Building a new 25 Liberator cat

[WILDMAN]

I spent the last 9 months working on this boat. I spent 5 weeks on the paintjob. I just finished painting it today. I got a bare shell from Liberator. No transom, no floor, no tanks, no bulkheads, no rear knees, etc. I installed all composites where wood would normally go. I got epoxy fuel tanks from Doug Wright that he uses in his 32ft race boats. ($1000 each) I got all my materials from Doug Wright and he helped me with alot of info on what to do and what materials to use. Notice how the entire hull has been "capped" No seams, glassed together all the way around. I will still put a rubrail just on the sides. Front and rear won't have a rubrail. Transom has two layers of 1" thick okuma plywood. It has 12 plys of wood and will never rot. Cost $300 a 4'x8' sheet. There's a full inch of glass sandwiching the okuma. Total tansom is a full 3" thick. I also put 4 transom knees for support. Gonna be a cool boat. I'm doing this one for myself






http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t117/Randycorson/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2525_zpsc1971de9.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/Randycorson/media/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2525_zpsc1971de9.jpg.html)


Hull and deck are glassed together (CAPPED) It's now smooth all the way around.



http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t117/Randycorson/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2528_zpsddfdd825.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/Randycorson/media/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2528_zpsddfdd825.jpg.html)




Sides are silver marble



http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t117/Randycorson/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2527_zps611db1f8.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/Randycorson/media/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2527_zps611db1f8.jpg.html)




http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t117/Randycorson/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2526_zps95bda49a.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/Randycorson/media/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2526_zps95bda49a.jpg.html)



I cut out the entire rear splashwell and made a mold for a flat rear with a built in seat area so the wife can get in the boat easily



http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t117/Randycorson/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2529_zps7787d5b1.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/Randycorson/media/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2529_zps7787d5b1.jpg.html)



I painted the dash in orange marble




http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t117/Randycorson/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2530_zpsfd07bc1e.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/user/Randycorson/media/Yellow%2025%20Liberator/101_2530_zpsfd07bc1e.jpg.html)

[whipper]

That looks nice.:cheers:. Super awesome. Power? Twin 350 Verados with 36inch herrings?:reddevil: or twin 300xs DBR mods?

[WILDMAN]

Verados will not work on a cat. It will have a pair of 300XS motors like my blue and silver one.

[tony97gt]

Verados will not work on a cat. It will have a pair of 300XS motors like my blue and silver one.
Looks like you're gonna have to change that signature now (things owned, nothing) (ain't got no toys). Very nice project. I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say that majority of us with we had the skills to build our own boat like that. Can't wait to see the end result.

[tux974]

Randy, great job like usual!!! :thumbsup: I know there is LOTS more hiding and quiet work in that project...;):D Should be one fast cat :thumbsup:

[Tom Foley]

Randy , that is incredible ! Can't wait to see all the exotic rigging touches that will go into this one ! Keep the pics coming , you kept this one quiet for a while now !:cheers:

[XstreamVking]

My gawd, that is beautiful man. Impressive workmanship as usual.

[Zero Patience]

Love the paint!!!

[native2]

Verados will not work on a cat. It will have a pair of 300XS motors like my blue and silver one.

"Will not work"? Or won't work well? I have seen it done before down in south florida. You can put 1.62 sporties on them and better tie bar steering. The 25 Lib may be a bit hoppy with them due to weight, but I think the 30 would be killer with a set. JMO Lets do it!!!!
PS Nice job as always Randy

[Riverratt]

Nice job Randy

[simplyorange]

i dont blame you for keeping it, its my favorite paintjob i have seen from you yet. gonna be super nice.the paint on the side just goes so well with the profile.

[Mr. Action]

Gunna look good behind that yellow dodge nice work

[NAVISPEED1]

Yikes, TOOO NICE :D!!

keep em coming!

[WILDMAN]

I actually started painting it the same yellow as my truck, but I just didn't like the orangy color so I changed it. I spent 3-4 weeks with all the colors, then I cleared and buffed it in 3 sections. It takes 3 days to sand and buff each section. I didn't want the clear to get too hard, so that's why I did it that way. almost 2 weeks to clear, sand and buff. I wetsanded with 800. then 1200, then 1500, then 2000. Then I buffed it 3 times. Sanding and buffing is the worst part. I have almost $2300 just in tape, paint, and paper in the paintjob.

