21 Skater 22 Dcb & 22 cougar Pros and cons

[aaronmt73]

We are kicking around the idea of one these 3,but are open to others.As far as power im thinking 300xs simply becouse I dont want a high strung motor.I know the 300x will make more power and a 280 or 260 are lighter.I just need something that will get great mileage and not be tempermental,and I think the 300xs will fit the bill.We do not want twins and the boat doesnt need to run tripple digits, but it would be nice to be near it.We have a Allison Grandsport now and absolutely love it,and have become a bit spoiled with the quality. We are just thinking a bit more room and a lil more family friendly,for a kid down the line.Not sure what one of these hulls would work best for skiing and etc.Not that we do it alot but I dont want to limit myself down the line.What boat is easier to get in to from in the water as well?As far as freeboard how do the compare?We are more intresed in a nice clean simple boat preferbaly original and never repainted etc.This isnt something thats gonna happen rite away,were just mowing over options.Thanks Aaron

[timeless61]

the 21 skater is much deeper than the 22 dcb. it will handle rougher water much better. in glass it will porpoise though. a guy has a dcb on our lake with a 300 on it, and it seems to run low 90s. we have a 280 on a 21 skater and we are not sure exactly how fast, but definitely over 100. i am not sure how the dcb comes on plane, but some people complain about the 21, we have never had a problem with acleaver, but a guy who used to have a trick on our lake had alot of trouble getting his boat on plane. the skater floor will be flat, the dcb will follow the contours of the hull. here isa picture with them pretty close to each other, not the best angle but you get the idea.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee246/timeless61/SkaterandLake027.jpg
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee246/timeless61/?action=view&current=SkaterandLake027.jpg

[aaronmt73]

Great pic all we need is a cougar 22 in the middle of them.As far as room inside how much difference is there?

[timeless61]

not a ton of difference, the skater there is no room between the seats, they are basically buckets, the dcb you can go between them, also easier access to the front in the dcb. so overall, i would say more room in the dcb. i am not real familiar with skiing and such, but i know neither boat will stand me up but i am over 200 lbs and not a skier. one good thing about the dcb is it is a center pod boat, so easier to drive and no porpoise, and they are generally newer than the skaters, so the interiors will probably be nicer and more modern.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee246/timeless61/SkaterandLake006.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee246/timeless61/SkaterandLake005.jpg

[wideglide55]

For overall handling and safety I would vote for the center pod over true tunnel any day.Unless you run in really rough water on a regular basis.

[Dave Strong]

This was the 1st 22OB from Cougar, used to belong to friend. 98 300 Pro Max would run high 80's, was great in rough water, lots of room, storage, high quality.
Dave
http://i25.tinypic.com/24wtro5.jpg

[skatermike24]

Depending on your water conditions, the skater will handle the water better then the other two.

[olmo40]

There is a saying "apples for apples '

[merctwofive]

I think for a "family" boat the Cougar or DCB is the better choice, they have a wider roomier cockpit area, stereo, cup holders, etc. and will have a nicer standard interior. My DCB has a ski pole but never used it...I can't imagine being back there behind those things!:eek: Either should be around 90 with the XS. The Skater is a cool ride, but not sure if it's what you're looking for from your description. If you're on a lake with calmer water you're going to enjoy the ride in the pod boat much more. Just point it and go. Good luck.:thumbsup:

[racer]

224 Stoker is deeper than the DCB, has a flat floor with a ski locker, turns better than the other three and has a large cockpit, it is available O/B or I/O johnscustommarine.net

[mamoo]

you might want to consider the trick 21, you can actually walk between the front two seats unlike the skater. over 100 w/ a 300xs

[beer30]

you might want to consider the trick 21, you can actually walk between the front two seats unlike the skater. over 100 w/ a 300xs

And also with the Trick, you can get a NEW one. The Skater is great, but hasn't been made since 95-96.:) Chuck

[ripstop]

The Cougar has a storage locker in the floor for skis etc., also a dedicated ski pole which is handy. With a 300x speeds are in the high 90's. But for a family boat you would probably prop it a little lower. The center pod allows for a smoother ride in all but a heavy swell. Very roomy cockpit. I dont know about a DCB but definately more affordable than a Skater.

[blkmtrfan]

Aaron if you are going to run it on the sound alot, I would go with a Skater.

The Cougars and DCBs are nice, but they are not rough water boats, but they do turn better than a Skater with their center pod. The DCBs have even less freeboard than the Cougars.

If you are still thinking of a center pod boat I would add a 22 Talon to your list :thumbsup:

[aaronmt73]

Do any of these hulls have metal in the transom like our allison.I really like how the transom on the allison is built,never any stress cracks.

[WILDMAN]

I have 4 new 21 Liberators in stock. Higher freeboard than any of the previously mentioned and runs over 100 with a 300xs. Also, the windshield actually keeps the wind out of your face. Here's three of the 21's I have in stock. More pics on my website here: http://liberatorfl.tripod.com/id19.html




http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t117/Randycorson/100_2613.jpg

[Dave Strong]

Cougars have the engine brkt tied to the stringers with aluminum knee braces. Mine's 29yrs old, no cracks.
Dave

[ripstop]

I do not believe that the 21 Liberator has a higher freeboard than a 22 Cougar. A 21 Cougar maybe but a 22 is a much bigger boat all around.

[aaronmt73]

I do not believe that the 21 Liberator has a higher freeboard than a 22 Cougar. A 21 Cougar maybe but a 22 is a much bigger boat all around.


Thats what I was thinking to. I think it has more the a 21 cougar but not the 22.The 22 is a much different boat from what weve seen.

[WILDMAN]

You're right, I was comparing it to the 21 Cougar.

[Hydrogasm]

Aaron
We have corresponded back and forth a few times about my 22MTR in the last few months. I was considering a DCB mach 22 before I bought this one. I had a 21MTR before and moved up to the 22 for several reasons. I wanted a flat floor, a ski locker, a roomier cockpit, more storage, easy to get in from the water, ski friendly, and easy to drive for my wife (she loves it but she doesn't like me owning 2 boats much). The Cougar is beautifully rigged from the factory and I added few extra items to suite my tastes like a Land & Sea dual action foot throttle along with the Gaffrig hand throttle, swapped out the Seastar Pro fixed helm for Sport-tilt one and dual Pro-Trim, added an AquaStep folding ladder to the under side of one of the large swim platforms, and a grab handle on the transom to aid getting out of the water. The fastest I have seen is 92mph on GPS with a worked Mazco RE4 30" on fresh water. I sure if I removed the 300+lbs of stereo gear and any extra weight, put on a 30" ET that I could get closer to 100 with a light load of gas. On saltwater it would probably run a 100 as it is. I had 6 people in it and it still ran 75 in 2 footers and it felt very solid. I use a 21" High-Five for skiing and it will pull up a 220 pounder on a slalom ski with 3 in the boat and still run 70 with that same prop. It has a very small, flat slalom wake from 28 to 36 mph but it doesn't track well enough to run the slalom course is why bought a Malibu Response. The ski boat does it's intended job very well but it is boring to cruise around the lake it though. The other thing that I considered at the time I bought it was availabilty of boats. There was a 97 Mach22 for sale on the east coast when I was looking but it wasn't equipped as nice as the Cougar with a 300ProMax and alot more hours. Mine had 56 hours on it and is an '03 plus there wasn't alott of difference in the price. On the west coast there are probably more DCBs available but I did see a 22MTR for sale in WA with 300 Yamaha on it. I looked at that boat when Cougar in Kansas had it for sale w/o power back at the time that I bought mine. For the same reason I ended up with mine plus it was closer to me. If your want an all round family
friendly boat that runs well go with the Cougar, then the DCB but if you are wanting the maxium performance then go with Skater or similar style tunnel hulls. I hopes that helps with your decision and let me know if you have any other questions. If you have the chance to drive any of the models including the Talon22, do so that way you can make a more informed choice. Good luck with your search, it took me 2 years to find mine, Gary.

[Dave Strong]

I agree with Gary on trying to drive all 3, whats good for one is not always the thing for another. I wouldn't wan't a 21 or 22 over my 19 Cougar, but thats just me.
Dave

[badluck]

I'm curious where the Stoker would fit in? Pretty all around boat.

[Dave Strong]

I'm curious where the Stoker would fit in? Pretty all around boat.
Recall few years ago Hot Boat tested a 22 Stoker? with 500 hp stern drive that ran some real impressive #'s
Dave

[badluck]

It would be cool to see a shootout all 22s with 300s on the back. Who has the most efficient bottom?

[hydroo]

I owned a 1999 DCB Mach 22. I think it is the one pictured. I now have a Skater 32. Although the rigging is much prettier on the DCB, the lay up of the Skater is amazing. The Skater is so much stronger, lighter and faster. Although Skater has not built a 21 in a while they still have the molds. The Skater 21 will give the best performance in rough water.

[aaronmt73]

After skiing in our Grandsport today I can imagine haveing less room.Seems the skater has lees room the our Allison Im more thinking twords the the cougar or DCB.The newer tricks and extremes would be nice its just it may be to much money for us to swing.Ive never had a boat payment and have always payed cash,so trying to justify a boat payment is a tuff sell to her.Id sure like to see the dcb 22 or cougar 22 in person.Ive seen a 26 Dcb its just a bit big for us and really want a single.I will say from the sounds of it the skater is the fastest then the dcb followed by the cougar.What are the best numbers people have seen with single powerd dcb or cougar.Thanks Aaron