Visited Skater Last Friday

[T2x]

I welcomed the chance to spend some quality time with one of my favorite people, Peter Hledin. He had over a dozen boats on the floor in various stages of build (or re-rig in a couple of cases). While business is not at peak levels, Skater continues to lead the performance pack in demand and quality.

It amazes me that anyone would consider another cat, given that the handcrafted, flat deck Skaters are the only truly custom product out there, at a price which is competitive with the other (fully molded) contenders in the market. The hours of hand workmanship, sizzling performance, and original styling are the standard against which all others are measured. In addition the absolutely insane in house painting is outrageously creative and unique.

I've known Peter since his earliest boats and I bow to his position as the undisputed king of performance builders in the entire history of the sport. I look forward to our next visit toward the end of this year.

Buy a Skater.......... I did ;)

T2x
__________________

[Bobcat]

pics Rich pics!!!! ( I might be too fat for a skater,I could get in,but gettin out looks tough!):sifone:

[CDOWNS]

:):):)

[T2x]

pics Rich pics!!!! ( I might be too fat for a skater,I could get in,but gettin out looks tough!):sifone:

Like I said...Skaters are custom built...there is no owner too fat to fit in.....

:D

T2x

[Bobcat]

it is a dead giveaway when the trim tab on the drivers side is twice as big as the other !:sifone:

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Rich,

Maybe next time I could go with you to do a photo shoot ?

Or on the other hand, how far is the SKATER plant from Harrison Twp. ???

If I end up driving out there for the race in July, it may be worth the extra time to pay Peter a visit...

Here is the inside of one of Peter's work of art :

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/p883283702/slideshow


Enjoy !:)

[Offshore Ginger]

I welcomed the chance to spend some quality time with one of my favorite people, Peter Hledin. He had over a dozen boats on the floor in various stages of build (or re-rig in a couple of cases). While business is not at peak levels, Skater continues to lead the performance pack in demand and quality.

It amazes me that anyone would consider another cat, given that the handcrafted, flat deck Skaters are the only truly custom product out there, at a price which is competitive with the other (fully molded) contenders in the market. The hours of hand workmanship, sizzling performance, and original styling are the standard against which all others are measured. In addition the absolutely insane in house painting is outrageously creative and unique.

I've known Peter since his earliest boats and I bow to his position as the undisputed king of performance builders in the entire history of the sport. I look forward to our next visit toward the end of this year.

Buy a Skater.......... I did ;)

T2x
__________________ I agree 100% , because it's a Skater nation...........................................................:26:

[Ratickle]

Rich,

Maybe next time I could go with you to do a photo shoot ?

Or on the other hand, how far is the SKATER plant from Harrison Twp. ???

If I end up driving out there for the race in July, it may be worth the extra time to pay Peter a visit...

Here is the inside of one of Peter's work of art :

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/p883283702/slideshow


Enjoy !:)

You guys are always welcome to stay at our place, just let us know. We're about 1/2 hour from the factory on the north side of Holland.

[Offshore Ginger]

Rich,

Maybe next time I could go with you to do a photo shoot ?

Or on the other hand, how far is the SKATER plant from Harrison Twp. ???

If I end up driving out there for the race in July, it may be worth the extra time to pay Peter a visit...

Here is the inside of one of Peter's work of art :

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/p883283702/slideshow


Enjoy !:) around 3 to 4 hours and maybe we all could hook up considerig im only 20 min from Douglas and have lunch ?

[Wrinkleface]

I welcomed the chance to spend some quality time with one of my favorite people, Peter Hledin. He had over a dozen boats on the floor in various stages of build (or re-rig in a couple of cases). While business is not at peak levels, Skater continues to lead the performance pack in demand and quality.

It amazes me that anyone would consider another cat, given that the handcrafted, flat deck Skaters are the only truly custom product out there, at a price which is competitive with the other (fully molded) contenders in the market. The hours of hand workmanship, sizzling performance, and original styling are the standard against which all others are measured. In addition the absolutely insane in house painting is outrageously creative and unique.

