FINALLY: I got the 18 Liberator wet

[WILDMAN]

Well, after a few more days of rigging, I finally finished the Liberator river-racer. My friend Ricky{aka tunnelvision} and I took it to my local test lake to see if it would float. It was very gusty, and since I'd never driver one of these, I took it easy on the trim. If I just touch it up, the boat really seems to pick up speed, but I'd rather keep it driver side up til I get used to it. I took it up to about 105 mph and tried to get used to it. These things sure do corner alot better than my twin 21ft did! WEll, here's a few pics from today. There's more pics and info in the boats under 20ft for sale classifieds. See-ya WILDMAN

[WILDMAN]

Tunnelvision trying to figuer out which way to go

[WILDMAN]

Tunnelvision,{Ricky}, making a pass

[Racemore]

Thats a good lookin paint scheme on that 18.Looks like one of the Flamer motors on it.Did ya ever make it to the Glen?We are planning to go to Ponce Inlet in a couple of weeks if my buddy buys this HTM another buddy has.Do ya still go there in the V bottom (I forgot what kind it was:rolleyes: ) Another friend goes down alot with his Baja so we thought we might go to do something a little different.:cool:

[WILDMAN]

I'd like to meet up with you guys. I won't be here next weekend, june 8-9, but other than that I'll meet up with you. Where were you thinking of launching?

[dennymac]

nice boat..
what prop, gear ratio, and rpm are you running.....what's in the motor?...that's pretty good for just takin it easy...do these boats have the shallow tunnel bottoms?...what's a boat like that weigh?
not trying to be being nosy, but a friend of mine is thinking about buying one of these boats, and i was just wondering...dmac

[WILDMAN]

550 lbs with the seats, 1.87 gears, 30 merc cleaver, 7500 rpm. The only engine mod is cut heads{170 lbs comp} and setup to run 93 octane, but very rich. I sold one to a guy in Key West who is running a stock 280 at 7800 rpm with a 32 cleaver at 116-117. He weighs 245 lbs. I've got this boat for sale and also a new 4 seater. Let me know if he's interested. I'm going to run it tommorrow and if the wind dies down and I get the feel of the boat, I'll try to top it out. I'll let you know what it does. There's more info on the boat in the 20ft and under classifieds. Check it out! See-ya WILDMAN

[WILDMAN]

another pic from today

[Doubledog]

Speachless.....:cool:

[skatermike24]

Wildman looks awesome! Nice work;) :cool:

[keyslife]

Nice looking boat randy.

[Racemore]

I don't know where we will launch,you my have meet my bud that has been going down there since he bought his Baja a couple of years ago.His name is Bruce and his wife MaryAnn.Ron has a 20' Baja open bow with a 575 in it, all custom Interior that runs 80 and he said he wanted to go even if he doesn't get the HTM.He's talkin running down like Bruce does but I don't know if I want to run 1 Mercury round trip 200miles,**** I havent had one run that far without something breaking yet so I'll trailer or ride with him.I'll let ya know whats up.By the way,what do you get for a 24 without power?If this HTM deal falls out that my be an option.:cool:

[WILDMAN]

Call me at work for the 24ft price. 386-761-8050

[action17]

that boat is sweet!!!!!!!!!!nice job man !!!!!!!!!!:D

[Laker]

Oh man Very Very sweet!
550Lbs.....
I saw Brian Decarmacs light weight STV Comp boat and a V4 run 86mph.... Wonder how your light weight 18 would do.... hmmm:D :D :D

[2Blade]

Always appreciate you taking the effort to take pictures.

[tunnelmike]

I had a 17' like the one you have. I traded it for the stucco work on my house. I had a modified chopper that would turn over 8000 at only 81 on radar.My tach was only an 8000 unit and it would peg it seriously !!!!!!!!

What are you running???

[2Blade]

I just traded the 17 Liberator for the 21 in January and kept the same motor. Mine would run about 77 at 6500 rpm with a 27 Triton. The speed formula says thats 82 with 1.87 ratio and 7% slip, so I knocked off another 4-5 mph myself just to be conservative, my speedometer would never read over 70. Now with the 21, my speedo never reads over 65...go figure... I'm going for the GPS soon. Anyway, the 17 hull was so smooth riding and had great acceleration and was a great ski boat. To bad Liberator doesn't make that boat anymore. The 21 has been awesome, I have swim steps and a ski pole and I am running a 23 Laser. With this, I can wakeboard all day, kids can swim and board easliy, the interior has gobs of room and it looks and runs great...also my wife likes to drive it. It runs 77 with the 27 Triton . Next, boat for me will be the 24 Liberator in about 10 years when the kids get done skiing and playing. Reid.