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Fast Bucks With Ducks Deluxe
01 Aug 2003
The requirement during World War II to unload men and cargo from ships in places where docks did not exist led to the development of the half boat, half truck DUKW, a GMC truck enclosed in a watertight shell which could run on land and in water. During and after D-Day, more than 40% of all over-beach supplies landed at Normandy during the first four months were transported by Ducks.
Amphibious tour ride operator and Duck broker Don Redman has been retrofitting and selling amphibious vehicles since 1994 but with supplies of vintage Ducks running short, he has designed and is marketing a new Trolley Boat to provide a new generation amphibious vehicle to meet both present and future demand. His boats are part of a broader concept for Trolley Boats Amphibious Adventure Tour licenses whereby amphibious tour-ride businesses utilising Trolley Boats are licensed around the world.
The 11.9m long Trolley Boats delivered by Redman's Florida USA based company weigh 28,500lbs fully loaded and are powered by a Cummins ISC 8.3 diesel rated at 315hp driving an UltraJet 305 waterjet supplied by Ultra Dynamics. The waterjet propulsion system enables tour operators to drive the craft straight into rivers or lakes safely. In America, the Trolley Boat is US Coastguard approved to carry 42 passengers.
On land the Trolley Boat has 4-wheel mechanical drive which will take it to a maximum speed of 60mph. In the water, the UltraJet 305 will push it to 12mph. As the Trolley Boat enters the water the driver switches his controls to the waterjet drive propulsion system, enabling the vehicle to 'swim'. On leaving the water, the waterjet can be left running briefly to supplement traction from the wheels, which may be marginal when exiting up steep and muddy river banks.
MJ Information No: 18424
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