,000 BTU high-output furnace. There is an abundance of interior storage as well a large exterior basement storage compartment. The suggested base retail price is $21,870.

Bigfoot Industries, which also builds trailers and motorhomes, is in its 28th year as an RV company. For information about Bigfoot campers and to order a brochure, contact Bigfoot Industries, 4114 Crozier Road, Armstrong, British Columbia V0E lB6. Phone (250) 546-2177 or visit www.bigfootrv.com.

Citation Supreme
Built in British Columbia by General Coach, Citation Supreme truck campers are designed for all-season comfort. The company’s Polar Pak includes such standard features as high-density foam insulation, two-inch thick vacuum bonded walls with 3/4-inch thermal break, and a fully insulated basement with tanks and valves heated directly by the furnace.

New for 2006 is the Model 1050 slideout for long box trucks. The 1050 is a 100-inch wide body design that includes a queen-size bed, a bathroom with a separate sit/stand shower, and an expansive dinette area that slides out. The bedroom has more headroom than most other campers. Options include dual pane skylights with condensation control and Stormtite thermopane windows that eliminate condensation and filter out UV rays, reducing summer heat buildup.

New on the 1050 and other models is a redesigned optional bumper with three steps, making it easy to enter and exit the camper. A ladder provides access to the roof, and an optional awning over the entrance door extends eight feet. Suggested retail price on the base model 1050 is $25,380.

General Coach, which is part of Thor Industries, backs the Citation with a six-year limited structural and two-year component warranty.

For information, contact General Coach, P. O. Box 700, Oliver, British Columbia VOH 1T0. Phone (250) 498-3471 or visit www.generalcoach.bc.ca

Eagle Cap
The Eagle Cap 1050 offers a new design that includes a forward bath and a large rear kitchen/dining area, with a dinette slideout for extra room. Despite its many amenities, the 1050 has a comparatively low dry weight of 2,950 pounds.

Eagle Cap builds its campers with a welded aluminum superstructure, 100 percent vacuum laminated components and marine-grade fiberglass exterior. The materials and design keep the weight low, giving buyers flexibility in choosing a truck to carry the camper.

The manufacturer’s suggested base price on the Eagle Cap 1050 is $23,275, but popular options can push it above $30,000.

Eagle Cap is now owned by West Coast Leisure Homes, the Canadian builder of Okanagan campers. Intermountain RV, which built Eagle Cap campers, ceased operations in October of 2005, and its assets were purchased by West Coast Leisure Homes.

With new management and a staff of 42 at its plant in La Grande, Oregon, Eagle Cap has resumed production of its most popular models, with a dinette slideout available on most floor plans. Brian Tolley, Eagle Cap sales manager, said Eagle Cap is making improvements to what was already “a sound and innovative product line” by increasing the sidewall gelcoat thickness, for example, and adding other steps to add to the fit and finish quality.

For information, contact Eagle Cap Campers, 59999 Smith Loop, La Grande, OR 97850. Phone (541) 663-1607 or visit www.eaglecapcampers.com.

Host
If one truck camper slideout is good, Host Industries figured two should be even better, and so it has pioneered double slideouts, building campers that are known for their spacious interiors.
With two slideouts extended, the new Host Tahoe 10’6” has 10 feet, six inches of interior width, with the dinette area sliding out on one side and the kitchen on the other. The result is a wide, unobstructed floor area that offers room to maneuver. When one person is cooking at the stove, for example, another person can walk by easily, instead of having to squeeze by.

Host Co-owner Dave Hogue said slideouts on both sides of the camper also add to the balance of the unit. Other design measures, such as putting holding tanks forward in the unit, also enable Host to build a truck camper that handles very well on the road. Host campers are built light, using a vacuum lamination process, an aluminum frame, a fiberglass exterior and a one-piece roof of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO)

The Tahoe has a powerful 34,000 BTU forced-air furnace and large holding tanks: 60 gallons for fresh water, 45 gallons for gray water and 35 gallons for black water.

Double slideouts are available on three of Host’s models; single slideouts are either standard or an option on all models. The Tahoe carries a suggested base retail price of $27,370 with the standard single slideout; a second slideout adds $1,400.

Host Industries was started by Hogue and Mark Storch, whose fathers created Beaver campers and motorhomes. For information about Host campers, contact Host Industries, 300 SE Scott St., Bend, OR 97702. Phone (541) 330-2328 or visit www.hostcampers.com

Lance
By adding four new floor plans for 2006, Lance gives buyers a choice of 15 models—one to fit just about any size or need. As the nation’s largest truck camper manufacturer, Lance groups its models into four product lines: Lance Lite, Lance Sports Camper, Lance and Lance Max.

The low-priced Lance Lite series has six models tailored to people’s budgets. The new Sports Camper series was developed for serious outdoor enthusiasts. The “value-added” Lance series is for RVers seeking more features and comes with increased cabover headroom, more floor space and larger tank capacities.

All Lance Max models come with full-wall slideouts, greatly increasing the interior room and adding to the overall comfort. That feeling of spaciousness is carried through in the Lance Max 981 with a huge skylight above the bed in the cabover area and another large skylight in the bathroom.

Even larger and more luxurious is the Lance Max 1191, which has the advantage of a side entry, an extra convenience for anyone who wants to tow a boat or trailer. The 1191 includes a large bathroom with separate shower, additional storage space and very large holding tanks (42 gallons fresh, 35 gray and 38 black).

New this year in all Lance and Lance Max models is a full-size mirrored wardrobe in the cabover. The wardrobe is deep enough to handle storage bins. Another new design this year is a wraparound sofa/bed in Ultra Leather. It has a removable table, and a center section that pulls out for lounging or sleeping.

Lance builds its campers with welded aluminum and bonded lamination technologies, TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) roofs and solid high-density, rigid block foam insulation for year-round use. Suggested retail prices of Lance Max models range from $29,848 to $35,987. Other models start as low as $13,454.

For information, contact Lance Camper Manufacturing Corp., 43120 Venture Street, Lancaster, CA 93535-4510. Phone (661) 949-3322 or visit www.lancecamper.com.

