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19' Thiel Escargot Houseboat (2009) - NUTSHELL

  • At anchor 2 2048x1152 1

  • Owner’s Description

    Nutshell is a small, trailerable canal boat. Based on the Escargot design, it sleeps three, with a smally galley and porta-potti enclosure. The Escargot canal boat filled all my requirements for a small, low-powered trailer boat. Falling into the “Shantyboat” category, many have been built very cheaply and quickly. However, once I started the project I was consumed by a desire to make nice, neat joins and clean finishes so she took about 800 hours over one year to complete.

    Built to a low budget, used Oregon scaffold planks were used for the frames (so some nails, holes and splits had to be avoided) with 1/2″, 3/8″ and 1/4″ marine plywood.

    It has a 12v LiFePo battery and 220W solar panel for lights and charging sockets.. The only major changes to the plans were to raise the cabin top by 6″, build a slightly different rear sliding hatch (but keeping the front hinged hatched) and adding an outboard. We have no canals here in Tasmania, but many rivers to which my MV Nutshell can be towed.

    There is a small gas cooker using disposable propane bottles, a cooler box and and electric submersible water pump in a plastic jerry for the sink. The outboard fuel tank is housed in a plastic crate on which is fitted a swivel “captain’s” seat to save space. A bimini was modified to fold forward and be secured for towing but provides good shelter for the cockpit when opened. She cruises at 5 knots but is very noisy in a chop and can be a handful when the wind picks up!

  • Photos

    • At anchor 2 2048x1152 1 768x432
    • Bimini
    • Nutshell profile 2048x1152 1 768x432
    • Nutshell bow cockpit 2048x1152 1 768x432
    • Nutshell interior 1 768x432
    • Nutshell int ladder to bow deck
    • Nutshell int 3
    • Nutshell int 2
    • Nutshell rear deck
    • Nutshell cockpit 2048x1152 1 768x432

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  • Comments

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    3 thoughts on “19' Thiel Escargot Houseboat (2009) - NUTSHELL”

    • George McNeir 3 years ago

      Brent,
      Mr. Thiele had one of these Escargot boats here in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA on the back lot of Reid’s Yacht Repair. It was powered by a bicycle/propeller mechanism. Several times I went over to see the boat as it slowly returned to the Earth from which it came. The design was wonderful though and prompted me to restore it but my hands and head were consumed by my 40 foot Totally Electric Powered Solar boat named Algemac II at Reid’s.

      What you have accomplished so warms my heart. You have improved the boat and have my greatest admiration in completing the build with the wood and attention to detail it deserves. Long may you live & enjoy your craft, God bless.
      George McNeir

      • Brent Kennedy 3 years ago

        Thanks so much George. I do feel blessed to have finished this project and and have appreciated the detailed plans and the boat’s versatility.

    • Annie Hill 4 years ago

      So cute. I love her,