Sealegs Amphibious Craft

Sealegs Amphibious Craft
7.1m Sealegs craft in Russia
Overview
Manufacturer Sealegs International Ltd
Production 2005 - present
Assembly New Zealand: Auckland, New Zealand

Sealegs Amphibious Craft are a type of amphibious vehicle manufactured by Sealegs International Ltd, a company based in Auckland, New Zealand. Sealegs craft are aluminium fabricated boats fitted with a hydraulic amphibious system. The amphibious system consists of three wheels – one fitted to the bow and two fitted to the transom of the craft. These wheels are lifted, lowered and driven by a hydraulic system which is powered by a petrol engine mounted on the deck.[1]

Sealegs began production in 2005, and as of September 2015 the company had sold 1000 units into 50 countries.[2]

Sealegs craft can travel up to 39 knots on water and up to 7.5km/hr on land.[1]

Sealegs 7.1m Craft launching from beach
Military exercises using Sealegs craft
Sealegs 6.1m D-Tube craft

History

Sealegs amphibious craft were invented by New Zealander Maurice Bryham. After prototyping the craft, he partnered with David Mckee Wright to incorporate Sealegs International and begin production in 2005.[2]

In June 2005, business man Nick Fox set a new world record for crossing the English Channel in an amphibious vehicle at 43 minutes and 12 seconds. This defeated a record of 1 hour and 40 minutes, set the previous year by Richard Branson in a Gibbs Aquada.[3]

In Early 2009, David Mckee Wright crossed the Cook Strait in a Sealegs craft – the first time this was done in an amphibious vehicle.[4]

In 2013, Sealegs CEO David Mckee Wright completed a circumnavigation of the South Island of New Zealand in a Sealegs 7.7m RIB, the first time an amphibious vehicle had done so.[5]

In December 2014, Sealegs released a collaboration with New Zealand boat builder Stabicraft – the Stabicraft 2100 ST (Sealegs Technology).[6]

In September 2015, Sealegs International announced that it had produced and shipped its 1000th Sealegs craft. [2]

Models

6.1m Sport RIB[7]

6.1m Sport D-Tube[8]

7.1m Sport RIB[9]

7.7m Sport D-Tube[1]

7.7m Full Width Console RIB[10]

7.7m Cabin RIB[11]

Interceptor 9000[12]

Stabicraft 2100 ST[6]

Technology

All Wheel Drive – Sealegs craft come standard with All Wheel Drive – which was designed to help craft negotiate difficult terrain[13]

Extended Run Time – Original Sealegs craft could run on land for 10 minutes within every hour without overheating the oil in the inboard engine. Sealegs extended run time technology added an oil cooling system, which allows the craft to run for 30 minutes within every hour without overheating.[13]

Power Steering – Sealegs craft are fitted with a Power Steering system. This system can be switched on and off by use of a dash switch.[13]

Automatic Braking System – Sealegs craft are fitted with a hydraulic braking system. This system requires hydraulic pressure to release, meaning that when the craft inboard engine is turned off, or if there is a failure in the hydraulic system, the brakes will lock.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rothfield, Mark. "Amphibious model has legs". Newcastle Herald. Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Boating New Zealand. "Sealegs: 10 Years, 1000 Boats". stuff.co.nz. Boating New Zealand. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  3. ↑ BBC News. "Branson doubts car-boat 'record'". BBC News. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  4. ↑ Gorrie, Andrew. "Sealegs to double output". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  5. ↑ Benson, Nigel. "Sealegs craft on South Island circumnavigation bid". Otago Daily Times. Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 Eichelsheim, John. "Stabicraft uses Sealegs amphibious technology". stuff.co.nz. Boating New Zealand. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  7. ↑ Elliott, Peter. "Sealegs 6.1m Sport RIB Amphibian Review". Trade-a-Boat. Trade-a-Boat. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  8. ↑ Beattie, Chris. "Leggin' It". Club Marine. Club Marine. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  9. ↑ Anders, Mark. "Sealegs Amphibious Vehicle Test Drive". Popular Mechanics. Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  10. ↑ Richardson, Tom. "Video: Testing the Sealegs Amphibious Vehicle". New England Boating. New England Boating. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  11. ↑ Yacht and Boat. "New 7.7m Sealegs Cabin Boat has boating covered". Yacht and Boat. Yacht and Boat. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  12. ↑ Frith, Jack. "9M SEALEGS AMPHIBIAN COMES TO EUROPE". Maritime Journal. Maritime Journal. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 Club Marine. "Home on Land or Sea". Club Marine. Club Marine. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.