WHITTLEY TEASES THE INDUSTRY'S FIRST WALK-THROUGH WINDSCREEN DESIGN CONCEPT FOR A NEW MODEL HARDTOP CABIN TRAILER BOAT.
Friday 4 October 2024
WHITTLEY TEASES THE INDUSTRY'S FIRST WALK-THROUGH WINDSCREEN DESIGN CONCEPT FOR A NEW MODEL HARDTOP CABIN TRAILER BOAT.
Whittley Marine Group, Australia's largest fibreglass trailer boat builder, has released teaser images of the industry's first trailer boat model with an innovative new walk-through side windscreen design, known as the Whittley “Mid Saloon Walk-Through” design concept.
However, the design team remains tight-lipped about the announcement of which new model boat the innovative design feature will be on.
The new concept enables the removal of traditional walk-around side decks to a boat model, leaving more useable space inside the saloon cockpit area. Consumers will be able to access the front deck via the mid-cabin saloon area of the boat, only previously seen in much larger vessels. In practice, the new concept seamlessly blends the rear cockpit and saloon area to the foredeck and enables the ideals of space to exist whilst connecting these key two areas of the boat.
Alan Whittley, Director of Sales and marketing at the Whittley Marine Group, commented on the innovative new design concept.
"No other local or imported trailer boat brand has been able to incorporate or develop this concept. This is completely unique to this new model Whittley Boat. It's new, and it's different, and the user is going to really notice the difference with the extra space and safety attributes it brings every time they walk through the centre of the boat for access to the new lifestyle area of the bow. The change is noticeable to the whole boat design and layout, and it enables you to have a big in-water boat feel without all the mooring costs in a maxi trailer boat cruiser. It changes the game for live-aboard trailer boating!"
Through the innovation that the Whittley Mid Saloon Walk-Through design concept brings, inside the saloon and mid-cockpit area of the new model, there is a series of easily accessible steps that enables direct access up and through the opening windscreen—providing a uniquely designed companionway on the boat's port side. The Whittley design studio team developed the new design concept over two years, with components being sourced globally and engineering input from around the world. Under the new design, it combines the rear cockpit saloon area with free and easy passage to the front bow area; this isn't seen in a trailer boat anywhere in the world.
Mr. Whittley continued to say that. "The new design concept was born from customer feedback. Our owners didn't enjoy walking around the side decks of our traditional model boats, and when we removed them, we found how much extra usable space could be in a boat. We found that consumers are asking for as much room inside the rear saloon of the boat as possible while staying under the maximum legal towing width on Australian roads of two to five meters. The design team have also raised the floor height of the boat, enabling uninterrupted views from the previously unimaginable windows. I have explored the new model extensively using the latest VR and AI technology and have been able to step up the steps, through the windscreen and experience how easy it is and view the extra room created in the boat via VR headsets. It honestly feels like a much larger and wider boat with these key changes and innovations. Only Whittley, through our seventy-plus years of Australian boating knowledge, can bring such innovative ideas to the market and to our next-generation boat model range."
Although the release of these images and new concept is not yet an introduction to the new model, Whittley's Design Studio team did give away some further insights into the model's new features, including; a lockable sliding cabin door option mid-ship, available only with outboard power in both single and twin engine capacities, be under the maximum legal towing width of 2.5 metres for Australian roads and feature Brunswick E-Fathom power system along with the innovative new Seakeeper Ride trim tab system. The new model boat will also feature a newly designed full-length sunroof offering the welcoming of the elements when favourable and the ability to close the roof electrically from the helm when using the cabin at night or throughout winter. It will also improve side window airflow access for the driver and passenger where fenders can be deployed for docking.
"The new model, which is under development, will be the most advanced fibreglass trailer boat ever built in Australia. From its lithium battery electrical system, removing the need for generators. The new model's large rear area is due to its outboard-only design. It's going to be an exciting time as the new model’s details are revealed. These advancements in the boat's design elevate consumers onboard experience by catalysing cutting-edge technology and design to make an unsurpassed boating experience every time you set out on the water, thereby setting a new standard in the design industry and how a maxi-trailer boat can be enjoyed out on the water." Mr. Whittley said.
Operating within the Whittley Marine Group's manufacturing facility in Melbourne, the Whittley Design Studio and Research and Development facilities are responsible for all new product development and feature some of the country's leading boat designers and engineers. The Group's team works tirelessly to get local market feedback to design boats that are unique to the Australian boating lifestyle, which then goes into production. The Group prides itself on designing, building and selling Australia's most popular fibreglass trailer boats and is considered a true industry innovator. That's why Whittley makes sense for Australian boating families!
Mr. Whittley finished by saying that. "We will announce the New Model VR in Dealership Experience in the coming months. Whereby interested parties can make an appointment to have a VR tour of the new model boat with a Whittley sales expert in a Whittley Factory Owned Dealership location across the country. This experience will also be unique to the Whittley brand and unseen previously in the Australian marine industry. Allowing customers to move through the new boat model in real-time. It is an exciting time as we bring this new model to market and this industry-leading technology. The company has already pre-sold the first three production builds for this new model boat, and we encourage others to explore, get excited, and secure your production slot for summer!"
For more information on the new model's upcoming release or to arrange a private VR tour of the Whittley Mid Saloon Walk Through design concept in a Whittley Factory-Owned Dealership, please phone 03 8339 1800 or visit dealership locations in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast. More information on this exciting new CR model from the Whittley Marine Group will be announced in the coming months.
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