I've known Peter since his earliest boats and I bow to his position as the undisputed king of performance builders in the entire history of the sport. I look forward to our next visit toward the end of this year.

Buy a Skater.......... I did ;)

T2x
__________________

Have a Buddy that is close 2 get'n his new 32! I understand they R wait'n on eggbeaters that R 2 B supplied by somebody else!!!:boxing_smiley:

[Ratickle]

Rich,

Maybe next time I could go with you to do a photo shoot ?

Or on the other hand, how far is the SKATER plant from Harrison Twp. ???

If I end up driving out there for the race in July, it may be worth the extra time to pay Peter a visit...

Here is the inside of one of Peter's work of art :

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/p883283702/slideshow


Enjoy !:)

And just bring Rich with you......:sifone:

[Offshore Ginger]

Rich,

Maybe next time I could go with you to do a photo shoot ?

Or on the other hand, how far is the SKATER plant from Harrison Twp. ???

If I end up driving out there for the race in July, it may be worth the extra time to pay Peter a visit...

Here is the inside of one of Peter's work of art :

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/p883283702/slideshow


Enjoy !:) Dammmmmmmmmmm SHARKEY i can not believe you made it that far up in the Pickles to take pics and by the way great pics . I also have been up at Douglas 3 to 4 times in the last few months getting materials for redoing gas tanks on a 32 Skater and how pretty is there layup. WOW !:26:

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Dammmmmmmmmmm SHARKEY i can not believe you made it that far up in the Pickles to take pics and by the way great pics . I also have been up at Douglas 3 to 4 times in the last few months getting materials for redoing gas tanks on a 32 Skater and how pretty is there layup. WOW !:26:

It's so much better going up there with a camera instead of a grinder and a dryer hose attached to the front of my face.....:ack2:

And to think with the vacuum bagged boats, there is little to no chance of getting any splinters..... :)

[stainless]

Skater Baby!

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I agree 100% , because it's a Skater nation...........................................................:26:

Me too:sifone:

[gatorone]

Mine leaves tomorrow

[ApachePete]

Rich!

Are you still here?

Love to get to see you. And tell you the TRUTH re: Peter.

[Offshore Ginger]

Mine leaves tomorrow DAWGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG and what was yours there for ( new or old ) and as luck has it i will be at Douglas around 1:30 tomorrow .:sifone:

[Offshore Ginger]

Rich!

Are you still here?

Love to get to see you. And tell you the TRUTH re: Peter. Be nice Pete .:rofl::rofl::rofl: :26:

[Cash Bar]

Mine leaves tomorrow

Good to hear!!

Now, about that avatar. :ack2:


See you in a week. :biggrinjester:

[Offshore Ginger]

It's so much better going up there with a camera instead of a grinder and a dryer hose attached to the front of my face.....:ack2:

And to think with the vacuum bagged boats, there is little to no chance of getting any splinters..... :) So overall is the layup not (awsome) ? :26:

[gatorone]

DAWGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG and what was yours there for ( new or old ) and as luck has it i will be at Douglas around 1:30 tomorrow .:sifone:

leaves late afternoon...just getting a lil tlc....or a trailer adjustment

[Offshore Ginger]

leaves late afternoon...just getting a lil tlc....or a trailer adjustment Cool and are you going to be picking up the trailer , orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr?:sifone:

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

So overall is the layup not (awsome) ? :26:I think the pictures speak volumes on the layup.... :sifone:

[boatme]

Pete has been a freind of ours (wife and I) for years

One of the most down to earth guys you will ever meet and one heck of a boat builder

We are fortunate to get to the plant a few times a year and always have a great time walking through the shop and seeing what is new

Lunch with Pete is always a highlight and you cant forget to go get his mail on the way back :)

One of the trully good guys in the industry

[T2x]

pics Rich pics!!!! :

Here ya go

[T2x]

More........ and yes those are bazooka tubes on the blue cat.

I really like this flat deck OB.

