SEALEGS 7.5M AMPHIBIOUS RIB
The creative idea for the Sealegs (sealegs.com) came about, according to company history, from a drawing on a napkin in 2001. By 2004, the New Zealand-based builder was making its first production RIB, so the technology has been around for two decades. While Sealegs has several models to choose from, we focused on the 7.5M Amphibious RIB for its versatility and customization options.
On the water, the Sealegs 7.5M runs and handles just like a traditional RIB, with a reported 46 mph top-end speed. Its six-chamber Hypalon tubes and 21-degree transom deadrise give it great rough-water handling and a comfortable ride. It can hold eight passengers and handle most coastal and inland recreational boat duties. But what about those wheels?
Sealegs set out to solve the exact problem of the aforementioned lakefront homeowner, developing a boat you can launch and operate from almost anywhere. The key is its patented hydraulic wheel system. (The company also offers a brushless electric wheel system.) The hydraulic system features 12-inch rims that hold 26-inch-diameter all-terrain tires. It’s powered by a 35 hp inboard gas engine with an allwheel drivetrain. When the wheels are lowered, the captain can use the joystick control to drive the boat up the beach. It’s capable of climbing a 20 percent gradient at up to 5 mph.