Sand Skiff / Silt Skimmer - Dark Sun

Update: I have changed the CC license of my models because of the lack of clarity around AI use. If you want to re-mix, reuse, rewhatever my model, just ask.. 

I have been working on some skiffs for a silt sea adventure that my players are about to be involved with. I designed this model after looking at the original art, researching both land and sea sailing, …. and watching Fury Road a lot. 

I wanted this design to be fantastical but have some practical elements. 

About the Silt Skimmer

"To the untrained eye, the silt is an endless plain of desolation, lifeless and deadly. Yet this is only an illusion, a distortion of the truth. The silt possesses its characteristic formations and moods, just as landforms anywhere do. The experienced silt traveler faces an ever-changing terrain as diverse as that of the Tablelands or the Ringing Mountains." - From The Valley of Dust and Fire

In the Dark Sun campaign setting travel around the coastal areas of silt sea is done by wheeled vessels across the shoals. Larger vessels move through a combination of sails to catch the wind, psionic energy, and slaves who move massive wheels. Navigators need to be prepared to travel across various features in the silt. 

These larger ships also need small scouting vessels that can move quickly to assess dangers or check ahead for shifts in the shoals. This skiff model is meant to represent one of those smaller vessels. 

Ultimately I wanted my model to have a Mad Max vibe to it. Something a group of pirate raiders might use for hit and run tactics on trade ships. 

Model Notes: 

Scale: The main hull occupies roughly 1x4 standard gaming tiles, excluding the outrigger. The model is also mostly flat on top so that several figures can balance on it easily. They can also hang out on the lashed area between the main hull and the outrigger. 

Functional wheels: The wheels are functional and print in place. I advise printing on angle so that they work best. (See printing notes)

Movable sail: The sail and mast can be interchanged with other versions of your liking. The mast also swivels in its hole. The base of the mast has some stylized features to add to its strength. You could also just glue in a chopstick or dowel rod and use fabric or paper to make a sail. 

Printing Notes:

Base Model Complexity and Supports: The skiff model is complex and many areas require support. I advise printing the boat with the figurehead facing down and at a slight angle (90 degrees Y and 35 degrees X). I have also attached partially pre-supported files. Even if you use your own supports, you may find viewing the orientation helpful. For my supports I use tree supports to support the pointy bits and standard prusa slicer rectilinear supports for the rest. The attached files have the supports I used. Of note, the holes on the sides did not need supports when I printed it. Your mileage may vary depending on your layer height and nozzle size. 

Surface Detail: Due to the amount of horizontal surface, even if you do not use my recommended orientation, I recommend printing in a somewhat vertical orientation. This makes the textures on the surface of the boat stand out more.  See horizontal vs vertical print orientation example image. This image shows the same printer and print settings but just printed at a different angle. 

Print in Place Wheels: The print in place wheels work well for me at a variety of layer heights. However, they work best when printed at an angle (as recommended above). This way you do not get sag and swell on the functional surface of the wheel. I found when printing wheel tests using normal object orientation, the slight sag and bulge from printing caused the wheels to not roll nearly as smooth as when printed at an angle. 

That Darn Wheel Well: Supporting the wheel in the boats outrigger is one of the more annoying parts. I adjusted my original model so that there is more room to add and remove small supports. I had no issues removing the supports from the print file I shared, but if you are adding your own supports, just be considerate of this area. 

Printing the Sail: The sail requires relatively minimal support. It can be printed with the sail facing up in a normal orientation. If you go that way then supports should only be needed under the lip where the mast joins the boat, under the lowest boon, and under the longer fin tips. That said, I ended up printing on angle with a mix of tree and rectilinear supports. This takes longer, but I felt the quality was slightly better. See attached print file. 

Fit Tolerance for the Sail: In my testing the fit tolerances for the mast were perfect. Your mileage may vary. I advise cross sectioning out the mast base and mast hole part of the ship and doing a quick test print to test tolerances. Though if your fit is too loose this can be easily solved by adding a thin layer of craft glue to the mast base or a bit of tape. 

Need to save time?: Even though I print at very high resolutions, the print came out nicely when I did a draft version. See my last picture to see what an earlier version of the model looked like printed at 0.3mm.

Other model options: 

I also attached two alternate models that do not have the wheels in case you want to use it in a more traditional setting. One of these models has the bone spear figure head the other does not. 

Enjoy