Flat deck is really a misnomer.... The correct term should be custom deck, because, unlike the competition, there are few straight lines on a Skater deck...... or sides for that matter. If you don't think that is significant than why didn't mother nature make an egg in the shape of a cube?

[T2x]

And.......

[T2x]

Some old guys...who still have it.... :D

Peter with me...and Phillip.

[chewiekw]

I have always been interested in boat design and construction. Can someone help me understand the differences in the way Skater, MTI, Outerlimits, Nor-Tech build their boats? Different materials? Different process?
Just trying to educate myself.

[Geronimo36]

Where's the pics of the new boat?? Or did I misread.

[Sean Stinson]

Nice....so spill the beans Rich what did you buy buddy????

[T2x]

Where's the pics of the new boat?? Or did I misread.

You misread.......

T2x

[T2x]

Nice....so spill the beans Rich what did you buy buddy????

I picked up my trusty ol' 28......... a real driver's boat... :p

[Pro1]

Philip has to be itching after that visit!!!! :03::26:

[T2x]

Philip has to be itching after that visit!!!! :03::26:

You betcha...the 30 and 32 foot OB Custom decks have his name written all over them.

Kim might approve too.....;)

[Wrinkleface]

I really like this flat deck OB.



That's my Buddies!!:sifone:

[boatme]

That's my Buddies!!:sifone:



You don't have any friends just sympathizers :rofl::26::rofl:

[Wrinkleface]

You don't have any friends just sympathizers :rofl::26::rofl:

I have a dog!!!!:sifone:

[boatme]

I have a dog!!!!:sifone:


Yea but look wht what does he get ???? :drool5:

[Geronimo36]

Buy a Skater.......... I did ;)


You misread.......

T2x


I picked up my trusty ol' 28......... a real driver's boat... :p

Ok, makes sense now!:)

[KnotRight]

Is that a 50 I see?

[Excalibur Racing]

Rich,

In the discussion about the Mystic coming apart you stated that Carbon Fiber should never be used on a running surface. Peter seems to have found a good use for it!!!!

[justgolf]

is that a 50????

[MarylandMark]

Have a Buddy that is close 2 get'n his new 32! I understand they R wait'n on eggbeaters that R 2 B supplied by somebody else!!!

A 32 w/eggbeaters? Details please- seems that is a lot to ask of a hull even with it being a Skater. Just curious

[Bobcat]

great stuff , thanks Rich!!!:)

[T2x]

Rich,

In the discussion about the Mystic coming apart you stated that Carbon Fiber should never be used on a running surface. Peter seems to have found a good use for it!!!!

Please direct me to the post you are referring to.

[boatme]

Rich

Did you go to lunch then to the post office ????

Pete is a man of routine

[T2x]

Rich

Did you go to lunch then to the post office ????

Pete is a man of routine

The last few visits we had lunch. Actually on my last visit we had dinner on New Years night. This time we had to hit the road fairly quickly and we were gone by late morning.

Peter, as always, is the consumate host. Years ago when we were competitors of a sort I marveled at how quickly he was able to build a cadre of loyal buyers and racers. In retrospect he is a much nicer guy than I am....and, to be honest, a bit more talented as well. We always reflect on old times and laugh at some of the present day hijinx.

I know most of the top builders in this game.......None of them are perfect, but Peter stands head and shoulders over the rest.

Buy a Skater.

T2x

[Excalibur Racing]

Please direct me to the post you are referring to.

You were talking about Ron Jones and how he use to put aluminum in the bottom of the boat, then you said you would not use CF as a bottom material, or something to that effect.

[Ratickle]

Rich,

In the discussion about the Mystic coming apart you stated that Carbon Fiber should never be used on a running surface. Peter seems to have found a good use for it!!!!


Please direct me to the post you are referring to.


You were talking about Ron Jones and how he use to put aluminum in the bottom of the boat, then you said you would not use CF as a bottom material, or something to that effect.

It was in the 12 boat thread, which is gone now.

