Sealegs attracts UK boaties at Southampton show

New Zealand company Sealegs' record-breaking drive across the English channel in its amphibious vehicle appears to have paid off, generating solid interest at a big UK boat show.

Sealegs secured orders for six of the inflatable boats, which carry a price tag of around $98,000, at the Southampton Boat show in the south of England.

In June Sealegs' founder Maurice Bryham crossed the channel from Dover to Sangette in a Sealegs 5.6 rigid inflatable amphibious boat in 43m 12s, less than half the time set by Sir Richard Branson last year in one of New Zealand entrepreneur Alan Gibbs' Aquada cars.

Sealegs' managing director David McKee Wright said the company had attracted a lot of attention from a wide range of boating enthusiasts who had seen the crossing on TV or read recent boating magazine reviews.

"We are delighted with the positive response Sealegs has received in the UK and the increased brand awareness gained from the successful English Channel record crossing," he said.

"Sealegs is now getting good traction in this big international market."

Sealegs shares were unchanged at 22c shortly before midday.

- NZPA