New Jet Drive version of amphibious boat unveiled by Sealegs
26 November 2004
26 November 04
New Jet Drive version of amphibious boat unveiled by Sealegs
Sealegs International Ltd today unveiled designs for a new Jet drive version of their innovative amphibious powerboat.
The second generation craft is called the Sealegs RAC for Rugged Amphibious Craft. It has a single 140hp inboard engine for powering the vehicle on land and water and has a specially developed air/water cooling system for the engine.
The Sealegs RAC, developed as a result of market feedback, is a robust craft constructed of marine grade aluminium with a large work/payload area and a big hard-top canopy.
Unlike the existing Sealegs 5.6m amphibious rigid inflatable boat, which has inflatable tubes and both an inboard and outboard engine, the Sealegs RAC has a single engine, jet drive and a hull with solid aluminium sides.
The Sealegs RAC can be driven on land, at speeds of up to 15km/h, and then straight into the water with no stopping. Once afloat, the wheels are hydraulically retracted clear of the water at the push of a button. The Sealegs RAC is then transformed into a deep-V sea-going boat ready for work on the water at speeds up to 60km/h.
With the large rear balloon tyres powered by high-torque hydraulic wheel motors the Sealegs RAC is a go-anywhere all-terrain amphibious boat with recreational, commercial and military applications. Sealegs International has been already been working with the military regarding a Jet drive version of its existing Sealegs amphibious boats.
Construction of the first Sealegs RAC has begun and priced at $98,000 + GST, is due for launching early next year.
Sealegs CEO Mr David McKee Wright says, “The new Sealegs RAC will add another model to our amphibious boat range and it will appeal to a number of potential applications and users”.
“Adding the Sealegs RAC to our range in 2005 will enable us to sell amphibious boats to an even broader base of local and international customers”.
“By having two quite different Sealegs amphibious boat models to choose from, customers will be able to select the model that best suits their needs and specific application”.
Sealegs RAC Factsheet
Sealegs patent-pending hydraulically motorised, steerable and retractable wheel system
LENGTH OVERALL: 6 metres (19ft 8”)
Beam 2.3 metres (7ft 6”)
POWERED BY: 140hp 4-cylinder GM Vortec Motor
Single stage Berkley Jet Pump
HULL: 5mm 5083 Aluminium Hull
TOP SPEED (WATER): 60km/h (35 knots)
TOP SPEED (LAND) 15km/h (10mph)