It was boostbros talking about the achilles heel of carbon, lack of flexibility and adding aluminum. Rich mentioned Ron Jones used to put an aluminum skin on his wood hulls. And Rich did say he would not use carbon on the running surface. I remember talking about it because I used Kevlar/Carbon weave material in the record RC boats we built. Carbon by itself would shatter on a flip or stuff.

[T2x]

Actually we would not use CF on the boats we built because of the brittleness and lack of flexibility. CF is useful if you are trying to ward off a single blow as opposed to repeated flexing as it tends to fail under continuous impacts IMHO.

My confusion is from another thread I am currently on at another website where the conversation is around the avoidance of using foam core on running surfaces. Foam tends to contract after repeated impacts leaving voids in the sandwich which could lead to delamination.

The simple fact is that there are different strokes for different folks and some builders have better experiences with certain materials, or are able to compensate for certain tendencies with compensatory modifications to the layup schedule. The fact that I don't know how to make something work does not mean that no one else can.......... But certainly questions should be asked and answered to satisfy the end user.

T2x

[T2x]

It was in the 12 boat thread, which is gone now.


That was a pretty good thread........ :p

T2x

[cigdaze]

Yes, it was.

[Davidmnc]

You don't have any friends just sympathizers :rofl::26::rofl:

That's for sure! :biggrinjester:

[Ratickle]

That was a pretty good thread........ :p

T2x

That was a great thread.

People sometimes get excited and answer before full completion of process can be determined. Happens in a text discussion more often than in a voice discussion. I never take it personal. I believe it was General Patten who said in WWII, "If every one in the room thinks the same thing, then everyone's not thinking". Or something close to that.

This is an official lobby attempt to bring the thread back.......:)

[Ratickle]

I picked up my trusty ol' 28......... a real driver's boat... :p

The Cat Can Do 28 Cat Light is an incredible running Skater 28.

[T2x]

This is an official lobby attempt to bring the thread back.......:)

How do you do that?

[cigdaze]

You let me know that you want it restored, and it's done.
:)

[Excalibur Racing]

Please direct me to the post you are referring to.



Rich,

You were refering to Ron Jones using aluminum in the bottom of his hydros, and you said I would not use CF as a bottom material in any case.

[Excalibur Racing]

Restart it PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! I need to gather more info and I'm learning alot from Rich's fireside chats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ratickle]

Restart it PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! I need to gather more info and I'm learning alot from Rich's fireside chats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich started the thread and deleted it when it became more about the personel than the issues. He is the only one who can have it restarted.

All lobbying attempts to him are appreciated.:)

[Excalibur Racing]

OK, Rich, Please restart it Or how much do you get an hour to consult? How do I get a copy of the Mark Lavin Safety Manual?

[Ratickle]

OK, Rich, Please restart it Or how much do you get an hour to consult? How do I get a copy of the Mark Lavin Safety Manual?

He requested it, and it's back......:)

[T2x]

OK, Rich, Please restart it Or how much do you get an hour to consult? How do I get a copy of the Mark Lavin Safety Manual?

E-mail glinder123@aol.com He will send you a copy....if he's not sleeping.

:p

[Excalibur Racing]

Thanks, he will wake up eventually, hopefully!

[T2x]

Thanks, he will wake up eventually, hopefully!

I've been trying to wake him up since 1963...... ;)

[Knot 4 Me]

I hear all the time that it's a "Skater Nation". ;)

[jmeng]

A 32 w/eggbeaters? Details please- seems that is a lot to ask of a hull even with it being a Skater. Just curious

Plenty of 32 and even some 36 Skaters built with outboards.

[cowisl]

Plenty of 32 and even some 36 Skaters built with outboards.

a 32 with twin 300 x's runs right around 100. My buddies best speed was 104

[T2x]

A 32 w/eggbeaters? Details please- seems that is a lot to ask of a hull even with it being a Skater. Just curious

Well let's see......... hmmmmm?

The Doug Wright 32's are running close to 120 with 2.5's in racing trim.

Many of the 120 mph inboard V bottoms that I encounter run about 80.... so a solid 100-110 mph 32' OB cat is still one of the fastest boats on the water.

