Sealegs

bedajim · 28 August 2008, 08:12

Saw this at the weekend

They loaded up on the beach with the front wheel raised and then did a nice three point turn and set off

Looked like a very well finished bit of kit it had a 100 hp fitted but would take 115 and the second engine for the wheels sounded like an air cooled petrol engine

bedajim · 28 August 2008, 08:14

Some more

SeaSkills · 28 August 2008, 14:02

Nice idea - but I can't decide if it looks worse on the water or on the beach

Markyboyo · 28 August 2008, 14:17

I had a look at these at the Earls court show last year. They do have an air-cooled petrol engine running a hydraulic pump to give a top speed of about 6MPH from memory. I think the hull is all aluminium? The top speed is pretty low as they weigh loads!
I've seen one since down on the Helford River in Cornwall.....

prairie tuber · 28 August 2008, 15:14

The system looks like it is very well built.

ALANT · 28 August 2008, 16:38

Must have been a weekend for them, one at Findhorn on the Moray Firth on Saturday. They have changed the design of the front wheel since I saw them in NZ about 4 years ago. The front went into a cutout section in the bow so sat higher out of the water.

The guy I saw had a bit of a problem he didn't start his engine before the wheels left the seabed so drifted into the pontoons

opps.

Trickdog · 28 August 2008, 17:15

I was looking at these things at the Southampton boat show a couple of years back. I thought they seemed a bit cumbersome however I read a review in a boat mag shortly afterwards that said the on water performance was really impressive (they also hold the world speed record for amphibious craft!). Neat idea but a bit pricey. They are built in New Zealand, with hulls and consoles made from aluminium.

Jim having seen your very impressive trailer engineering at Penmarlam, I'm sure you could develop something similar for your Osprey

David

BogMonster · 28 August 2008, 17:48

I like them, very expensive though! About £40k I think, there was an article on them in Rib Intl a year or so back.

http://www.sealegs.com/

Chris · 28 August 2008, 18:23

A great idea if you are have any dissabilities or are getting on a bit especially if you live by the sea and have a route down to the water.

Mollers · 28 August 2008, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

A great idea if you are have any dissabilities or are getting on a bit ...

Surprising that there aren't a few Sealegs owners on this site if that's the case.

codprawn · 28 August 2008, 21:47

They have pretty good tubes as well - Paul Tilley makes em!!!

Nick Hearne · 29 August 2008, 08:56

There is one on mill bay beach & for the job in hand it is great!
Parked up out side your house on the beach any time of tide just drive it down the beach in the water & your off! No need for a tender or mooring!
It would make life a lot easier at some where like Bembridge as you would not have to watch out for low tied looking you out from getting home!

Cookee · 29 August 2008, 13:54

Well made aluminium hulled boats with great engineering - but for a niche market!

Brian · 31 August 2008, 15:27

A chap I knew had one in Alderney, perhaps the ideal place to have one.
After running around on the sea and driving it up on sandy beaches, he would then run it down to the sea, at any stage of the tide, and drive her home. Having reached the harbour he would then start the drive legs engine, drive it up the slipway and along the road to his house where he would park it on his drive. This way no need to unload gear, waterskis etc. until you reach home. Oh, and Alderney police are a little more relaxed about that sort of thing.
Neat.

Channel Ribs · 31 August 2008, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

A chap I knew had one in Alderney, perhaps the ideal place to have one.
After running around on the sea and driving it up on sandy beaches, he would then run it down to the sea, at any stage of the tide, and drive her home. Having reached the harbour he would then start the drive legs engine, drive it up the slipway and along the road to his house where he would park it on his drive. This way no need to unload gear, waterskis etc. until you reach home. Oh, and Alderney police are a little more relaxed about that sort of thing.
Neat.

There are still two here

A blue hulled one and a grey version.

They are certainly ideal for the location, as you say.