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Manufacturers and Dealers
Published on 03-03-2023 10:56 PMCategories:
The Skater Outboard Fun Run in Sarasota, Edition Three, took place this past week. Beautiful boats in a beautiful setting. Home base, the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota. Nice hotel with a great location. With Skaters out front, an awesome view from the rooms too.
On Thursday, day one for several of the early arrivers but not the official beginning of the third annual event, a fun run and some lunch at The Shore on Longboat Key seemed like a really good plan.
Then off to Beer Can Island for some quality sun and sand visitation for catching up.
After some made outstanding progress on awesome sunburns, back to the Hyatt for relaxing and dinner. ...by Published on 01-23-2020 11:34 PM Number of Views: 21334
Having the opportunity to spend time at Douglas Marine, the home of Skater Performance Boats, gives one the fortune to watch special projects from beginning to end. One of the latest just arrived in New Zealand, after a long ocean voyage, this New Years. Just like every Skater Race Boat to leave the factory, once again this one is special.
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 ...by Published on 07-11-2019 08:49 AM
Having just left Skater yesterday, the latest 46' Skater arrived in Boyne yesterday for its initial shake down and dial-in. An 8 passenger stunner, with beautiful paint by the in-house Skater paint team and a custom designed interior by Appearance Products, we are sure it will be a show-stopper at Boyne Thunder. Its big Sterling blower power, and an old-school gauge dash makes it even more interesting.
Watch for an in-depth article ...by Published on 06-23-2019 04:57 PMCategories:
When it comes to performance boats, the Skater 28 is one that is always spoke of with reverence. When Douglas Marine released the 28 Skater, it was an instant hit. It's ability to outperform larger Cats, and larger Vee's, in rough water conditions made it an instant legend. To this day, many 28 Skaters sell for more than they sold for when new. The latest, a 28 with many custom features, could be considered a work of art.
As almost everyone knows, Skaters are almost always one of a kind. Just about every boat has some custom feature, many more than one. The two Skater models which actually have ...by Published on 06-02-2019 11:40 PM
Chief Powerboats will be making a showing at West Michigan Offshore's Muskegon Powerboat Weekend Event.
The Crew at Chief Powerboats is excited to be a part of West Michigan Offshore’s Muskegon Powerboat Weekend. They will be bringing one of their flagship pleasure models with them to participate in the 4:00-9:30 Powerboat Street Party in Downtown Muskegon in collaboration with the Taste of Muskegon.
The 42’ Chief Platinum Warrior is a modern ...by Published on 05-19-2019 09:30 PMCategories:
Well, some things just never seem to get settled. This is the third iteration of one of the sweetest boats built. This Skater 3312 started out as a beast nicknamed the "Silver Bullet" with its speeds of over 160 mph due to its Sterling power and Arneson drives.
Part 1[/B] http://seriousoffshore.com/forums/co...akedown-Cruise
Photo Courtesy Pete Boden
But, the boat was so crazy fast for its size, nobody stepped up to the plate to buy it. So, a ...by Published on 04-17-2019 10:25 PM Number of Views: 26140
It's the time of year for the first major performance boating event of the Spring. Desert Storm, at Lake Havasu in Arizona, is one of the premier events anywhere in the nation for performance boats of all manufacturers to show off their style and speed. One of those manufacturers is Skater Powerboats by Douglas Marine. Skaters have won numerous speed titles and Best In Show awards at previous events.
A new Skater, not even rigged yet, will be on display at the street party this year. Make sure to stop by and see this new custom 28' Skater Wide-Load model.
...by Published on 02-11-2019 01:40 PM Number of Views: 19353Categories:
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 ...by Published on 08-08-2018 09:35 AM Number of Views: 20443Categories:
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 ...by Published on 07-19-2018 11:39 AM Number of Views: 11784Categories:
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 ...by Published on 10-12-2016 08:31 PM Number of Views: 19471Categories:
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, ...by Published on 10-03-2016 05:51 PM Number of Views: 24859Categories:
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 ...by Published on 10-02-2016 02:13 PM Number of Views: 14251Categories:
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 ...by Published on 05-30-2016 09:14 PM Number of Views: 20140
“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 ...Published on 04-19-2016 05:44 PM Number of Views: 30149Categories:
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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The Inside Articles -
Performance-Boat Enthusiast Trio Brings Suit Against Wachob And Related Companies
Filed earlier this month. https://www.speedonthewater.com/perf...ted-companies/
Speed on the Water Today, 10:39 AM