BEEN DREAMING OF AN AMPHIBIOUS BOAT... BUT YOU ALREADY HAVE YOUR BOAT?
Tectrax may have the answer for you in their recently released ‘BOAT-LAUNCHER’. Just when you’re thinking, “What else could revolutionise power boating?” Well… at the 2025 Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show, we saw the world premiere of the Boat Launcher, a remote-controlled, self-propelled boat trailer.
This revolutionary product originated from Tectrax, a New Zealand manufacturer of amphibious boat wheel systems, after receiving almost weekly requests to retrofit systems to existing boats.
When talking to customers about why they want to retrofit, it quickly becomes clear: they value the easy launch and retrieval, but they love their existing boat and don’t want, or can’t justify, buying a new amphibious model.
The Boat-Launcher is Tectrax’s answer, a remotely operated electric wheel kit that trailer manufacturers can integrate to create their own brand of self-driving trailers. Using Tectrax’s existing amphibious wheel technology, with each wheel powered by an electric motor (no hydraulics, no noisy engines). With almost no sound as we pulled off the beach. Neighbours will appreciate this during those early morning fishing trips.
The PowerBoat Magazine team were invited to a factory test day, to experience Tectrax’s unique 48-volt, electric 4-wheel-drive system, fitted to a Flyfin trailer that has been specifically designed for the task using their experience building both Amphibious boats and high-quality aluminium trailers.
Its submersible design sure makes launching and retrieval smooth and hassle-free. We launched and retrieved our boat three times on the sand at Narrow Neck Beach, in the same time it took a small tinny to launch on the concrete ramp beside us, and we stayed completely dry.
Once onboard the boat, it was a simple push (and steer) on the remote to reverse the trailer and boat into the sea. Once at the correct depth, we reversed off the trailer, then, using the dash-mounted remote (which can also be taken ashore to park the trailer from land), we drove the trailer (still from the boat’s helm) back up onto the beach, leaving the trailer peacefully waiting for our return. The system’s remote comfortably works from up to 500 metres away (further than my eyesight!).
Coming back to shore was just as simple: from the onboard remote, we backed the trailer into the water (from the boat’s helm), drove the boat onto the submerged trailer, and then drove the trailer and boat back up the beach. The trailer moves at a steady 6 to 8 kph and uses just 5 to 10% battery charge per launch, a small amount considering it trickle-charges via the on-trailer solar panel, while sitting in the sun.
We even dug holes in the sand to reveal its all-terrain capabilities, with an impressive suspension and 5,000Nm of torque, it overcame the prepared trough and soft sand with ease. It’s clear that these trailers are built for the harsh conditions of New Zealand beaches and coastlines.
Tectrax offers three systems to suit different trailer sizes:
• Two-wheel drive for boats up to 2 tonnes (Available early 2026)
• Four-wheel drive (as tested) for boats up to 3 tonnes (Available November 2025)
• Six-wheel drive for boats up to 6 tonnes – mainly for commercial use, with some Coastguard units already interested. (Available early 2026)
The word has spread internationally, with dealers appointed in Australia, Europe, and the UK
For those living near the beach who want an amphibious option but love their existing boat – or can’t justify the cost of a new amphibious model – the Boat Launcher (around NZ$97,750 + gst for the 4WD model) offers all the benefits of a dry, easy launch and retrieval without the extra weight of onboard amphibious gear. It’s a cost-effective alternative to trailers, dry stack storage, ramp queues, and ramp rage.
