By Bruce Burdett

A most unusual boat with some special skills has been turning heads by Bristol Harbor lately.

Passersby near Independence Park got a glimpse a couple of weeks ago as the large, dark-hulled, military-looking craft idled from the water to the ramp — and kept right on going.

No trailer needed, it motored up the ramp under its own power on three retractable wheels. With a police cruiser leading the way, it then headed east in the general direction of Franklin Street.

That’s one of his favorite moments, says Josh Trout, vice president of amphibious boat builder Sealegs. “We do draw attention.”

Sealegs builds its amphibious boats in New Zealand but its North American headquarters is at 259 Franklin St., Bristol, in a building owned by Bristol Marine. From there it markets and sells Sealegs “from Chile to Alaska,” Mr. Trout said.

“Sealegs was conceived as the solution to a problem,” the company said — “All the hassle involved in launching and retrieving your boat.”

One of its recreational boats spent the summer at Bristol Marine.

But the model out doing sea trials on Bristol Harbor recently is unique, a project being done in conjunction with ReconCraft, a Massachusetts-based builder of military and law-enforcement boats.

The 32-footer is based on ReconCraft drawings but was built by Sealegs, “essentially using some of our systems on their design.”

As a few spectators have noticed, it is speedy out on the water.

Powered by twin 350 horsepower turbo jet drives, “it is certainly fast,” Mr. Trout said, though the company isn’t putting a number on the ultimate high speed at this early stage of testing. They are more interested in its ability to be nimble and maneuverable — a prop version may also be tested.

The boat moves at a more relaxed pace on land — top speed is about 10 m.p.h.

While it can legally be driven on secondary roads, the law says it must not unreasonably impede traffic. The smaller Sealegs boats need only pull aside to let cars by, but “this one is 13-feet wide. We could pull over but cars couldn’t get around.”

So Bristol police have provided escort service from shop to harbor and back.

“They’ve been great and we let them know that we can return the favor.” In a big storm, Mr. Trout said, the boat’s amphibious abilities make it a great search and rescue boat.

And at the the town’s Christmas parade, it gave Santa a classy ride into town.

“We do a lot of custom work here” in Bristol, Mr. Trout said. A big part of what drew the company here was its proximity to companies with related talents.

“All my vendors are within 15 minutes,” a plus for his firm and customers alike.

Among the firms they call on often are Bristol Marine’s paint shop, Titone Custom Metal Shop in Tiverton, and Seven Star Marine Engineering in Newport.

Reliance revealed

Frost Bite bash

The remarkable Reliance model will be introduced when the Herreshoff Marine Museum hosts its 4th annual Frost Bite Bash on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. “Party the night away surrounded by beautiful historic wooden boats,” and see the model that talented volunteers have been laboring on for years.

The evening includes open bar and food provided by some of the region’s finest companies — among them a raw bar by Island Creek Oysters, barbecue by Preppy Pig BBQ, catering by Russell Morin and more. Music will be by the 6 Diff-It Band.

An evening highlight will be the unveiling of the completed Reliance model built over three years by legions of talented volunteers.

There will also be an auction as well as a meet-and-greet with Boston Bruin Brad Marchand.

For tickets and more information, visit www.herreshoff.org

Broken boom splinted

Solo sailor Donna Lange last week complete a repair of her broken boom and is now at around the Pacific Ocean mid-way point between New Zealand and Cape Horn.

The boom folded several weeks ago when her Shannon 28 Inspired Insanity was knocked down near New Zealand.

Key to the repair was the discovery of an oak board in the boat. Friend Bob had brought it aboard back in Bristol saying, “You never know what you might need a piece of wood for and oak is  better.”

After sawing off rough aluminum edges at the boom break she built an oak box splint around the boom and secured it with bolts and Thixo epoxy given her by Jamestown Distributors in Bristol.

“It is all working now,” she wrote later, saying that it seems strong and rigid. “I didn't try to make the box a masterpiece … This will hopefully do.”