On the Water
Universal Hovercrafts go anywhere in style
October 21, 2004 Over land, water, ice or snow - the hovercraft offers a cost-effective, multi-purpose vehicle for recreation and transportation with the thrill of travelling on air. And now Universal Hovercraft has marketed a range of affordable hovercraft kits to house up to ten people in this dynamic mode of travelling, including the striking Hoverwing XR with retractable wings. (read more...)
Hit the waves with an ultra light inflatable surfboard
Surf's up anywhere with the ULI (Ultra Lite Inflatable) range of surf and bodyboards from the ULI Corp of San Diego. Created by Jim Weir, an avid surfer for over 50 years, the ULI (pronounced ooo-lee) solves key problems faced by professional and amateur surfers alike. Many hard flotation devices can be a hassle to transport and aren't allowed in swimming beaches for fear of injury. The ULI board is fully functional, lightweight, perfectly safe for all ages and, best of all - it simply deflates and rolls up into your backpack when the surfing is done! (read more...)
Defence Scientist Designs World Record Sail Craft
An Australian defence scientist has created the design for a revolutionary sail craft, based on a wing-borne hydrofoil concept, which he believes will break the world sailing speed record. Appearing to gain its influence more from flight design rather than sailing the craft looks like a cross between an aeroplane and a sailing boat; imagine a catamaran with a beam and no trampoline and a much smaller second hull. Underneath this smaller second hull is a scythe-like hydrofoil and is the only part of the craft that doesn't lift out of the water. (read more...)
Most powerful diesel engine in the world
If the Seven Wonders of the World was updated for the 21 st century, the Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine could be a contender. If you are a student of the internal combustion engine in all its wonderous configurations, then feast your eyes on this set of numbers which outline the truly astounding engineering feat. It is the most powerful and most efficient engine in the world today. (read more...)
Cutting-edge Concept Boat competition entries displayed
Organisers of the Concept Boat competition recently revealed the 16 finalists that are a step closer to receiving the coveted crown of Concept Boat winner 2004. The shortlisted designs were displayed at the Southampton (UK) Boat Show from 10-19 September 2004. Concept Boat is the annual competition to design a boat of the future run by the British Marine Federation and supported by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. This year, sponsored by the Environment Agency, judges challenged entrants from around the world to design a recreational or commercial craft that either makes increased use of renewable resources, are energy efficient or are of a low emission or non-polluting design. (read more...)
Canting Keel technology delivers greater speed to Maxi racing
Sailing is often likened to standing under the shower tearing up hundred dollar bills. Unless you race in a stellar class such as Maxi Yacht's that is - then you can add a few zeroes to the denominations you're turning into confetti. In early September, 2004, the class got more expensive to run - way more expensive, thanks to the advent of the canting keel. Every boat running at the pointy end of the racing in what are effectively the world championships for Maxi yachts had one of the new canting keels, relegating last year's champ, Alfa Romeo, into sixth place. Before the event, Alfa Romeo had won 70 straight races. Such was the increased pace, Alfa Romeo did not score one rostrum position in six races. (read more...)
Branson sets English Channel Crossing record in an Aquada
Adventurer and Virgin chairman Sir Richard Branson, set a new world record on June 14, 2004, this time for the fastest crossing of the English Channel by an amphibious craft. Using a Gibbs Aquada, Branson eclipsed the previous fastest-recorded crossing time of six hours by more than four hours. Never missing an opportunity to tie his thrill-seeking with his business objectives, Branson immediately announced that Virgin Airlines is planning to offer some of its Upper Class passengers the chance to experience the Gibbs Aquada when travelling to and from London’s Heathrow airport enabling them to beat the traffic by taking to the Thames. (read more...)
Humdinga - the 4WD amphibious vehicle
Kiwi entrepreneur Alan Gibbs, the man behind the Aquada amphibious sports car, has unveiled an SUV/4WD amphibious vehicle concept designed specifically to access remote and hostile terrain. The 5-seater ‘Humdinga’ concept vehicle is a full-time 4WD powered by a 350 BHP V8 engine, capable of 160 kmh on land and on water at 65 kmh. Although the new application utilises the same patented HSA technological platform as the Gibbs Aquada, it shares no common component parts or systems with its predecessor. The Gibbs Humdinga can comfortably transport 5 people complete with luggage/supplies almost anywhere on the earth. (read more...)
