VIVA LA FRANCE
Romantic in style, innovative in design, the range of Sealver RIB Wave Boats have it all.
There is something to be said about the French. They are not afraid to be different. No matter if it’s something so iconically French such as the Effiel Tower or the Citreon L15 there are a romantic mystic and unmistakable French flair about the way they design things. They dare to be different, and when it comes to boating, they never stop pushing the boundaries on style and innovation.
Located in France in Landes, Sealver is a company that has taken the PWC propulsion concept to a whole new level. They have seamlessly connected traditional boating with the modern Personal Watercraft (PWC) in a very stylish and practical way. Founded in 2009, the company offers a wide range of GRP and RIB hulls from 4.44m through to 7.40m that provide a whole new dimension as to how we go boating.
Late last year I got to review the Sealver Waveboat 656, one of three models based on a fibreglass hull design and was impressed with the concept. While they are not unique when it comes to matching PWC’s into purpose-built hulls, they have certainly taken it to another level.Â
Kerry & Corey Radford, the MD’s of Rad Marine, the New Zealand importers of Sealver boats, mentioned to me at the time he was also offering a range of semi-rigid boats or RIBS that were also designed around this new principle. They start with the Backpacker range, which includes two models. First, there is the WB-575 which has an overall length of 5.75m, a beam of 2.45m and weight of 250kg. The WB-575 is designed to carry eight people, can be powered with a PWC from 90-300hp and has a maximum speed of 50 knots.
The WB-626 has virtually the same layout, but is 6.26m x 2.50m and weighs 250kgs. It is rated for ten people, and while the horsepower rating is the same as the WB-575, its top speed is slightly less at 45 knots. Both hulls are based on fibreglass hulls wrapped with Hypalon tubes with multiple buoyancy chambers.
They’re also three models in the very stylish Hevo range; Z6 (5.70m), Z7 (6.60m) and the Z8 (7.40m). All have a similar layout with large spaces on board with an impressive sunbathing area. The finish and style are typical as you expect for a small superyacht tender, but with the added value of a PWC power plant. Power options are 110hp to 300hp, so they are ideally suited to the most potent PWCs.
All three Hevo models are available with outboard power, which is offered under the Hybris brand. The possibility of choosing PWC or outboard power is achieved thanks to an exclusive system allowing to change the propulsion cell of the boat easily.
THE CONCEPT
Simply put, the Sealver Wave Boat transforms two boats into one. The ‘boat’ acts as the doner and the PWC as the power. Join the two together, and you have Sealver Wave Boat. This means you can head out to your favourite beach, anchor the ‘boat’, detach the PWC and start having fun.Â
The Wave Boat is not brand specific and will accept just about any brand of PWC, thanks to a unique and versatile locking system. So even if you change your brand or size of PWC, you don’t have to change the boat. I explained the attachment process when I did the review on the WB-656, and that is the same for the semi-rigid series.
The attachment process takes a matter of seconds, and once you’re out on the water, you can detach the jet ski if desired. Locked together the Wave Boat and the PWC function as one running unit. The compatibility kit consists of a front unit attached to the front portion of the Wave Boat’s guide and precisely contours and accept the front of the PWC’s hull.
Simply put, the Sealver Wave Boat transforms two boats into one. The ‘boat’ acts as the doner and the PWC as the power. Join the two together, and you have Sealver Wave Boat. This means you can head out to your favourite beach, anchor the ‘boat’, detach the PWC and start having fun.Â
The Wave Boat is not brand specific and will accept just about any brand of PWC, thanks to a unique and versatile locking system. So even if you change your brand or size of PWC, you don’t have to change the boat. I explained the attachment process when I did the review on the WB-656, and that is the same for the semi-rigid series.
The attachment process takes a matter of seconds, and once you’re out on the water, you can detach the jet ski if desired. Locked together the Wave Boat and the PWC function as one running unit. The compatibility kit consists of a front unit attached to the front portion of the Wave Boat’s guide and precisely contours and accept the front of the PWC’s hull.
The boat buckle system is made out of high-quality stainless material for reliability and corrosion protection. The front unit and side rails of the compatibility system are made from a high-density mould which gives precise alignment and rigidity.
Sealver range of Waveboats offers the comfort and pleasure of a sporty designed boat, which stands out from any other boat currently on the market. The ability to be able to detach your jetski in a few seconds is as unique as it is practical. Driving a Sealver is like driving a sports car with handlebars!
