S L
TM
Solo Skiff Owners Manual
empower your fishing
TM
PAGE 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S L
Description/Layout of boat........................4
General information...................................5
Powering your Solo Skiff............................6
Safety.............................................................7
Operating your Solo Skiff...........................8
Storing your Solo Skiff................................9
PAGE 3
SOLO SKIFF DESCRIPTION & LAYOUT
The Solo Skiff is an all one piece rotomolded personal water craft designed for fishing and other water activities. It combines design features of kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and power craft. This combination of features creates a craft that is safer than powered canoes (or other similar boats) due to the nature of Solo Skiff’s- ‘sit on’, instead of
‘sit in’ design, that keeps the Solo from trapping water on the floor and deck. We have done everything we can do to make the Solo Skiff safe, but you must always exercise good judgment in it’s use, and never do anything above your skill and knowledge level. Have fun and be safe !
SEAT STORAGE HATCH
STORAGE HATCH LATCH
BOW HANDLE
S L
BOW
OPTIONAL ACCESS PORT
COOLER / STORAGE w/
LID / BUNGEE
COOLER / STORAGE
THRU BOTTOM DRAIN
COOLER DECK DRAINS
ROD TUBES
COCKPIT / FLOOR
GUNNELS / DECK
SEAT / STORAGE HATCH
TRANSOM
MOTOR WELL
GRAB BAR
WE SUGGEST YOU TAKE TIME TO LOOK OVER THIS PAGE
AND FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE SOLO SKIFF.
THESE AREAS / FEATURES WILL BE REFERENCED IN
OTHER PARTS OF THE OWNERS MANUAL.
BOW HANDLE - FOR LIFTING THE HULL ONLY
BOW - FRONT OF BOAT
ACCESS PORT LOCATION - ALLOWS INSTALLATION OF OP-
TIONAL AFTER-MARKET SCREW IN PORT.
COOLER / STORAGE - CAN BE USED AS A COOLER, OR DRY
STORAGE. DO NOT STORE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN THIS
AREA AS NO GUARANTEE IS MADE THAT IT WILL STAY DRY.
COOLER DECK DRAINS - IN COMBINATION WITH THE
COOLER LID (NOT SHOWN) KEEPS WATER OUT OF COOLER
DURING NORMAL USE.
COOLER THRU BOTTOM DRAIN - ALLOWS DRAINING /
RINSING OF COOLER
ROD TUBES- FOR ROD TIP STORAGE / TUBES ARE CAPPED /
SEALED SO WATER CAN’T GET IN HULL.
COCKPIT - AREA FOR STANDING, GETTING IN AND OUT OF
BOAT, AND KNEELING TO GET INTO STORAGE AREAS.
SEAT / STORAGE HATCH - FOR SITTING, AND ACCESS TO
INTERNAL HULL STORAGE
TRANSOM - FOR MOUNTING ELECTRIC TOLLING MOTOR
OR OUTBOARD MOTOR.
GRAB BAR - FOR LIFTING SOLO DURING LOADING - NOT TO
BE USED FOR STORAGE, OR HANGING THE BOAT.
Hatch cover, cooler cover, and bungee not shown for clarity.
PAGE 4
SOLO SKIFF GENERAL INFORMATION
CONSTRUCTION
Your Solo Skiff is made by a process called rotational molding. The entire hull is all one piece. It is made of polyethylene, one layer of outer plastic resin that contains the color, and a layer inside that is foamed. This multi layer process greatly increases the strength of your hull while at the same time providing a margin of safety against cracks. With proper care the hull will last for many years of use. The multi layer process also greatly aids in flotation. Your Solo Skiff has the foam layer on the entire inside surface. If you cut a Solo Skiff in pieces and put each piece in the water they will all float. This provides a level of safety you do not get with any single layer kayak. Your Solo Skiff also has foam blocks installed for added flotation and safety.
Do not remove these blocks of foam.
Your Solo Skiff is designed to be used in fresh water, or saltwater. All factory hardware is stainless and corrosion resistant.
PROPELLING YOUR SOLO SKIFF
YOUR SOLO SKIFF CAN BE POWERED BY;
1. OUTBOARD MOTORS (5Hp Maximum)
2. ELECTRIC TROLLING MOTORS (30-40Lb Thrust is plenty)
3. ELECTRIC OUTBOARDS (TORQEEDO 1003)
4. MANUAL POWER - SOLO SKIFF ROWING KIT, SUP/KAYAK PADDLE, PUSH POLE
Regardless of how you power your Solo Skiff the first priority should always be safety. Familiarize yourself with the Solo Skiff before venturing out into the water. Before venturing into open water be sure you have read this manual as well as your engine manual. Make sure your engine is securely and properly fastened to the hull. Make sure you fully understand all operational procedures of the motor and have a backup plan in case of failure. If your using battery power, be sure you understand your range. Range on a trolling motor great diminishes with speed. The faster you try to go, the faster the battery goes dead.
DO NOT OVERPOWER YOUR SOLO SKIFF
YOUR SOLO SKIFF IS RATED FOR THE FOLLOWING WEIGHTS AND POWER.
THESE LIMITS ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY !
U.S. COAST GUARD
1
MAXIMUM CAPACITIES
PERSON OR 250 LBS
400 LBS. PERSONS, MOTOR, GEAR
5HP MOTOR
PAGE 5
TRIM PIN - SEE MOTOR
OWNERS MANUAL FOR
DETAILS HOW TO
ADJUST MOTOR TRIM
ANGLE
CAVITATION PLATE
POWERING YOUR SOLO SKIFF
CAUTION!!!
YOU MUST MAKE SURE THE
FRONT OF THE CAVITATION
PLATE IS NOT RUBBING THE
HULL OF YOUR SOLO SKIFF.
THIS WILL CAUSE DAMAGE-
POSSIBLY PUNCTURING THE
HULL, AND OR ALLOWING
WATER IN YOUR HULL. THIS
WILL ALSO VOID YOUR WAR-
RANTY.
IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE ADJUSTING THE MOTOR SO IT DOES NOT RUB CALL YOUR LOCAL
SOLO SKIFF PRO - DO NOT USE BOAT IF IT IS RUBBING OR YOU HAVE A DOUBT
1. Install motor on transom per motor manufacturers instructions.
2. Do not drill through your transom to mount motor.
3. Clamp motor tight enough to avoid slippage off transom.
4. Adjust trim pin on motor so cavitation plate does not touch the hull while under power or at rest.
5. Be sure motor is centered on transom.
6. Double check that cavitation plate does not contact hull.
7. The first time you run the boat, motor a very short distance and double check clearance.
8. DO NOT RUN MOTOR IN TRIMMED UP POSITION- THE PROP CAN HIT HULL
PAGE 6
SAFETY
S L
ALWAYS WEAR THE
MOTOR KILL/ SHUTOFF LAN-
YARD WHEN STARTING AND
OPERATING THE MOTOR
WATER
WATER
PROPER LOADING
IF YOUR SOLO SKIFF IS PROPERLY LOADED, WATER WILL ALWAYS
DRAIN OUT OF THE COCKPIT - FLOWING AROUND THE SEAT,
AND RIGHT OFF THE BACK QUICKLY. IF IT IS NOT DRAINING
YOU HAVE TOO MUCH WEIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BOAT - AD-
JUST THE LOAD BEFORE PROCEEDING ANY FURTHER !
SAFETY NOTES
1. If you are not experienced with powerboat operation, seek the help and training of an experienced powerboat operator before using your Solo Skiff.
2. ALWAYS wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device when on the Solo Skiff. It can save your life and is the law !
3. Download and read a copy of the “BOATERS GUIDE
TO THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RECRE-
ATIONAL BOATS AND SAFETY TIPS”
4. Never overload the Solo Skiff.
5. NEVER STORE EXTRA FUEL INSIDE THE BOAT - IT IS
NOT VENTILATED AND COULD LEAD TO AN EXPLO-
SION.
6. NEVER DRILL A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OR
SIDES OF YOUR BOAT TO INSTALL HARDWARE
7. Always check your boat for signs of damage before heading out. If you see anything that looks like it could potentially cause problems do not use your boat.
8. Always double check that cooler drain plug is in place.
9. Only use approved containers for caring extra fuel.
10. Always carry a spare paddle inside the hull. There are telescopic paddles that will easily fit inside hull.
Safety equipment should always be on board as required by law and for your safety. Always have a daytime visual signaling device, a whistle or horn (approved by USCG) approved P.F.D. (should be wearing)
The Solo Skiff is only designed for one person
ROUGH WATER / BOAT WAKES
Do not operate your boat parallel to large waves. Always head into waves as perpendicular as possible. If you are going in the same direction as the waves, do not run perpendicular to the waves direction as losses of steering can occur and hull broaching.
We realize that things can happen and happen without warning and so should you. Boat wakes, and waves - if caught off guard at the wrong angle can capsize or flip your hull over.
BOAT WAKES, CAN UNEXPECTEDLY MAKE YOUR SOLO SKIFF
CHANGE DIRECTION THROWING YOU OFF BALANCE AND
OUT OF YOUR SKIFF. OPERATE CAUTIOUSLY IN ANY WAKES.
