Amphibious Boat Makes Debut in Sydney

by Media Services on 1 Aug 2006 Sealegs’ revolutionary award winning amphibious boats can be driven straight into water from land, Sealegs have now arrived in Australia, making it the ultimate indulgence and most practical for residents with waterfront properties.

Part boat, part vehicle, the Sealegs range will be unveiled at the Sydney International Boat Show, Darling Harbour (August 3-8). Sealegs has the privilege of saying it is the world’s first amphibious production boat. The amphibious boats have proved highly popular across Australia due to its revolutionary design.

In celebration of its 2006 Sydney International Boat Show debut those purchasing during the week of the show will also benefit from a generous $10,000 reduction off both the Sealegs’ 5.6m EXPLORER and the Sealegs’ 5.6 ALUMINIUM.

The Sealegs range will be of particular interest to Sydney’s residents who own waterfront properties, allowing owners of Sealegs to drive from a storage location, down a boat ramp, beach or slope into the water - all with the occupants staying in the boat and remaining completely dry and safe, with no more effort than a press of a button.

Sealegs’ rise to success was recognised with the award for design innovation excellence for amphibious marine technology. Judges described Sealegs amphibious boats as one of the most innovative new concepts they have ever seen. They said it was of extraordinarily high quality, extremely well researched, financed and marketed.

Once in the water, the Sealegs wheels are retracted and are completely out of the water at the press of a button.

The boat is then driven and used as normal. When approaching land, the Sealegs wheels are lowered down whilst still in the water and it is then simply a matter of motoring towards the beach and the Sealegs powerful motorised wheels touch the bottom and drive the boat up onto land.

The occupants can then disembark, totally dry and safe. Sealegs has integrated all of its motorised features; retractable and steerable boat wheels fitted to a customised 5.6m rigid hull.

The Sealegs system works by having powerful motorised wheels which give a user variable speed of 0-10KPH (forward and reverse).

For the records but mostly for fun, Sealegs last year broke the World Record for the crossing of the English Channel by an amphibious vehicle previously set by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson in 2004.

Sir Richard’s record crossing of 1 hour 40 minutes was slashed by almost half - the Sealegs crew reaching their target in just 43 minutes.

Originally founded in New Zealand, by Maurice Bryham, Sealegs now comes to Australia through well known colourful English ex-pat Will Burrell AM, former owner of the multi-award winning El Questro Wilderness Park in Western Australia.

He originally bought a boat for the Wilderness Park to assist guests and liked them so much, and was so impressed by Sealegs, he decided to invest in the company and accept a role in its development.

Sealegs will be at the Sydney International Boat Show with both models on display, including access to test drive Sealegs across Sydney Harbour for those interested in making an investment into luxury and convenience beyond compare.

'I’ve got one and it’s enabled me to keep my boat in my garden, then drive down the beach to go boating without getting my feet wet,' Mr Burrell said.

'For Sydney residents it means they can leave their bayside property, cruise anywhere in the Sydney Harbour area, drive up the beach, gently place the nose wheel down and have a picnic on the beach.'

Mr Burrell also said the amphibious boats are also helpful for those with limited movement, or the aged, who still wish to enjoy the thrill of boating.

For more information on Sealegs visit www.sealegs.com