BEACH EXPLORER
When looking to expand its amphibious range with a new model, Smuggler didn’t have to look far, taking their 780 Super Sport RIB model and giving it the ‘Amphibious’ treatment – Freddy Foote steps aboard this versatile new model, the Strata 800 Super Sport.
Powering the 800 SS and the engine of choice for this amphibious application is the Mercury Verado 300hp V8. The Mercury 300hp V8 was chosen for its performance, fuel efficiency, but most notably the grunty 115-amp alternator with Idle Charge capabilities – more on that later.
Underway, the 800 SS will do close to 45 knots (43.3knots @ 5750rpm on our test day). Pull the throttle back, and at 20 knots @3500rpm fuel use is 45L/H, 26 knots @ 4000rpm and its 44L/H.
Given the Anura the S25 3S system weighs 445kg, excluding the batteries there is a lot of extra weight to push through the water, so close to 45 knots from the Mercury 300hp V8 is quite respectable.
The ride is predictable and soft riding. The hull happy cruising at sedate speeds or wide open throttle – where the faster you push it, the better it goes.
At rest, the 800 SS is very stable. Like other RIBs in the Smuggler range, the aft section of the tubes will sit in the water and prevent any leaning to one side, and even if conditions are a bit sloppy if you were fishing, you can extend the wheels down to lower the boat’s centre of gravity.
ELECTRIFYING
Where this Smuggler is unique is that its one of the more recent models fitted with Anura’s electric amphibious systems – named EOH.
EOH (Electric Over Hydraulic) was developed by Kiwi company Anura in response to market demand for an electric power option for amphibious boats, rather than the tried and true internal combustion engine. Anura’s EOH system offers a solution which meets both requirements, i.e electric power coupled with the proven and safe technology of hydraulic wheel motors.
Each EOH system is equipped with 12.4kWh of batteries, to provide a runtime of between 45 and 60 minutes depending on the operating environment. Driving the hydraulic pump is an 28kW air-cooled electric motor which is manufactured in the USA.
When stored, a standard domestic power supply is used to charge the batteries with a charge time of 9 hrs (essentially you can charge the boat in your garage like you would an EV).
Adding to this is the choice of the Mercury 300hp V8 outboard. The Mercury boasts a a 115-amp alternator, meaning that whilst you are under power with the outboard, the alternator can top up the battery banks of the Anura EOH system, ensuring you will always have enough electric juice in the tank, so to speak, when it comes to traversing back on land.
LAYOUT
Step aboard and the layout is your traditional dual console bowrider layout, identical king/queen seats port and starboard. To starboard is the helm console, finished with a carbon fibre look and with plenty of space for all the necessary instruments and controls.
To move forward there is a split in the windscreen that opens to allow access through and you are greeted by
a large vee berth seating configuration. The Squabs are removable should you want to free up more space for fishing, and there is storage space underneath. There is also provision for an additional bait station should you wish, and rod holders. Also fitted is a Garmin Kraken electric trolling motor.
When the bow area isn’t in use or while underway, there is a clip in cover that covers the bow area, and protects crew from the wind. Wrap around clears clip into the top of the windscreen and connect to the targa hardtop above. I love this feature as you can essentially have an enclosed hardtop, with the benefit of having the flexibility of an open boat in warmer weather.
Under the two consoles there are side accessible hatches that provide storage underneath, there is also a cubby locker on the top of the portside passenger console.
The aft facing seats lift up, and this is where you will find the hydraulics for the amphibious to port, and
the batteries located to starboard. Yes, you lose a bit of storage space, but there is still enough room in there for some dry bags, life jackets etc.
You also get additional underfloor storage aft in the cockpit, with locker storage in the transom also. There are two seats in the aft corners, with a live bait tank in one corner, a salt water wash down is over in the other.
Adding a nice finish throughout the boat, U-Dek flooring has been fitted in brown with black seams. Added as an option a pot hauler is also fitted in the transom.
WHEELS DOWN
When engaging into amphibious model, it’s not a hugely complicated process.
When coming ashore, lower the wheels until fully extended, engage some forward drive with the wheels, and power towards the beach using the outboard. When the wheels grab onto the bottom, throttle back on the outboard, and throttle forward on the wheels. As you are leaving the water, turn off the outboard and tilt up an inch or two and power your way up the beach. To go back in the water, repeat the process in reverse.
When you are traversing in and out of the water, there is a camera is located up under the hull which points at the front wheel, with the picture feed on the navigation screen on the dash. This allows you to view any obstacles you might encounter, rocks etc. This camera also assists when setting and retrieving the auto-anchor, which is deployed from under the tubes.
The electric system for the Anura is remarkably quiet, yet delivering huge amounts of torque. For this model and this configuration, the EOH is the only system offered.
TEST DAY
Location for our test day on the 800 SS was the Coromandel, notably around the waters of Opito Bay and Great Mercury Island. What an incredible part of New Zealand.
We launched the boat off the pristine white sands of Opito Bay (where every second house seemed to have a Smuggler Amphibious in thegarage), along with our photo boat which was a Smuggler 800 CC Amphibious.
Photos taken along the way, and exploring Peach Grove Bay and Onepoto Bay on the southern side of the island, we captured some great imagery as well as this month’s magazine cover shot.
A quick fish, and a swim in the warm waters around Great Mercury in mid-March topped off a great couple of days about the new Smuggler 800 SS. Overall, having been on a number of Smuggler craft over the years, amphibious and non-amphibious, this has to be at the top of my list so far. A highly versatile boat, with loads of great functional features, and if early sales are anything to go by, it’s sure to become the company’s new flagship model.
SPECIFICATIONS
Maker & Model Smuggler Strata 800 Super Sport
Price as tested $432,000
Type Dual Console Bowrider
Construction GRP/Hypalon
LOA 8.0m
Beam 2.8m
Deadrise 27 Degree
Test Power Mercury Verado 300hp V8
HP Range 300hp
Fuel Capacity 250L
Height on wheels 2.95m
Fuel Capacity 250L
Trailerable weight 3000kg
Weight of craft 2200kg
PERFORMANCE DATA
 RPM      KNOTS      LPH     L/NM     RANGE
1000Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4.6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5.3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1.200Â Â Â Â Â 180
1500Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6.3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8.3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1.400 Â Â Â Â 160
2000Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8.0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 14.0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1.800 Â Â Â Â 120
2500Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9.1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 21.0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2.400 Â Â Â Â 93
  3000       12.0       33.0       2.800     80 Â
 4000       26.6       44.0       1.700     130
 5000       38.8       76.0       2.000     110 Â
5500Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 41.5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 89.0Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2.200 Â Â Â Â 100
 5720       43.3       88.5       2.100     100 Â
