FIBRECRAFT/CHASE MARINE
MINI SKIMMER
Specifications | Boat report | Results
Specifications
Length                                                   18' 0"            5.49m
Width                                                     12' 0"            3.65m
Weight - Boat                                        485 lb            220 kg

Recommended Horsepower                     3.5 to 25 hp

Standard Equipment

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Boat Report
(by kind permission of the African Fisherman  September 1992)
Our craft for this test is more raft than boat. A unique combination of sealed canoe pods and steel superstructure designed as a versatile craft, that can be used in varied conditions and for many purposes. Based on two eighteen foot Canadian canoes, the Skimmer has a deck area measuring 3.65 m (12 foot) by 2.43 m (8 foot) offering a platform no conventional boat can match.
Because of the nature of this craft, rpm to speed ratios would serve little purpose. Instead we tested the skimmer with three different motors, a 5 hp, 15 hp and a 30 hp through varied conditions. Previous trials carried out by Ivor Kesson over an accurately measured course, showed that the Skimmer fitted with a 3.5hp with 4 people aboard attained 12 km/h. With a 15hp Ivor was able to pull his young son on skis behind the craft. Our tests showed that a 15hp would be the optimum motor for this craft.
Construction
The two Canadian canoes are constructed using 450 gram chopped strand mat and one layer 900 gram woven roving hand laid over the gel coat. Four additional strip layers of 450 gram c.s.m. are laid into the keel to protect against wear. Four sealed compartments each with inspection fittings are built into the pods using 19 mm Marine Play bulk heads, these act as flotation chambers. The floats are connected by three transverse lightweight steel lattice beams which are primed and sprayed with enamel, which when combined with the longitudinal floats give excellent torsional strength eliminating twist. The deck is constructed from 13 mm Marine Ply covered with fibreglass and finished with a non skid polyester finish. Enclosing railings are made from epoxy coated mild steel and incorporate three gates. Tests using the different motors with a load of two people, 40 litres fuel, a battery and deck chairs etc., showed the following.
30 hp Yamaha
The Skimmer tested was fitted with this motor by its owner for use on the Zambezi around Msuna. Steered with a Ride guide steering from the centre console positioned toward the stern, I had comfortable easy control of the craft at all times. Later tests highlighted the limited turning circle afforded by the Rideguide system.
In my opinion the raft was overpowered by the 30 hp. With three people aboard, the Skimmer seemed to reach an optimum speed of approximately 40 km/h which was too fast for the hydrodynamic design of the canoe pontoons. As the Skimmer does not plane as such, the stern dug in under the force of the thrust creating extra drag, while the ride becoming noticeably uncomfortable with considerable water being thrown up by the bows. Although one would obviously not drive the boat at full power because of this, the weight factor of this motor is important. The bigger the motor the less level the attitude. The use of a Doelfin helped lift the stern marginally, but made little overall difference.
15 hp Mariner
As this motor was a tiller control we disconnected the Rideguide and piloted from the stern. The 15 hp seemed ideal, providing power to push the craft along under normal load, whilst still having a bit extra torque to deal with increased loads. The weight of the smaller motor had little effect on the horizontal attitude of the Skimmer, although the extra weight of the pilot now seated on the stern did. In the case of tiller control motors there would be little use for the console, as it inhibits forward vision. This in fact was one disadvantage to the smaller tiller control motors. Sitting low at the stern restricted ones all round vision, and in waters with numerous underwater obstacles, one would be hard pressed to pilot as well as keep an effective lookout for those lurking rocks etc.
5 hp Mariner
As the Skimmer is designed for short sedate hops from main base camp or houseboat, I would personally select this smaller less expensive motor. The added advantages of the five horsepower is that it is considerably quieter, lighter and more economic than its bigger counterparts and still gets the Skimmer buzzing along at between 15 to 20 km/h, which is not much different to a 14 foot tender with the equivalent power. A big plus of the smaller tiller control motors is their manoeuvrability. I was able to execute tighter turns and even push the raft sideways as well as using the motor as brakes by turning it almost 180 degrees. This made docking under windy conditions considerably easier as the bulk of the raft acts as a sail in  stiff breeze.

After spending a couple of days on the Skimmer, my imagination began to run away with me. The simplicity of the standard design invites customization, and the possibilities are endless.

During the test Ivor fitted canvas sides to the canopy that totally enclosed the Skimmer turning it into a mini-houseboat. With the addition of bench type seating incorporating storage, overnight excursions would be comfortable, stowing the canvas sides during the day. In fact one of the recommended uses of the Skimmer, suggests a houseboat tender that can double as staff quarters, or alternatively, it could be used to sleep extra children, etc. During the day the Skimmer would provide the ideal fishing or game viewing platform able to accommodate up to nine people. Capacity one would find hard to match with conventional tenders. Because of its lightweight construction and relatively drag free design, the skimmer would tow comfortably behind a bigger vessel. The Skimmer is used commercially above the falls as a "booze cruise" and is registered to carry nine people including the pilot.

The Skimmer would fit equally well on to many of our inland waters as a weekend getaway. Correctly fitted out, the Skimmer would provide an ideal family craft, giving plenty of space for children to occupy themselves when they become bored with fishing (as the little darlings do). Fibrecraft also provides a loan trailer for rafts that are going to be stationed on the water, eliminating this cost from the purchase price.

I found it hard to criticize the Skimmer as it is unique in its design and application. There are few moving or corrodable fittings to be exposed to the elements. I would be hesitant to take the craft out in really rough water in spite of the "wet deck" design. Although it is not possible to capsize the raft, the combination of overloading, rough water and an incompetent pilot could spell disaster. This, however is true of any vessel !! A compromise I would be willing to make with the Skimmer would be to substitute all steel superstructure and railings etc., for aluminium., as I feel that the more resistant aluminium would better serve the purpose of a craft that is destined to serve most of its life in the water.  This would obviously increase the cost considerably and defeat one of the Skimmers attributes, that of being an inexpensive package.
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Test Results
1
Poor
2
Poor
3
Ave
4
Ave
5
Ave
6
Good
7
Good
8
Good
9
Excel
10
Excel
Trailer Construction  . . . . . . . . .
Launching . . . . . . . . .
Retrieving . . . . . . . . .
Hull moulding . . . . . . . . .
Deck moulding . . . . . . . . .
Hatches and Stowage (not Applicable) . . . . . . . . . .
Spray Coat . . . . . . . . .
Gel coat . . . . . . . . .
Upholstery . . . . . . . . .
Steering , Accessory and wiring installation  . . . . . . . . .
Motor Installation . . . . . . . . .
Overall presentation . . . . . . . . .
Fittings installation  . . . . . . . . .
Fishability - Kariba . . . . . . . . .
                  - Inland Dam . . . . . . . . .
Stowage . . . . . . . . .
Stability - Maximum speed . . . . . . . . .
               - at rest . . . . . . . . .
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