Four New Amphibious Vehicles
With vast numbers of people living in coastal areas and on waterways, it was only a matter of time before a car and a watercraft were combined. Four companies have tackled the challenge in four entirely different ways. The Gibbs Aquada is a high-speed amphibian, can top 160 kmh on land and 50 kmh on water, and takes six seconds to transform from sportscar to jetboat. Conceived for a waterside lifestyle such as Sydney, Cannes or Miami, the British-built Aquada is powered by a 175hp V6 engine with an auto transmission linked to the fully-enclosed jet propulsion system. Getting into the water is as simple as driving down a boatramp and pushing the button - the accelerator becomes the throttle and the jet propulsion takes over. (read more...)
Mercury launches Project X
The need for cleaner marine engines is imperative - two stroke motors have powered the marine industry for the last 50 years because they produce more power than four-strokes, have a gruntier, more usable power spread and a better power-to-weight ratio, but they are obviously less environmentally friendly and can do enormous damage to the delicate eco-cultures they (by definition) give access to. (read more...)
Lockheed Martin's Littoral Combat Ship Unveiled
The Lockheed Martin-led Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) team has unveiled the latest version of its semi-planing monohull design - the ship is faster, more agile and more manoeuvrable than originally envisioned and maintains its advantages as a low-cost, low-risk design. (read more...)
Bombardier envisions the recreational watercraft of 2025
When the design team at Bombardier Recreational Products was asked to visualise the sailboat of the year 2025, it clearly had plenty of sources for ideas. The idea-driven company specialises in designing and manufacturing recreational products of almost every conceivable ilk - snowmobiles, jet skis, speedboats, inboard and outboard marine motors, go-karts, motorcycle and aircraft engines, high tech clothing, helmets, all terrain vehicles ad infinitum. (read more...)
International Concept Boat of the Year Winners
Concept Boat is an annual boat design competition run by the British Marine Federation and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects which challenges entrants from around the world to design a vessel that could take boating to new levels, either by encouraging new waterborne activities, by satisfying a previously unfulfilled need or by representing a significant advance on an existing craft designed for a similar use. (read more...)
Shuttle-Bike - convert a bike to a pedal-power boat
Italian engineering company SBK Engineering has produced an innovative backpack which converts a bicycle into a water-bike within 10 minutes, enabling off-road trekking without water-barriers, or an entirely new way of seeing cities with water/canal systems such as Venice or Amsterdam. The SHUTTLE-BIKE project began in 1992 in Vigevano, Italy, near Milan, where Leonardo da Vinci spent many years working on his inventions. The ultimate goal of the project was to create an inflatable "bicycle boat"--or a "shuttle"-- that would be easy to carry and allow a bicyclist the opportunity to ride across water as well as on land. With the weight of the entire back-pack now down to 11 kilograms, a top speed of 10kmh on the water, and a prep time of under 10 minutes without the need for any tools, the SHUTTLE-BIKE has prospered. (read more...)
Recreational three-person sub
The Aquarius is a three person, fly-by-wire recreational submersible that will operate to depths of 50m to 100m at a maximum speed of 7 knots when it goes on sale at the end of 2004 at a cost of '500,000. (read more...)
Australian invention combines wake-boarding with flying
Story originally published October 25, 2003 - Company now appears defunct: Whether riding a single-ski, wake-board, biscuit or banana lounge, you're unlikely to obtain the airtime promised by the SharkSki, a new Australian invention that achieves lift-off when towed behind a boat at 40 kmh per hour, flying 4 to 18 inches above the surface on a stable "cushion of air". (read more...)
Custom Designed Mermaid Suit
If you've got a thing about Darryl Hannah and the movie "Splash", this offering from the 2003 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book could be the ideal plaything. It's a mermaid outfit. (read more...)
