Luxury recreational craft innovations, including ones from manufacturers Wider Yachts, Gibbs Sports and Amphibians, Iguana Yachts and Asis Boats were displayed at the Dubai Boat show.

Italian luxury yacht builder Wider Yachts’ Wider 42 featured a solution with extensions on either side of the hull, doubling the usable surface and significantly increasing the yacht’s stability. The mobile extensions are opened and closed by means of an automatic, electronically controlled system with the operation taking just 12 seconds to complete.

Powered by twin 480 hp Cummins (optional) engines, it is a lightweight yacht featuring breathtaking power and performance at low rates of consumption. The Wider 42’ was developed with the in-depth experience of Mark Wilson, one of the top experts in the world of racing yachts. This high-performance, lightweight model was built according to the very latest vacuum-infusion moulding (Scrimp system) techniques with carbon and vinylester resins, and other components in vacuum “pre-preg” carbon. The latter were produced by leading companies supplying Formula 1 teams and the aerospace industry. Its stunning performance is guaranteed by the perfect combination of a lightweight model, excellent weight distribution, stepped hull technology, an Arneson drive and high performance Rolla propellers.

The Quadski from Gibbs Sports and Amphibians, reaches speeds of 45 mph on both water and land and transitions between them in seconds. At the press of a button the Quadski’s wheels deploy when approaching land and retract after entering the water.

Previously, no commercially available amphibian had been able to exceed 10 mph on water. The difference is the breakthrough Gibbs patented technology provides unique on-water performance. Unmatched freedom on water and land, and rapid in transition, Quadski sets a new standard in flexibility, freedom and fun for personal watercraft.

The Quadski: versatile on land and sea

The Quadski is powered by BMW Motorrad’s K1300 engine. On water the BMW engine is coupled with the Gibbs patented water jet propulsion system. Its excellent performance and comfortable ride are the result of a light weight composite hull, wide track and low centre of gravity, which gives it robust stability on water and land.

The Iguana 29 is a new take on amphibious vehicles, using retractable caterpillar tracks to deliver a surefooted drive across extreme terrain at up to 8 km/h (5 mph) while on water it is quick to plane and has 35 knot speed. Most impressive of all is that the hybrid version of the Iguana can run in electric only mode in nature’s most delicate areas. The Iguana 29 and its retractable caterpillar design looks to address an important need for boats capable of entering and exiting the water in complete independence. The Iguana has enough carrying capacity to be very versatile and could serve as tender, as a leisure craft offering freedom from marinas, berths and other constraints or for transporting goods and equipment.

 Larger versions of the currently ten-seater amphibian are planned.

ASIS’ LAUNCH

Asis Boats, a global rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) manufacturer, staged at the Dubai Boat Show the worldwide launch of its inboard jet amphibious range devised for the recreational sector.

The high-performance, high-capacity boat is constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale and powered by Sealegs amphibious systems which consist of motorised, retractable and steerable wheels, powering the boat with off-water capabilities. The craft is able to be driven out of the water and deployed into the water without any hassle or need for a ramp.

The Asis RHIB has served military, police and search and rescue purposes for many years, according to a statement.

“The boating leisure and recreational market is growing rapidly in the UAE and the wider GCC region and we see huge growth potential for our RHIB boats this year,” said Roy Nouhra, president of Asis Boats.

The ASIS Inboard Jet Amphibious boat is capable of crawling up and down steep grades of loose rocks, soft sand and deployable in very shallow water, which makes it a perfect recreational craft, said the official.

“All of our boats are manufactured 100 per cent in Dubai and then exported to countries around the world. We have a worldwide distribution and support network with headquarters in the UAE, the UK and the US,” added Nouhra.