Northern Lite
New for 2006 from Northern Lite is the 9’6” Queen Classic SE, which offers lots of extra features and still maintains a surprisingly low weight—2,150 pounds with standard equipment and under 2,400 pounds even with a number of options.

Northern Lite builds its campers with a process that uses two pieces of molded fiberglass and is similar to construction of a fiberglass boat. Owner Mac Donkin said the weight is kept low by the use of materials such as Nidacore flooring, which is half the weight of plywood, and Dometic acrylic thermal pane windows, which are half the weight of conventional thermal pane windows.

The 9’6”Queen Classic SE includes a face-to-face dinette, a full queen-size mattress, heated and insulated tanks, an extra-large dual battery box, stainless steel sink, and a 6.3-cubic-foot refrigerator. The model carries a suggested retail price of $24,070.

Northern Lite uses oak veneer paneling, builds drawers with Russian birch and metal guides, and never uses particle board. Careful attention to quality has earned the company a five-star rating from the RV Consumer Group for eight straight years.

For information, contact Northern Lite Manufacturing, 322 Totom Court, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 5W6. Phone (800) 887-5342 or visit www.northern-lite.com.

Okanagan
You can warm yourself by the electric fireplace while you are watching a DVD on a flat-screen TV in the new 116ULT camper, part of the Ultimate Suite Series from Okanagan.

The 116ULT is a double-slideout model with a U-shaped dinette extending outward on one side and an entire kitchen extending outward on the other to create a roomy interior. In addition to an electric fireplace, this model also offers many other options, such as an 8- or 10-cubic-foot refrigerator in place of the standard 6-cubic-foot version, a Step-N-Stow storage bumper with a fold-down step, and a large rear awning.

The 116ULT is designed for extended camping with large heated and enclosed holding tanks, including a 63-gallon fresh water tank. Okanagan says its bathroom is the largest seen in a truck camper, with a full-height fiberglass neo-angle shower with a skylight, a large linen closet and a spacious vanity. The camper has 40 cubic feet of exterior storage to handle camping gear and other items.

Construction features include welded steel framing that is laminated into the floor and attached around the perimeter of the slideout openings for superior structural integrity. The peaked laminated roof is 3 1/2 inches thick at the center, creating a ducted roof air conditioner option. Suggested retail price of the Okanagan 116 ULT ranges from $36,000 to $42,000, depending on how it is equipped.

Okanagan campers are built by West Coast Leisure Homes, which also produces fifth wheels, travel trailers and van conversions. For information, contact West Coast Leisure Homes, 316 Dawson Avenue, Penticton, British Columbia V2A 3N6. Phone (250) 493-1535 or visit www.okanaganrv.com.

S&S
S&S has introduced a new truck camper, the Ponderosa 8.5 FBSC, billed as the only non-slideout camper with a full-booth dinette and a sliding step. The camper has a set of steps that can be hidden away under a booth seat and then pulled out to provide easy access to the queen-size bed over the cab.

S&S Owner Doug Sieler said many camper buyers are older people who find it awkward and difficult to climb into a high bed. The innovative step system solves that problem, and when not in use, the steps can be stored away to create more floor space.

The new model is a self-contained unit that is 8.5 feet long and 8 feet wide. It comes with an insulated and heated basement, a double stainless steel sink with cutting board, a three-burner range with oven, double-door refrigerator, a 20,000 BTU forced-air furnace, and a one-piece TP0 (thermoplastic polyolefin) roof. Other standard amenities include a mirrored headboard, AM/FM/CD stereo system, and a Montana gun drawer.

Another unique advantage for a camper of this size for both long and short box trucks is that it has room to add an optional Onan generator. Suggested retail price is about $18,000.

For information, contact S&S Campers, 2740 Highway 93 South, Kalispell, MT 59901. Phone (800) 735-6909 or visit www.s-scampers.com

Half-Ton Fun

Read article : Half-Ton Fun

Laredo Super Lite 289SRE" />

High fuel prices and the skyscraping cost of ³/₄– and 1-ton pickups have created a growing demand for lightweight, easier-to-tow RVs. But not everyone wants a little trailer, which has led many RV builders to focus on smaller and lightweight fifth-wheels now more than ever. And the consumer stands to benefit from that trend. However, while many half-ton towable fifth-wheels might be smaller, that doesn’t mean they aren’t spacious and filled with great features; many offer niceties such as solid-surface countertops, leveling jacks and electric awnings. And almost every brand has a fifth-wheel designed for half-ton pickups that offers a slideout to expand the living space. Some even have two or three.

Keystone’s Laredo Super Lite fifth-wheel line is a perfect example. The series tops out at 31 feet in length with a dry weight of 7,735 pounds, yet is available in two double-slide floorplans. ‘‘These fifth-wheels are extremely well-equipped, attractive, offer great value and, of course, are towable by properly equipped half-ton trucks,’’ explains Jim Mac, Keystone’s communications manager.

Having made a name for itself in the travel trailer and truck camper markets, Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles entered the fifth-wheel segment for the 2013 model year with the Mercury, an aluminum-and-composite fiver that will initially feature two 24-foot floorplans with dry weights of less than 4,500 pounds. ‘‘We expect the Mercury to prove to be something that changes the market a little bit in the true ultralight fifth-wheel category,’’ says Livin’ Lite President Scott Tuttle.

Mark Lucas, president of Forest River’s Shasta division, says the company’s new 100-inch wide-body Phoenix fifth-wheel in lengths of 27 to 34 feet is intended to deliver more livability in a smaller RV. ‘‘It’s more cost-effective for the consumer, easier to tow and easier to park and they give up nothing,’’ Lucas said.

More and more builders are coming to market with a half-ton towable fifth-wheel that offers many of the conveniences, features and luxuries of the larger, heavier fivers. Here’s a guide
to get you started.

Axiom 

The compact Axiom lightweight fifth-wheel built by Forks RV is aimed primarily at the Australian market, but is available through select dealers in the United States. The 7¹/₂-foot-wide mid-profile Axiom is offered in four 23- to 27-foot floorplans, each with a single sofa/dinette slideout. With a dry weight of 6,500 pounds, the aluminum-and-laminated fiberglass Axiom features an aerodynamic front cap, composite cabinets, LED lighting inside and out, thermopane windows and linoleum floors in the living area with carpeting in the upper deck — which is equipped with a queen bed. Base MSRP starts at $42,000.

Forks RV, 574-825-7467, www.forksrv.com

CrossRoads 

CrossRoads RV has added a double-slideout 30-foot lightweight fifth-wheel to its 2013 Cruiser Aire lineup. The Cruiser Aire fiver, from this subsidiary of Thor Industries, has a walk-through queen-size bedroom with a 6-foot 6-inch ceiling. Five other fifth-wheel floorplans in lengths of 25 to 30 feet will also be available. The Cruiser Aire fiberglass-and-aluminum debut floorplan, with a 7,000-pound dry weight, is equipped with electric jacks, a 15,000-Btu air conditioner, 8-cubic-foot refrigerator, maple cabinets, 54-by-27-inch shower with a glass door and a midway island kitchen with a large amount of Formica countertop space. Base MSRP: $29,995.

CrossRoads RV, 855-226-7496, www.crossroadsrv.com

Escape 5.0

Made entirely of hand-laid fiberglass in a two-piece mold, the lightweight, aerodynamic Escape 5.0 from Escape Trailer weighs approximately 2,650 pounds (dry) and offers a low center of gravity for increased road stability and a 3,500-pound-capacity independent suspension axle for reduced vibration and better handling while towing. Standards such as 15-inch tires (including the spare), LED marker lights, a 10-foot Fiesta awning and dual 5-gallon LP-gas cylinders dress up the exterior of this 19-foot 6-inch fifth-wheel. Its compact kitchen still boasts a 4.3-cubic-foot three-way Dometic refrigerator, two-burner cooktop with power range hood, optional microwave and a countertop and sink roomy enough to get the job done. The fifth-wheel has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,400 pounds, making it easily towed by half-ton pickups such as a GMC Sierra or Toyota Tundra, and even by some compact pickups with appropriate trailer weight ratings and proper equipment. Base MSRP: $27,000.

Escape Trailer Industries, 855-703-1650, www.escapetrailer.com

Heartland RV

Two new rear-living-room floorplans have been added to Heartland Recreational Vehicles’ Elkridge Express fifth-wheel series for 2013. The 30-foot E27 and 31-foot E28 floorplans each have a single slideout and are among seven that the manufacturer is building for the new model year. With dry weights ranging from 7,205 to 9,250 pounds, the Elkridge Express is constructed with laminated fiberglass side walls on an aluminum frame and has an 88-degree turning angle. Features include heated storage with slam-lock doors, kingpin box covers, outside showers, Beauflor floors, solid-surface countertops, cherry cabinets with hidden hinges, 60-by-74-inch queen beds, full wardrobes, sofa air beds, porcelain toilets, dinette chairs with hidden storage and multiview TV centers. Base MSRP starts at about $24,000.

Heartland RV, 877-262-8032, www.heartlandrvs.com

Jayco

Dry weights range from 5,975 to 7,135 pounds in the Jayco Eagle HT line, with four available floorplans for 2013. Offered in 26- to 32-foot layouts, three have wardrobe slideouts to complement the living-room slide. The unusual Eagle HT 23.5RBS has a large rear bath with tub and shower to allow for more bedroom space in the upper deck. A standard Glacier Package includes an R-29 insulation value in the main floor and R-27 in the roof in addition to triple insulation in the heated-and-enclosed underbelly. Countertops are solid-
surface and cabinets have solid hardwood doors with screwed stiles. Base MSRPs begin at $30,586.

Jayco Inc., 574-825-5861, www.jayco.com 

Laredo Super Lite 289SRE" width="300" height="205" />Keystone 

With a dry weight of 7,735 pounds, the Laredo Super Lite 289SRE is equipped with a living-area slideout containing a sofa bed and booth dinette. A ‘‘Best in Class Package’’ included in all Laredo layouts includes an adjustable electric awning, LCD TV, electric rear stabilizer jacks, all-weather Glacier Package and crown molding. Standard features include a fully enclosed heated underbelly, pass-through lighted storage, residential-size cabinets, single-basin sink, two-door refrigerator, extra-wide dinette with storage below, raised-panel mortise-and-tenon cabinet doors, queen bed, wardrobe storage and entertainment center. Keystone also offers a new 31-foot 280SBH fifth-wheel floorplan with rear bunk beds for the kids in its popular Laredo Super Lite series. Base MSRPs typically equipped begin at $54,940.

Keystone RV, 866-425-4369, www.keystonerv.com

KZRV 

A tri-level rear-kitchen floorplan has been added for 2013 to the newly redesigned Durango from KZRV. The unique 37-foot double-slideout floorplan, built on a bi-level drop-frame, features a new front cap designed to allow a greater turning radius, and has a side-aisle (streetside) front bath with a porcelain toilet, large neo-angle shower and linen closet. The 331RK queen-bed floorplan — one of 12 offered in the Durango series — has a dry weight of 9,740 pounds and is equipped with 110 cubic feet of storage under the kitchen, an 8-cubic-foot refrigerator with wood insert panel, solid-surface countertops, kitchen table with four chairs, Beauflor linoleum, slam-latch baggage doors, an L-shaped sofa bed and a 32-inch LCD TV. MSRP: $49,999.

KZRV LP, 260-768-4016, www.kz-rv.com

Livin’ Lite  

Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles, known for its lightweight all-aluminum folding camping trailers and truck campers, has introduced the Mercury fifth-wheel. Livin’ Lite’s Mercury will have two 24-foot aluminum-and-composite floorplans, each equipped with a single slideout. Both are designed for half-ton pickups with GVWRs in the 3,500- to 4,500-pound range. One floorplan features double bunks in the upper bedroom,  while the second will be equipped with a queen bed. Both will have dry baths with LP-gas stoves, refrigerators and water heaters. The interior is available in a wood-look Azdell composite or champagne aluminum. Base MSRP: $26,000.

Livin’ Lite, 574-862-2228, www.livinlite.com

Northwood

Northwood Manufacturing has given its Fox Mountain lightweight fifth-wheel a facelift for 2013. The redesigned Fox Mountain now has tan side walls, an aerodynamic mocha front cap and a more contemporary interior with stainless-steel appliances. Built on a cambered chassis, the fiberglass-and-aluminum Fox Mountain is available in six 26- to 32-foot floorplans with up to three slideouts. With a dry weight of 7,500 pounds in the 28-foot double-slide model, a standard Four Seasons package includes heated-and-enclosed underbellies, R-7 insulation in the side walls and floor, and R-18 in the roof. Features include solid-surface countertops, Beauflor floors, centrally located control panels, exterior showers and electric awnings. A combination sofa/dinette with leatherlike fabric is optional. Base MSRPs begin at $32,500.

Northwood Manufacturing Inc., 800-766-6274, www.northwoodmfg.com

Shasta 

Forest River’s Shasta Recreation Vehicle division has introduced the mid-profile Shasta Phoenix wide-body fifth-wheel with a distinctive exterior and a kingpin that can be adjusted to accommodate 5¹/₂-foot-pickup beds. Available in eight floorplans with up to four slideouts, the Phoenix is 100 inches wide and available in eight 27- to 34-foot floorplans, all with 6 feet 4 inches of headroom in the upper deck bedroom. The gray hung fiberglass side wall on a six-side aluminum superstructure is connected to the root-beer-colored front cap. Bamboo rattan accents in the cabinets and on the slide fascia, along with Beauflor wood-plank floors, give the Phoenix a lighter interior. Dry weights begin at 7,400 pounds. Base MSRPs start at $30,000.

Shasta RV, 574-825-7178, www.shastarving.com

Starcraft RV

Starcraft RV is building its 2013 Starcraft Travel Star FW fifth-wheel series on its own StarMaxx drop-frame chassis to increase the storage capacity to 75 cubic feet. Floorplans offering two or three slideouts and dry weights from 7,415 to 7,915 pounds are available. A standard Arctic Package includes heated and enclosed underbellies with foil insulation in the roof and slideout rooms. Amenities include bourbon-glazed beechwood solid-wood raised-panel doors and drawers throughout, porcelain toilet, radius shower, oversized sinks, Formica countertops, storage drawers beneath the booth dinette and large windows over the dinette. An optional Galaxy Package includes a colored fiberglass front cap; power stabilizer jacks; remote control for patio awnings; slideout, porch and security lights; front and rear jacks; solid-surface countertops; and a 32-inch LED TV with DVD player. Base MSRP starts at $29,986.

Starcraft RV, 800-945-4787, www.starcraftcamping.com

Winnebago 

For those in the market for a midprofile fifth-wheel, Winnebago Towables has introduced the Winnebago Lite Five with four 28- to 34-foot floorplans, three of which are equipped with a single slideout and an optional wardrobe slide in the bedroom. With a cambered front cap, the fiberglass-and-aluminum Winnebago Lite Five, with dry weights from 6,907 to 8,953 pounds, can be towed by shortbed pickups. Features include high-gloss automotivelike gel coat exterior, fully enclosed-and-heated underbellies, 35,000-Btu furnace, high R-value insulation, patio awnings and stabilizer jacks. Amenities include a sectional sofa, island queen bed, a large bathroom with neo-angle shower, double-door refrigerators, a large amount of counter space and Bluetooth-enabled entertainment centers. Base MSRPs start at $28,993.

Winnebago Industries, Inc.,  574-825-5250, www.winnebagoind.com

Yellowstone

The Yellowstone division of Gulf Stream Coach has added a 29-foot rear-living room floorplan to its Canyon Trail XLT fifth-wheel series. The low-profile Canyon Trail XLT 25FLRW floorplan, with a dry weight of 7,297 pounds, has a single 38-inch-deep, 6-foot-2-inch tall slideout that contains a convertible sofa/dinette. Offering a large hallway closet with mirrored doors, the 25FLRW has a separate shower and bathroom, hardwood cabinet doors and drawers, laminated countertops with a solid-surface option and a queen bed with a flip-down fabric headboard with hidden storage. To accommodate shortbed pickups, the aluminum-framed vacuum-bonded side wall Canyon Trail XLT has an extended kingpin box. MSRP: $29,253.

Yellowstone RV, 800-811-0302, www.yellowstonervs.com 

Fun with Fiberglass

Read article : Fun with Fiberglass

Photographer:

Lightweight molded-fiberglass RVs are designed for long-term durability and improved mpg — and they look cool, too

RVs are constructed in a number of different ways, but many follow the same basic blueprint: Start with a steel or aluminum frame, build up the walls with wood and/or aluminum, more framing and composite materials, cover the structure with a roof and wrap the entire unit with either aluminum panels or gelcoat fiberglass. While conventional construction methods work well, another successful strategy has been in place for years and continues to flourish: molded fiberglass.

 RVs built from molded fiberglass are sleek and shiny, and share their origins with the marine industry (think boat hull). In a molded-fiberglass trailer, fifth-wheel or truck camper, the rigid fiberglass body actually serves as the main framing element, as well as the interior and exterior skin. The body of the RV is essentially two pieces that clamshell together, resulting in a durable, corrosion-resistant body that is quite strong and can have several advantages over traditionally built RVs.

Casita Spirit Deluxe" width="400" height="267" />Casita Spirit Deluxe

“The two-piece fiberglass shell has one main seam around the center belt line,” explains Grant Bilodeau, president of Bigfoot RV. “Traditional trailers are made of many separate side, floor and roof panels, and are then screwed together with many moldings and seals. As RVs are meant to travel down the road, a traditional trailer will flex over time, and all the extra seams and joints become higher maintenance and risk points for leaking. With a fiberglass trailer, thereis only one seam to worry about.”

