Multihull Central distributes the world’s most luxurious houseboats

by Multihull Central on 12 Jan 2016 Multihull Central are pleased to announce that they have just been signed as exclusive Australian and New Zealand distributors of arguably the world’s most luxurious range of houseboats, the Itallian built Overblue.

With its sprawling lounges, fully equipped kitchens, 360-degree views, the vessels are the yachting equivalent to a penthouse apartment.

The Italian boat manufacturer Raffaele Grotti was inspired with the idea after renting a houseboat in Florida. He wanted to design a vessel that recreated the feel of a houseboat but with a modern spin.

Instead of the standard flat-bottomed houseboat, the team designed two hulls for increased stability, speed and comfort. Each boat can be customized to the client’s own taste with a host of optional extras including an electric sun visor, a ‘smart’ system that monitors every aspect of the boat from one screen.

In addition to the king size beds, en-suite bathrooms, an onboard Jacuzzi, there is a vast first floor ‘flybridge’ for al fresco entertaining.

Rok Babarovic, from Overblue, said: 'Most yachts sold today are very similar but are rarely built to meet the needs of buyers in terms of comfort, safety, low costs and easy maintenance.

'On top of that many people don't use their boats that often because they are too expensive to run, hard to maintain and actually not that comfortable to live on.

'Overblue founder Raffaele Grotti is an experienced sailor the owned many yachts from sailing boats to motor boats up to 50ft.

'The biggest issues he always had was lack of comfort and cramped dimensions so he decided to build a product which offers all the luxury of home but that can still be sailed around and used like any other boat.

'In order to achieve that we had to start with a box that was based on catamaran hull and offered the biggest amount of volume.

After two years of development the company has just launched two models – a 44ft standard boat and a more luxurious 54foot version, with plans for a deluxe 64ft boat in the pipeline.

Naturally sidewalks had to be taken away and consequently we gained an enormous amount of space on top for a flybridge or terrace.

'What we came up is a product that industry did not have yet, a yacht that offers all the comforts of normal home like a king size bed, shower, kitchen, tables and sofas is able to navigate around like other boats.

'You can use it as a yacht, a home, weekend escape, an apartment on the sea, a working office or a charter boat.

'We think they could be the future of houseboats. The idea is that you could live on them full time if your life permits that.

'Overblue yachts set a new standard of life on the water.'

Multihull Central’s Managing Director, Brent Vaughan, is excited by the early response in the market, ‘I’ve been blown away by the interest already.

‘The Overblue range are really tapping into the modern lifestyle, and compliments our aim to make it easier for more people to live on the water in comfort and explore this incredible island we live on.”

‘This is the first house boat that is really built more like a cruising catamaran, using high quality fiberglass resin infused construction, plus modern interior finishes.

‘We are looking forward to seeing Overblue’s on our lakes, harbours and rivers in the coming years.