Sealegs To Unveil New Amphibious Boat

Sealegs To Unveil New Amphibious Boat At New Zealand Boat Show

28 May 2004: Sealegs International has announced it will unveil for the first time its new amphibious 5.6m SLD marine craft at the New Zealand Boat Show on 3-7 June at the Auckland Showgrounds.

The Sealegs amphibious 5.6m SLD production boat is a high performance 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, its three wheels can be lowered or raised and tucked away, just like the undercarriage of a plane.

Sealegs CEO, David McKee Wright, expects the SLD to be a real draw card at the Boat Show. He says the locally made craft has worldwide opportunities and that it “fills a very real need in the market, making access to and from the water quicker and much more user friendly.

“We are continually surprised at the even greater number of uses and locations that Sealegs enquiries are presenting."

The SLD will show off some the latest technological advancements, including the new Evinrude 90hp E-TEC direct injection outboard motor, stronger and more streamlined wheel and leg assemblies at the bow and stern, as well as styling and storage refinements developed at Sealegs’ workshops in East Tamaki and Albany.

Two of the 5.6m production boats have already been sold locally and of the twelve currently in production, some are destined for Australia and the U.S.

The key feature of the Sealegs concept, says Mr McKee Wright, is that from start to finish it is a single-handed operation. “It allows one person the freedom to launch the boat by themselves and when finished, clear the water without having to rely on help.”

Another benefit is the extra safety it offers young children and adults. They can be in the boat before launching, avoiding the anxiety and possible accidents which often occur as they are either lifted in or out of the boat.

This will be the first time the new model will have appeared at a boat show, but following huge overseas interest is also set to make an appearance at the Sydney Boat Show in July.

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 5.6m SLD 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 for front wheel land steering
- Fitted with all-terrain 12 inch tyres
- Hydraulic cylinders raise and lower legs

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