It took the marine iguana years to develop its amphibious abilities – the Iguana Yachts 29 has done it in less than a decade
Iguana 29 review
Anybody who watched last year’s wildlife series Planet Earth II will remember the dramatic sequence in which a newly hatched marine iguana runs across a rock-strewn beach while being pursued by an army of racer snakes. It was a desperate life-and-death sprint that ended in the narrowest of escapes for the iguana when it slipped from the snakes’ clutches and plunged into the sea.
This ability to transfer seamlessly from land to sea and back again is unique in the lizard world and has evolved over millions of years to ensure the survival of the species.
It has taken Iguana Yachts less than a decade to achieve a similar goal with its luxurious amphibious sportsboat. Admittedly, the company wasn’t being pursued by a tangle of poison-fanged vipers during that time but the marine industry is just as ruthless when it comes to survival of the fittest. Article continues below…
Ultimate sportsboat test
XO 240 RS vs Goldfish 23 Tender vs Sealegs amphibious RIB in sportsboat shootout
Sealegs 7.7 Cabin
One of our Stars of Southampton, the Sealegs 7.7 Cabin amphibious RIB
To be honest, I didn’t rate the boat’s chances when I first saw the photographs of an early prototype in 2011. It looked too complex, fragile and edgy to stand up to the rigours of a harsh marine environment.
It didn’t help that most of the marketing images seemed to show it on the gently sloping white sands of some millionaire’s playground. Having now driven it in lumpy UK waters and over a variety of muddy, rock-strewn British beaches, I’m happy to admit that I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Read the full report in the October 2017 issue of Motor Boat & Yachting, within the Custom Yachting section.
