Stateside for Sealegs

Auckland-based Sealegs International, makers of amphibious marine craft, will open its North American flagship showroom at the Hingham Shipyard Marinas in New England this month, the company’s first store outside New Zealand. Its rigid inflatable boats have three retractable, hydraulically powered 24-inch wheels that allow the vessels to be manoeuvred directly from land — moving through mud, sand or rocks — to the water, without the use of a trailer. Popular Science magazine gave Sealegs its Recreational Grand Award in December in its “Best of What’s New 21” edition. Sealegs set up its Boston office a year ago. “We believe [New England] will be the largest market for Sealegs in the entire world because it has the highest concentration of waterfront homes with beach access,” Hoflich said. Sealegs has sold 58 boats to date, including 4 in the United States. They have been used by Indian anti-terrorism and Malaysian commando units, the Royal Thai Navy and New Zealand Coast Guard.