Also, in case you haven't noticed........ I love OB's. I understand them, they perform amazingly, and they don't have all that obnoxious noise at the dock.

But I am certainly the exception in this regard too........

Before they made me.....they broke the mold.... :D :D

[smokeybandit]

"Many of the 120 mph inboard V bottoms that I encounter run about 80.... so a solid 100-110 mph 32' OB cat is still one of the fastest boats on the water."

This is one of the funniest quotes ever Rich! I think that GPS has taken most of the personality out of performance boating. It's much harder to lie about how fast you are.

[Ratickle]

they don't have all that obnoxious noise at the dock.



That's no way to talk about your friends.......:sifone:

[Top Banana]

Also, in case you haven't noticed........ I love OB's. I understand them, they perform amazingly, and they don't have all that obnoxious noise at the dock.

But I am certainly the exception in this regard too........ :D

Back in the day when we doubled the oil for the outboard race boats, the people at the dock would always comment about the big blue cloud around the motors.

They seemed to understand when I explained that Mercury was the marine division of Studebaker.

[Ratickle]

Back in the day when we doubled the oil for the outboard race boats, the people at the dock would always comment about the big blue cloud around the motors.

They seemed to understand when I explained that Mercury was the marine division of Studebaker.

Did you use Castor oil?:sifone:

[Offshore Ginger]

I hear all the time that it's a "Skater Nation". ;) Dammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm right.:sifone:

[Offshore Ginger]

over the years when i was employed at Skater doing quite a few motor wells on 32 Skater A 's there was a time when a employee was given the opportunity to go out on Lake Mich and break in the motors on a 32 A when liabilty was not a factor with either triple 2,4's or 5 's and when all was said and done talk about a rush along with the sound . T2X i have to say that i might have met you when you were at Skater talking with Pete in the break room on a fri afternoon , Pete flagged me in to say that he would not be long and have a seat but i could be wrong !:rofl:

[MarylandMark]

Also, in case you haven't noticed........ I love OB's.

Me 2.

I should have looked it up before opening my trap but then again I never do that so why start now.

Skater has the 32 w/300's running 100-103 which without a doubt is fast but I would think the average Skater owner would feel it would be a dog.

[justgolf]

so was that a 50 in the pic??? anymore more pic's of that boat

[detail toyz]

That place is cool I was there last summer. (The Skater Factory that is)

[detail toyz]

More........ and yes those are bazooka tubes on the blue cat.

I really like this flat deck OB.

Flat deck is really a misnomer.... The correct term should be custom deck, because, unlike the competition, there are few straight lines on a Skater deck...... or sides for that matter. If you don't think that is significant than why didn't mother nature make an egg in the shape of a cube?

What is that, a 50SS what is up with that boat?????

Ya too bad Peter wasnt there when I stoped by, I talked to him on the phone once and hes a crack up cool guy.

[T2x]

over the years when i was employed at Skater doing quite a few motor wells on 32 Skater A 's there was a time when a employee was given the opportunity to go out on Lake Mich and break in the motors on a 32 A when liabilty was not a factor with either triple 2,4's or 5 's and when all was said and done talk about a rush along with the sound . T2X i have to say that i might have met you when you were at Skater talking with Pete in the break room on a fri afternoon , Pete flagged me in to say that he would not be long and have a seat but i could be wrong !:rofl:

Could be........

T2x

[glh]

...T2X i have to say that i might have met you when... :rofl:He's easy to spot...

Little old bat fully gray for what he has left and makes up for the chrome dome with the Obama sticker by having some facial hair and a not so bright look in his eyes...

:eek:

[T2x]

He's easy to spot...

Little old bat fully gray for what he has left and makes up for the chrome dome with the Obama sticker by having some facial hair and a not so bright look in his eyes...

:eek:

That's 100% correct...except for the Obama sticker part...

It's a Goldwater sticker.

[Dude! Sweet!]

That's 100% correct...except for the Obama sticker part...

It's a Goldwater sticker.

In your heart, you know he might... :sifone: