Personal Watercraft
Image1
Name/Title
Personal WatercraftEntry/Object ID
2008.007Description
2008.007 Boat Type: Personal Watercraft Builder: Cippolone's, Inc. Original Power: Martin 7.5 hp Current Power: Original Length: 90" Beam: 24" Date Built: 1951 The Skim Boat is a singular type of personal watercraft, introduced in 1951. It appears to be inspired by the sport of aquaplaning, but instead of being towed by a larger boat, the Skim Boat has an outboard motor under a hood in the front for propulsion. It is ridden standing up or sitting down, with a rope for steering with an aft rudder. It could also be steered by the operator shifting weight, like an aquaplane or a kneeboard. Original advertising literature also describes the boat as a "Self-Propelled surfboard" and advertises a speed of 30 mph. The boat can also be disassembled for storage and transportation. Though first produced in 1951, the design for the "skim boat" was patented by Emil Hansen in 1936. Photo: see Hearst Collection 20.6.32 See also: Mechanix Illustrated April 1950 (original copy in archives)Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
2008.007Source or Donor
Mrs. Frank AugsburyAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Manufacturer
Cippolone's, Inc.Date made
1951Edition
Model: Skim BoatNotes
Propulsion: Outboard Engine: Martin 7.5hp HP: 7.5Dimensions
Width
2 ftLength
7-1/2 ftLocation
*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility