TrolleyBoat

The TrolleyBoat is a purpose-built amphibious sightseeing vehicle made by TrolleyBoats, L.L.C. of Holly Hill, Florida, which also licensed amphibious tour attractions. The company billed it as the first amphibious vehicle designed to operate in all types of marine environment, and as 'the DUCK (DUKW) and LARC alternative' for tour operators.

Design

The TrolleyBoat is 38 ft 8 in (11.8 m) long and 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m) wide on the road; patented high-speed inflatable pontoons widen it to 11 ft afloat. It weighs 22,000 lb (about 10 t) empty and 28,500 lb loaded, and draws about 2 ft 3 in. The hull is of composite fibreglass rather than metal. On land a 315 hp Cummins ISC 8.3 diesel and an Allison automatic drive all four wheels through a mechanical drivetrain, with ABS brakes and air suspension; it cruises at 30 mph and can reach 60 mph (97 km/h), and was built to US DOT and NHTSA rules. In the water the wheels retract and a 270 hp UltraJet waterjet gives 10 mph on the first unit and 12 mph (about 19 km/h) on production models.

The vehicle is US Coast Guard approved for 42 passengers on 36 in wide bench seats, with wheelchair access and restraints, powered plastic side curtains, an on-board boarding ladder, a PA and music system and a back-up alarm. Options included an enclosed toilet, an enclosed heated or air-conditioned cabin, an advertising roof and front and rear video cameras.