Couchamarans and Carboats

Couchamarans and Carboats In my last entry, I left you with this teaser: I will reveal the #1 place to watch the fireworks in my next entry. Without further ado 1. From a homemade floating vehicle on the Charles River. Enterprising MIT students and alums often will create special boats for the occasion of the July 4th fireworks. Some of my friends have gone the extra mile. In 1876, MIT alum Nathanael Herreshoff created a revolutionary design for a catamaran. In 2003, Scott Johnston 02 had another revolutionary idea the Couchamaran. The Couchamaran is just what it sounds like a sofa on pontoons. Couchamaran image courtesy Scott Johnston This year, Scott, former Admissions Officer Amrys Williams 02, and a team of MIT alums and other folks embarked on an even more ambitious project: converting a 1967 Chevy Bel Air into a boat. Before image of the 67 Bel Air courtesy Amrys Williams Scott doing some welding; image courtesy Amrys Williams Amrys and Scott, doing some door work; image courtesy Amrys Williams Unfortunately, the State Police again got involved, and the maiden voyage of the carboat has been delayed. But sail it will. These projects are the kind of awesomeness that make me glad to be at MIT (not to mention projects like this). For an inspiring and entertaining read, I highly recommend the in-depth stories of both vessels: The Couchamaran Converting a 1967 Chevy Bel Air into a boat p.s. Ive just been informed that Ben scooped me on this topic by a couple hours. I think he has my office bugged!