AmphibiousVehicle
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Sealander amphibious trailer lets you (kinda) rough it on the water (video)
With a name like the Sealander Amphibious Camping Trailer, it's pretty clear what you're getting yourself into. This German-designed trailer does double duty as both a place to rest (for those who think roughing it is not having TiVo) and a lake-worthy water vessel. The ultra-light, waterproof hitch rider can be towed by almost any vehicle -- even those cutesy sub-compacts its European creators seem to love so much. And, once you're in the water, a small electric motor ensures you won't have to wait for the currents to carry you back to shore. The Sealander should become available in early 2012 in a variety of configurations, with an expected price of about €15,000 (around $24,000). Of course, for the same cash you could probably just buy a small camping trailer and a separate boat, though that lacks the cool convergence factor. Check out the epic demo video below.
Gibbs Aquada amphibious vehicle to come ashore in the US
Richard Branson's already used one to break little known world records, and it looks those in the US will soon finally be get a Gibbs Aquada amphibious vehicle of their very own, and for a comparative bargain no less. According to Popular Mechanics, a new version of the vehicle is set to go into production late next year with the intention of it being released in the US in the first half of 2009 for less than $100,000, as opposed to the $200,000+ it currently demands oversees. The new vehicle will also supposedly meet all US safety and emission regulations although, as Popular Mechanics points out, you will still likely need a boat license in order to (legally) get the most out of it.
Fast Track amphibious vehicle moving beyond proof-of-concept
The Fast Track amphibious vehicle has been tearing up the land and water in its proof-of-concept form for a few years now, but it looks like the team behind it has finally worked all the kinks out, with Gizmag reporting that the vehicle is now headed towards production, albeit on an extremely small scale. In its current state, the vehicle can hit 39 mph on water and decent 55 mph on land, with the propulsion in each case handled by the vehicle's snowmobile-like tracks. The first vehicles custom made for customers, however, will up the potential danger level considerably, with a 300 horsepower engine delivering speeds of 60 mph on water and 80 mph on land, not to mention "aggressive" new styling that's sure to make it seem even faster. While it's apparently yet to take its first order, the upstart company is certainly not lacking in grand ambitions, with a range of additional amphibious vehicles already on the drawing board, including a 7000 pound hurricane rescue vehicle that will seat ten and a smaller personal-sized craft that'll be half the weight of the original Fast Track. If that's not enough, the team's also going to have a go at the world water speed record for amphibious vehicles later this year, hoping that a 350 horsepower Corvette engine will give 'em the necessary edge. Until then, you can check out the vehicle's current capabilities in the video after the break.
