This boat is a special build to meet the latest rules and requirements of the premier offshore race class in New Zealand. 8000 pounds with 565 Mercury's and #6 drives. As the rules change, so must the boat.
Current FMI Skater and the 2020 season schedule
One of the most interesting things to me, and one of the hardest of issues to solve, (other than keeping a 38'4" boat weighing 8000 pounds), was making interchangeable engine packages an easy switch.
1550/1350 Mercs and 565 Mercs
So, what to do with a beautiful Skater race boat when there is an offseason, or time between events where there may be record runs or shootouts? Just order one with an option to pull out the 565's and drop in 1550's without having to change the rigging and controls. Especially when Mercury has never engineered or built 565's with #6 drives, so that was a first.
An entire Kiwi racing family
Some may think it's easy to pull off that engine combination with an easy in/easy out. However, those who have tried in the past have been unsuccessful. But, with the team from Skater working hand-in-hand with Marc and the team from Bam, it was accomplished. The concept and solution came out flawless. We cannot wait to see how long the switch takes when they have the need and opportunity.
Skater Custom Tilt
The Skater custom tilt trailer was also a first. The rules in New Zealand are totally different on the roads than here. The trailer had to be narrower, the brakes had different standards, including parking brake requirements. And, it had to be galvanized before paint to stand up to the saltwater environment it would spend its life in.
Comin' at you
The boat left Skater on November 19th, left Savanna GA on November 27th, and arrived New Year's Eve. Perfect timing!!
Stay tuned for updates. We cannot wait to see what this boat will do in 1550 mode. I believe Ronnie's Performance Boat Center went 205 with 1450's.
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