Amphibious ATV


An amphibious all-terrain vehicle is a small off-road, and typically six-wheel drive, amphibious vehicle. They were developed in the early 1960s and quickly became popular in both the US and Canada. These vehicles are now used by enthusiasts and professionals worldwide for recreation and industry.
These vehicles earned their own classification - all-terrain vehicle. However, after the introduction of small three- and four-wheeled off-road motorcycles in the 1970s and 1980s, the nomenclature ATV more commonly refers to the non-amphibious all-terrain vehicles.

History

Amphibious ATVs were made in the United States a decade before 3- and 4-wheeled ATV's were introduced by Honda and other Japanese manufacturers. After the introduction of the Jiger in 1961, numerous manufacturers offered a number of similar small off-road vehicles. These vehicles were designed to float and were capable of traversing swamps, ponds and streams as well as dry land. Because they were smaller and much simpler in construction than amphibious cars, they were much cheaper to produce and quickly gained considerable popularity. By 1970 there were almost 60 companies producing amphibious 6x6 vehicles. There was even a professional racing association dedicated to the 6x6, holding numerous competitions across the USA.
In the early 1970s however there was a rapid decline in sales of this type of ATVs, forcing most manufacturers to cease production:
Only a small number of manufacturers of this type of vehicle remain today.

Characteristics

Although many differing variants have been developed over the years, most amphibious ATVs share most of the following characteristics. In contrast to today's ANSI definition of an ATV: "a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, and with handlebars for steering control", an AATV is intended for multiple riders, sitting inside, and will usually have two control sticks rather than motorcycle-type handle bars as stipulated in the current definition. Typically constructed with a hard plastic or fiberglass watertight body "tub", AATVs usually have six or eight wheels - all driven - with low pressure balloon tires, no suspension and no steering wheels. Directional control is accomplished through differential steering - just as on a tracked vehicle - either by braking the wheels on the side of desired direction, or by applying more throttle to the wheels on the opposite side. Most contemporary designs use garden tractor type engines, that will provide roughly 25 mph top speed. AATVs typically do not meet vehicle regulations in most countries, and are therefore strictly Off Highway Vehicles.
Though not as fast as a straddled ATV, the amphibious 6x6 and 8x8 can be operated with precision at slow speeds, carry more passengers and cargo, and has the ability to float. Although the spinning action of the tires is enough to propel the vehicle through the water - albeit slowly - outboard motors can be added for extended water use. On land the combination of a large number of wide wheels and tires, low tire pressure and low vehicle weight all result in exceptionally low ground pressure, high grip, and off-road ability. For further enhanced off-road, snow and mud performance, optional tracks can be mounted directly onto the wheels.

Vintage Manufacturers

A partial list of the more than 70 manufacturers of AATV's in the 1960's and 1970's:
Although amphibious ATVs are not widely known today, they can be found everywhere from a farm to the oil fields. Modern AATV's are used for industrial applications due to their capabilities that traditional off-road vehicles do not possess. Recreational/sport uses are other common contemporary uses.
Current brands of these machines include:
NATVA was the official amphibious racing association and had its own magazine. The organization started holding races in the late 1960's through the mid 1970's. Most of the events were held in Northeast and Upper Midwest of the US. Most of the successful teams were sponsored by dealerships or by an ATV company.