‘Sealegs’ craft turns heads at Shelly Beach
Danny explained that his 'sealegs' craft is rust-free aluminium, fitted with a hydraulic amphibious system.
Videos of an amphibious boat with wheels at the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat club at the weekend has gone viral, and is a hot topic in fishing circles.
As far as known, there are only two ‘sealegs amphibious crafts’ in South Africa, and Danny Farnham on holiday from George and his friend also from George own both of them (the second one is still been build in George).
Danny had the one-of-a-kind craft built about a year-and-a-half ago, after he managed to get the wheels off a rubber duck.
The unique craft named ‘Wheely Hooker’, weighs 2.7 tonnes and is a little short of eight metres in length.
This particular craft is referred to as an ‘amphibious boat’ because of its off-water capabilities, so it is like a semi-hybrid between a car and a boat, with the primary function of being a boat.
Danny explained that his ‘sealegs’ craft is rust-free aluminium, fitted with a hydraulic amphibious system.
Both amphibious systems consist of three wheels – one fitted to the bow and two fitted to the transom of the craft.
These wheels are lifted, lowered and driven by the hydraulic system which is powered by a petrol engine mounted on the deck.
Interestingly, 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.
It’s an expensive set-up, costing about R3.5-million, but fishing is Danny’s number one hobby.
“I’m not getting younger and I don’t like to get my feet wet,” he added.
The main reason he invested in the set-up is that he can launch into the shallow Kaaiman’s River in George.
Danny and and his wife, Maggy (57)who also joins him on his fishing trips, have spent the week on the South Coast and are staying at Banana Beach.
They said they have loved their time on the coast, and have found the people at the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club based at the Sonny Evans Small Craft to be friendly, chilled and helpful.
“The South Coast is beautiful, but what happened to all the fish?,” he asked.
The crew only caught a couple of tuna, and Maggy unfortunately lost a rather big fish.
“At least we can talk about the one that got away,” he said, chuckling.
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