The Skimmer (501cm / 16’5″) is a medium length touring kayak, giving the perfect balance between speed and maneuvrebility. It is stable enough for beginners, fast enough for covering long distances, and has enough packing space for extended multiday trips. It’s a great all-rounder that is suitable for both flatwater and ocean touring.
WHAT THE SKIMMER IS ALL ABOUT
Hull design
The soft V and rounded edges gives a smooth ride in calm and rough conditions. Keeping it flat, the hull holds it course. Put it on edge, however, and it turns with precision.
The hull has moderate rocker; enough to climb over waves easily, but not so much that speed is compromised.
The width and hull profile creates good stability, making the 501 a good option for beginners who are buying their first real touring kayak. At the same time, the stability is appreciated by experienced paddlers who want to cruise for hours on end without having to worry about stability when the going gets tough.
The Skimmer is standard fitted with a rudder, while a drop-down skeg option is available too.
Deck design
The deck offers everything you could look for in a touring kayak, and then some. We have taken great care to add all the important features, while keeping the deck as clean as possible for safety reasons.
The relatively low deck minimizes wind sensitivity, while also making rescues and re-entering easier. The paddle cutaways in front of the cockpit enables efficient paddle strokes close to the hull.
Both the front and back deck feature 44x26cm oval hatches, which give access to ample storage space for long expeditions. An 8” round hatch behind the cockpit gives access to a day hatch too. All these compartments are sealed off with 50mm close-cell foam bulkheads, glued in with 3M adhesives.
In front of the cockpit is also a 8” hatch with a moulded-in pocket for a phone and snacks. We call it the lunch box.
As with the other models in the touring line-up, two paddle holders are offered: one in front of the cockpit, where the paddle can be secured with a bungee, and one behind the cockpit which is handy when re-entering the kayak after a capsize.
The positioning of the bungees on the front and back deck have been optimized through years of experience, including a bungee system behind the cockpit for paddle float rescues. Safety deck lines, toggle handles, a compass pocket and two security bars round off the deck.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 501cm / 16’5″
Width: 56cm / 22″
Height: 35cm / 13.75″
Weight: 25kg / 63 lbs
Carrying capacity: 135kg / 300 lbs for best performance (150kg / 330 lbs possible)
Cockpit size: 92x49cm / 36.25″x19.25″
Bow hatch size: 44x26cm oval hatch
Bow hatch volume: 68L
Lunch hatch size: 8″ round
Day hatch size: 8″ round
Day hatch volume: 36L
Stern hatch size: 44x26cm oval hatch
Stern hatch volume: 76L
FROM THE DESIGNER
The Skimmer is probably my personal favourite in the touring line-up. It is no secret that I love speed and multiday trips. At the same time, I want a responsive hull and good stability for long days on the water. I designed the Skimmer to provide all that, and more.
I kept the rails low and wide at the hips, but softened and raised them toward the ends for a very predictable ride. I gave it a bit of rocker for good maneuverability, without reducing the waterline much to retain speed. Even though the Skimmer comes standard with a rudder, I wanted this boat to handle well without one too to reduce the dependency on the rudder. Overall, the hull gives a great combination of speed, stability and agility.
With the extra length, compared to the Osprey, I was able to incorporate everything on the deck that you could ask for in a touring kayak. No gimmicks, no gadgets, just pure functionality. The two large oval hatches are a given for a touring kayak of this nature. So is the day hatch behind the cockpit, as well as the toggle handles.
I made sure to incorporate my favourite feature, the large paddle cutaways for efficient strokes. I also added a compass pocket, which most paddlers won’t use, but when you need it, you really need it. The moulded-in pocket in front of the cockpit with 8″ hatch is really handy, especially for someone like me who need to keep meds and sweet stuff close by (I have diabetes type A and asthma).
I spent a lot of time on the bungee and rope layout, to make it as functional as possible. I trust that those who really know their stuff will appreciate that.
I made the cockpit standard size, albeit on the long side of standard… Getting in and out of a kayak becomes more difficult when you age. I was not so much aware of that until recent years, so I apologize to those I did not consider in my designs in my younger years. 🙂
Celliers Kruger
COLOURS
Yellow – Orange – Light blue – Lime green- Yellow/Orange combo – Yellow/lime combo – yellow/blue combo – pink
Note: the actual colours might look somewhat different from what is shown here. Just roll with it.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME
The African Skimmer live at large tropical rivers with sandbanks for nesting and roosting, lake shores, and coastal lagoons. With a natural habitat like that, who wouldn’t want a Skimmer in the family?
The Skimmer will be available in South Africa from Nov 2024, and in the USA from early 2025. Prebook yours now!
