Mini Speed Boat

[Rinkerguy]

Kids want a mini speed boat to buz around the lake in. One of those 10-11 ft boats with a 15-20hp motor. Anybody ever seen one out in a bay or on the lake. Are they safe for teenagers or a bad idea

[upthesaukee]

In my youth, my friend had a Boston Whaler, about a 12 or 14 ft, with the helm near midship on the right side, and a 25 HP outboard. We both had summer places in Glendale, and would range from Glendale to the Witches to fish and snorkle, to Steamboat Is to snorkle, to Alton Bay for ice cream, to the Weirs to hang out. We were early teenagers, high school age. Stable boat, fast enough to get around, not so fast that we could be reckless. This is dating back to the very late 50's and early 60's.

Fishing, snorkling, SCUBA, swimming, all made very easy and safe.

[SAMIAM]

Back in the 80's, Goodhue Marine in Center Harbor had just such a boat. It was called the Mimi Hawk and there are still some around if you can find them. I've been in one and they are a blast to drive. I think they are 12'-13' with 20-40 hp. They are a two seat cigarette replica and handle just like the big ones. Do a google search or call Tup Goodhue and I'll bet he knows where you could find one.

[Red apple]

We had two of them growing up. One was from Goodhue marine and the other was a 13' checkmate from silver sands. Good luck with your search!

[DickR]

For a while we, too, had one, also from Goodhue, and it was indeed fun to drive. We got it for the kids, but on the first day we got a visit from a patrol boat, who told us the kids couldn't operate it. They claimed that they were informed in a meeting at the start of that year that it's length put it under the jetski law, which I think covered anything under 13'-0". After he left, I got a tape measure, found it to be just 13'-0" and thus ok as a "boat." I called, the patrol boat came back, and together we remeasured. He agreed to initial the registration change in length (the advertising had the length as I think 12'-8", which was wrong). Two days later my son and I were stopped again, by a different officer.

The minihawk has the two seats down at water level, so the sensation of speed is enhanced. The deep-V hull does slice nicely through light chop, and it generally handles well. However, the operator does need to keep its length and shape in mind. Shortly after we sold it, I watched the new owner roll it over. He had tried to quarter a rather large boat wake at the wrong speed.

I did a quick google on "minihawk boat," and there are plenty of pictures and videos to be seen out there.

[codeman671]

Why not go with one of the new whaler 130 sports with a 25hp on it? They are safe, unsinkable, and legal for those under 16. About $12-13k new, and resale value on them is great.

[XCR-700]

Are you talking about the Mercury WaterMouse???

[VitaBene]

I know that Tup Goodhue's son has (or did until last year) a Mini-Hawk that he is not using. Let me know if you want me to find out if it is for sale.

[Rinkerguy]

Yes please ... Thanks

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Rinkerguy

Yes please ... Thanks

He sold his half to his younger partner. Let me find out if that group intends to keep it. It is a cool boat with a 25 on it.

[BroadHopper]

when I was fourteen. 12' plywood hull with a Mercury 25 on it. It was pretty cool and I learn a lot about building a boat. I got the plan from a mail order catalog, Sears I think.

In the late 60's, I traded the boat in for the 16 or 17' Whaler. I wanted to go fast so I overpowered it with the 'rude 70. A 3 cylinder beauty that was built like a tank.

There were a number of mini crafts in the days. Lakeport Landing sold a really nice looking 2 seater. Mostly 50 horses, although I saw one with an 80 horse Quicksilver.

[Just Sold]

There is one on Craigslist in Derry
http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/3770532698.html

[HomeWood]

That thing looks like a blast! My dad made a plywood hydroplane when he was a teenager and used it on the lake. Wish I could have seen it.

[Rinkerguy]

That boat in Derry looks great, but I need one larger than 13 ft with a 25hp or smaller motor. My kids cannot drive a ski craft (boat smaller than 13 ft, with seating for 2, that can exceed 20MPH) in NH, nor anything larger than 25hp

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Rinkerguy

Kids want a mini speed boat to buz around the lake in. One of those 10-11 ft boats with a 15-20hp motor. Anybody ever seen one out in a bay or on the lake. Are they safe for teenagers or a bad idea

A lot of the experiences seen above date from the 50s and 60s.

Half a century later, there are some unaccountably massive wakes seen on the lake—and they're not from the ship Mt. Washington.

[fatlazyless]

.....say-hey.....check out a Lund 14' Rebel with a 25-hp outboard......on craigslist......it has a side steering wheel console and seats for three plus room for more....

[lake4life]

Maybe the 50hp is more than you're looking for, but I came across this. They used to sell these at Channel Marine (I think) back in the 90s. I remember because I wanted one soooo badly.

http://capecod.craigslist.org/boa/3703382787.html

[JasonG]

I had a minihawk a about 15 years ago. Not very safe or stable as stepping on the side with 1-2 people could swamp it. The water mouse is the modern version of the minihawk ( same MFG I think?) If disney uses them, then you know they must be on the safer side.

JMO

[Rinkerguy]

I am considering picking up a Water Mouse, w/ a 15 HP motor
Used one at Disney years ago, and I can't believe a 15 HP motor can exceed 20 MPH ... Thus not classifying it as a ski craft

If needed I will govenor the motor to less than 20 MPH, so my kids can dive it without an adult onboard

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Rinkerguy

I am considering picking up a Water Mouse, w/ a 15 HP motor
Used one at Disney years ago, and I can't believe a 15 HP motor can exceed 20 MPH ... Thus not classifying it as a ski craft

If needed I will govenor the motor to less than 20 MPH, so my kids can dive it without an adult onboard

Well built boats, but I dont know about the 20 MPH with a 15 HP. Maybe with a single very light driver and no fuel,,,

Either way I'm sure you will have fun with it and you can always upgrade to a bigger motor later if needed.

Good Luck

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by ApS

A lot of the experiences seen above date from the 50s and 60s.

Half a century later, there are some unaccountably massive wakes seen on the lake—and they're not from the ship Mt. Washington.

APS: This is my thought exactly. I'm not sure it makes sense today with the number and size of boats on Winnipesaukee. Any other opinions?

[Rinkerguy]

Looked at one, way too small

[NHBUOY]

The Mini-Hawks & other small V-Bottoms can be a tad "tippy".

I got my kids the Cat version, a Baja/Molinari 13' tunnel w/a 25hp Rrevinrude.

It was fast, stable, could pull some G's in the turns, & was a better choice for style points & safety as far as my son was concerned. Awesome little boat.

They are out there. Happy Hunting.

[Blazen]

I had a mini hawk when I was a teen and it was a blast to drive they are rated to 20hp but we had a 25hp on it and it would do low 30's with 1person in it. Upper 20s with 2 people but had a harder time planning out. They are low to the water and pretty quick so make sure your kids are confident in a boat. My dad also had what I believe is called a tri cat which was about 13 ft long or so but alittle wider and more stable. Both boats were very fun. I'm actually in the process of restoring a minihawk that I hope to have on the lake this summer.

[NHBUOY]

FYI: cat boat mold is now owned by www.wranglerboats.com

I just looked at the site under sport boats. I think I want another.

[BroadHopper]

The smallest Checkmate I have ever seen!

[ApS]

A lot of the experiences seen above...date from the 50s and 60s.

Half a century later, there are some unaccountably massive wakes seen on the lake—and they're not from the ship Mt. Washington.

Originally Posted by secondcurve

APS: This is my thought exactly. I'm not sure it makes sense today with the number and size of boats on Winnipesaukee.

Any other opinions?

Excepting pontoon boats, it appears that any powerboat over 24-feet can be made to create a wake that is "massive". Most of those skippers are unaware of their foaming / curling wakes, and the damage they leave behind.

Loan me one, and I'll load it and rim it improperly, "create" a three-foot wake: then demonstrate the complete soaking of a dock, the visible erosion of shoreline—and, as "a plus"—the overturning of a small boat.



An aerial view of the Mt. Washington's wake shows gentle swells: see the excellent graphic composed by Rattlesnake Guy here.

Many times, I've been afloat in Mt. Washington's swells—sometimes, my boat's not moving (!)

Anyway, they're barely noticeable.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by ApS

Excepting pontoon boats, it appears that any powerboat over 24-feet can be made to create a wake that is "massive". Most of those skippers are unaware of their foaming / curling wakes, and the damage they leave behind.

Loan me one, and I'll load it and rim it improperly, "create" a three-foot wake: then demonstrate the complete soaking of a dock, the visible erosion of shoreline—and, as "a plus"—the overturning of a small boat.

Loan me a sailboat and I will load it and sail it improperly and create a hazardous situation for my passengers, and potentially other boaters. I might even be able to overturn it without hitting a wake.

So what's your point?

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by ApS

Excepting pontoon boats, it appears that any powerboat over 24-feet can be made to create a wake that is "massive". Most of those skippers are unaware of their foaming / curling wakes, and the damage they leave behind.

Loan me one, and I'll load it and rim it improperly, "create" a three-foot wake: then demonstrate the complete soaking of a dock, the visible erosion of shoreline—and, as "a plus"—the overturning of a small boat.



An aerial view of the Mt. Washington's wake shows gentle swells: see the excellent graphic composed by Rattlesnake Guy here.

Many times, I've been afloat in Mt. Washington's swells—sometimes, my boat's not moving (!)

Anyway, they're barely noticeable.

APS, what are you trying to get at here????

