skimmer speed boat

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bojangles0669

Cadet
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
7
hello. i've have recently aquired a small sports boat and wondered if any one has come across them before. Its called a skimmer and the number on the back is 108. its about 10 foot long, a bit like a jet ski but you sit in it like a boat. it has got a mid 1980's mariner 40hp on the back and i have to say, it goes like the clappers!!! probably a bit over powered but it handles very well and is nice and slable at speed. The only problem I've found is that it cavitates when turning at high speed and could probably do with a higher pitch. it's got a 10 inch diameter, 14 inch pitch on now. Top speed..... dont have a speedo but would say........whoosh! All feedback welcome.
 

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rndn

Commander
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
2,323
Re: skimmer speed boat

I'm sure it's a rocket but will be very unstable because of i'ts size. I'll bet it's a riot to drive!
 
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bojangles0669

Cadet
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
7
Re: skimmer speed boat

bojangles0669 said:
hello. i've have recently aquired a small sports boat and wondered if any one has come across them before. Its called a skimmer and the number on the back is 108. its about 10 foot long, a bit like a jet ski but you sit in it like a boat. it has got a mid 1980's mariner 40hp on the back and i have to say, it goes like the clappers!!! probably a bit over powered but it handles very well and is nice and slable at speed. The only problem I've found is that it cavitates when turning at high speed and could probably do with a higher pitch. it's got a 10 inch diameter, 14 inch pitch on now. Top speed..... dont have a speedo but would say........whoosh! All feedback welcome.
Click to expand...

it really is a blast. the stability issue i dis agree with as it really does handle well. At about half throttle it does at a guess, about 25mph and i've done that in abou 2 to 3 foot waves and stayed nice and dry. From a standing start it would pull your arms out of thier sockets but screams at full throttle. I guess about 35 to 40 mph so a step up in pitch would probably help. the whole thing cost me ?600 about $1100 i think, so huge fun per pound.:)
 
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bojangles0669

Cadet
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
7
Re: skimmer speed boat

bojangles0669 said:
hello. i've have recently aquired a small sports boat and wondered if any one has come across them before. Its called a skimmer and the number on the back is 108. its about 10 foot long, a bit like a jet ski but you sit in it like a boat. it has got a mid 1980's mariner 40hp on the back and i have to say, it goes like the clappers!!! probably a bit over powered but it handles very well and is nice and slable at speed. The only problem I've found is that it cavitates when turning at high speed and could probably do with a higher pitch. it's got a 10 inch diameter, 14 inch pitch on now. Top speed..... dont have a speedo but would say........whoosh! All feedback welcome.
Click to expand...

anyone got any idea how fast this thing should go? also what do you think the maximum pitch should be. cheers for your advice.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: skimmer speed boat

the cavatation is caused by the engine height. it's set for maxium straight runs, so throttle back for turns. pitch can create better speed and hole shots, but the important thing about pitch, and prop size is obtaining to optimum operating Wide open throttle rpms for the motor. which with that engine is probably 5000 +- rpms. that what you want to attain. below take you are lugging the engine, above you are over reving the engine.
 
CATransplant

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: skimmer speed boat

Good point, Tashasdaddy. Like in a car, you don't necessarily turn at full throttle, especially in little speedboats like that one. Kinda cries out for a hot foot pedal throttle, I think.
 
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bojangles0669

Cadet
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
7
Re: skimmer speed boat

Managed to rig up a gps and clocked it at 41 knots speed over ground. Pretty good going. Still on the lookout for that 15" pitch prop.
 
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