Iguana Yachts is working on its fastest amphibian yet, putting the finishing touches on a new 33-footer, powered by twin 450-hp outboards, that it hopes will hit 55 knots or so on the water.
When it’s completed, the new boat will be “the fastest amphibious boat in the world,” Iguana says. World records about these kinds of things are a bit sketchy, but it seems that the world record for an amphibious craft is held by the WaterCar Panther that hit 52 knots in the water back in 2010. And that was a prototype; the production WaterCar Panther only went 39 knots.
One difference is that the WaterCar Panther reached 80 mph on land, while Iguanas, with their all-terrain tractor drives, only go about 4 knots or so. But, powered by a 15kWh electric motor and Kevlar-reinforced rubber tracks, Iguanas can roll over beaches, moss, rocks, mud and just about anything else; they offer a safe platform that can tip up to 40 degrees.
The idea behind the Iguana is that you can keep the boat safely in your yard or garage and don’t have to worry about dock or mooring fees or inclement weather. You don’t need a tow vehicle. You don’t even need to get your feet wet when you drive it down to the water.
Once it’s launched, the Iguana’s tractor drives lift up into the hull so there’s no extra drag through the water.
The new boat is patterned after the Iguana Pro, designed for military or emergency services use with six seats (pictured at top). The new boat, the Iguana Pro Rider Limited Edition, will have two seats, a structurally reinforced tube and hull and Ullman seats for safety at speed.
The French company expects to attempt to set a new amphibious speed record in the next month or so. Read more:
