Cheap Skates
Several of our Clients have indicated that they go on lakes that have size restrictions, or do not allow anything but 9.9 hp or electric motors. This led us to thinking out of the box (a rare and stimulating endeavor) and the Cheap Skate 16 and 19 is what we came up with.
Although the basic boat design could be made in lengths up to 24 ft, we are showing it only as a 16 ft boat, and a 19 ft boat. Boats longer than 19 ft would require jointed hulls.
For restricted width or length, the Cheap Skate 16 can be 6 ft wide as shown, or it can be up to 8 ft wide. The large deep 22” wide hulls have a much greater load carrying capacity than pontoon boats its’ size. The boat should be exceptionally stable, and carry 4- 6 people and gear with ease.
The boat has 1,800 lbs of floatation foam and is unsinkable, and also un-swampable. Because the center hull floor is above water, any water coming on board, simply drains out open drains in the center hull stern plate. This also allows the boat to be left uncovered while moored without worry about rainwater accumulation.
The Cheap Skates’ will be superior to pontoon boats under power because of the flat-bottomed hulls that can easily get up on a plane. The weight of the boat is around 650 lbs for the 16, and 900 lbs for the 19 ft boat.
The Cheap Skates’ are real boats, not aluminum cans. They offer you great stability when walking or standing on the deck corners. The 16 should go very well with either electric or a 9.9 hp outboard motor. However, the boat is more than strong enough to run with a 25- 65 hp Motor. The 19 could handle just about any size motor you can afford to put on it, but 50-90 would probably be the best range to choose.
These are tough “bull strong” boats built from either 1/8th inch or 3/16th inch Marine Aluminum Plate that will give you a lifetime of safe dependable fishing, hunting, or family fun on the water. They have grounding crash shoes added to all the hull bottoms for running up onto the beach or shore, without worry about damage to the bottom.
Estimated cost to build the 16 ft boat from a set of plans is around $1,200, and the all aluminum trailer for around $400. The 19 ft boat will cost about $1k more for the boat and trailer.
We are introducing the 16 ft boat and trailer in a kit that is pre-welded and ready to bolt together for $2,800 for the boat and $890 for the trailer, but for a limited time, and to those buyers wanting to use the boat as a demo for their Sales Business. . The kit does not include foam or wood. These items can be purchased from your Home Supply Store.
The Pancake 16 is designed to be a fishing and hunting platform, or a party barge for a number of people. It has a huge load carrying capacity with 620 lbs per inch emersion. This means for each 620 lbs of load, the boat will sink in the water one inch. It would make a very substantial rental boat.
The boat is 10’ 4” wide when un-folded. It is unsinkable with full foam floatation in all three hulls. The boat will float over 7,000 lbs before the decks submerge.
As a work boat for conservation depts., survey teams, or a small construction barge, it should be unbeatable with its wide deck and load capacity. It can easily carry a number of ATV’s on deck.
The Pancake 16 could also be used as a floating dock that can be pulled for the winter to prevent ice damage. On the trailer, the boat is only 7 ft wide with the hulls folded. With the canopy in place, it could be used as a fishing dock for a marina, for family outings, or for overnight camping. You could set your tent up on deck, and enjoy a barbeque while the kids swim off the front deck.
The Business Opportunity offered, is for individuals who want to promote the boats in their home market area. We think these might be the hottest boats going once they hit the market.
What better Business could you own than going around showing your demo boat at the lakes or rivers near where you live? “Hey, Honey, I have to run out to the lake today to show my demo boat to the Fishermen, it’s business, you know”. Could it be tax deductible too? Ah, life is good!
Harold