Sealegs Amphibious Craft

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 either a hydraulic amphibious system or an electric amphibious system.[1] Both amphibious systems consist of three wheels – one fitted to the bow and two fitted to the transom of the craft. In craft with the hydraulic system, these wheels are lifted, lowered and driven by the hydraulic system which is powered by a petrol engine mounted on the deck.[2] In craft with the electric system, the wheels are equipped with brushless high-torque electric motors, and powered by a central 48-volt 7-kWh lithium battery pack.[1]

Sealegs Amphibious Craft
7.1m Sealegs craft in Russia
Overview
ManufacturerSealegs International Ltd
Production2005 – present
AssemblyAuckland, New Zealand

Sealegs began production in 2005, and as of September 2015 the company had sold 1000 units into 50 countries.[3]

Sealegs craft can travel up to 39 knots on water and up to 7.5 km/h on land.[2]

The craft are used in both recreational and commercial applications worldwide. Commercial applications include emergency response and rescue, patrol, and tourism. They are used by emergency services in Australia,[4] Fiji,[5] Malaysia,[6] New Zealand,[7] and the United States.[8]

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.[3]

In June 2005, businessman Maurice Bryham 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.[9]

In early 2009, David Mckee Wright crossed the Cook Strait in a Sealegs craft – the first time this was done in an amphibious vehicle.[10]

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.[11]

In December 2014, Sealegs released a collaboration with New Zealand boat builder Stabicraft – the Stabicraft 2100 ST (Sealegs Technology).[12]

In September 2015, Sealegs International announced that it had produced and shipped its 1000th Sealegs craft.[3]

In September 2018, International announced the release of the Sealegs Electric.[13]

Models
  • 6.1m Sport RIB[14]
  • 6.1m Sport D-Tube[15]
  • 7.1m Sport RIB[16]
  • 7.5m Hydrasol RIB[17]
  • 7.7m Sport D-Tube[2]
  • 7.7m Full Width Console RIB[18]
  • 7.7m Cabin RIB[19]
  • 8.5m Alloy Cabin[20]
  • 9.0m Hydrasol RIB (previously known as Interceptor 9000)[21]
  • Stabicraft 2100 ST[12]

Technology

All-wheel drive – Sealegs craft come standard with all-wheel drive. This helps craft negotiate difficult terrain.[22]

Oil cooling system – Original Sealegs craft could run on land for 10 minutes within every hour without overheating the oil in the inboard engine. For later models, an oil cooling system has been added, which allows the craft to run for 30 minutes within every hour without overheating.[22]

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.[22]

Enhanced power steering (EPS) – This uses smart PLC and magnetic sensor technology to provide a smooth transition from water to land. While operating a Sealegs craft with EPS on water, the bow wheel remains central; when the craft switches to land operation, wheel steering locks in. During the transition, EPS ensures wheel alignment is central.

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.[12]

References
  1. Coxworth, Ben (10 October 2018). "Sealegs goes electric with E4 amphibious boat". New Atlas. New Atlas. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  2. Rothfield, Mark. "Amphibious model has legs". Newcastle Herald. Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  3. Boating New Zealand (October 2015). "Sealegs: 10 Years, 1000 Boats". stuff.co.nz. Boating New Zealand. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  4. Pacific Powerboat. "BIGGEST SEALEGS EVER". PacificPowerboat. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  5. Beehive. "Amphibious emergency response boats for Fiji". Beehive. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  6. NZX. "Malaysia Fire Department increase size of Sealegs Fleet". NZX. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  7. Sunlive. "Sealegs proving its value". Sunlive. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  8. WestLake Fire Department. "Sealegs Rescue Boat In Service". Westlake Fire Department. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  9. BBC News (21 June 2005). "Branson doubts car-boat 'record'". BBC News. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  10. Gorrie, Andrew (31 January 2009). "Sealegs to double output". stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  11. Benson, Nigel (13 February 2013). "Sealegs craft on South Island circumnavigation bid". Otago Daily Times. Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  12. Eichelsheim, John (15 December 2014). "Stabicraft uses Sealegs amphibious technology". stuff.co.nz. Boating New Zealand. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  13. aowb (26 September 2018). "Sealegs releases new electric amphibious technology". aowbs. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  14. Elliott, Peter. "Sealegs 6.1m Sport RIB Amphibian Review". Trade-a-Boat. Trade-a-Boat. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  15. Beattie, Chris. "Leggin' It". Club Marine. Club Marine. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  16. Anders, Mark (13 August 2010). "Sealegs Amphibious Vehicle Test Drive". Popular Mechanics. Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  17. Thompson, Barry. "SEALEGS RELEASE NEW MODEL". Pacific Powerboat. Pacific Powerboat. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  18. Richardson, Tom. "Video: Testing the Sealegs Amphibious Vehicle". New England Boating. New England Boating. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  19. Yacht and Boat. "New 7.7m Sealegs Cabin Boat has boating covered". Yacht and Boat. Yacht and Boat. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  20. Auckland Boat Show. "Sealegs releases new 8.5m all-alloy amphibious cabin boat". Auckland Boat Show. Auckland Boat Show. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  21. Frith, Jack. "9M SEALEGS AMPHIBIAN COMES TO EUROPE". Maritime Journal. Maritime Journal. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  22. Club Marine. "Home on Land or Sea". Club Marine. Club Marine. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
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