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The Ride
The ride can only be described as excellent, it's soft riding and very comfortable. This is due to the fact that the entry at the forefoot is deep veed forward of the runner plank and tapers back to a moderate vee at the transom over a long bottom. This bottom configuration obtains the most out of the warped plane principle. The runner plank keeps the hull high. The deep vee entry comes into play through waves and chop. The long bottom bridges larger waves and the moderate vee at the transom gives stability. The warped vee eliminates "chine walking" Constant deadrise deep vee in small boats makes them susceptible to chine walking and they are unstable or "tender". Flat bottom boats give a hard ride. Long pointy nose boats were a fad and should be avoided. The bottom is not long enough to support the weight adequately. They stick their nose up excessively on acceleration and because they are sensitive to fore and aft weight distribution they are very susceptible to porpoising: "leaping" . You don't have to put up with or learn to live with poor design in new boats, the Skibird is a purpose designed boat.
The Wake
The wake at speed is flat, absolute minimal and is a delight for bare-footers and a relief for learners. (Bare-footers don't have to "step over" the wake, they just slide through it.) At low speed the wake as a perfect launching ramp for wakeboarding.
Efficient Hull Design
The runner-plank on the bottom gives lift to the hull, the hull consequently "rides high", reducing the wetted surface area and returns reduced fuel consumption.
Stern Wave
The Skibirds do not bury by the stern when you back off. Even the most abrupt shut off will not see a wave coming in the boat by the stern. Another benefit from the generous beam.
Bow Wave
Because of the extra moulded depth incorporated in the Skibirds, they are impossible to bury by the nose. This eliminates an unwanted wave coming over the front deck and into the cockpit when you drop a skier, and back off and turn into your own wake.
Storage Facilities
Deep full length side pockets are built in and are a must for storage of extra skis, paddle, jackets and other necessary equipment. The ski locker area in the bow is large enough to store life jackets, ski's and wakeboards, etc.
Swim Deck
The intergrated rear deck swim platform area is of generous proportions and has a sensible non slip grooves across the work area. The swim platform work area is stiffened internally to avoid "creaking". In the centre of the platform at the gunwale height is a skiers boarding handle. Very convenient for easy access. Also an extra step platform is available, fitted at the waterline. The rear deck beam mounted ski bollard is safer than a mounted pole for passengers in the rear seat.
Dash Layout
The steering wheel is a small diameter deep dished sponge grip sports type and is sensibly located to give plenty of leg clearance underneath the ample knuckle clearance at the windscreen area. The Teleflex type steering is standard.
Ski Clutch Handle Location
The ski clutch handle is unobtrusively mounted on the cross brace beside the seat. This is the safest place to mount the lever as it reduces the possibility of accidents by knocking into gear prematurely. It also means less clutter for the driver to negotiate in and out of the seat.
Strength, Integrity, Longevity
The Skibirds are fabricated using the best quality resins and gelcoats available and are engineered to exceed relevant Australian Standards.
"Bird at Play"
