For Sale – PB Dromedary – $115,000
The Dromedary is a 60 foot (including stern wheel) Paddllewheeler, weighing 16 tonnes but only drawing 15 inches of water. It is diesel powered with a 3 cylinder Chinese marine 36 hp motor. It has a steel hull, with twin rudders located in front of the paddlewheel. Very economical, using approx 20 litres for 8 hours cruising on slack water at 8 to 9 k’s an hour. Two decks. Bottom has below deck ( steps leading from front of Saloon , one metre stepped down) cabin with double bed, The large Saloon has a lounge chair and larger lounge that pulls out as a double bed. The spacious Wheelhouse is on a ‘subdeck’ accessed by steps from Saloon. Native timber is a rare feature of this boat, and includes mulga, River Cooba, Red Gum and Native pine pannelling . There is a central table seating six people. At the rear of Saloon is a Galley/ pantry. Gas hotplates, sink etc. Shelving of very attractive Campfor Laurel. Motor accessed via trapdoor in Galley. A bathroom/ shower is located at rear of Saloon on the port side. Sliding glass windows ( with dropdown blinds) down either side of Saloon. There is a sliding glass door at extreme front of Saloon off alcoves, on both sides. Opposite Wheelhouse. There is a potbellied heater at front of Saloon. Two hinged Native pine doors are located in front of Galley and bathroom. A Marine toilet is accessed from the port sidedeck. The character wheel is of Redgum. Wheelhouse has sliding glass windows all around, allowing excellent ventilation in hot weather There is a pa/ sterio system with speakers throughout boat, allowing communication from rear lower deck to wheelhouse. There is a ‘minideck’ on top of wheelhouse and contains ‘the best seat in the house’! A voicepipe communicates from there to Wheelhouse. Steps lead from Wheelhouse to top deck, which has open sides with timber and steel railing, and heavy duty canvas roof. A gate leads to an open deck area of timber and corregated iron. Solar panels, Derrick for lowering a Tender and Tender rack located here, where steps lead to Rear deck. Open both sides with timber and glass wall in front of Paddlewheel. Power by two large cranking batteries located in engine compartment. A gas barbecue located here. A metre wide deck with steel railing down both sides, containing six gates. A foredeck has a hatch covered storage area for extra fuel etc. Large seat located here. There is half a tonne of concrete forming floor of front storage, for trim. Numerous other features not listed.
The Dromedary is a ‘character boat’, well known on the Murray and Darling Rivers. Built by well known Master five Skipper, Andrew Cook, a highly respected builder of excellent Paddlewheelers. It is the only large boat to reach Wilcannia on the Darling River, in eighty years (2014). The Dromedary was lifted by crane around the Menindee weir. It is uniquely suited for low water, and floodwaters. This boat is still navigating the lock bypasses when there are no Houseboats on the river. Slipped every two years with hull painted. Slipped at Greenings Marina near Mannum. Phone Rex Ellis for inspections. 0400854358 rexellis@safarico.com.au
