Motorboat that launches itself
- Fri, 2 Dec 2011
French designers have come up with a new self-launching motorboat. The Iguana 29 incorporates a retractable caterpillar system within its hull, which deploys to allow the boat to crawl in or out of the water on its own tracks and under its own power.
The boat, which was designed by Tanguy le Bihan with fine design work by Antoine Fritsch Associés, was inspired by the topography of the bay of Mont St Michel and the south of Jersey where the tide goes out for miles.
A 40hp petrol engine drives the caterpillar tracks when the boat is ashore or launching, speed ashore being limited to 5mph, while power afloat is provided by a 300hp outboard engine. This gives the semi-planing boat a top speed of nearly 35 knots, and there is seating for up to 10 passengers.
Have your say!
Latest comments
December 06 17:01
Stuart Roy
This looks like a nicely refined version of our patented design of 2007 which was designed and built for use on shingle beaches. Please see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML7kowmfX68 Unfortunately MBM and the British boating press did not publish our press release at the time even though it was sent to IPC, IBI news and all UK boating magazines. What a pity that a British invention has to be developed and refined by the French before anyone notices over here!
December 06 20:19
Alan Bosley
The Kiwis have already made an alluminium speedboat with three retractable wheels that are powered by hydraulic motors. Looks much neater than this.
December 06 21:00
Jack
Brilliant idea
December 07 06:57
Ian Groombridge
Yep Bonkers,
Not a new idea They had something simialar in the 2nd world war.