AquaQuad
AquaQuad
AquaQuad
AquaQuad
AquaQuad
AquaQuad
AquaQuad
AquaQuad
AquaQuad
We Say: AquaQuad is a seaworthy RIB-PWC hybrid.
AquaQuad is built for fishermen first. My test fishing the 11-foot CLX took place in northern South Africa, where launching through the surf from a beach is the norm. Despite its 5-foot-4-inch beam and mere 305-pound displacement, the AquaQuad CLX with its trimaran hull design proved so stable that I could stand on the gunwale without it rolling over. In fact, the name comes from its similarity to land-bound ATVs. Like those, the AquaQuad stays flat or, in a hard turn, leans outboard slightly. By shifting my weight inboard, I wrung comfortable, carved turns from the AquaQuad.
With a 30 hp Honda outboard on the transom, I reached a top speed of 25.1 mph at 5,900 rpm for an efficiency of 8.8 mpg. Optimum cruise at 2,000 rpm hit 18 mph, affording a whopping 18.8 mpg. You can troll for just about 20 miles before you use a single gallon.
But here’s the real kicker: Trail it behind a Mini Cooper and get yourself a well-equipped fishing boat with a fishing seat and forward casting area, tackle and bait station, deck-mounted rod holders and more. A trailer costs less than $600, making this an ideal entry-level product. All models are NMMA- and CE-certified.
Who’d Want One: Boaters desiring a portable angling and adventure platform that sips fuel and that they can launch from the beach.
Another Choice: Go four-wheeling and boating with the amphibious Quadski ($40,000 with a BMW jet engine and four-wheel drive).
Bottom Line: $7,760; thefreedomtoplay.com
