Sealegs Starting to Make a Splash

Sealegs Starting to Make a Splash

Unique Locally Produced Amphibious Boats Make It To Local Market With Deliveries Soon Destined for Overseas

Listed marine company, Sealegs Corporation (NZX:SLG) has announced the initial delivery of two Sealegs 5.6m SLD amphibious marine craft to the local market, with another two soon bound for overseas.

Earlier this year Sealegs had confirmed the production schedule of 12 of its 5.6m amphibious runabouts for staggered delivery over the first half of the 2004 financial year. Company CEO, David McKee Wright today said “we are delighted to be in full production having delivered the first two boats, and are now in a position to start scaling.”

He said the initial batch of 12 boats, represent around NZ$1 million in revenues for Sealegs “and we have deliberately taken our time to ensure we deliver a high quality dependable product the company can be proud of.”

The first two craft have both been purchased by individuals for local recreational use, with the second one delivered last week to successful entrepreneur, Richard Izard in Taupo. Mr Izard, who made his fortune as the world’s No.1 manufacturer of tungsten-tipped circular steel blades, intends to use it for trout fishing around Lake Taupo.

“It is ideal for my requirements,” he says. “ We’re not far from the lake so I don’t need to worry about a trailer. I can simply drive it down to the lake edge and straight into the water. I couldn’t think of anything easier.”

Sealegs Explorer is a high performance, 5.6m amphibious runabout that can be driven in and out of the water, eliminating the need for a trailer or towing vehicle. At the touch of a button, three wheels can be lowered or raised and tucked away, just like the undercarriage of a plane.

But unlike previous amphibious forerunners, the Sealegs 5.6M SLD is first and foremost a safe, highly manoeuvrable marine craft, with no sacrifice to its water performance characteristics to accommodate its ability on land. It has a top speed on water of 60kmph, ideal for water skiing and hi-speed search and rescue work, while on land it can travel, either reverse or forward, at up to 10kmph.

Sealegs has another four boats currently in production (they are frabricated in East Tamaki and assembled in Albany), with two more due for delivery locally later this month and a further two destined for Sydney and the USA in June. According to Mr McKee Wright “the craft is attracting a lot of overseas interest and as a result we will attend the Sydney Boat Show at the end of July.”

Mr Izard is a great enthusiast for both the Sealegs concept and the company. “From what I’ve seen they have something that is quite unique,” he says. “I’ve got a lot of faith in what they’re doing and see a heck of a future for that type of craft.”

The Sealegs 5.6m SLD sells for $98,000. Full details are available via the website www.sealegs.com

About Sealegs International Sealegs International has developed an innovative patent-pending system of self-launching boats, without the need for trailers or towing vehicles. The system uses motorised wheels, which are steerable and fully retract when the boat is in the water. www.sealegs.com

Sealegs Explorer Fact Sheet

Length Overall: 5.6 metres (18 foot 4 inches) Powered By: 90hp outboard Hull: Alloy Hull with 21 degree deadrise

Max Water Speed: 60kmph (37mph) Max Land Speed: 10kmph (6mph)

Centre console Internal seating and underseat storage Two rear marinised hydraulic wheels powered by a 4 stroke in-board engine, electronic ignition and electric start Hydraulic steering auto engages for front wheel land steering Fitted with all-terrain 12 inch tyres Hydraulic cylinders raise and lower legs Marine controlled landing gear and in-built safety features

ENDS

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