Accessible motorboat

Aluminum boat that can be operated by a solo skipper in a wheelchair
The Fred 25 (Photo: www.hanterbarabatar.se)
The Fred 25 (Photo: www.hanterbarabatar.se)

The Fred 25 is an aluminum motorboat developed to suit everyone. It is 7.50 meters long, the deck is completely level and it has room for eight people plus gear on the foredeck. The boat is extremely stable sideways and has a bow thruster. A plexiglas wall with a door on the deck protects from spray from the front and rain from above.

The boat is also equipped with a wide folding bow ramp, an anchor that operates by remote control, a lift in the stern, an adjustable height console with tilting wheel and folding seats, see associated tips.

Users comments
Fred Bergqvist built the prototype for the boat when he realized that his Parkinson’s disease would soon make it difficult for him to get out on the water in an ordinary boat. He came into contact with the user and together they created the company Hanterbara Båtar AB, which now builds the boat.

A variety of options are available for the boat, such as joystick steering, completely glassed in space on the deck, aft cover with berth for overnight use.

The boat is owned by Sveriges Funktionshindrades Frilufts och Fiskeföreningen (Sweden Recreation and Fishing Association for People with Disabilities) SFFF. The association offers people with disabilities the opportunity to fish (trolling, spinning/bait casting, jerk fishing, jigging, fly fishing, etc) and boat trips in the archipelago, see also sverigesfff.se (in Swedish) (last checked October 2021).

Made by
Hanterbara Båtar AB , hanterbarabatar.se (in Swedish) (last checked October 2021)

Purchased from
Hanterbara Båtar AB , hanterbarabatar.se (in Swedish) (last checked October 2021)

Whose idea
Fred Bergqvist, Jonas Nilsson

Fred 25 at dock
Fred 25 at dock
User and fishers on deck of Fred 25
User and fishers on deck of Fred 25
Jonas on his boat

Jonas on his boat

Fred 25 with bow ramp folded down

Fred 25 with bow ramp folded down

Related tips

Folding bow ramp in accessible boat
Folding bow ramp in accessible boat
– allows easy access for wheelchair users.
Lift for persons on accessible boat
Lift for persons on accessible boat
– makes it easier for people with disabilities to swim and get ashore at a high dock.
Console in adapted boat
Console in adapted boat
Adjustable console in adapted boat makes it possible for wheelchair users to steer the boat.
Fishing on accessible boat
Fishing on accessible boat
– an opportunity for wheelchair users.
Anchor with remote control
Anchor with remote control
Anchor in accessible boat that can be operated by a person with a disability.
Hinged benches
Hinged benches
Folding seats increase space on accessible boat for wheelchair users.
Attachment of wheelchair in accessible boat
Attachment of wheelchair in accessible boat
Anchor points on floor of boat make it possible to tether wheelchairs.
Accessible boat dock
Accessible boat dock
Floating boat dock – suitable for boarding by people with motor disabilities.

Author: Jonas

Jonas startade och arbetar för Sveriges Funktionshindrades Frilufts och Fiskeförening, sverigesfff.se/det-har-ar-sfff/. Han var också med att starta Hanterbara Båtar AB, hanterbarabatar.se, ett företag som bygger tillgängliga båtar. 2002 skadade han sig och har en komplett paraplegi. Han har ingen assistans.

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