Swordfish water bike info......

[motiondave 72]

Hello people, Ive recently got an old Swordfish bike as a potential project. Ive done a search on the net with very few results.

I think, they were built as a hire out item for holiday use. They usually have a 25 hp outboard on the back, and are front handle bar steer.

I believe they are classed as a boat, and will sit two adults. They are small, the one I have (not in photo, thats a sample) is 9 foot x 4 foot, so its going to be a weapon.

They are few and far between and the odd one that does come up is not that expensive, like under $3000.

Im not building to sell, rather to have side water thrasher apart from my boat, and yes, the wife is heavily disagreeing despite the fact it will be eventually for her.

so....would anyone know of where I might find info or history? as Ive been searching with very little result.

Thanks, David.

 

[motiondave 72]

That's what I got

[zmk1962 686]

No info just an observation that it looks like a precursor to the Jetski. 
 

cheers Z

[motiondave 72]

1 hour ago, zmk1962 said:

No info just an observation that it looks like a precursor to the Jetski. 
 

cheers Z

Precursor? 

[motiondave 72]

@zmk1962thats inside. A centre cushion sits on it. A small transom would need to be fitted at the back of course.....

[zmk1962 686]

17 minutes ago, motiondave said:

Precursor? 

Yeah... the thing before the thing ... the predecessor 

[motiondave 72]

thanks and pardon my stupidity, im currently looking up boat coders anyway to see what they identify it as, a boat or PWC.

 

[frankS 644]

Looks like you have some fun days ahead of you. I think it looks more like a jet ski than a boat, so would probably need a PWC licence for it.

Frank

[motiondave 72]

25 minutes ago, frankS said:

Looks like you have some fun days ahead of you. I think it looks more like a jet ski than a boat, so would probably need a PWC licence for it.

Frank

I've yet to find out what it will be classed as. Jetski are internal engine while this is outboard.

It's not the need for a PWC licence but rather the restricted places I can take PWC class. I need a boat classification. 

.....still hunting for info.....

But hey, for some petrol money to get it, worse case, it gets taken to the tip. PWC no good to me....

[wrxhoon1 26]

It's not clear in the rules if it is a PWC or not. You will find when these were around in the 1980's and 90's WPC's were called Jet skis, one person stand up. It wasn't until very late 80's that Yamaha released the first sit down Jetski called wavejammer.  

I think you will have to contact waterways to clarify.

[motiondave 72]

57 minutes ago, wrxhoon1 said:

It's not clear in the rules if it is a PWC or not. You will find when these were around in the 1980's and 90's WPC's were called Jet skis, one person stand up. It wasn't until very late 80's that Yamaha released the first sit down Jetski called wavejammer.  

I think you will have to contact waterways to clarify.

9 hours ago, frankS said:

 

@wrxhoon1 , good news,  I found out today , from the HIN number, that is still good, it is registered as a open runabout, a boat😁 , will a steer wheel to it as that appears to have what it had, not handle bars. 25hp on 200kg should go well.

Happy days.

Wife still went off her chops about it, she wants jetski, even though she might use it a few times, and this little thing I have would be safer , and being a boat, it can go ANYWHERE 😄

[kingie chaser 661]

You have your work cut out for you in that project but hey anything like that is so rewarding when your riding around on it! 

With a 25hp it will be a blast 

[motiondave 72]

26 minutes ago, kingie chaser said:

You have your work cut out for you in that project but hey anything like that is so rewarding when your riding around on it! 

With a 25hp it will be a blast 

Thanks @kingie chaser , we have had a close look at it, not that much to do structurally , a new transom made up, some repairs on the hull and top half, a bit of thinking...etc.....

yep, 25 hp on 8 foot boat really should rocket along

I will eventually start and document the progress in Project Section, however, not much going to happen soon, need to repair the trailer and get it blue slipped first, that will take a few weeks or so.

thanks for everyones input and guidance 

 

[zmk1962 686]

On 10/11/2019 at 9:21 PM, motiondave said:

thanks and pardon my stupidity, im currently looking up boat coders anyway to see what they identify it as, a boat or PWC.

