Please select your home edition
Edition
William Pitt SIR

Smuggler Strata 700 gets the Rob Salthouse seal of approval

by Sail-World NZ 14 Oct 2020 04:53 PDT 15 October 2020
The Strata 700 and 800 in full flight © Roger Mills

Smuggler’s Strata 700 Amphibious combines their own Orion S25 land-drive system and the forgiving 23-degree deep vee hull.

The result - a comfortable, safe ride and great performance on the water and off. The powerful S25 system gives you greater manoeuvrability in tight areas or on steeper terrain, meaning you can say goodbye to the trailer and drive the boat from your fishing Spot X right into your garage – assuming you live near the beach.

Rob Salthouse, Kiwi yachting legend, and Smuggler spokesperson says that the Smuggler is more than just a boat with some wheels bolted on. “Everything tucks nicely away,’ he says, “so that when boat is in the water, the wheels lift right up and there is no splashing.”

Solving what is a problem for many amphibious boats, Smuggler have extended the pontoons to wrap all the way around the forward wheel when it is raised, the boat is like a normal RIB. When it is being taken alongside another vessel or a dock, there is no chance of collision between the wheel system and your docking target.

Similarly, the anchoring system is hidden away under the forward seat and is operated by a switch at the helm with a through bow anchoring system. A large platform on the bow covers the front wheel and is great for standing on when casting, soft baiting or dolphin watching. The Electronic packages display the built in camera in the bow for keeping an eye on the wheel or anchor

The test boat (pictured), is powered by Yamaha F200 outboard and 175 litre fuel tank provides approx 1 litre of fuel per nautical mile, a range of around 150 nautical miles. It has lots of interior space, with seating for eight people.

With three lengths to choose from in this range, 6.2 , 6.6 , 7.0 metres, Smuggler can make the boat fit your space requirements. Lifting points can be added for tenders. Fold down T-Tops and screens as options make storage in low garages possible.

Smuggler Amphibious RIBs:

All Smuggler Amphibious models are teamed up with the powerful and innovative Orion S25 technology featuring electronic soft touch controls, joystick, all-wheel drive hydraulic system, brakes, diff lock. Wheels retract into a recessed bow, and aft into the D-tube so that when underway the wheels are hidden from sight giving you a safer, drier ride, plus a streamlined looking hull. On land operation is effortless - no trailer, no tractor, no fuss, just drive straight in. A large purpose built fibreglass flange not only deflects the spray down and away from the hull making a drier ride, but also takes pressure off the tubes

Other boats in the Smuggler Range:

Smuggler boats are like riding on a cushion of air – both the finish and ride are amazing

There is an extensive range of fibreglass Smuggler models to choose from:

Strata RIB ranges from 5 to 11 metres – centre console / mid cabin / full cabin options

Family Cruisers from 5 to 7 metres – with cabins, hardtops, bimini and centre console options

Amphibious RIBs from 6 to 11 metres

Smuggler Recreational – fishing, diving, superyacht tenders, beach house transport

Smuggler Commercial – Coastguard, Charters, Work boats

All production models can be customised to suit your requirements. They have the deepest vee, comfortable ride and are well known for their quality and finish and performance.

Related Articles

2025 Formula Wing Worlds Sardinia day 3
Women's battle heats up in the big waves A change of wind and wave conditions on day three of the Formula Wing World Championships in Cagliari brought a change of fortune for some key players. Posted today at 6:44 pm
52 Super Series 2025 Porto Cervo day 4
Sled look to close out regatta win, American Magic Quantum Racing on the cusp of swansong 7th title The penultimate day of racing proved to be a sharp contrast to the two previous days of strong Mistral winds presenting the 13 teams from ten different nations with a different challenge as the conclusion of the 2025 season approaches. Posted today at 6:24 pm
Melges 24 Worlds 2025 at Trieste, Italy Day 4
No wind again today, everything will be decided tomorrow The high-pressure system over the Northern Adriatic, and particularly the Gulf of Trieste, left no chance for the 2025 Melges 24 World Championship today, as Day 4 ended without racing. Posted today at 6:09 pm
Multihull Cup 2025 Day 1
Allegra takes win in calm but enthusiastic start On what proved a mellow if challenging introduction to the delights of the Multihull Cup for the trio of first timers taking part, it was the Mallorcan event veteran Allegra which showed the fleet the way to go. Posted today at 6:06 pm
Offshore Double Handed Worlds Qualifying Race 2
Worlds Apart, Side by Side The second qualification race of the 2025 Offshore Double Handed Worlds started from Cowes, Isle of Wight in a crisp northeasterly, 10 knots under clear skies. But what began as a gentle gradient breeze soon turned into a punishing test of endurance. Posted today at 4:46 pm
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez starts tomorrow
245 competitors vying for 19 trophies Saturday 27 September heralds the start of the 27th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. A great many of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez's 245 guests have already made the famous port in France's Var department. Posted today at 4:31 pm
Sailors shift focus to The Ocean Race Atlantic
The new transatlantic race connects two iconic cities - New York and Barcelona As The Ocean Race Europe came to a close in Montenegro, sailors and teams started to turn their attention to the next event in The Ocean Race calendar - The Ocean Race Atlantic: New York to Barcelona. Posted today at 2:11 pm
SailGP and America's Cup on collision course
Serious schedule clashes ahead as a group of professional sailors try to serve two masters. The tectonic plates of the sailing world, SailGP and America's Cup, are a collision course, with the Big Bang expected in 2027, when there is expected to be some serious schedule clashes as a group of professional sailors try to serve two masters. Posted today at 12:51 pm
SY Doris Takes a Major Step Forward
With Her New MarsKeel Installed In cooperation with the engineer and builder Snediker Yacht Restorations, we produced a high-quality casting. It is approx. 43,000 lb. Snediker has now successfully fitted the keel to the hull and is in the process of installing the keel bolts. Posted today at 11:45 am
2025 Six Metre World Championship Day 4
Three races for both divisions on the penultimate day in Osyter Bay Three races for both divisions on the penultimate day of the 2025 Six Metre World Championships at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, produced some great competition and a new race winner. Posted today at 5:20 am
Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOMSea Sure 2025PredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOM