Built for salt-water fishing five to seven miles off-shore, "Sea King" is a prime example of the African ski boat. Originally designed from the lines of the paddle skis used by lifesaving patrols and African anglers who used to paddle out past the breakers to fishing shoals, the ski boats took their name because they ski down, the breakers when coming in. Sea King includes many features designed to take as much risk as possible out of an ocean-going small craft—(1) Flat deck with self-bailing scuppers. (2) Provisions for dual outboards and it carries paddles in case both engines fail simultaneously. Dual outboards also permit using full power getting to and back from the fishing grounds in a hurry and trolling with one motor at reduced speeds. (3) Watertight compartments make the ski boat practically unsinkable and keep it from being swamped in a breaking sea. (4) Wide-beam design adds to stability on the water. For a sea-going boat, Sea King is surprisingly easy to build because there are few difficult joints, fewer places to leak and the plywood deck and planking covers the simple frames with a minimum of work. Bcst of all for fisherinen, the flat deck allows freedom of action that is commonly necessary in playing the big bill-fish that lurk in the ocean several miles offshore. While primarily designed for the ocean or gulf, "Sea King" makes an excellent fishing boat for the great lakes or any of the other inland lakes where the fishing is good. (The picture shows "Sea King" suspended from a unique overhead trailer designed for ease of launching).
HOME PAGE