Are you trying to tell people what is safe and not safe?

Are you criticizing people for in you opinion improper operation of their boats?

While I agree that boat wakes can cause damage, I believe most dock damage happens because of poorly designed docks, my dock has 20+ years of use, and has been through high water, hurricane etc. and large boat wakes with out any issues, just some normal maintenance from time to time . ... and most Shoreline damage occurs because said shoreline isn't properly protected because people cut down the natural protection, and didn't adequately replace it.

Last while there are times that smaller boats may have trouble on the lake, there are plenty of times where a small boat can be out on the water with no issues.... Oh wait I suppose the issue here is that they might interrupt your serenity.

[ishoot308]

I would be willing to bet more shore line erosion was done to the lake during Mondays little storm than what 20 years of boating would do.

APS, the size of a boat has nothing to do with the size of the wake it throws... wake size is mainly hull dependent. I have 22' Eastern that will throw a wake that will rival any 40'+ large cruiser! Why, because it has a flat bottom semi displacement hull, great for cutting through large waves but notorious for the wake they leave especially when going at slow speeds!

Dan

[VitaBene]

Leave it to APS to turn an innocent thread about mini-boats into this.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I would be willing to bet more shore line erosion was done to the lake during Mondays little storm than what 20 years of boating would do.

APS, the size of a boat has nothing to do with the size of the wake it throws... wake size is mainly hull dependent. I have 22' Eastern that will throw a wake that will rival any 40'+ large cruiser! Why, because it has a flat bottom semi displacement hull, great for cutting through large waves but notorious for the wake they leave especially when going at slow speeds!

Dan

I agree, many of the wakeboard boats have a flat bottom designed to throw a huge wake for wake or knee boarding. They are not that big say 20'.

[LIforrelaxin]

To get back on topic, here are some links to mini speed boats manufacturers that I found


http://twistedliquidmarine.com/

http://www.minispeedboat.com/

[ApS]

Are you trying to tell people what is safe and not safe?

• As an career analyst, I speak from a long perspective from one spot on Lake Winnipesaukee—and sometimes, through three seasons.

To my knowledge, only one other member could speak to a greater analysis from this shore; even then, that member doesn't have the identical perspective.

• The lake's boating environment has definitely changed.

• NHBUOY wrote above of these "mini" boats being "tippy". As to "unsafe", I write here as a former builder of small vessels for Lake Winnipesaukee.

• Powerboats have increased in size to the point that mooring lines need more frequent replacement—mooring whips have become inadequate—and in some formerly peaceful locations, mechanical-, hydraulic-, and electric-lifts have become mandatory.

Are you criticizing people for in your opinion improper operation of their boats?

The operation we see all the time?

They've just been described as "tippy".

While I agree that boat wakes can cause damage, I believe most dock damage happens because of poorly designed docks, my dock has 20+ years of use, and has been through high water, hurricane etc. and large boat wakes with out any issues, just some normal maintenance from time to time.

Besides the occasional ice damage, my piling dock has no damage issues from boat wakes, if you don't count being spritzed—or soaked—from underneath by oversized boat wakes.

... and most Shoreline damage occurs because said shoreline isn't properly protected because people cut down the natural protection, and didn't adequately replace it.

While mostly true, I've watched as about 60% of my natural (left-alone) shoreline is carried downhill, including entire trees, boulders, and forest duff. Sure, some can be traced to natural forces, but every summer weekend turns our shallow waters brown.

Last while there are times that smaller boats may have trouble on the lake, there are plenty of times where a small boat can be out on the water with no issues....

BUT they are out there—some are very small—and operated by tiny tykes!

Oh wait I suppose the issue here is that they might interrupt your serenity.

...Our serenity.

I would be willing to bet more shore line erosion was done to the lake during Mondays little storm than what 20 years of boating would do.

Just two years ago, I would have agreed with you; however, my interest in the subject has brought me to PDF reports from Eastern seaboard states, that report those states' canals and channels are being eroded greatly by V-bottom boats—in particular.

(Besides the "mystery-wakes" that we witness ourselves).

ApS, the size of a boat has nothing to do with the size of the wake it throws... wake size is mainly hull dependent. I have 22' Eastern that will throw a wake that will rival any 40'+ large cruiser! Why, because it has a flat bottom semi displacement hull, great for cutting through large waves but notorious for the wake they leave especially when going at slow speeds!

There are two outboard-powered 22' Eastern boats in my immediate neighborhood: both have operated at high- and low-speeds—including the occasional towing of a J-22 sailboat. It only takes one minute of watching to see that their wakes are unremarkable among similar outboards.

Loan me a sailboat and I will load it and sail it improperly and create a hazardous situation for my passengers, and potentially other boaters. I might even be able to overturn it without hitting a wake.

I believe it!