IN THE EVENT OF CAPSIZING
It is important to note that your hull will not sink,nor fill with water with the hatch shut, so do not panic.
Calmly get on top of the hull, go to the rear, and reach down in the motor well and grab the cockpit floor (under water) opposite you. Remain squatted and lean back. You should be able to right the hull. There is a video online demonstrating this .
We suggest you practice this in calm water before using your
Solo Skiff. Do so without the engine installed as immersing the motor can damage it.
PAGE 7
OPERATING YOUR BOAT
THINGS TO REMEMBER
S L
USING ‘360’REVERSE :
SOME SMALL ENGINES ALLOW YOU TO GO IN REVERSE
USE BY SPINNING THEM 360 DEGREES. IF YOU ARE NOT
VERY CAREFUL, THE ENGINE CAN SWING UP AND THE
PROPELLER HIT YOUR HULL WHEN YOU GO IN REVERSE.
WE SUGGEST YOU DO NOT DO THIS TO AVOID POSSIBLE
HULL DAMAGE THAT COULD ALLOW WATER IN YOUR
HULL.
1. Always wear your engine kill / shutoff lanyard when you start and operate the boat
- IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE !
2. Always wear a P.F.D. when operating a
Solo Skiff - it can save your life and is required by law.
S L
3. Do not over steer your boat, doing so could throw you out of the boat.
4. Be sure the hatch latch is secured to keep your hatch closed. Keep it latched at all times.
5. Make sure your plug is in the cooler drain.
6. If your motor has reverse gear - GO AT
IDLE SPEED ONLY!
7. The Solo Skiff is a small personal watercraft that is not meant for rough water use. Operating the boat in rough water can lead to the boat being flipped upside down.
Always use caution when approaching boat wakes , waves. Keep your Solo Skiff in calm conditions.
DO NOT TURN
THE SKIFF TOO
SHARPLY OR
QUICKLY !!
8. Never stand while operating the Solo
Skiff.
9. Slowly get accustomed to your boat in the water.
10. Never use the grab bar to tow another boat. You can damage the bar and molded in mounts in the hull.
11. Always inspect your grab bar, and bow handle before lifing boat for signs of damage. If you suspect damage or wear, do not lift boat with handles.
TURNING THE BOAT TOO
QUICKLY - ABRUPTLY -
SHARPLY CAN THROW YOU
OUT OF THE BOAT. DO NOT
TURN TOO SHARP !
GRADUALLY GET ACCUS-
TOMED TO HOW THE BOAT
TURNS AND BE CAREFUL
ALWAYS.
S L
S L
GRADUALLY TURN YOUR SKIFF !
PAGE 8
STORAGE / TRANSPORT
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
DO NOT STORE BOAT ON IT’S SIDE
When storing, AND transporting your Solo Skiff always be sure to support the hull under the inverted chines on the bottom along the full length. If you use a trailer the bunks should be spaced as above and run from past the transom to where the inverted chines stop. SEE ABOVE
ANGLE WILL NOT ALLOW
DRAINAGE
BOW DOWN
Do not leave / store boat where the bow is in a lower position than the stern of your Solo Skiff. If you can pour water in the cockpit and it does not drain out- your boat is bow down. When Solo
Skiff is stored this way, water cannot drain and will build up in the cockpit, and eventually can seep into the hull area through the rod tube flanges. Even though sealed, these can leak at times.
DO NOT STAND OR WALK IN YOUR SOLO SKIFF UNLESS IT IS IN THE WATER
NOTES BATTERY STORAGE
• Do not store the engine on your Solo Skiff.
• Remove engine at end of the day of use.
• Do not hang your solo Skiff.
• Do not leave hull unsupported longer than onehour, less in hot conditions.
• Storing the Solo Skiff in any way other than shown above will dent and possibly damage hull.
• You can store the Solo Skiff on a flat floor.
• Do not store your Solo Skiff out in the sun.
• The bow handle, and rear grab bar are not designed to hang from.
• Do not store boat upside down, it will warp.
• IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS EMAIL US at
[email protected]
PAGE 9
IF YOU ARE USING AN ELECTRIC TROLL-
ING MOTOR AND BATTERY SETUP PAY
ATTENTION TO FOLLOWING.
• Always fully support the hull under the battery.
• Do not launch and load boat with battery inside the hull.
• Do not store boat with battery inside unless fully supported or in the water.
ANY OF THE ABOVE CAN WARP AND
DAMAGE YOUR HULL.
