Re: [bolger] Skimmer
I have a Skimmer with an 8HP Honda 4stroke. It made a pretty good
dinghy for my Morgan 41 Out Island ketch.
http://mkstocks.tripod.com/boats/skimmer/
For me, the seat is a little far forward for my arm to comfortably
reach the outboard tiller.
Rather than a straddle seat, I would suggest sponsons such as those
inside a Shoebox punt - I have thought of doing that myself actually.
Mike
dinghy for my Morgan 41 Out Island ketch.
http://mkstocks.tripod.com/boats/skimmer/
For me, the seat is a little far forward for my arm to comfortably
reach the outboard tiller.
Rather than a straddle seat, I would suggest sponsons such as those
inside a Shoebox punt - I have thought of doing that myself actually.
Mike
On Aug 26, 2006, at 6:49 PM, Mike wrote:
> My next boat will be a Skimmer or Poor Man's Whaler, from Build the
> New Instant Boats. I will carry her on my boat trailer and use her
> to carry QueenMab in so I have two boats on holidays, fast power
> and sail. I will use it upside down on a box trailer when camping
> as a aerodynamic cover. I was thinking of putting a straddle seat
> in her as in Brick and Tortoise. What do you think?
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
Mike Stockstill
mkstocks@...
http://mkstocks.tripod.com/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Mike,
Nels... is right. The seat for the Skimmer is an integral part of the
hull design. The seat not only helps brace the sides, but is tied
through its V-shaped under seat framework into the fore and aft skids
to give Skimmer the stiffness it needs for an up to 10 hp. motor.
I've built about four of the Skimmer-like 4' x 8' boats as well as one
PDRacer for sailing. From my experiences with the Hot Tub series and
with the PDRacer, I can tell you the following:
1. I enjoy these 4' x 8' boats more than any other boats I have built
for ease of use, portability, experimentation, and just fun on the
water.
2. These boats are a wonderful demonstration of the need to shape hulls
to the intended boat use. The PDRacer is a great little sailboat, much
like the Brick; but it's certainly not a motorboat. The Skimmer, on the
other hand, is a little race boat with anything over 5 hp. aboard. On
small lakes and ponds, an electric trolling motor will move you around
in a Skimmer at surprising speed for several hours.
3. Hull stiffness is really critical in a 4'x 8' boat. If you plan to
put a 5 hp. or more motor on one of these boats, make certain you don't
skimp on corner and transom bracing, thwarts, skids, and hull
thickness. I like to incorporate Styrofoam into these boats as a
backing to sides and transoms. It provides some flotation and helps
stiffen the 1/4" sides. With 5 hp., you should be able to plane a
Skimmer if you can get far enough forward and still control the boat.
What I mean is that as the power comes up, you need to move your weight
forward to let the boat climb over its bow wave and get up on a plane.
That's hard to do without some sort of tiller extension or steering
setup.
4. I recommend at least 16" of freeboard for well-protected waters with
few motorboats, 18" or more for larger lakes with regular chop of 8" or
more or lots of recreational boaters. With this kind of freeboard, you
will usually have a dry ride and about 600+ lbs. of displacement.
5. Any beam under 42" starts to lose the kind of stability you want
with these boats.
Regards,
Dave Gray
PolySail International
Nels... is right. The seat for the Skimmer is an integral part of the
hull design. The seat not only helps brace the sides, but is tied
through its V-shaped under seat framework into the fore and aft skids
to give Skimmer the stiffness it needs for an up to 10 hp. motor.
I've built about four of the Skimmer-like 4' x 8' boats as well as one
PDRacer for sailing. From my experiences with the Hot Tub series and
with the PDRacer, I can tell you the following:
1. I enjoy these 4' x 8' boats more than any other boats I have built
for ease of use, portability, experimentation, and just fun on the
water.
2. These boats are a wonderful demonstration of the need to shape hulls
to the intended boat use. The PDRacer is a great little sailboat, much
like the Brick; but it's certainly not a motorboat. The Skimmer, on the
other hand, is a little race boat with anything over 5 hp. aboard. On
small lakes and ponds, an electric trolling motor will move you around
in a Skimmer at surprising speed for several hours.
3. Hull stiffness is really critical in a 4'x 8' boat. If you plan to
put a 5 hp. or more motor on one of these boats, make certain you don't
skimp on corner and transom bracing, thwarts, skids, and hull
thickness. I like to incorporate Styrofoam into these boats as a
backing to sides and transoms. It provides some flotation and helps
stiffen the 1/4" sides. With 5 hp., you should be able to plane a
Skimmer if you can get far enough forward and still control the boat.