Trilobis 65 floating home features in new water park design
Designs have been unveiled for a new commercial and recreational marine park from Giancarlo Zema that incorporates the Trilobis 65 - a 20 metre long, multi-level semi-submerged floating home designed for habitation by six people featured in Gizmo 4. Known as Lake Washington, the large-scale water themed entertainment venue will include boating amenities, shopping centres and a submerged restaurant.Visitors to the park ride in small submersibles, kayaks, sailboats and electric powered watercraft for recreation and to visit the underwater restaurant, floating Trilobis 65 homes and waterside cafes and facilities for the performing arts. (read more...)
Tyger-Ray underwater scooter
Tyger-Ray is an electric underwater scooter designed for use during snorkelling or diving that not only increases dive time by saving energy, and therefore oxygen, but also lets you throw underwater loops and somersaults to depths of up to 38 metres. Travelling at 4 kph above and below the surface when used by an average-sized person, the rechargeable 12 volt system delivers a run-time of more than 60 minutes under typical conditions. (read more...)
Sealegs amphibious boat powers over land and sea
Sealegs represents the first commercially available amphibious option for small boats available anywhere in the world, allowing the occupants to drive from a storage location into the water whilst staying high and dry inside the boat. (read more...)
Alfa Romeo - the World's biggest, fastest Maxi Yacht
September 16, 2002 Sporting identity Neville Crichton has set his sights firmly on line honours at this year's Rolex Sydney to Hobart having recently christened the most technologically advanced Super Maxi ever built: Alfa Romeo.The 90-foot long, 135-foot high super maxi is constructed almost entirely from carbon fibre and is odds-on favourite for a successful S2H campaign since clocking up a series of convincing wins and course records since its debut at Hamilton Island Race Week in August. Owner/skipper Crichton spoke with Gizmo after Alpha Romeo completed her first overnight ocean race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 85 nautical mile race from Sydney to Bird Islet (south of Newcastle) and back. Crichton was understandably "very happy with the way the yacht performed", finishing outside the race record due to light winds but still 5 hours 41 minutes in front of her nearest rivals including 80-foot S2H challenger Brindabella. (read more...)
Adding Jet Power to Surf Ski
A high degree of engineering R&D lies behind the PowerSki Jetboard, a combination surfboard / JetSki incorporating a 25 x 43 x 16 cm high, two-stroke, water-cooled, 45hp engine and an axial flow jet pump... (read more...)
Wave blades offer Bodysurfing speed without compromise
Designed to maximise speed in the water and improve your chances of getting on the wave without cramping your bodysurfing style, Wave Blades use a lightweight foam filled glove construction giving each finger control over the movement of the "board". Integrating the glove into the bodysurfing device also ensures that they can't come off as you paddle for a wave (or get dumped) and the foam padding acts to cushion the bumps as you slide down the face. Each pair of Wave Blades is hand-made in the US by Bob Davis, who first came up with the design in the summer of 1987 at Long Beach New York. Tired of being "left to eat alot of wakes" in the 8-10 ft waves, Davis was inspired to draw up plans for a body surfing aid that was easy to swim with, didn't get away from you and was able to hold a high line as well as delivering exceptional control and allowing you to "dolphin" into the wave. (read more...)
Affordable Personal Hovercraft
It can traverse land, sea, mud and snow at speeds of up to 70kmh, crash through one metre of surf and then double as a stable platform for fishing, diving or relaxing. The Slider Hovercraft is a fully amphibious vehicle seating two in-line with a steering and throttle set-up similar to a jet-ski. Two aerofoil sectioned centrifugal fans provide the lift and a single 3-bladed axial fan the propulsion, with a skirt design that remains permanently inflated adding to buoyancy and stability, and allowing for tight turning without "ploughing-in". (read more...)
Rave Waterpark
Take the local playground, inflate it, and put it on a lake and you're getting close to the potential of the Rave WaterPark. The central pontoon is a circular water trampoline up to 7.5 metres in diameter with an inflatable rim that can accommodate four adults bouncing or up to 8 adults or 16 children if just lounging around. It takes around 20 minutes to inflate the Aqua Jump using an industrial strength blower and an aluminium ladder is provided for climbing back onto the 1.3 metre high platform. (read more...)