“Fiberglass molded trailers are sprayed into a mold with gelcoat and fiberglass,” Bilodeau adds. “The glass content is like the rebar in concrete — it gives you all your strength, as the resin binds it all together.”

Fiberglass construction can also lead to some positive results when it comes to fuel mileage, handling and durability. “Our fiberglass campers are 25 percent lighter than conventionally built truck campers,” says Keith Donkin, general manager at Northern Lite Manufacturing. “They are very aerodynamically designed for improved fuel efficiency, and they feature a very low center of gravity, which eliminates the sway of a conventionally built camper.”

Improved towing characteristics and longevity do come with a trade-off. Molded-fiberglass RVs can be a bit more costly than their conventionally built counterparts. But manufacturers of fiberglass RVs claim the difference in price can easily be amortized over the lifetime of the RV.

Dub-Box USA

“Generally, people like our trailers because they are easy to tow, easy to set up, and they last forever,” reports Kent Eveland, president of Scamp Trailers. “Most of the trailers we built in the 1970s are still in use.”

Robert P. Partee, general sales manager of Oliver Travel Trailers, agrees. “Most fiberglass trailers hold their value over the years much better than the standard-build types,” he says. “Constructing travel trailers with fiberglass has been flying under the radar for years.”

Often eclectic, sometimes retro-chic and always eye-catching, molded-fiberglass RVs are frequently the focus of online communities and club rallies. “We find our trailers appeal to all ages in part because of the nostalgia factor, as well as the simplicity and weight,” says Heather Gardella, president of Dub Box USA.

Check out the following collection of some of the more interesting fiberglass RVs on the market today.

Bigfoot

Bigfoot Industries manufactures a variety of travel trailers and truck campers, all featuring clamshell molded-fiberglass construction.

Bigfoot actually overlaps the top shell onto the bottom and uses a special sealant to further guard against water penetration. The 2500 series travel trailers include R-8 insulation, which, when combined with the fiberglass base (less conductive than aluminum or steel), creates a more livable four-season RV, according to Bilodeau. Seven floorplans ranging from 17 to 25 feet are available. The 25B25FB boasts a full rear bath, sleeping space for up to six and standards that include a porcelain toilet, aluminum wheels, heated and enclosed tanks, and aliving-area skylight. The option to enclose the A-frame and add cargo space is not only practical but looks great as well. Other options includea solar-power system, 11,000-Btu roof air conditioner, exterior speakers and an electric A-frame jack.

250-546-2155
www.bigfootrv.com

Casita

For 33 years, Casita has been building lightweight fiberglass trailers. The 17-foot Casita Spirit Deluxe offers comfortable sleeping arrangements for three, with a bit more space for guests, provided they are of the smaller variety. Both sleeping areas convert to dinettes by day, meaning the trailer can easily accommodate more than it can sleep before the sun goes down. A couch/bunk-bed option ups the ante even more. The surprisingly wide-open floorplan means occupants won’t trip over each other while moving about. In Deluxe models, a large, full-featured bathroom is located at the front of the trailer, as is a roomy storage wardrobe. Standard features include custom marine-grade fiberglass furniture, carpet-lined storage compartments and a powered roof vent. Owners can also opt for LED lighting, a microwave, an electric A-frame jack and a larger gray-water holding tank.

800-442-9986
www.casitatraveltrailers.com

Dub Box

Dub Box USA manufactures lightweight fiberglass trailers reminiscent of the Volkswagen Microbus popular in the 1960s and ’70s. Dub Box trailers are not true Volkswagen conversions but are in fact manufactured from a fiberglass mold made from the vintage VW Bus. Each Dub Box trailer comes equipped with classic moon-style hubcaps, a hot/cold outdoor shower, a two-burner stove, a sink, a 3-cubic-foot refrigerator, an LP-gas water heater, an L-shaped convertible couch with 4-inch cushions, a folding dinette table and Sunbrella weather curtains for the pop-top. Options include air conditioning, solar panels, a luggage roof rack and a storage box on the A-frame. Buyers get to select the paint color for the exterior to match their tow vehicle.

503-744-0032
www.dub-box-usa.com

Eggcamper

Eggcamper trailers are ultralightweight and offer a fun way to enjoy RVing. Available only from the factory in Grandville, Michigan, and weighing less than 2,000 pounds (dry, without options), the Eggcamper can be towed by almost any properly equipped truck, van or SUV. The all-white trailers may look spartan inside, but they contain all the amenities needed for weekend fun, including sleeping space for two to four, a galley with a stainless sink, a 2.4-cubic-foot refrigerator, available air-conditioner, appliances and a lavatory with a toilet (or a large storage area instead). Plus, the smooth interior makes cleanup a breeze. The Dexter Torflex suspension is a welcome inclusion, as are the power roof vent and radius safety-glass windows with screens and miniblinds. LP-gas options are available, in addition to the electric-only model powered by an appropriately sized AC generator, along with the standard 30-amp converter with charger.

616-437-9255
www.eggcamper.com

Escape

Another big name in the molded-fiberglass market is Escape Trailers. Based in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Escape offers several fiberglass travel trailers and more recently introduced a fifth-wheel. All Escape trailers are compact and lightweight for easy towing, and the Escape 21 is designed specifically for tow vehicles with weight ratings down to 5,000 pounds. But don’t be fooled by the diminutive size. Escape trailers are equipped with full galleys, bathrooms and living areas, in addition to oak cabinetry, high-grade linoleum flooring and an insulated headliner. Other impressive standards include two roof vents, LED ceiling lighting, full-surround overhead storage and a holding-tank monitor. Popular options range from appliance upgrades to a stereo, a water filter and a solar charging system.

855-703-1650
www.escapetrailer.com

Happier Camper

In addition to offering vintage restored fiberglass rentals, Happier Camper now builds the unique HC1 trailer. The base-price HC1 begins as an empty shell built using bonded double-hull fiberglass with 1.5-inch honeycomb fiberglass flooring. Grooves are embedded in the flooring to accommodate the modular components (think Legos) that will make up the custom floorplan, including a kitchenette, benches, cushions, an AC/DC refrigerator cube, tables, floor panels — there’s even a portable-potty cube. Buyers can configure the layout exactly as they’d like it, and the price is determined by the selected modules. LED lighting comes standard, as do built-in rear stabilizing jacks and an undercarriage-mounted full-size spare tire. Add-ons include compatible comfort heating, stereos, electric fans and moon-style hubcaps.

818-649-9099
www.happiercamper.com

Nest Caravans

A newcomer to the fiberglass-trailer market, Nest Caravans from Bend, Oregon, combines the easy-towing
capabilities of a lighter-weight fiberglass trailer with elegantsophistication and an eye for detail. Nest trailers are available in five color combinations with an array of useful exterior standards, including a nosecone storage box, all-LED exterior lighting, BAL stabilizing jacks and frameless windows. Inside, dimmable switches help control the mood with all-LED lighting, and the galley shimmers with a stainless-steel sink, two-burner cooktop and 3.2-cubic-foot refrigerator. The full-time queen bed can comfortably sleep two. Options include a convertible dinette, natural cork tiles, a microwave and an entertainment system.

541-610-2292
www.nestcaravans.com

Northern Lite

Another Canadian manufacturer, Northern Lite Manufacturing in Kelowna, British Columbia, builds fiberglass truck campers designed to withstand extreme weather. The company’s top-selling Ten 2000 EX CD SE boasts some impressive features like 95-watt solar panels, a 10-foot side awning, an LCD TV and DVD player, thermal-pane windows and skylight, solid hardwood and more. There’s even a full 14-inch basement with heated and enclosed storage tanks. Sleep like a baby on the 60 x 80-inch queen bed, or take a warm shower in the large bathroom area. Options include an air conditioner, electric jacks, LED lighting in the electric awning, battery-disconnect, an extended patio bumper, and a boat rack and ladder. With a floor length of more than 11 feet, this camper weighs in at 1,400 to 2,000 pounds lighter than comparable conventionally built campers with the same features, offering buyers the best of both worlds.

250-765-3702
www.northern-lite.com

Oliver

Oliver Travel Trailers offers two fiberglass trailers, the Legacy and Legacy Elite II. “Ollies,” as they’re called, begin at the Tennessee factory with dual fiberglass shells. The shells are then wrapped around a hefty 2 x 5-inch aircraft-grade-aluminum box-tube frame, offering additional rigidity and durability. All holding tanks and components are enclosed between the inner and outer shells for superior insulation benefits and protection from the elements. The 2016 Legacy Elite II has a number of impressive features, from the custom-molded-fiberglass spare-tire and LP-gas cylinder covers to LED lighting, marine-grade stainless-steel cabinet latches and eye-catching interior gelcoat walls and cabinets. Options range from fiber-granite countertops to a solar package, plus a tech-savvy selection that includes Wi-Fi and cell-phone boosters, a rearview camera, and satellite antennas and wiring.

931-796-1178
www.olivertraveltrailers.com

Scamp

Scamp fiberglass trailers are sold factory-direct in Backus, Minnesota. Available in 13- and 16-foot trailers and a 19-foot fifth-wheel, the nimble RVs are ideal for couples and smaller families on weekend getaways. Scamp has always focused on easeof use and maneuverability. Its trailers are durable, lightweight and aerodynamic, and are designed to be towed by properly equipped small cars, SUVs, minivans and trucks.

The 13-footer is available in Standard or Deluxe (upgraded interior), with a convertible sofa or a shower and toilet up front. The options package that includes the lavatory features a 1.9-cubic-foot refrigerator, a screen door, a water pump, a water heater, a gravel shield and a window above the range. Additional add-ons include cabinet configurations, a 2-inch hitch receiver for bike racks, TV hookups and antenna, and an 8-foot awning.

800-346-4962
www.scamptrailers.com

Weis Craft

The Little Joe is a lightweight fiberglass trailer that offers two people a comfortable place to stay while on the road. Inside, dual sofas fold down to create the ultimate 78 x 63-inch sleeping area. Although the Little Joe doesn’t have bathroom facilities (those come in Weis Craft’s Ponderosa model for an additional $6,000), a two-burner cooktop and a standard icebox allow for gourmet campsite fare (a refrigerator option is available), and a small freshwater tank lets owners clean up after a long day’s adventure. Options abound in the Little Joe, including a furnace, air conditioning, folding shelves, a three-speed reversible fan and an 8-foot awning. And, chances
are, you already own a vehicle that can haul the Little Joe.

303-947-2351
www.weiscrafttrailers.com/littlejoe

---

Compact Shower Bath Suite Bathroom Inc Screen + Taps + Whirlpool Jacuzzi Option • £329.00

Read article : Compact Shower Bath Suite Bathroom Inc Screen + Taps + Whirlpool Jacuzzi Option • £329.00

