The Story of "PLONK"

13 years ago I retired and soon after I spotted a very well-used, 1994 model, 13ft, rear door caravan near Sydney and was so impressed by the layout and the available space that I made a spontaneous decision to purchase it. That little caravan  has proven its worth and has been my home for long periods since that day. It has taken me twice around Australia and despite its age and the fact that it was already pretty tired when I acquired it, it has been superb.

On my second circuit I was joined by a wonderful companion, Polly, and again it managed to accommodate both of us in reasonable comfort, despite some unfavorable weather on the way. I had met Polly around 40 years ago through sailing and somehow this caravan gave us a similar feeling to a small yacht due to its limited space and the rear door. For instance we would usually park each night facing the weather, which is just what a boat does at anchor. This prompted us to look at each river, dam etc with a view to the possibility of taking to the water. I did a lot of thinking and planning prior to arriving back in Sydney where sadly Polly had to end her journey and return to work. By this time we had at least come up with a name “PLONK”. This had mainly to do with the fact that we could plonk her in the water anywhere we chose. Some have suggested another connotation, maybe!

Prior to my return home to Cairns (where I lived at that time) I spent some time with my family around Sydney and the Central Coast and whilst there, I discovered a company who built punts for many commercial enterprises such as oyster farmers. A visit to their workshop and an hour or so of discussion convinced me that I would have them build an aluminium punt to a very tight tolerance to allow me to insert my existing caravan inside the hull. I then began the task of cutting my caravan off its rather rusty steel chassis and making a number of modifications including the addition of a window in the front and modifying the door to suit. The modification to the front proved to be a very major task as I discovered a vast amount of rot in the framework which was much worse than I had anticipated. The job was certainly made even more difficult due to the fact that I had to continue living in the caravan throughout the conversion. The entire conversion took only 9 weeks.

I had some very definite aims and probably the most important was to maintain the serviceability as a caravan rather than a houseboat which could be towed. However there had to be some consideration given to the comfort and amenity of this as a boat and it was quite obvious that small front and rear decks would not be enough so I decided to exchange the pop-top for a fixed deck on the roof, which can be accessed. This also meant that during the actual marrying of the caravan to the punt that following the removal of the pop-top I could insert lifting lugs into the floor of the caravan and sling from there. It also reduced the weight during the lift. The roof deck was built from the same material as the punt, hollow aluminium planks which are butted together and welded top and bottom. These are extremely strong and light, and being hollow and divided into small internal segments are totally buoyant. I also added a hinged plank along the starboard side to allow access from the rear to the front deck and to the roof via a vertical ladder. This plank folds up during road travel. I also had a small skeg welded under the bow to provide better control on the water.

Welded to the centre of the rear deck is a bracket to support an outboard motor. For various reasons I have chosen a 5hp, 4 stroke motor fitted with a low pitch propeller for extra thrust. I have made up a device which allows me to steer and alter speed from the roof deck, which is much nicer than trying to drive from the rear deck. In the front deck is a hatch accessing a large storage locker which houses the anchors etc as well as the table and railings for the roof deck ( the “Moon Deck”). On the top are 2 solar panels which charge 2 batteries to provide power for all the equipment on board, including a 47 litre frig/freezer. I also have a car radio/CD player and a television/DVD player which provide some of our entertainment of an evening, especially if the weather does not favour being up on the roof deck.

I have had to modify the position of the 70 litre fresh water tank and the LPG bottle which is now on the foredeck (because there is no longer a gas frig to run, I have reduced to a 4 Kg bottle). The craft is fitted with navigation lights as well as travelling lights for on the road (these are actually duplicated on the trailer). I have to carry life jackets, boat hook, ropes, paddle etc. I have provision for a grey water tank when necessary. On the port side of the rear deck I have made up an ensuite which utilizes the actual caravan door and can be used for the “portaloo” or for showering when privacy is necessary. A large solar panel forms a roof over the rear deck. A roll-out awning on the nearside provides shade when we are on the road and using “Plonk” as a caravan.

The rig sits on a submersible  boat trailer. I can comfortably launch and retrieve alone on any reasonable ramp. I recently converted the trailer to a tandem axle system which has resulted in much improved towing and a big increase in its load capacity allowing us to carry the motor permanently on the transom instead of having to stow it in the troupie.  The vessel behaves very well on the water. I have encountered reasonably adverse conditions and have never felt out of control. The hull is extremely strong and also buoyant.

We have spent many delightful nights on the water aboard “Plonk”. Apart from the obvious benefits of being on the water (such as avoiding noisy generators or inconsiderate smokers) there are some less obvious ones such as the freedom to drop anchor almost anywhere you wish and not be forced to move on by the various authorities who do not tolerate people who like to “free camp”. It is just such a treat to wake during the night or early in the morning and look at the reflections on the still water or to see the mist hanging mystically by, the moon glistening on the water or the sun rising!

Our adventures on the water include a 9 day journey down The Murray River from Echuca to Swan Hill, The Hawkesbury from Windsor to Brooklyn, The Hunter & Patterson Rivers near Newcastle, The Darling, The Barron River in Cairns, The Mary River at Hervey Bay and The Thompson at Longreach as well as many lakes including Myall, Tinaroo on The Atherton Tablelands, Dalrymple in central Queensland, Saint Clair, Tuggerah and of course Lake Macquarie. Also Sussex Inlet, Port Douglas etc. etc. We recently listed close to 50 different waterways on which we have slept at least one night. In many cases, such as Lake Macquarie, it amounts to many more. We could list many more waterfront sites.

On the road and the water I am constantly stopped and quizzed by interested folk wanting to know more about  “Plonk”(average at least 6 per day!). I could have sold her many times over! Although I don’t wish to interfere with my retirement by considering building these aquavans, I did decide to give myself a trademark………”aquadisiac!” I would be very willing to discuss the possibility of co-operating with a caravan builder to get him underway building these craft in return for having a new one built for my own use. Meantime we love “PLONK”. I did consider building another similar version this year but have opted to simply refurbish the interior of “Plonk” and continue to make good use of her. Both Polly & I are currently living on Lake Macquarie near Newcastle….a beautiful area!

John Hogan

johnhogan1943@gmail.com