SKATER Factory Tour by Sharkey-Images

[Sharkey-Images]

It was a long time waiting for when I was to get a chance to tour SKATER POWERBOATS (http://www.skaterpowerboats.com/) for the 1st time.

It was quite ironic that the day I was traveling there was the 5th Anniversay of the loss of a great friend and World Champion Offshore Racer Doug Lewis (http://doug-lewis.blogspot.com/) whom was also the only SKATER DEALER in NJ back then.

I met with Peter Hledin upon arrival. He remembers me from Doug's shop when I we first were introduced at SKATERFEST held at Professional Marine Racing.

I explained I wanted to do a photo shoot of his factory so that I can provide a "Virtual Tour" so to speak on my site and provide many of the people whom would like to see the facility but never seem to have the opportunity to get there themselves. Peter then gave me unrestricted access to shoot whatever and wherever I wanted.... :thumbsup:

So thanks to Peter and SKATER POWERBOATS (http://www.skaterpowerboats.com/) for allowing SHARKEY-IMAGES to shoot their facility... :)

Enjoy the tour ! :)

SKATER FACTORY TOUR SLIDESHOW Click here! (http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/p831955239/slideshow)


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P.S.
Thanks Marc Blondin for showing me how to find this place....

[Cp]

Neat stuff. Thanks for posting.

Couple of ?'s:

- Original (hull #1) Skater 18 in the first pic?

- Did Earnhardt Sr have a Skater or is/was Peter just a fan?

[tux974]

Tim, Nice job:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
That place is just plain amazing :thumbsup: Just to get a real feel for the size of the place, all his molds up to 50' are kept indoors. I have enjoyed every trip there! Peter is also a great down to earth person!
The town is an awesome little place!
BTW, Not hard to understand as you can see why he stopped making the 21 and 24 ;):D

[Sharkey-Images]

I doubt that was the 1st, and the office the cars we in was not Pete's office but the office next to it.

[afr]

wow that place is huge looks like a few million bucks in inventory

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[RobF]

I just went through every image, thank you for sharing that and taking the time to post it.

The factory is awesome and inspiring, I dont know if there is one glass guy in the business who would not want a set up like they have there, maybe one day I can see it for myself

[Sharkey-Images]

All that in the little Village of Douglas Michigan.... :cheers:

[bulletbob]

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the slideshow. Nice work.

[JP Love]

Thank's for sharing a part of historie.. JP :thumbsup:

[outboards4life]

I remember going through there with my dad when I was very young. Maybe 7-8 years old. It was a rainy day in Michigan when we were on vacation. I had no idea what was going on other than it was very cool. I would love to go back and actually pay attention.

[Kartracer]

Thanks for sharing. Funny how it's just up the road and I didn't know it was there much of my life. They hid it pretty good.

[at100plus]

OMG just nothing better than a Skater IMO!

Douglas looks like a really nice town too.

Thanks Sharkey, hope I get to go there to pick up a new 28 one day.

[skydog]

WOW WOW WOW I WISH!!!! May be some day!!!

Skydog

[mr_velocity]

I had my first tour the day this article was written. We were there with Doug, Pat, Mike and the crew from Powerboat. We all had lunch together that day, I was at the other end of the table with Courtney Smith. One thing for sure, spending a day at Skater is something you won't soon forget. Amazing place and Peter is one of the greats!!!!

These images bring back a lot of great memories, thanks for posting.

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[fastdonzi.]

God gave us all Skills, Pete uses All of his. Cool stuff....

[Sharkey-Images]

Thanks guys !

You know how much I just love this kind of in depth look at things. Especially lay ups !:thumbsup:

[mmartin]

Shows the first Pure Platinum that collided with the helicopter.

[MODVP22]

those are some sweet photos! I love the 32" with tripple 2.5 Offshores-I can remember when POWERBOAT magazine tested that boat and Skater used it in their advertisements.