See Details on eBay Watch Contact

£329.00 Buy It Now 28d, FREE Shipping, 14-Day Returns

Seller: comparethebathroom (27,793) 99%, Location: Newcastle , Tyne and Wear, Ships to: GB, Item: 322254589552Condition: New, Sink Style: Pedestal, Bath Style: Shower Bath, MPN: Does Not Apply, Features: Bath,Details: add to favorites | sign up for newsletter | terms & conditions | store front The website with the best prices in bathrooms! Talk to our operators for the best current prices & multiple deals! 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday Tel: Sale Offers Click below to search by category Bathroom Taps & Wastes accessories & mirrors baths showers basins bathroom suites shower cubicles balterley merlyn showering roman coram showers bathroom furniture body panels kitchen aplliances kitchen sinks kitchen taps clearance items other items JIU Compact p shaped showerbath suite Only £329.00 Hydros Jiu Compact Showerbath Suite Including front panel & curved glass screen. With Option to add Lea waterfall tap set at extra cost. Plus option to add a luxury 6 jet whirlpool system at extra cost. Product Details Features: Hydros Jiu Compact P Shaped bathroom suite: P shaped showerbath with front bath panel & 6mm thick curved curved bath screen Manufactured using 100% Lucite acrylic sheet as used by the World's leading bathroom brands Encapsulated base board / fibre glass reinforced on top of base support board for extra strength Bath supplied with no tap holes so they can be drilled to your desired position on site Total bath thickness approx 5mm Manufactured to CE Class 1 compliant Manufactured in the UK. Supplied with legs & adjustable feet With 10 year Guarantee on bath Please chose correct bath hand for your bathroom! Please note: End bath panel is NOT included with this suite With Vogue Studio compact basin & toilet set: Modern round curved style 1 tap hole basin and pedestal Close coupled pan and cistern Dual flush Includes cistern fittings Compact / short projection toilet White soft close seat With 10 year guarantee on sanitaryware With option to add luxury Lea waterfall tap set at extra cost: Waterfall open spout style Single lever basin mono tap with click clack basin waste & Twin lever waterfall bath filler tap Chrome finish taps Manufactured from brass With click clack bath waste Taps require minimum 1 bar operating pressure Please note: The NO taps option does NOT include any wastesPlease see image gallery for pictures of taps provided with suite With option to add a 6 jet hyflow whirlpool system at extra cost: Complete with 6 large jacuzzi style whirlpool jets Fully adjustable, chrome finish jets Chrome finish on/off switch & variable control Includes whirlpool pump Whirlpools are fitted to order within our own UK factory Other whirlpool options are available Bath sizes approx: Length: 1700mm Width: 690mm Height: 560mm Basin sizes: Width: 555mm Depth: 420mm Height: 860mm Toilet sizes: Width: 365mm Depth: 600mm Height: 795mm Holidays For details for our Holiday opening and delivery times please see comparethebathroom.com/Holidays. Delivery Free delivery is to mainland England, Wales & central Scotland only. Delivery to other areas can be arranged at an extra cost. Small Items e.g. taps, shower valves, wastes Small items are normally sent by a 3 – 5 day courier. Medium Items e.g. vanity units, shower trays, toilets Normal delivery is on a pallet to the nearest roadside only. The pallet will be left with you to dispose of. Large Items e.g. bathroom suites, shower cubicles, baths Normal delivery is by specialist couriers which normally deliver within 7 – 10 days. Contact Us If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us on: Telephone eMail About Us Compare the Bathroom have a huge range of items from stock. Held within 2 warehouses, with over 100,000 square feet of floor space and over £2,000,000 of quality bathroom stock, with much of our range available for immediate dispatch. store front | fitting hints | terms & conditions | sign up for newsletter | add to favorites No: 1006

•  Popularity - 12,437 Views, Super high amount of views. Super high amount sold, 24 Sold, 30 Available. Listed 391 days ago.

 Price - PicClick Insights - Price  Seller - Over 27,793 items sold. 1% negative feedback. Top-Rated Seller! Ships on time with tracking, 0 problems with past sales. PicClick Insights - Seller Over 27,793 items sold. 1% negative feedback. Top-Rated Seller! Ships on time with tracking, 0 problems with past sales. Recent Feedback

How To Choose The Right Showerhead

Read article : How To Choose The Right Showerhead

Like everything else for the bathroom, there are a dizzying array of showerhead choices. Depending on your budget, your taste and the size of your shower space, you can opt for anything from a no-frills, wall-mounted head, a convenient hand-held model or a lavish spa shower with multiple jets and sprays.

Whether you're looking for a basic bathroom fix or a blissful hydrotherapy experience, the first step in selecting your perfect water delivery system is finding out what's available.

You'll find plenty of showerhead options that will fill the bill.

Basic Shower Head Types
Although there are numerous ways to customize your shower, showerheads fall into four basic categories:

1. Standard Wall-Mount Showerheads
If you're on a budget or just want a simple update to an existing bath, a wall-mounted showerhead is your best choice. You can change a wall-mounted head simply by unscrewing the existing part and screwing on a new one. However, be careful not to break the shower arm if you're having trouble unscrewing the old head. To prevent a possible leak, use a pair of pliers or a lubricant like WD-40 to help loosen things up.

Good to Know:

• Works with existing plumbing
• Extra features include nozzles that adjust from pulsing massage to gentle mists.
• Prices begin at around $2 for a plastic single-spray model.

2. Hand-held Showerheads
Thanks to the additional reach and control provided by a three- to six-foot hose, a hand-held shower can help you perform multiple tasks, from bathing kids or the dog to washing your hair to rinsing down your shower enclosure.

Handheld showers are wall mounted and can be loaded with extras. For example, Waterpik offers a model with twin turbo massage jets and six spray patterns.

Good to Know:

• Works with existing plumbing
• Great for a family bathroom
• Use instead of or in combination with a standard shower.
• Some hand showers are mounted on sliding bars that adjust to various heights.

• Prices begin at about $37 for a chrome model with six spray settings.

3. Top-Mount Showerheads
Sensual and stylish, top-mounted showerheads - also known as rain showers - are positioned directly over the bather's head for an enjoyably drenching experience. Top-mounted styles can be suspended from a pendant or flush-mounted to the ceiling.

Unlike the easy replacement of a standard head, installing a top-mounted showerhead requires extensive upgrades to existing plumbing.

Choices range from traditional rain shower heads offering a single spray pattern to truly over-the-top models such as the $3,700 WaterTile Ambient Rain by Kohler, a state-of-the-art system with four 22-nozzle heads and a programmable colored light system.

Good to Know:

• Best for a new home or major bath renovation
• Can be a great solution for ceilings that are too low for a wall-mount head
• More affordable rain-style showerheads are available in standard wall-mounted models beginning at around $10; top-mounted models begin at around $500.

4. Body Sprays and Spa Shower Panels
You can recreate the experience of a hydrotherapy spa treatment by adding body sprays or multi-spray shower panels to your bath. These are usually installed in vertical rows on opposite or adjacent walls, providing a crisscrossing water pattern that massages you from head to toe. Body sprays and panels are often combined with other showerheads as part of a semi-custom or custom installation.

Good to Know:

• Since body sprays require extensive plumbing work, they are best reserved for a complete renovation.
• Body sprays are usually set at shoulder, hip and knee, so make sure to consider the height of each user to insure the best installation points.
• Body sprays begin at around $85 per unit.

Winter Custom Yachts 60 Wolverine Boat Review

Read article : Winter Custom Yachts 60 Wolverine Boat Review

I met Tim Winter and Capt. Rocky Hardison in Morehead City, North Carolina, as Winter was finishing up the last details prior to delivering Wolverine, his newest 60-footer, to the Fletcher family, and before it made its public debut at the Palm Beach Boat Show in March.

Wolverine’s curved transom, flowing broken shear line accentuated by her intermediate bumper, and beautiful Carolina flare met my expectations the moment I stepped on the dock. The sight of Hull No. 22 from Winter Custom Yachts triggered the special place in my heart for custom Carolina boats. I had watched the progress of the build for the past few months and eagerly awaited stepping aboard the ­beautiful rig to see what Winter had done with his ­latest creation.

Specs:

LOA: 60'6" | Beam: 18'3" | Draft: 5' | Disp.: 79,500 lb. | Fuel: 1,925 gal.
Water: 250 gal. | Power: Twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT 1,700 hp diesels

---

“We built Wolverine to be a traveling boat as well as a family boat. They will fish tournaments as a family, and it’s not important to them whether they win or lose, as long as they’re all spending time together,” says Winter. “Wolverine will spend time in the Bahamas, and then fish the tournaments in North Carolina and Bermuda. She will head for the Pacific next year. The Fletchers wanted a boat capable of extensive travel with extra fuel, the ability to fish for multiple species, and all the amenities of home so they can live aboard.”

Cockpit

Wolverine’s cockpit is built to allow the family to have plenty of room to fish and have a good time together. A Release Marine chair with a massive eight-hole rocket launcher and tray is the ­centerpiece of the cockpit. Winter is a man of details: He placed tuna tubes on both the port and starboard gunwales with lids that are a positive fit into the tuna tubes. This simple design element will eliminate rattling and movement while underway. There are also tuna tubes on the transom within the combination livewell/fish box. The mezzanine is complete with gaff, mop and chamois storage below the seat, and also features cockpit freezers on both sides. There is additional storage, including a teak tackle locker to starboard under the overhang. The ice maker dumps into an upper compartment beneath the seat and flows down into a lower box within the step.

Accommodations

Upon entering the spacious salon through the teak sliding door, you immediately notice the beautiful teak veneer work, which was cut from the same log to produce a consistent grain throughout the living areas. A flat-screen TV is tucked inside a teak cabinet to starboard. The aft end of the cabinet contains a storage area for cameras, and is heated by the engine room to minimize lens fogging when traversing from the cool salon to the cockpit on a hot day. Built into the forward end of the cabinet is a comfortable bucket jump seat facing the L-shaped sofa to port. A raised settee sits forward on the starboard side. Below the settee are two drawers that can house an assortment of lures and teasers.

The galley is forward to port and features a pair of Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer combos. A Keurig coffee maker rises up from under the countertop to utilize space that is typically wasted. A cooktop sits forward, along with a microwave in the forward cabinets; the upper cabinets contain custom CNC-cut dividers for cookware and pantry items.

The three staterooms below are accessed by a stairway: To port is the master with a queen bed and an accompanying bath with full-size shower. Moving forward is an over/under berth that is full of storage for rods, clothing and linens, and the day head is just aft. A tackle/rod storage closet sits between the laundry closet and the starboard bunkroom with three bunks. Typically, bunks fold up to allow access to storage, but Winter designed drawers onto the face of the bunks to make accessing this usable space easier. Winter incorporated another unique feature that affords an extra bunk: One of the lower bunks extends below the stairwell to create an additional sleeping area.

Engine Room

The Seakeeper 16 is located directly below the access to the engine room from the mezzanine. Wolverine’s engine room is spacious, allowing ample room to access the outside of the engines. All wiring is concealed behind accessible panels, creating a clean, visually appealing snow-white engine room. The dual 21.5 kW Caterpillar generators are aft of the engines and are easily accessed, just like the rest of the systems on board.

Bridge

The helm console sits port to center with a faux-teak electronics console, pod and dash. Winter typically mounts the electronics under a door, but Wolverine has three Simrad MO19-T monitors mounted to a black acrylic background with two rows of Bocatech switches for pumps and lights, producing a sleek array of electronics. A lid to port of the helm pod houses the Simrad autopilot, trim tabs, FLIR camera and the VHF command mics. Two Release Marine helm chairs sit behind the helm, and bench seating is forward of the console and on the starboard side of the bridge. A freezer under the forward bench can accommodate plenty of bait or food for when the boat is ­traveling. Other handy features include an air compressor to fill polyballs, as well as a separate washdown for cleaning the bridge after a long day of fishing.

Construction

Boatbuilding methods have advanced in recent years, but many builders continue to utilize plywood hulls. Wolverine is no exception, incorporating a triple-plank fir bottom and fir stringers. The remainder of the boat is constructed from Diab closed-cell foam to create a strong and light structure, and all of the hatches and hatch gutters are molded fiberglass. All areas of the boat are ventilated with forced air; Winter also utilizes an Arid dry-vacuum system to keep all bilge areas completely dry.

Performance

A pair of 1,700 hp Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines matched with ZF gears turns the set of Veem propellers to provide the power for Wolverine.

As we approached Beaufort Inlet, Capt. Hardison eased the throttles forward, and she quickly raised out of the water and accelerated with no bow lift. She settled into her cruising speed of 31-plus knots at 1,900 rpm while burning 118 gph; wide open, Wolverine makes 42 knots at 2,360 rpm with a fuel burn of 180 gph.

It was a calm day, so we were unable to observe how she handles in rough water. However, as any Winter owner will attest, the boat will exceed your ­expectations in any sea condition.

“Wolverine is a culmination of all I have learned in the previous 21 boats, and I could not be prouder,” said Winter as we returned to the dock. In the custom-boatbuilding arena, Winter is proving to be a hard worker with a talented team of craftsmen seeking to learn and make each boat better than the last.