[hemi2005]

OUTSTANDING!!! :cheers: It's nice to see it without all the masking. :D I'm looking forward to seeing it rigged!

[stokernick]

[B]you keep doing this and you're gonna get a reputation you know what you're doing!! Great Job!!!/B]

[SCT]

Awesome job, Randy! What do you think she weighs with the composites?
Good luck-

[WILDMAN]

I am going to weigh it in a week or two. The composites saved a lot of weight, but I used a lot of glass and resin. The transom is strong enough for 4 motors. No, I'm not exaggerating!

[Talon 25]

There is no doubt that your painting skills are nothing short of amazing. I'd like to see you work you magic on more modern schemes. This one is far too old school for me but the execution looks great. To me the boat looks vintage....

[Smoking Joe]

Nice job as usual Randy. The glassed hull/deck join will make for a really stiff hull and build in extra strength. A question, in your transom layup you have used Okuma ply and stated that it can't rot? Often the reason a transom rots is not the layup or method of construction, rather caused during the rigging process or later in its life as successive owners add other accessories to the transom and fail to seal the holes properly.

Thanks for sharing another awesome build. :cheers:

[WILDMAN]

I was told by Doug Wright that the reason it won't rot is because the wood is Okuma (teak) and can stay wet without rotting. He uses it in all his race boats.

[NAVISPEED1]

To me the boat looks vintage....

:iagree:, But still looks amazing though!!

[dagodiver]

That is just so cool.! awesome job.!
I use Okoume Mahogany ply for building all kinds of small stuff including a few SST 45's years ago.
Great stuff. No idea of the teak stuff.

Dago.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Another Wildman masterpiece!! If I had the extra money I would just drop my Checkmate 2800 off at Randy and let him re-rig the entire boat!!

[whipper]

They also use Okuma for fishing rods because as you say strength and waterproofness. Never new they used it in hulls thats good to know. Your new boats going to look amazing as even the bare hull does. Your truly a master at creating unique and beautiful masterpieces Randy. I always look at your completed boats Libs or Checks in awe!! The 25 Liberator with 300xs twins is my favorite hulls and could see myself owning one no problem at all above all other Tunnels once my numbers hit.:D love the silver marble very cool!

[Pullhard800]

Very nice work and boats for sure, I had an old 1973 Checkmate about 10 years ago with a 150 Johnson. Thought I was flying, love the Liberators but I am amazed at how fast you have gotten the Checkmates up to, GREAT WORK!!

[FasterthanU]

That scheme, old school or not, is bad ass. Great looking boat Randy.

[eli]

if i had the money i would buy a boat from randy and have it shipped to me

[1deviant]

Boat looks great. Got to give credit where credit is due. All your time and energy with your attention to detail pays off!

[WILDMAN]

I just weighed the bare hull with tanks today. I did the entire hull with foam core composites and vinylester resins. I didn't weigh it before, but my blue 25 Liberator hull weighed 2600 lbs. This one is built MUCH stronger with a full 3" thick transom. It weighed 2080 lbs! That's over 500 lbs lighter! Gonna be fast! Can't wait to get it done. Stayed tuned for the progress reports.

[hometown45]

Very much looking forward to seeing this project progress.

[RFCB]

I just weighed the bare hull with tanks today. I did the entire hull with foam core composites and vinylester resins. I didn't weigh it before, but my blue 25 Liberator hull weighed 2600 lbs. This one is built MUCH stronger with a full 3" thick transom. It weighed 2080 lbs! That's over 500 lbs lighter! Gonna be fast! Can't wait to get it done. Stayed tuned for the progress reports.I was told by Skater that my 1988 24 weighed 1740lbs when it was built. I thought with the new materials and lay up processes that a new one would weigh less.

[JPEROG]

I have a feeling that this boat is going to break a lot of hearts-His other 25 runs 113, and this is over 500 lbs. lighter. It will take a really good running 24 to get around Randy when he is done-you can bet that he will be ready to run up against anyone willing.

This boat was modified (not built 100% with foam core and light weight materials), Randy gutted the floor, tanks, and transom. The new boats of today are less weight. A new Doug Wright 32 is 2100 to 2300 as a perfect example.

