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Multi-purpose and accessible:

Written By: The Wheelyboat Trust On Date: 10/7/2018 Wheelyboats offer numerous commercial functions The Wheelyboat Trust is showcasing the multi-purpose Coulam V20 and V29 at Seawork International 2018 as a preview of the future designs of the Coulam ‘V’ series of accessible boats As part of their most recent design plans The Wheelyboat Trust, in collaboration with Coulam Ltd boatbuilders, will be presenting the latest design of Wheelyboat model, the Coulam V20 at Seawork International generously loaned to the Trust by Lymington Sailability for the boat show. This will be presented next to the Coulam V29, to demonstrate the commercial potential of its unique design features and reveal the future designs of the Coulam ‘V’ series which are currently in progress. On berth numbers VA17 and VA26 visitors will be able to find out more about the Trust’s work and find out about the new V17 and V24 models which are currently under development. The new V17 model will replace the Trust’s ageing Mk III Wheelyboat and its design will be based on the hugely successful Coulam Wheelyboat V20 that was developed in 2014, 17 of which have so far been delivered to projects from Glasgow to Falmouth. This new design will bridge the considerable gap between the Mk III’s and V20’s capability and performance and will provide disabled people with a highly versatile and capable craft that will enable them to make the most of their abilities and opportunities. Designed primarily to allow wheelchair users to take part in waterborne activities, the ease of access via a roll-on, roll-off bow door and large open cockpit make Wheelyboats remarkably versatile for commercial marine work. Apart from powerboating, fishing and general leisure pursuits, the boats can also be used as rescue and safety craft, water taxis, workboats, harbour launches or cargo carriers. The first V17 will be produced at the end of the year and will go to Wareham Boat Hire, an existing Wheelyboat venue. They operate a Mk III on the River Frome as a self-drive hire boat, a well-used facility that was supplied as part of the Countryside Mobility scheme funded by The Big Lottery Fund. Wareham Boat Hire are now a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre and will be running the new RYA Powerability scheme, as well as offering powerboat courses to people with disabilities. The Coulam V20 is too large owing to limited mooring space, but the V17 is exactly what they need for powerboating trips and tuition downstream in Poole Harbour. The robust design of the Wheelyboats have already proven their qualities as multi-purpose vessels. In January 2014, The Wheelyboat Trust aided victims of the Somerset floods by supplying one of their Mk III Wheelyboats to transport inhabitants and supplies to and from the stranded village of Muchelney. The Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service deemed the boat so successful in the rescue operations, that it led Somerset County Council to purchase a Mk III Wheelyboat, that operates at Wimbleball Revervoir for pleasure boating and is kept in reserve for any future flood relief operations. In August 2017 a Mk III Wheelyboat was delivered to Nun Monkton in Yorkshire where it operates as a ferry across the River Ouse. Andy Beadsley, Director of The Wheelyboat Trust says, “With almost 200 Wheelyboats now on UK waters, we are excited to demonstrate the potential of our boats for commercial work. The Coulam V20 is a versatile, robust and reliable craft which is perfect for being multi-purpose, as well as being accessible to less mobile users. Our work benefits people with a wide range of sensory, learning and mobility impairments and the V17 will be the most versatile Wheelyboat we have produced to date and is an essential step forward in the continuing development of the Trust and nationwide expansion of the important service we provide.” Jim Coulam, builder of the V20 says, “The V29 is the latest in our series of bow-loading boats. Although this model is specifically designed to be a workboat, its design stems directly from the very successful V20. The V24 will follow suit and along with the V17 will be fully accessible. The new V17 model will be capable of operating anywhere, from pleasure boating on canals and small lakes, to powerboating on inshore waters. The V20’s engine is a Suzuki DF90ATL and the V29 has twin Suzuki DF200As because it is important through the