Amphibious ATV wows Yellowknife
Tank-like vehicle can tread water, move on ice and climb metre-high obstacles
Robin Grant
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
All-terrain vehicle enthusiasts had the chance to test drive a new tank-like ATV that is causing a buzz in the North.
The new ATV Sherp demonstrated how it can easily climb out of the water and onto land Saturday at the sandpits. The Canadian company Sherp says the vehicle is attracting attention from mining and oil companies because it is easy to maintain, reliable and can get into tight spaces. - Robin Grant/NNSL photo |
Last Saturday, company Sherp Canada demonstrated its latest ATV design that can tread water, traverse ice and climb obstacles a metre high, at the sand pits.
The Winnipeg-based company is hoping to attract interest from Yellowknife residents who require a vehicle for extreme environments.
Sales and marketing manager Les Fernandez said the amphibious vehicle, called a Sherp, is popular with mining and oil companies, rescuers, geologist, hunters and anybody who has to navigate difficult terrain and rough environments. He said the "go-anywhere machine" is reliable because it can cover any route.
"What sets it apart from ATVs and UTVs, is if it goes on an ice road and if the ice breaks, it would be able to climb back on the ice," he said. "It can go to places other machines can't go."
The Sherp's large tubeless low-pressure tires are designed to make the vehicle float, he explained, adding their design has been patented in the Ukraine and Russia. The wheels also contain built-in fuel cans in the rims, leaving usable space in the rest of the vehicle.
At $140,000, Yellowknife resident Rodney Kenny said the price is a little steep but he was very impressed. He came out on Saturday and had the chance to ride in the vehicle. It was driven through the sand and pond at the sand pits to demonstrate its amphibious qualities.
"It's definitely a go anywhere machine," he said. "The extreme environment that we live in up here in the Northwest Territories, it's ideal for that kind of a situation being enclosed and the fact that it will float, dealing with so many lakes in this area."
Philip Rogers agrees - he was also impressed with the design.
"It drove right through the water," he said. "Floated, only submerged a little bit and it climbed right out of the pond with very little effect. It's very exciting."
