36 Skater w/ 2.5s

[Rayzor]

I'd never seen this old 36 before, so I figured nobody else probably had either. I heard it's the old "Snake Man" raceboat and that there's a thread on it on OSO. It's a beautiful boat, but not all that fast with those 2.5s - I'd say it probably barely runs over 120. And what a nightmare trying to keep four 2.5s running on that big boat! Van Depiero from my area bought Paul Whittier's old 32A w/ four 2.5s on it years ago, and the best I ever heard of it running was 132 (when Paul owned it). The 32A is a LOT smaller boat than that 36.........

[Rayzor]

Van's 32A with four 2.5s on the back.

[mosport1]

Everything you ever wanted to know...

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...r-project.html

The guy that owns it must be in the same league as Gandhi, Mother Teresa, et al to be able to cope with that responsibility. To think of having a boat that big with that many 2.5s would make me want to head butt a brick wall until I went into shock...to avoid the real pain.

But I'll give him credit... The noise must be outstanding.

[Rayzor]

Everything you ever wanted to know...

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...r-project.html

The guy that owns it must be in the same league as Gandhi, Mother Teresa, et al to be able to cope with that responsibility. To think of having a boat that big with that many 2.5s would make me want to head butt a brick wall until I went into shock...to avoid the real pain.

But I'll give him credit... The noise must be outstanding.

Thanks for the link! And yes, I agree that he must have the patience of a saint to want to own that big boat with four 2.5s. I guarantee he spends way more time wrenching on it and putting fuel/oil in it than he does running it.

[BUZZIN' DOZEN]

He's a member here and knows the 2.5 blues
http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...down&highlight=

[dumbnfun2]

That's bada$$ .... If he has enough cheese to own a 36 with 4 280s he ain't stressing about much ... Especially workn on his own boat ..... He probly has sent a few of his mechanics kids to college tho I bet ..... Probly would b faster with some big blocks but ... I say it's cool as sh&& with 4 280s .... I bet it sounds so fkn cool ....

[Rayzor]

I agree with you guys that it is a beautiful rig, just can't imagine spending all that money building a setup that is known to not be reliable. I just spent $50k on my 28 to get rid of just two of those little nightmares - can't imagine spending what he did to have four of them. After reading through his build thread on OSO, I can really appreciate the time/money/effort that went into this beautiful 36, and I can only wish him the best of luck keeping those motors/gearcases alive long enough to enjoy it.

[Stoker1]

Dang, feeding those things makes me cringe.

[tom kennedy]

I met David the owner of this boat at the loto he is a great guy ,116 mph great run considering 100+ temps an he was heavy on gas .ausome boat!!

[JPEROG]

David Walters is who built this boat (very nice guy and is on here as Davidmercury). He lives in Ohio and runs on pretty small lake (this is not his only boat). I asked him if was happy and he says he likes it-the boat is beautiful and sounds killer as you can imagine. The boat went 118 on Saturday morning with hot temps, high humidity, heavy fuel, and not set up correctly yet. He has a lot of weight added in the rear due to the transom lift that he's getting. The boat will end up at 130 is my guess. He is on his way to a very expensive prop collection buying 4 at a time.

Joe

[tom kennedy]

My bad I thought he told 116 .that is one bad ass boat

[JPEROG]

My bad I thought he told 116 .that is one bad ass boat

Tom,

You were correct-ran 116 at the course (I was in the 32 that ran right after you and Dave). He ran 118 Saturday morning out in front of the Camden.

Joe

[baja200merk]

[Rayzor]

David Walters is who built this boat (very nice guy and is on here as Davidmercury). He lives in Ohio and runs on pretty small lake (this is not his only boat). I asked him if was happy and he says he likes it-the boat is beautiful and sounds killer as you can imagine. The boat went 118 on Saturday morning with hot temps, high humidity, heavy fuel, and not set up correctly yet. He has a lot of weight added in the rear due to the transom lift that he's getting. The boat will end up at 130 is my guess. He is on his way to a very expensive prop collection buying 4 at a time.

Joe

I agree Joe that it's going to end up being faster than I thought it would be, but still no comparison to an inboard boat. The old Fountain/Mercury 36 we raced had a set of naturally aspirated/single carb/91 octane motors with #6 SSM drives and was good for mid 140s. I just feel that once you're in a boat that big, inboards are the better way to go. It's a very unique, beautiful 36 with all those Mercs hanging off the back, and I am definitely subscribed to his thread now - but I could never deal with keeping that rig running!

[Onetime]

It's nice to see another old Skater that's been restored and kept alive regardless of the owners choice of power.