TOPIC: Old PWC?

I ran across this piece on the local classifieds recently and Im very interested in it but I'd like to know more about it before I take it on as a project.The seller dosen't have the engine and he dosen't know who made it so any info would be greatly appreciated.

Dont know if its the same or not but I have an old Mechanics illistrated that has skiers being towed by small boats controlled from the ski's... I think thats how it worked I will see if I can find the article.

Thanks! I've done several searches but I haven't been able to find anything similar to this.

Maybe similar concept as this one:

www.aomci.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1325477598

This is a little float that pulls you through the water with a impellar pumps on each side ran by the engine,there is one restored in minn that I have the add someplace that is sililar,,my mind is not working for a name yet here is a pic of mine,,Bob Whiteside found mine and I bought it from him,,I have not did anything with it yet,The pic doesn't show the hood well,,Bill

Here is the boat in Minnesota that is finished and he has used the craft. Is it the same? This one is called an Aqua Skimmer. Has a small air cooled motor with a jet pump drive I think. He shows it regular at meets around the area.

Del

Thanks for all the info guys! Bill do you know what engine these originally came with?

No, Not for sure but I think an old Briggs or even the old go cart race engines would be neat homelite??, Might be smart to put a newer weed wacker engine,,Not hi on the list right now,,Bill

This motor detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/2773275131.html could have also gone into this boat (6 HP) boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/2779130214.html

cool thread though

books.google.com/books?id=MCYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA119&dq=ski+craft+nsu&hl=en&sa=X&ei=B08BT427GMbu0gGhxPi0Ag&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=ski%20craft%20nsu&f=false

books.google.com/books?id=B-MDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA138&dq=ski+craft+nsu&hl=en&ei=B08BT427GMbu0gGhxPi0Ag&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=book-thumbnail&resnum=6&ved=0CEkQ6wEwBQ#v=onepage&q=ski%20craft%20nsu&f=false

Jim The last two links you posted were the articles I was looking for in my colletion. Glad you found them I wasnt finding them in my colection.

Thanks again for all the help! I plan to go pick it up first thing in the morning.

Dustin's first pics look very similar to a unit I have in my living room with a japanese two stroke engine - maybe two hp - and a jet drive unit sticking out the bottom. Same bar across the back, with a motorcycle twist-grip throttle. It is designed to pull you through the water at a slow speed while you look down with a face mask and snorkel. As an added bonus, the jet/prop wash blows right down your shorts

Stashm2 and HandyAndy are referring to a (relatively) high speed unit that acts as a water ski tug, with a 21 hp wankel engine.

bilnan's pic shows something similar to Dustin's and mine.

Herters59 shows an Aqua Skimmer, powered by a six horse Merc (at least that's the story in this link: )
www.boatdesign.net/forums/open-discussion/aqua-skimmer-sea-skimmer-38199.html
It looks like some similar products I've seen that were designed as medium speed rides - you'd ride half on them, steer with your legs in the water and achieve planing speeds. A friend of mine has one that was built in my hometown. He keeps trying to sell it to me but it looks damned uncomfortable.

G3jim gives a link to an entirely different concept, the Hydro-Mite in Boston. These had a truncated six horse omc engine - powerhead under the deck, lower unit sticking out the bottom, steered with rudder(or rudders). No midsection on the engine, and no swivel. These were boats you would ride on top of, and achieved planing speeds.

I'd turn it into RC control since i don't ski.

I picked it up this morning and found a tag that shows that it's a Mini Jet Model 973. Overall it's in decent condition with some cracking in the gelcoat.

bilnan1 wrote:

This is a little float that pulls you through the water with a impellar pumps on each side ran by the engine,there is one restored in minn that I have the add someplace that is sililar,,my mind is not working for a name yet here is a pic of mine,,Bob Whiteside found mine and I bought it from him,,I have not did anything with it yet,The pic doesn't show the hood well,,Bill

Bill is that a capacity plate of some sorts on the right side of the Minijet near the handle? I've not been able to find any info about this paticular make and model.

It will be a while before I can dig to it we are under construction for a while and it is stored sorry Bill

No problem! It will be a while before I get around to installing an engine or spraying on the new gelcoat.

I finally found the info that I've been searching for! This is a Swimobile made by Minijet Sportscarfts Inc. It's powered by a 5 HP Briggs & Stratton and will run up to 8mph.

I found the same in France, I'm buying it. It is a Briggs and Stratton 5hp to. Mine in front of the handle broken but the engine is not blocked.

I ran across the one in France while searching for info and it seemed to be in good condition. I would really like to see pics of yours if it wouldn't be to much trouble for you.

It is far from my house and I don't have get back it yet. As soon as I have it I send you pictures.

I found two other swimobile has to sell in France but the hood above is missing. I have to receive mine on February 24th. If I miss pieces I would set contact with the person who sells two others.

I received the swimobile today. It seems complete and in good condition apart the front handle is broken. I'll clean it and I would put pictures. The engine is not blocked.

Model number 11!

I look forward to seeing some pics!

Here's a 1961 photo from the New York Times for a Sea Skimmer by Aqua Sport Inc. of Kansas City. Electric motor, 6 hp or 22 hp.

I search a front handle.
Do you know what is it?


I don't have this in mine.

Here's an advertisement for the Swimobile by Minijet Sportscrafts, Inc. that ran in the Jan. 28, 1973 issue of the New York Times. The Swimobile was exhibited at the New York Boat Show that week.

Flovespa wrote:

I search a front handle.
Do you know what is it?

I don't have this in mine.

Mine just has a standard small fire extinguisher right there. I will probably just use a small anodized aluminum handle to replace the plastic handle on mine.

I would really like to see some pics of the engine mounting and belt tensioner setup in yours since mine is missing. Does yours have this aluminum piece mounted to the stringers?

No i haven't this aluminium piece.

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Can you explain to me what these pipes and how it works?

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At first I thought the handle cut the ignition but there is no electric son.
Maybe it's an air intake that would make the turbine rotates in the air when you do not supported on the handle?

www.facebook.com/SwimobileMinijet