The Autoboot is a unique model, a "one off" created by the Tinn-Silver shipyard, specialist in custom aluminium boats. "It's a customer from our yard who came to us with a very specific idea: to transform a car cabin into a boat. A crazy project that we found hard to believe." explains Debby, one of the site managers.
The client therefore went to see an architect in order to implement his project and bring it to life. The idea was to take a convertible Audi A4 cabin and integrate it into a boat hull. "The client chose Tinn-Silver because we build custom boats with aluminum hulls." adds Debby.
In order to design this rather amusing, but not very seaworthy boat, the shipyard recovered the hull of a damaged used Audi A4. "We kept the chassis without the front end and inserted it in an aluminum shell specifically designed and custom-built for the car." says Debby.
The interior of the Autoboot is therefore typically automotive with four seats, mirrors, headlights, convertible top, steering wheel and radio. Everything is functional. "Everything on the deck belongs to the Audi, we only added a throttle to accelerate. As for the hull, it required a lot of detail. It's been complicated to do. We spent a year building the Autoboot." adds Debby.
The Autoboot was finally able to see the light of day and test it on the water, even if that's not really the objective. "It's not really made for sailing, it's more of a toy, a fun concept, but not adapted to the sea. The interior is not suitable for water and salt." debby explains. With a 150 HP Honda outboard engine, the Autoboot is capable of reaching a speed of 60 km/h (32 knots).
A concept sold 100,000 euros at the Düsseldorf trade fair after 2 days according to Tinn-Silver. This first concept also gave rise to the creation of the Autoboot brand which will soon see a 2 e model came into being, but from an Audi A5 this time and for the same owner. "The Autoboot brand will benefit from Tinn-Silver's aluminum construction experience in designing its boats." concludes Debby.
The concept is nice, but difficult to use in navigation. From the front, the design is rather pretty, but from the side and from the rear, the lines are straight, the bulwarks are very high and the trunk is imposing... A construction that can be explained by the width of the car's hull and the fact that it had to be completely covered except for the cockpit.
