These days megayachts are just as apt to be rugged adventurers as they are pure luxury cruisers. So, why shouldn’t tenders follow that same logic? Sealegs, based in New Zealand and with a North American sales office in Rhode Island, adheres to that philosophy. It’s been manufacturing amphibious craft for 17 years, selling 1,300 units to superyacht customers as well as other maritime clientele. Its newest offering, the Sealegs Electric E4, should please those of you looking for a quieter yet no less thrilling ride.
The structural foundation of the Sealegs Electric E4 is similar to that of her predecessors. Therefore, the 24-foot (7.3-meter) tender can transition from sea to shore smoothly. The differences come in how she gets you from your anchorage to the sand. Maurice Bryham, Sealegs’ founder and chief technology officer, proudly says, “We have made our amphibious system 33 percent faster, 60 percent quieter, and 50 percent more powerful.” For instance, for speed, the craft reportedly can zoom across the water at 40 knots with a 50-hp outboard. Meanwhile, on land, it can travel at 6.2 mph (10 kph). A 7-kW lithium battery and hub-mounted brushless electric motors do the heavy lifting.
They do a lot of repeat heavy lifting, too. In fact, your crew can reportedly drive the Sealegs Electric E4 up onto shore and back to sea 20 times before needing to recharge the battery. Both a built-in mains charger as well as regenerative braking (on the water and ashore) take care of that task. Your crew will appreciate the clean dashboard, akin to a megayacht’s glass bridge. A 24-inch touchscreen lets them call up traction control and other important information. When it’s time to deploy the wheels, push buttons await on the steering wheel.
Regardless of where you go and how many times, eight people can spread out on the amphibious craft’s seating. The 8’10” (2.71-meter) beam helps keep everyone comfortable, too. In transit, enjoy a snack or drinks thanks to a handy table. Some guests may prefer to stretch out on the sunpad at the bow.
A sunpad? On an amphibious tender? Hey, just because the Sealegs Electric E4 is rugged doesn’t mean it can’t also be well-appointed.
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