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  • Manufacturers and Dealers

    Boat Interior Builders Best Kept Secret? 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 02-11-2019 01:40 PM  Number of Views: 617 
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    One of the things all custom boat builders require, and those who refurbish offshore performance boats desire, is an interior that is as special as their vision for the entire project. When you are creating a work of art with the design of a boat, and you assist with the custom paint that makes your boat special, you have your list of "Must Haves". One of those "Must Haves", make sure the interior is not the same as some other custom boat, and make sure the interior design is special and of the highest quality. As many know, this isn't always an easy thing to accomplish.


    Home Base

    Possibly one of the best kept secrets in the design and build of custom marine, (and vehicle), interiors is Appearance Products in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Craig and his team create some of
    ...
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    Caution, Wide-Load - No Bull, No Hype 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 08-08-2018 09:35 AM  Number of Views: 3938 
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    Every so often something special comes along in the performance boating world. Everybody has their favorites; some are one of a kind in performance. Some are one of a kind in handling. Some are one of a kind in design. And some are one of a kind in paint.

    Some become the beginning of the next great thing, an overall breakthrough. We all have our favorites.

    On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are the boats that are a lot of hype and marketing. Words and dimensions are used to describe them that have nothing to do with the actual product. Somebody adds a swim platform or transom winglets, adds that extension
    ...
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    Skater 3312, Part Two 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 07-19-2018 11:39 AM  Number of Views: 1927 
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    2. Marine Tech
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    A couple years ago we reviewed a new Skater build we dubbed the Silver Bullet. The boat was a phenomenal piece of work, going over 160 MPH with 1200 HP Sterling's, (de-tuned 1500's), and Arneson drives.
    ( Link: http://seriousoffshore.com/forums/co...akedown-Cruise )

    Unfortunately, there just did not seem to be any buyers for a 33' boat, (30'8" without the bustle), with that type of speed capabilities running Arneson drives. So, out came the Sterling's, off came the Arneson's, and a new opportunity was created. That opportunity ended
    ...
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    Skater's All New 478 Raised Deck Vee, Part 3 - First Water Test 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 10-12-2016 08:31 PM  Number of Views: 9246 
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    They say that good things come to those who wait, and it seems to be that great Skaters are also included as part of that saying. Today, the Skater 478 Vee made its inaugural voyage shake-down cruise and the initial test results were certainly very positive.



    We are under sworn secrecy to the performance numbers, but it was just an initial shakedown so top speed was not a consideration. Handling, time to plane with drives in versus drives at neutral. No tabs to plane, quartering seas handling, cornering capabilities, ...
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    A Sequel That Equals The Original, UPDATE!! 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 10-03-2016 05:51 PM  Number of Views: 14461 
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    Within the confines of Douglas Marine in Saugatuck, Michigan, there exists an office where a boat building legend draws up the creations thought of on a large drafting table. Then, once that legend decides the design has reached the potential required to bear his reputation of performance and handling, he finally releases that creation to be built.


    Peter and Mike coming back in after the first test.

    That is the way Peter Hledin creates a Skater for the world to utilize. And his latest completed creation once again upholds that reputation with the utmost capability.


    Tyson and Peter heading out to Lake Michigan

    The
    ...
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    Skater Visits and Tests at Mercury Racing, Fond du Lac 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 10-02-2016 02:13 PM  Number of Views: 5709 
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    This past week Skater Powerboats took one of their latest creations for testing and review by the experts at Mercury Racing. As unlikely as it may seem, for the first time in his 42 years of building performance boats, Peter Hledin went on this particular trip and actually visited Mercury Racing in Wisconsin.


    Mike Griffith and Peter Hledin Testing

    It was hard for any of us to believe, Peter had been to Lake X, but never to the Fond du Lac facilities. So, with his latest creation ...
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    The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection 

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    Ratickle
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    Published on 05-30-2016 09:14 PM  Number of Views: 7247 
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    2. Member Spotlight
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    “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence”. Vince Lombardi


    Boyne Thunder 2014

    When Skater Powerboats started the build of the 46’ Race/Pleasure “GOTCHA NOW” back in 2013 they knew they had an owner who was always in search of perfection. He wouldn’t even consider ever letting the boat be used in salt water. The boat was built with Mercury Racing 1350’s, M8 drives, and had every aspect of the build sweated to the smallest detail. When the pursuit of perfection was completed, Lombardi would certainly agree excellence had certainly been caught. But, when a person driven towards perfection gets
    ...
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    Silver Bullet: Skater 3312 Aces its Shakedown Cruise 

    Published on 04-19-2016 05:44 PM  Number of Views: 14120 
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    By Paul "Ratickle" Rose and Jason Johnson of Speed on the Water

    In folklore, a bullet made of silver is the only way to stop a werewolf and various other creatures of evil. The Lone Ranger also used silver bullets to uphold justice and remind himself that life, just like silver, is precious and not to be wasted or thrown away. And now Douglas Marine/Skater Powerboats has its own version of the silver bullet, which we’re pretty sure could outrun werewolves or any other monsters it may come across on the water.


    Almost ready for the initial on water outing

    It’s also possible—after witnessing the
    ...
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    In Search of Horsepower, Never Enough? 

