Converting a Nautitech Open 46 to be Fully Accessible

Background

In early 2018 a brand new Nautitech Bavaria Open 46 came to us on the recommendation of our friends at Key Yachting. It had been bought by John, a paraplegic man in a wheelchair who wanted to learn to sail, but first it needed some conversion work.

Work Carried Out By Multimarine:

Cockpit

Cockpit floor was raised to allow chair acces to the helm station and views.
A composite lift davit installed on the side-deck to allow marina pontoon access.
Tender lift and wheelchair access platform installed on stern.
Glendenning twin helm station electronic engine controls installed.

Saloon

Galley modified to allow wheelchair access in and around.
Dedicated interior helm station
lift installed down into the owner’s hull

Owner’s Hull

Cabin floor raised to allow enough space for wheelchair to turn and access heads.

Electrics

Electronic control systems installed for lift and tender lift.
Tiled roof with solar panels achieving 1100 watts.

nautitech open 46 wheelchair accessible conversion multimarine multihull centre accessible sailing

BLOG POST – WRITTEN 08/02/18 soon after arrival at the yard

Sailing and flying, or people who do both, seems to be a recurring theme at the moment – John Askew, owner of the lovely new Nautitech Open 46 adorning our quay, is the latest pilot/ sailor I’ve had the pleasure to meet.

John is no ordinary pilot, he just happens to have been on the British Aerobatics team since 2003 competing all over Europe in European and World Championships. He was also Chairman of @Aerobility Charity (previously the British Disabled Flying Club).

Now over 70, John has flown since he was 30 and had enjoyed what he described as ‘gentle aerobatics’ until he broke his back in a riding accident in 1994. One and a half years later he bought a Russian Yak 32 and started to ramp up his aerobatics. He had decided that now, as a paraplegic, he needed to find an outlet where he could maximise his upper body strength and aeronautics fit the bill perfectly!

He went from strength to strength, moving through the levels until he was selected as one of only four to join the British Team and the only disabled aerobatics pilot flying. He worked hard to help to inspire others to take up flying, but now he has decided it’s time to pursue a dream he has had since he was a youngster – sailing. He has sold his precious Cap 232 plane to buy Amina and he and wife Christele are currently busy learning all they can about sailing so they can sail off to warmer climes and live out a new sort of adventure. Christele admits to being initially dubious of the project. She told me she she had been concerned about not having the necessary physical stamina, or becoming horribly seasick…but as time has gone on and she’s gaining more experience she is now as excited as John is about the prospect of sailing off. It’s the catamaran aspect that has swayed her opinion, and tells me how much ‘vastly more ‘comfy’ than a monohull they are!

It’s a sweet indication of this lovely couple’s nature that they’ve named their boat ‘Amina’ after someone who helped them, a lot, at @Key Yachting Ltd. They were so happy with all the help they received they decided to name it her honour! It’s also a very pretty name and they tell me it has several meanings including loyal, faithful and safe as well as being the name of the prophet’s second wife, who legend says was the most beautiful of them all. Altogether it seems like a most fitting name and also gives an idea of how carefully John and Christela are planning every aspect of their new venture

Amina is at the Multihull Centre being converted by Multimarine Manufacturing Ltd into an accessible catamaran – just one of Multimarine and Dazcat’s specialities. We are immensely proud that John and Christele have chosen us to be part of their journey into sailing and hope to keep bringing you updates.