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Quirky watercraft created from cab top
Truck topper gets a second life as paddleboat
By Franklin Hayes Splash! Magazine
 | | Donald and Betty Robinson demonstrate that their excamper shell watercraft really floats, at right. The Robinsons have built over 20 such vessels and are originally from Danville, Va. |
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Despite disastrous hurricanes, inflexible traffic and ever increasing living costs, millions of people still inhabit the coasts of Florida. An inveterate desire to be near the water and experience all things aquatic seems to be a unifying factor for many Floridians.
In order to access to the joys of waterfront living, Midway residents Donald and Betty Robinson, in a display of pure ingenuity, converted a full size truck topper into a functional paddleboat. Dubbed "Amazing Grace" by its creators, the vessel features an overturned bike chassis, a cinder block anchor, lawn chairs, handcrafted rudder and an automotive universal joint among various other components. The Robinson couple said the entire project cost them around $200 to complete, the most expensive component being the camper shell itself, which they purchased for $60.
"If you have a drill, a grinder and a skill saw, you can take any camper shell and turn it into a boat," Donald Robinson said.
Lacking an engine, the boat is powered by pedaling the overturned bike chassis, which turns a submerged propeller.
"I have high blood pressure, and my doctor said I need more exercise. The more I can do this, the better," Robinson said, describing the strenuous process of providing propulsion for his craft.
Over the course of their 16 years of marriage, the Robinsons said they have constructed over 20 makeshift watercraft, using such materials as large plumbing pipes, ply wood and folding lawn chairs.
"We had quite a few that didn't work, but [Amazing Grace] is our first successful boat in Florida," Betty Robinson said.
The couple, originally from Danville, Va., moved to Florida in August of 2005 and are also creatively planning for hurricane season.
"I'm going to put pontoons on my RV if we have a hurricane. At 24 feet, it'd be perfect for a little houseboat. We just need pontoons, a motor and a rudder," Donald Robinson said.
In addition to living in the sunshine state, another life long dream of the Robinson is to create a Christian mission. The couple enjoys the friendly atmosphere of Northwest Florida, and find great joy in anthropology. Their ideal mission would assist people with mental, physical and drug related problems.
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