first saw the Sea Blade some three years ago, when
it was presented as a concept at an Auckland boat
show. I knew instinctively it was something different,
something that could change our expectation of how
a boat should look and perform.
Conceived by Honolulu-based design group
Navatek, the hull is designed with an ultra-fine-entry that feeds down to
two entrapment tunnels through the midsection. This process creates a 15
percent reduction in wetted surface and greater lift – generating efficiency
and speed.
Navatek’s original brief has a military origin to reduce injury and
damage to equipment, which for the recreational boatie translates as
a seriously comfortable and seaworthy boat. This is achieved by the
advanced hull design for deadrise and planing surface breaking the water
in a manner to minimise shock G-force loading.I
110 Boating New Zealand
It’s been three years in
development, but the
wait for the 6.35m Sea
Blade has definitely
been worth it.