Skibird Conquest 18

Enquire into the history of some boat marques Down Under and you're likely to get a long, involved tale of takeovers, mergers and God knows what else. Equally, the background of the designs of some boats are shrouded in secrecy... Further investigation is actively discouraged.

Sure, there are a few exceptions. They're usually Australian boating businesses that have been in the same family for generations and the owners are only too happy to give you chapter and verse about their boats' lineages. JJ Savage & Sons is one that comes to mind. Nonetheless, the common story is a convoluted, and at times unsavoury, one.

In this day and age, therefore, it's refreshing to find a small company that remains closely linked to its founder/designer. Such is the case with Rydalmere (NSW) skiboat maker Skibird Marine which proudly fits the 'By Albert Lewis' moniker on every boat it makes.

Until quite recently, Skibird was the 'property' of the founder, designer and original owner of Lewis skiboats, Albert Lewis. However, current proprietors Ian Corner and Denise Milton have strong connections with the marque - Corner's been fitting out Skibirds since the designs were first penned in the 1980s, while Milton has been on the other end of the stick as a longtime Skibird owner.

It was only logical then that the pair should take over the company completely when Lewis retired late in 1997.

Under the new regime, little has changed. There is still a three-boat Skibird centremount range, which is currently constructed to Skibird's specifications on the NSW Central Coast before travelling to Sydney for fit-up and commissioning by Corner and his crew.

Milton's role within the company - marketing, promotions and the like - calls on her background as a senior exec in the world of commerce.

It's a structure that's obviously working, for Skibird had plenty of orders to fill when Trailer Boat magazine visited back in October.

MAKING A CONQUEST
The visit was to sample the maker's latest version of the 19ft Extreme on Parramatta River. However, with strong sales and no 19-footers available, we were only able to test its two smaller siblings - the 18ft Conquest and 17ft Sensation. In this test, I'll concentrate on the Conquest, though many of the comments hold true for the 17-footer and there's a strong family resemblance between the two.

In general layout, the Conquest mirrors conventional centremount skiboats.

Up front there are bucket-style helm and observer seats upholstered in a choice of fabrics or marine-grade vinyls. At the rear, a three-piece lounge offers additional seating and incorporates an underfloor icebox.

A substantial fibreglass engine box covers the powerplant - usually a Torco/MCE-marinised 350 Chev V-eight.

Given that many of Skibird's customers ski in salt or brackish waters, there is a freshwater flushing kit fitted as standard. Other standard equipment includes a conventional dog clutch, which is suited to the ravages of the saltwater environment, according to Corner, who guarantees the powerplants for two years.

A low-deck style design, the 18-footer features a conventional screen which provides adequate protection for those of average height.

The helmsman's seat is adjustable for leg length and the driving position is comfortable thanks to a step-down centre floor section which is easier to access than comparable boats.

The usual bank of Faria instruments are housed amidships in a neat, if a little dated, binnacle. Ski storage is via deep fully-lined sidepockets that run the full length of each side of the large cockpit. There's a further carpeted storage area provided in the bow ahead of the observer's seat (a two-place lounge is an option). This space is somewhat compromised by the sealed buoyancy tank upfront, but it's a compromise most sensible boaters will be willing to live with.

An integrated boarding platform at the rear makes onwater activities easier to access. It's at the back here where the standard 80lt (100lt optional) fueltank is fitted.

Like I said, it's conventional.

DYNAMIC INDIVIDUALS
But it's when you step away from the overall layout that you start to appreciate the individual nature of Skibird's craft. Design of the hull aside (more on that later), it has a unique profile that sets it apart.

It's not the most modern look, however the way the sheer or gunwale line falls away to the stern, and to a lesser degree towards the bow, gives the craft a genuinely dynamic look - even when it's sitting still!

Add to this the aggressive scalloping of the hull sides at close to chine line from abaft amidships and you end up with an individual look that implies power and performance.

These are trademark characteristics across the Skibird range - and more power to them. There's little which sets so many skiboats apart these days - at least visually.

As you'd expect, given the individual tweaks topsides, Skibird boats are equally unique under the waterline. The configuration of the hull is difficult to describe in a few words. However, it has a number of specific features that create its flat turns, low wake and soft ride.

Up front, there's an uncharacteristically deep forefoot (for a skiboat). When quizzed, Corner was not sure of the actual vee angle but as a regular offshore fisherman, I'd suggest it puts some bluewater boats to shame.

This vee rapidly flattens as you move astern and is chopped at around helm level to form a relatively wide running plank, which has two planing strakes adjacent to it. Around the same section of hull, the heavy reverse chines kick in. These rapidly grow to the point that they do, in fact, form tunnels on each outer edge of the craft.

Though I'm no marine architect, it appears obvious to me that this combination is responsible for the quick transition to plane and uncannily soft ride that the Conquest (and Sensation) exhibits. Had I not experienced the boat first hand, I would not have believed that a planked modified-vee skiboat with a transom deadrise of just 12.5° could have such a comfortable ride.

Clearly, the heavy chines have much to do with the ability of the boat to turn hard and flat. Smooth water, full throttle turn? Certainly, sir! Just wind on the steering lock and get ready for the G-forces.

Seriously, the only criticism this speed demon had of the turning performance was that it was relatively easy to overpower the prop. Corner regularly fits a 12x15-inch three-bladed Moritz wheel, which provides a useful reduction in revs at cruising (and skiing) speeds, but means the boat lacks a little punch out of turns - at least compared to similar powered craft with 13x13.5-inch props.

Nonetheless, the boat remains spritely out of the hole with no pronounced bow lift and a lightning quick transition to plane. Top speed certainly isn't lacking either. According to Skibird's GPS-generated figures, the 18-footer is good for around 82kmh at 4200rpm, while the narrower-beamed 17ft Sensation can top the 85kmh mark.

Want more speed? Just say the word - Corner and his crew will happily fit anything from a range of MerCruiser inboards to full-house 7.4lt Chev race engines to the Conquest. Just ensure you have your chequebook handy...

CUSTOM-BUILT VALUE
By choice, Skibird remains a relatively small manufacturer, but this has its advantages, one of which is the fact that buyers are intimately involved in how their boat will look.

Whether it be the choice of gelcoat, graphics, vinyl or carpet colours, Skibird says it can comply with most requests.

And this is despite a relatively modest pricetag. With a fully marinised and guaranteed 350 Chev (dog clutch), hull warranty and a long list of standard features, Skibird can deliver the Conquest from as little as $22,990.

In days when tournament-spec skiboats are topping the $50,000 mark, that has to be good value.

Box story: THE NEW SENSATION!

A case of less is more? Skibird's Sensation 17 is a boat very much in the same mould as its bigger stablemate. Narrower in the beam, lighter and carrying the same mechanical package, it's noticeably quicker out of the hole, just edging out the Conquest when it comes to top speed. Starting on the water from around $19,990, it's top value and happily towed behind the current crop of mid-sized family cars.