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    Serious News
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    Published on 02-09-2016 01:20 AM
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    In the performance boating world, the one thing that has remained constant every since the first Roman added extra rowers to his Galley, there is never enough horsepower. In today's world, there are several options to try for more horsepower, and several players who want to provide the ultimate horsepower option. There are also several questions begging to be answered. Like: What is more important, horsepower or torque? Many don't realize that the horsepower at the crankshaft of the engine is multiplied by the gear ratios of the drives or transmissions. So, an engine with 500 foot pounds of torque, passing the power through a 1.5 drive, has 750 foot pounds of torque at ...
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    Performance Boat Center's All New Skater 388 Super Cat Race Boat 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 10-28-2015 10:36 PM
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    Back in Key West a year ago the key players from Performance Boat Center at Lake of the Ozarks approached the key players from Douglas Marine in Douglas Michigan about a possible race boat project. After some discussion, the project was a go.

    Since that time, we here at Serious Offshore Sports have once again had the opportunity to watch the creation of a one of a kind Skater come from a waxed mold, to a finished project. Well, that finished project hit the water today, so now we can finally chat about the build and show some of the photos as we have followed it.



    It floats!!
    ...
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    Skater's All New 478 Raised Deck Vee Part 2 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 09-24-2015 09:02 PM
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    After the boat was finished with all of the base paint prep work, it went into the paint booth for the final application of the paint to make the final design come to life. Take a peek as we have watched this transformation to the current status. What an amazing piece of eye-candy. In the water, this beauty is going to stun!!


    First View.



    Finished Base


    The Vision!


    Sleek!!!

    This boat ...
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    Skater's All New 478 Raised Deck Vee 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 06-23-2015 08:26 PM
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    As we spend time at Skater watching custom boat after custom boat being built, every once in awhile a completely new design floors us. This has happened recently, as you are aware, with the Pure Platinum 388, the 50' Shades of Grey, and the all new 318 wide-body outboard currently beginning its rigging process.

    Now, Skater has done it again. The new 478 we have watched for the past 8 months is getting to a point where they have decided to allow the secret new build out. The lines on this boat are something that we cannot wait to see on the water. In our humble opinion, they are superb.
    ...
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    Skater 318 With Mercury racing 400 R's, Several Firsts All Rolled Together 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 06-02-2015 11:35 PM
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    As we've been following the build of this Skater 318, we are certainly impressed with the thought, build, and the overall impressions this "First" projects.

    Now that it has the final clear shot in the paint booth, it is time to show you what has been transpiring, and tell a little bit of the why.



    After the last clear topcoat in the spray booth. Still drying!


    Sanding out the boat for prime.


    Prime in the booth.



    Sand Again!



    Painting the final design.


    ...
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    Bobkat Offshore Racing "STIHL" 2015, Past, Present, and Future 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 05-13-2015 09:19 PM
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    A couple weeks ago we had the opportunity to chat with Bob "JR" Noble, Mark Kowalski, and Dave Hutchinson while they were visiting Skater to check up on both of their team's boats. It was a slight bit colder up here than in Florida when they left. (Mark just had to drive over from Ohio).

    The current boat, damaged in Key West as most will remember, was almost ready to take home for final rigging to be ready for the Cocoa Beach race. Dave was able to take it back south to TNT the next day for final assembly, rigging, and testing.

    "Past"


    "Bumping" with Broadco in Key West


    Oops, Drive ...
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    Pure Platinum, Refined Perfection of An Earth Rarity - Part One, The Oversight 

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    Serious Offshore
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    Published on 05-12-2015 09:48 AM
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    Many times we hear about “The 1%” in today’s news stories. When it comes to scarcity however, Platinum is found in only .01 parts per million of the earth’s crust, making it one of the planets most elusive elements. In the 18th Century, platinum’s rarity made King Louis the XV of France declare it “the only metal fit for a king”. So, when Bill Pyburn collaborated with Peter Hledin to produce the latest “Pure Platinum” Skater, they had a lofty target to attain to make sure the finished product would live up to the rarity of its namesake.


    Photo Courtesy Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

    ...
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  • The Inside Articles

    Clubs and Destinations (23)
    Historical (19)
    Manufacturers and Dealers (40)
    Marine Tech (15)
    Member Spotlight (16)
    On The Water News (65)
    Racing and Poker Runs (62)
  • Recent Blog Posts

  • Recent Forum Posts

    ozarkjignpig

    Victory Closer To Sport Cat Distribution With FB Marine Group, PPI And More On Board

    I've heard a +10 boat fleet for S-Class will be together this year! That is sure to include more tight battles....looking forward to Cocoa Beach.

    ozarkjignpig Today, 12:58 PM Go to last post
    rschap1

    Official...raise your post count thread!!

    Mid Week

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    Ratickle

    Victory Closer To Sport Cat Distribution With FB Marine Group, PPI And More On Board

    And, who is the second race boat going to? No one seems to know yet, and if it will race this season.

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    Wild guess it was the 8th 28 made, and was built between August 1, 1975 and July 31, 1976. If that is the boat I think it is, it was made from the Aronow

    fund razor Today, 08:01 AM Go to last post
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