This boat is an odd duck but has some cool ideas

[BillE]

http://haber-yachts.com/index.php?page=en-hb20-g

Link is to photos of a Haber 20 Mini Reporter, and the boat looks as strange as it's name! Built in Poland and just now being imported to US, this is a full displacement flat bottomed trailer trawer powered by a tiny outboard, gets amazing MPG, offers retractable leeboards (on a powerboat!) and floats in 9" of water! However, check out the interior of this 20 footer! And check out the big hatch in front cabin that gives access to bow. This is not a C-Dory competitor, much slower and inshore only. But it looks to be much more comfortable for slow cheap cruising than the Ranger R-21. In Europe they offer 5 to 8 horsepower but we rowdy Americans get the 9.9----yeehaw!
So what do the Brats think? [/url]

[ken35216]

What kind of prices? I've googled it and can't see to find anything.

[AJF]

They have quite few interesting designs shown on their web page. Their hulls all seem to be self righting as well.

[BillE]

I emailed the guy importing these and he indicated that they begin around $60K with standard equipment, but of course there are options.

Now, about this boat being "odd", well, the European websites mention that the boat can be powered by human power, with two bike-peddling stations driving an electric motor! And, the helm is in the cockpit and you look through the cabin through two opening windows to see where you are going!

The company is not the greatest at clear info, but they make the boat with either a fixed keel at 16" draft or with articulating leeboards which yields the 9" draft. And, they make a semi-planning version which the US guys did not think much of as he says that it uses lots of fuel and still does not go very fast.

The maker refers to it as a "houseboat".

[ken35216]

I like their 33 footer!

http://haber-yachts.com/index.php?page=en-hb33-g

[Aurelia]

Neat boats and would be great for how some folks actually use their C-dories. Big difference would be the outdoor helm. Up here in the cooler region, that would be a non-starter for many. Interior on the 20 looks fantastic though.

Greg

[thataway]

These motor boats are basically the "C For of canal boats"--made for the canals of Europe (probably qualify for the narrow boats in England also). (You would have to ship it across the English Channel) The sail boats are .. well OK--but I would disagree with the statement on the web site:

[potter water]

Cute as a kitten, but wouldn't do well in a Lake Powell wind storm. Also, the pudgy bow would be slaming into Powell Type waves. If it were 35 grand, I'd take another look.

[BillE]

Au contraire Dr. Bob, the Mini Reporter carries a C rating, so while nowhere near a C-Dory's capability it at least is not quite so restricted. At about the 7:15 mark this linked video shows them operating in a large open bay with a bit of chop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtnpEk654ms

Anyone think that you could Loop in that?

[thataway]

[South of Heaven]

Bill: You've been trying to find that unicorn boat for a few years now! I hope you eventually find one! Maybe the hunt is more fun.....

Minute 7:15 and beyond?!! Those look like very calm conditions to me. These Habers are 100% lake, river and canal boats. Now way would they work in my neck of the woods. I agree with Greg Aurelia about the outside helm. I need a pilothouse and a fully enclosed helm.

Definitely a cool boat though. There are so many neat European, Aussie and NZ boats out there. Australia has some really awesome rigs....

[BillE]

Jason I'm retiring in one to two years and intend to spend my time and money on a boat. In the meantime I check out-----everything!
I'm not sold on this Haber, I just think it an interesting design and another way to approach coastal cruising. I'm not going to do diesel in any form (though I love your Camano!) and I'm not going to bankrupt our family with an expensive boat, so I keep checking out affordable options with outboards that are comfortable enough for two people who are serious about comfort!
We are a bit too old and too picky to "rough it". I really admire El and Bill, they did it right, but we are a bit past that at this point in our lives.

[South of Heaven]

[hardee]

Jason, Nice try, just slipping that little twins comment in there Yup, I looked at the TT35 and it is nice on first glance. It weights only 2,000# more than my 22 Cruiser. that's pretty good for a 35 foot boat. It is powered with twin 60's and given that and the speed and fuel specs, I would really question that the two 60's can really do that. So, if I was interested, and I will look, first, I would want something in the 80 - 90 bracket. I would consider the 60's the equivalent to what my 40's are on the 22. Yes the can do the job, but there is really not much reserve. And it would take some getting used to to have that long bow out in front of the helm. It would be nice to have it forward another 4 feet, and to have the front window have a reverse rake to eliminate the reflection from the cabin. But other than those two points you are right on. It looks like a pretty appealing vessel. Of course, for trailering you will be oversize wide so will need a sign and in some states a permit filed.

Really interesting boat. Thanks for the trip down drool lane.

Harvey
SleepyC

[South of Heaven]