Frequently Asked Question
HOW
FAST DOES THE SKIMMER GO?
This depends to a large
degree on an individual's strength and athletic ability.
Olympic records are set approaching 11 MPH. Single shells
or mono-hulls have less wetted surface and, consequently,
less water friction. They can go slightly faster in perfect
conditions. However, when water conditions get rougher,
Skimmers hold their own against mono-hulls with equal ability
rowers.
The Skimmer hull design has set world records
in solar powered competition.
HOW STABLE ARE THE
SKIMMERS?
These boats were designed
with relaxation in mind. Concerns of capsizing from wakes
created from a speeding power boat or rough ocean conditions
have been addressed by the dual hull design of the Skimmer.
The bow and stern of the hulls have been designed to pierce
choppy rough water, slicing the wave.
It remains prudent not to
purposely venture into unsafe waters. Always row with a
Coast Guard approved life jacket. Try to row with a friend
or let someone know you are out rowing.
WHY BUY A SKIMMER FOR FITNESS IF THERE ARE SO MANY
OTHER ALTERNATIVES?
There are not many alternatives for total
fitness. For example, cycling primaexercises the lower body
and kayaking exercises the upper body. The Skimmer offers
a more complete workout combining the benefits of aerobic
exercise and muscle strengthening/toning of all muscle groups.
A unique feature of the Skimmer design
is the ability to reverse the oar locks. This allows for
not only the convential pull with the arms and power push
with the legs facing backwards, but also pushing with the
arms and power pulling with the legs facing forward. Therefore
an entirely different group of muscles, including the abdomen,
is utilized.
When examining the different alternatives
available, you decide if you'd rather sweat it out in a
crowded gym or find yourself on a lake rowing with the sunset
as your backdrop.
ARE ELECTRONICS AVAILABLE ON THE SKIMMER TO MONITOR
FITNESS IMPROVEMENTS?
We can outfit the Skimmer with electronics
that monitor heart rate versus work load, speed, stroke
meter, and time. Additionally, a computer print out feature
allows your own PC to record and print out your progress.
The ability to monitor your improved fitness level reinforces
your rowing program.
HOW DID YOU ARRIVE AT THE PRICE FOR THE SKIMMER?
Unlike mono-hull designs, the Skimmer is
essentially two boats, which doubles the manufacturing costs.
Each boat is hand crafted and therefore the manufacturing
process is time and labor intensive. The ultralight construction
requires exotic, and consequently costly materials, such
as carbon fiber and ultralight microsphere corement. Vacuum
construction techniques add further complexity to the manufacturing
process, but are essential in the achieving superior strength
to weight ratios.
The bass wood oars are hollowed out to
eliminate unneeded weight, adding again to manufacturing
costs.
Additionally, the Skimmer is made entirely
in the United States.
DO YOU HAVE A TWO SEATER OR TANDEM
ROWER?
A two person Skimmer can be acheived through
coupling two Skimmers for tandem rowing. This allows for
disengagement whenever seperate rowing is desirable. Therefore
you can link up whenever you want company or disengage whenever
you want to row indepently. This feature becomes essentially
handy whenever one party gets tired and wants to link up
for an exceptionally long row home
If we were to add a second seat to the
Skimmer the hulls would be longer, wider and heavier, counter
to our ultralight philosphy.
IF WE WANT TO START OUR OWN ROWING GROUP, IS THERE ANY WAY
WE CAN TAKE ONE CAR WHILE TRANSPORTING ALL THE SKIMMERS
WITH MINIMUM HASSLE?
A three and four Skimmer trailer is available
to transport your boats easily to and from your rowing destination.
This allows people to row with friends, get support in their
fitness pursuits, and generally enjoy the comradery of like-minded
people.
The trailers are designed to index up as
each Skimmer is loaded for minimum effort. We'll have more
information about this soon.
