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Insuring American Skier: cover and premium
motorboats and sports boats · several countries
American Skier: american builder of tournament ski boats. NAMMERT insures a American Skier regardless of year built or where you bought it, liability, hull, legal expenses and personal accident cover from one house, taken out online in five minutes.
At a glance
Origin
several countries
Class
motorboats and sports boats
Typical sizes
5,8 m
Premium from
from €49 a year for liability
Worth knowing
American Skier; cover, cost and conditions
American Skier was a Florida maker of tournament water ski boats. Ken Elkind, who had raced offshore powerboats before, founded the company in North Miami Beach in 1975. The first 18 foot Skiers left a shop in Opa Locka as 1976 models. In the early 1980s American Skier was among the first tournament boat companies whose boats the American Water Ski Association approved for competition. Ownership and location changed several times after that: WESMAR built the boats in Ocoee and Cape Coral, production later moved to Giddings in Texas, and in 1995 Ron Tanis took the moulds to Winnsboro in Louisiana. In 2001 the firm became Elan Boats, and the last true American Skiers were built early in 2002.
Our model records hold one American Skier design: the Advance, a 5.8 metre motorboat listed for the build years 1988 to 1994. No line reaches into the most recent build years. According to the company history the Advance first appeared in 1985 and stayed in the range until 2001, so our records show only part of its production run. Other models of the brand, such as the Volante, Barefoot Skier, Legend, Eagle, TBX and Lazer, are not in our records. Even the youngest Advance we list is more than thirty years old.
A ski boat of this age has usually led a busy life. Tournament boats are run hard, with frequent starts pulling a skier out of the water, so engine hours, the drive shaft and the transmission deserve a close look on any used Advance. The inboard sits inside the hull, which means bilge, engine mounts and exhaust are worth checking for corrosion and old leaks. Many of these boats live on a trailer, so the axle, bearings and lights matter as much as the hull. Imported boats are common, and a full set of papers makes registration far easier.
Questions and answers
Frequent questions
How long was the American Skier Advance built?
For American Skier: According to the company history the Advance appeared in 1985 and stayed in
the range until 2001.
Our model records list it for the build years 1988 to 1994, at a length of 5.8 metres.
Does American Skier still exist?
No.
The company was renamed Elan Boats in 2001,
and the last true American Skiers were built early in 2002.
Every Advance on the water today is a used boat.
The cover that fits
motorboat insurance
Tariffs, cover and FAQ for motorboat insurance in detail.
Third-party liability
The foundation for a boat from American Skier: damage to third parties, worldwide,
from €49 a year for liability.
Hull cover
Partial or full hull cover for a American Skier, at replacement value with an agreed fixed value.
For the whole class of boat
For American Skier: What matters for motorboats and sports boats is the same across every brand;
engine output, how a claim is settled, cruising range and theft protection.
The class page lists every point and every brand in this class, American Skier included.
Insuring motorboats and sports boats, every brand and every condition
Other builders in this class
Nautical information What counts before you cast off, papers, equipment, waters
Licence
A powerboat licence (inland or coastal) is required from 15 hp (11.03 kW).
Registration
Registration from 3 hp; for trips abroad carry the boat certificate or flag document.
Waters
Inland, coastal and abroad; plan fairways, bridge clearances, draught and tides.
Equipment
Lifesaving gear, fire extinguisher, anchor, signalling equipment and correct navigation lights.
Cruising range
The agreed cruising range is stated in the policy and can be extended at any time.
Weather
Check wind force in Beaufort and wind direction before casting off, and allow for gusts.
General guidance, not a complete account;
what governs are the rules of the waters you are on and the manual of your American Skier.
Current wind force and direction for your waters are shown on the Home.
Series by American Skier, build years and cover
Advance is a motorboat from American Skier, built from 1988 to 1994.
For the Advance by American Skier series there is no list price left.
That is why we work with an agreed value: you state the figure, we agree it,
and in a total loss exactly that amount is paid, with no deduction for wear.
For the Advance by American Skier series:
On a motorboat the drive is the single most valuable part.
Damage after grounding is covered, an engine failure from wear is not.
What does a used American Skier cost?
We hold today’s price ranges by year for 1 models by American Skier.
The table shows what boats in average condition are worth,
from the oldest to the youngest year on record.
Choose your exact model, year and condition in the calculator.
| Model | Years built | Range today |
|---|---|---|
| Advance | 1991 | €13,300 to €16,900 |
Estimate from our boat records, October 2026.
Not a survey.
American Skier insured in five minutes.
Boat type, year built, length and value of your American Skier are all we need.
Work out the premium online or call us: +49 3375 29 12 77.