design process that we do not compromise on performance when designing a multi-purpose boat.” George Cheeseman, Head of Marine at Suzuki GB says, “We have supported the work of The Wheelyboat Trust for the last fifteen years and have really shown the diversity of the Wheelyboats from being an accessible water taxi, to a rescue craft or leisure boat. It really is a boat for everyone. The Trust does a fantastic job and we have always been thrilled that our market-leading outboards are chosen to power such an important project.” -Ends- *** The Wheelyboat Trust and Coulam Ltd are located opposite each other on berths VA17 and VA26 at Seawork International. *** Media Contacts Jane Bevan or Kerry Marshall, Firebird Public Relations T: 01235 835297 / 07977 459 547 E: jb@firebirdpr.co.uk / km@firebirdpr.co.uk Available for interview Andy Beadsley – Director, The Wheelyboat Trust Jim Coulam – Coulam Ltd boatbuilders Notes to Editors About the Wheelyboat Trust • The Wheelyboat Trust is a registered charity, dedicated to providing mobility impaired people, young and old, with the opportunity and freedom to participate in waterborne activities all over the UK. Its role is to help and encourage venues open to the public to acquire Wheelyboats for their disabled visitors and to help groups and organisations acquire Wheelyboats for their own use. • The Wheelyboat Trust was founded in 1984 when it was originally called the Handicapped Anglers Trust. The first Wheelyboat built received its official launch from HRH Prince Charles at Fishmongers' Hall in London. In 2004, the charity was renamed The Wheelyboat Trust to reflect its broader aims and the clear need for Wheelyboats beyond the fishing lake for disabled, elderly and infirm, families and community groups for recreation and sporting pursuits. • The Trust has designed 7 different Wheelyboat models since its work began in 1984: Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, Mk IV, Coulam 15, Coulam 16 and Coulam Wheelyboat V20. • TheV20 has a Suzuki DF90ATL engine and the V29 will have twin Suzuki DF200As • To date, the Trust has built and supplied 192 vessels across UK and Europe. • For more information, visit: www.wheelyboats.org About Coulam Ltd boatbuilders • Established for 25 years, they are one of the largest small boat builders in the UK having designed and built over 1,000 commercial boats. • Specialising in small day hire boats, they have expanded with help from The Wheelyboat Trust into larger commercial craft. • All boats are individually built in GRP to customer’s own specification. • Their own engineering and stainless steel fabrication shop allows them to custom make fittings and components and almost everything else. • They supply custom built trailers for all types of applications and are a leading floating pontoon manufacturer. • For more information, visit: www.coulam.co.uk V series designer Andrew Wolstenholme – www.wolstenholmedesign.com Features of the V20, V17 and V24 • Glass fibre construction • Bow door that lowers to form a ramp for roll-on, roll-off access • Open level cockpit • Drive-from-wheelchair helm • Flexible seating for ambulant passengers • Floor restraints for wheelchairs (when powerboating) • Shallow V shaped hull for high speed operation • Capacities: o Six people RCD Cat C (inshore waters) – V17 o Eight people Cat D (inland waters) – V17 o Eight people Cat C – V20 o Ten people Cat D – V20 o Twelve people plus crew Cat C & D – V24 • Tiller or remote outboard option – V17 o 2kw electric (e.g. canal trips) to 60hp on large lakes and inshore waters • Remote single or twin outboard up to 100hp – V20 • Remote single or twin outboard up to 175hp – V24 Features of the V29 • Currently the largest of the V range of workboats • Length 29’ (8.84m), width 9’9” (2.97m), with Bow opening door 1750mm wide. The Deck area 5.7m x 2.5m • The 29 offers a 1750mm wide opening bow door and a total load capacity of 2500 kgs • It’s ideally suited for work boat applications such as passenger ferry, small vehicle / Argo / quadbike ferry, or general workboat • It’s huge floor area of 14 square metres enables goods to be carried safely and securely, particularly in remote locations where cranage is not available. • Top speeds of up to 50 knots • Single or twin outboards, diesel outdrive or all electric. • Engines options from single 150hp to twin 200hp outboards, 190hp to 400hp inboard diesel • More information is available if required

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