 

Hey no stupidity .... the only stupid question is the one that's not asked in my books !!

It's really coming along as an awesome project...I'm just waiting to see where the rod holders and bait board will go - bahaha. 

Btw agree the 25hp will make it scoot ... just check that it actually rated for a 25hp for insurance purposes.

Cheers Z

[kingie chaser 661]

1 hour ago, motiondave said:

I will eventually start and document the progress in Project Section

 

Will keep an eye out for it, will be great to watch as I love anything DIY 

 

Not sure of the end purpose for it but I recon it could be a good little vessel to fish out of, even if its just for SP's inshore or jigging or trolling for kings just outside the heads!

Edited October 13, 2019 by kingie chaser

[motiondave 72]

@kingie chaser , rofling....would you believe there is a cable a bit of bracket from what looks like a fish finder sounder on the back?😂😂😂😂

[shakey55 18]

Motiondave

this is what is on the RMS site (NSW) and the way it describes you need a PWC licence, so from their description it’s all about how it’s driven, standing, sitting, laying down, astride, etc. 

min my opinion reading this they would class it as a PWC.

PWC driving licence

A PWC driving licence is required for people aged 12 years and over to drive a PWC. People who hold a general boat driving licence can upgrade to a PWC driving licence at any time. A PWC driving licence includes a general boat licence. A PWC licence holder is able to operate a vessel with a fully enclosed hull that may be driven standing up, lying down, sitting astride or kneeling, and includes jet powered surfboards.

In QLD they actually have a definition of what a PWC is

What defines a PWC: 
personal watercraft means a powered ship that—
(a) has a fully enclosed hull that does not take on water if capsized; and
(b) is designed to be operated by a person standing, crouching or kneeling on it or sitting astride it.

Edited October 13, 2019 by shakey55
Additional info

[shakey55 18]

20 hours ago, zmk1962 said:

Hey no stupidity .... the only stupid question is the one that's not asked in my books !!

It's really coming along as an awesome project...I'm just waiting to see where the rod holders and bait board will go - bahaha. 

Btw agree the 25hp will make it scoot ... just check that it actually rated for a 25hp for insurance purposes.

Cheers Z

I see there is one for sale on Gumtree for $3200 and it has a 30 hp motor 

[motiondave 72]

@shakey55 , I saw that the other day as well.

Also one just sold for $1500 with 25hp on back.

 

[wrxhoon1 26]

Not sure if it is classed as a PWC because when they first appeared in the market there wasn't any Jetskis or what they later called PWC's. 

Ah well if it is a PWC then you need a licence, the last one cost me almost $1000 for 10 years. 3 year is $415.00 and PWC rego is $342 per year. 

[motiondave 72]

24 minutes ago, wrxhoon1 said:

Not sure if it is classed as a PWC because when they first appeared in the market there wasn't any Jetskis or what they later called PWC's. 

Ah well if it is a PWC then you need a licence, the last one cost me almost $1000 for 10 years. 3 year is $415.00 and PWC rego is $342 per year. 

It's not PWC , I found out the original HIN plates are still on the system and it is classed as open runabout , a boat. Long as I put steering wheel and seat with back rest, it's right to go ANYWHERE 😄

If it was classed as PWC, I would not have even picked up the tools.

I need a boat and this will do nicely as thrash around toy. 

The wife is more friendly towards it now as she investigated jetskis, and yes, too costly and limited places. 

This will be used by her mostly. 

Happy wife, happy life ...

(Bull s*&$#t)😂

[shakey55 18]

11 hours ago, motiondave said:

It's not PWC , I found out the original HIN plates are still on the system and it is classed as open runabout , a boat. Long as I put steering wheel and seat with back rest, it's right to go ANYWHERE 😄

If it was classed as PWC, I would not have even picked up the tools.

I need a boat and this will do nicely as thrash around toy. 

The wife is more friendly towards it now as she investigated jetskis, and yes, too costly and limited places. 

This will be used by her mostly. 

Happy wife, happy life ...

(Bull s*&$#t)😂

Excellent.  Looking forward to seeing it all spruced up