TOPIC: 1959 Surf Skimmer

So, not a boat...but a classic powered surfboard from the late '50's early 60's. I just picked this up and it does run and appears to work! I have some repairs to do before it goes in the water, but...its mostly all there. It is missing the starter recoil...which I'd lover to replace. (Looks like I need a better engine picture.)

Does anyone have any info on the motor? From what I've been able to find its a West Bend 1 Cyl, 2 Stroke Go-Kart engine adapted for the Surf Skimmer. Photos attached. There are only a couple videos on Youtube...we plan to use it as intended and we'll see if its any fun!

Thanks!

Holy crap that's cool!!!!

That IS cool. A powered surf board being made for a company in Minnesota makes perfect sense.

Thanks guys!

Going to fire it up this weekend. Its a tad rough...but what 65 yo water toy wouldn't be at this point. Everything but the engine recoil is there...which I can work around for now.

Doing a little research on Lasmol, Inc. today, it would seem that the age I was told is about a decade off. Lasmol, Inc, wasn't incorporated until 1968...so this is more likely a 68/69'ish model than '59. Looks like the corporation existed for 2 years or less.

Surf Skimmer Lasmol, Inc.

Company Number
00747ddd-a7d4-e011-a886-001ec94ffe7f
Native Company Number
1P-335
Status
Inactive
Incorporation Date
23 July 1968 (almost 49 years ago)
Company Type
Business Corporation (Domestic)
Jurisdiction
Minnesota (US)
Registered Address
5225 Lakeland Ave N
Mpls, MN
USA
United States
Governing Legislation
302A
Registry Page
mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/Bu ...
RSS feed icon
Recent filings for Surf Skimmer Lasmol, Inc.

7 Oct 1991
ADMINISTRATIVE DISSOLUTION - BUSINESS CORPORATION (DOMESTIC)
13 May 1969
REGISTERED OFFICE AND/OR AGENT - BUSINESS CORPORATION (DOMESTIC)
23 Jul 1968
BUSINESS CORPORATION (DOMESTIC) BUSINESS NAME (BUSINESS NAME: SURF SKIMMER LASMOL, INC.)
23 Jul 1968
BUSINESS CORPORATION (DOMESTIC) BUSINESS NAME
23 Jul 1968
ORIGINAL FILING - BUSINESS CORPORATION (DOMESTIC)
Source Office of the Minnesota Secretary Of State, mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/Bu ..., 19 Feb 2017

It seems to me we talked about them once before years back. Maybe check the archives.

That is really cool!!!
What is the method on propulsion??
Is there a youtube video that shows the propulsion?
Prop? Jet?
Do you have pictures of the mechanical components???

Hum-m-m-m-m,...I wonder if it could be retro-fitted to a horizontally positioned Tower of Power???
I found some Tillotson carburetors for old Titan chainsaws, that have their flanges orientated 90 degrees, that might work on a laid down Mark 25, or Mark 30 Mercury.
I haven't put the "Benjamins" on the table yet, but might for a future unique Mercury Beast.
Dr Frankenmerc

Doc. Nah, definitely an inboard. Jan (Nautilus) would put a Chevy 350 in there.
If memory serves me I might have seen one of these at the marine museum in Minnesoootah last year.

It's a little jet drive. There's a grate/intake under the board and it's pushed out the rear. It's supposed to have a bulb of air that you stand on, that expands a diaphragm that opens the throttle.

Pictures atteched!

Dr_Frankenmerc wrote: That is really cool!!!
What is the method on propulsion??
Is there a youtube video that shows the propulsion?
Prop? Jet?
Do you have pictures of the mechanical components???

Hum-m-m-m-m,...I wonder if it could be retro-fitted to a horizontally positioned Tower of Power???
I found some Tillotson carburetors for old Titan chainsaws, that have their flanges orientated 90 degrees, that might work on a laid down Mark 25, or Mark 30 Mercury.
I haven't put the "Benjamins" on the table yet, but might for a future unique Mercury Beast.
Dr Frankenmerc

The only two videos I could find:

https://youtu.be/sTcMsj2qN0s

https://youtu.be/PU98yxAcWRQ

Del has one. I am trying to talk him into some field testing. he had his running but it has not seen the water yet. his needs to have a tank improvised and the throttle is missing.

Cool videos. Sounds like a little chainsaw. Aren't there Musky and Northern Pike fish about that big in Mn?

That's pretty cool, the predecessor to the Jet Ski!!! I wonder if a hand held trigger thing could be added to control the throttle instead of a foot activated control? Cool piece of aquatic history though. Hang ten dude!!!!!

We're thinking the same thing as far as the throttle goes. I solved my spark issue last night and now should be ready to try starting it. Clean tank, new fuel lines and fresh gas.

Hopefully it starts easy since I'm winding the pull rope by hand!

Pawpaws Boat wrote: That's pretty cool, the predecessor to the Jet Ski!!! I wonder if a hand held trigger thing could be added to control the throttle instead of a foot activated control? Cool piece of aquatic history though. Hang ten dude!!!!!

So...an update. The engine is free, carb is good to go, have a nice mix of oil/gas into the clyinder. Coil is dead.

Any ideas where I can get a Wico x13313D replacement coil?

saw this in the Los Angeles area. quite similar, much later.

losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/6142914625.html

Well, it took a bit of digging to find the right coil to replace the fried original one...but after some research, I got everything put back together and we're all set for the 4th of July!

Surf Skimmer

Here we go! All dialed in and running great!

https://youtu.be/cFpW9tf_J9E

That is so cool!!!

Excellent!!!!!!!

Bob

I do feel it should wind up higher...more RPMs. But for this week, I'm happy with it.

If the carburetor has an adjustable main jet, it will need to be adjusted with the engine under load in order to reach the max RPM.. You may have to improvise a way to tie it off in shallow water so you can stand beside it while setting the main jet.. With the throttle wide open, back out the jet to richen the mixture until the engine starts to misfire, then lean it out just enough to eliminate the misfire.. On older two-strokes, it's always best to have the main jet set a touch on the rich side to keep cylinder temps in check.. A lean mixture will burn hotter and you will run the risk of melting a piston when running wide open..