What I mean is that as the power comes up, you need to move your weight
forward to let the boat climb over its bow wave and get up on a plane.
That's hard to do without some sort of tiller extension or steering
setup.
4. I recommend at least 16" of freeboard for well-protected waters with
few motorboats, 18" or more for larger lakes with regular chop of 8" or
more or lots of recreational boaters. With this kind of freeboard, you
will usually have a dry ride and about 600+ lbs. of displacement.
5. Any beam under 42" starts to lose the kind of stability you want
with these boats.
Regards,
Dave Gray
PolySail International
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Nels" <arvent@...> wrote:
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <mikeboatman@> wrote:
> >
> > I was thinking of putting a straddle seat in her as in Brick and
> Tortoise. What do you think?
> >
> I believe that the thwart as designed - with it's bracing under - is
> an integral factor in the structural strength of the hull.
>
> But I could be wrong:-)
>
> Nels
>
How about a removable straddle seat that somehow interlocks with the designed seat so if you were really brave and mounted a 25HP outboard you could sit up at the bow to steer, though an extension tiller or tiller lines/steering wheel would be necessary. This is of course absurd, but could be amusing! ? ....seeing an approx 8'?(from memory) boat doing about 40 knots, being controlled by someone sitting right up in the bow!. Smooth water only and I'd highly reccomend wearing some sort of floatation device!
Mike <mikeboatman@...> wrote: I was thinking that but maybe a midship brace/frame of some sort. Something easy to step over?
Mike <mikeboatman@...> wrote: I was thinking that but maybe a midship brace/frame of some sort. Something easy to step over?
----- Original Message -----
From: Nels
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 9:56 AM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Skimmer
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <mikeboatman@...> wrote:
>
> I was thinking of putting a straddle seat in her as in Brick and
Tortoise. What do you think?
>
I believe that the thwart as designed - with it's bracing under - is
an integral factor in the structural strength of the hull.
But I could be wrong:-)
Nels
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <mikeboatman@...> wrote:
If your google, "Bolger Skimmer" you will find a couple of websites
showing the Skimmer in action. And how the helm is handled. Not sure
how comfortable that would work with a fore and aft thwart. It could
be be awkward or could be an improvement too, especially if you have a
passenger.
Then there is this choice:-)
http://members.aol.com/sredcon/4x8boat.htm
Nels
>Something easy to step over?
> I was thinking that but maybe a midship brace/frame of some sort.
If your google, "Bolger Skimmer" you will find a couple of websites
showing the Skimmer in action. And how the helm is handled. Not sure
how comfortable that would work with a fore and aft thwart. It could
be be awkward or could be an improvement too, especially if you have a
passenger.
Then there is this choice:-)
http://members.aol.com/sredcon/4x8boat.htm
Nels
I was thinking that but maybe a midship brace/frame of some sort. Something easy to step over?
----- Original Message -----
From: Nels
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 9:56 AM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Skimmer
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <mikeboatman@...> wrote:
>
> I was thinking of putting a straddle seat in her as in Brick and
Tortoise. What do you think?
>
I believe that the thwart as designed - with it's bracing under - is
an integral factor in the structural strength of the hull.
But I could be wrong:-)
Nels
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <mikeboatman@...> wrote:
an integral factor in the structural strength of the hull.
But I could be wrong:-)
Nels
>Tortoise. What do you think?
> I was thinking of putting a straddle seat in her as in Brick and
>I believe that the thwart as designed - with it's bracing under - is
an integral factor in the structural strength of the hull.
But I could be wrong:-)
Nels
My next boat will be a Skimmer or Poor Man's Whaler, from Build the New Instant Boats. I will carry her on my boat trailer and use her to carry QueenMab in so I have two boats on holidays, fast power and sail. I will use it upside down on a box trailer when camping as a aerodynamic cover. I was thinking of putting a straddle seat in her as in Brick and Tortoise. What do you think?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I corresponded with a guy who build one. He found that for him it
planed pretty quickly with just him on board and wasn't bad with his
wife on board as well. (He 265 lbs, her 135 lbs, I think). He also
had a 8 HP (two stroke). The wife sat on a cushion ahead of the seat.
If she gets on a wave I can sometines do 8+ kts for a while.
I have a Nymph that I thought would work out. After one short test
row, I am not optimistic though. The Nymph would be fine for just
me. She carries enough weight but is pretty sensitive to fore and
aft weight distribution. It is awkward to row her with another adult
on board because you have to move forward or aft to balance the boat
out. A little properly placed ballast would solve that problem, I
guess. If my goofy dog could be relied on to stay put, she could be
that ballast.
I even think that a motor might work out. Then seating positions
would be easier to deal with, except I am not sure you could get far
enough forward when solo without some ballast forward. I don't think
the Nymph was designed for use with a motor though. Also I guess my
4 HP would be oversize on her.
I think my daughter and I could make this work, maybe even with the
dog. I just don't see my wife climbing between the Nymph and the
C22.
Baltimore.
Pete
planed pretty quickly with just him on board and wasn't bad with his
wife on board as well. (He 265 lbs, her 135 lbs, I think). He also
had a 8 HP (two stroke). The wife sat on a cushion ahead of the seat.
> At low speeds it behaves badly; just not enough boat there toCould you say a little more about what you mean by "behaves badly"?
> support me and motor comfortably.
> If you like, I can try towing behind Diablo (how fast?)I would be towing her behind a C22 so I wouldn't go much over 6 kts.
If she gets on a wave I can sometines do 8+ kts for a while.
> I wonder if a Brick with a shoe wouldn't be a better approachPerhaps. I have considered that and haven't ruled it out.
> for you.
I have a Nymph that I thought would work out. After one short test
row, I am not optimistic though. The Nymph would be fine for just
me. She carries enough weight but is pretty sensitive to fore and
aft weight distribution. It is awkward to row her with another adult
on board because you have to move forward or aft to balance the boat
out. A little properly placed ballast would solve that problem, I
guess. If my goofy dog could be relied on to stay put, she could be
that ballast.
I even think that a motor might work out. Then seating positions
would be easier to deal with, except I am not sure you could get far
enough forward when solo without some ballast forward. I don't think
the Nymph was designed for use with a motor though. Also I guess my
4 HP would be oversize on her.
I think my daughter and I could make this work, maybe even with the
dog. I just don't see my wife climbing between the Nymph and the
C22.
> If you're in Maine, I can lend you skimmer. If you reach my wife,I would take you up on that except Maine is a pretty good jaunt from
> you can you probably buy it, for a real good price.
Baltimore.
Pete
Skimmer is really fun, and really scary. You have to pay attention.
I bought one (cheaper than building, but it leaks), with the idea that it
could be beefed up a bit to make a good yawl boat for my barge. Haven't
tried that yet...
At low speeds it behaves badly; just not enough boat there to support me and
motor comfortably. Also, it has a hard time getting up out of it's "hole"
with a bit of weight and an 8 hp. I have my daughter sit way forward, to
keep the bow down. I suppose it could be used as a tender, but haven't
tried it with two adults. My wife took it out for a spin once, and I don't
think she would consider a family trip.
If you like, I can try towing behind Diablo (how fast?)
I wonder if a Brick with a shoe wouldn't be a better approach for you.
If you're in Maine, I can lend you skimmer. If you reach my wife, you can
probably buy it, for a real good price.
Curtis
I bought one (cheaper than building, but it leaks), with the idea that it
could be beefed up a bit to make a good yawl boat for my barge. Haven't
tried that yet...
At low speeds it behaves badly; just not enough boat there to support me and
motor comfortably. Also, it has a hard time getting up out of it's "hole"
with a bit of weight and an 8 hp. I have my daughter sit way forward, to
keep the bow down. I suppose it could be used as a tender, but haven't
tried it with two adults. My wife took it out for a spin once, and I don't
think she would consider a family trip.
If you like, I can try towing behind Diablo (how fast?)
I wonder if a Brick with a shoe wouldn't be a better approach for you.
If you're in Maine, I can lend you skimmer. If you reach my wife, you can
probably buy it, for a real good price.
Curtis
> From:staehpj1@...
> Subject: Skimmer
>
> I was wondering about the Bolger Skimmer. It looks like fun. Could
> it be pressed into service as a tender or is the capacity too small
> to carry two full size adults?
>
> Do you think it would tow OK?
>
> Pete
>
Have put Martha Jane on hold for a few weeks, the daughters boyfriend
wants an el-cheapo fishing boat. Has anyone out there built 8 foot
Skimmer before? Any tips, useful modifications etc? Is quarter inch
ply sufficient?
Col M
wants an el-cheapo fishing boat. Has anyone out there built 8 foot
Skimmer before? Any tips, useful modifications etc? Is quarter inch
ply sufficient?
Col M