Joe

[WILDMAN]

I just got my new 2014 300xs motors in today. Getting them mounted on the new boat now.

[RNM018]

Randy , Am I looking at something wrong ?
Looks like two right hand gearcases .


Rich Martin 018

[WILDMAN]

Rich, yes those are RH non offshore motors. I didn't want trim pumps in the boat so I got these motors. I'll pull the cases and put on new RH and LH straight skeg cases. This boat is 520 lighter than the blue one, so I'm gonna try to get some 36" x 15" cleavers for it. I'm hoping it will run about 118-120.

[baja200merk]

I love my 36, once your through the hop your gonna love them :thumbsup: If the boats that light it should blow through the hop and start ticking them off :cool:

[bradmd]

Nice looking boat!

[WILDMAN]

I run a tunnel tab, so I don't have any issues with the hop. Without the tab sucks though.



I love my 36, once your through the hop your gonna love them :thumbsup: If the boats that light it should blow through the hop and start ticking them off :cool:

[RNM018]

Shouldn't you have been out testing this thing on Sunday , instead of out riding around in that Little Yellow Car ! :)

Rich Martin 018

[WILDMAN]

The boat's all rigged, but I'm still waiting on the interior from PPI. where did you see us in the Sky

[JPEROG]

I have your straps cut,-drilled tomorrow and if Scotts better he will weld the studs in.

Joe

[RNM018]

The boat's all rigged, but I'm still waiting on the interior from PPI. where did you see us in the Sky

Y'all where heading towards Mullet Lake , late in the afternoon . Loyd was still out , but don't know about anyone else .

Hey , did Postman Mike , with the MTX deck boat move off the river ? I didn't see any of his toys out in front of the house anymore

Rich Martin 018

[JPEROG]

Rich,

Mark sold the house a couple of years ago to a car dealer. They don't live there full time but I have seen him a couple of times.

Joe

[RUM RUNNER 305]

Looking good Randy!!! 36's should be fast on the top end!!!

[WILDMAN]

Do you know anyone that would loan or rent me some 36" cleavers?




Looking good Randy!!! 36's should be fast on the top end!!!

[RUM RUNNER 305]

Do you know anyone that would loan or rent me some 36" cleavers?

I was thinking the same thing. Have you ever tried 36's on your 25 Liberators?
I wonder how my boat would react with a set.
Bet there is a few guys on OSO that probably have some. I'll keep my eyes open!!!

[WILDMAN]

Never had any 36's. They are custom props and not cheap. I know Dewald has them for $1800 each

[baja200merk]

Find some bravo one 36p and have Mike Eggelston work them.

[WILDMAN]

I've run labbed 34 Bravos. They don't handle well at high speeds. The make the front do weird things over 100. I think it's too much bow lift

[Rayzor]

Never had any 36's. They are custom props and not cheap. I know Dewald has them for $1800 each

DeWald does not have 36" pitch props............talked to Dave today about the set of 4 blade cleavers they're building me. Don't know who gave you that information. You are correct about the price though.

[WILDMAN]

Adam McKeon just got one for his Argo 23. I don't think it was a cleaver though. He said it started as a 34 and was worked.

[Double Rigged]

Never had any 36's. They are custom props and not cheap. I know Dewald has them for $1800 each
Randy, Give Dave Dewald a call. He is a really cool guy. He has sent me a few different sets to try in the past and never asked for any money. Maybe times have changed but i do if you get a set a from him and do not like them he will take them back, exchange or rework them. I have his number if you need it. Based on the size/weight of your boat you are right in order to take advantage of the 300xs and max hp 36" pitch will do the trick. I run dewalds on my boat with 20 degree rake. They have been tuned to my boat and back and forth a few times.
I have not found a faster set yet.
Mine started as 34's. I know Jeff at Hering can make a 36 pitch.

[Rayzor]

Adam McKeon just got one for his Argo 23. I don't think it was a cleaver though. He said it started as a 34 and was worked.

Last I talked to Adam he'd sold the Argo? I think you're referring to the Dewald 4 blade he had built for it a while back - which if I remember correctly was a cleaver. As-cast they are 34"s, but they can get about +/- 1" pitch in the finishing process (as explained to me by both Craig and Dave). Ron would know better than me, as he has already been running them - this will be my first set. I know I may be a little critical, since we're only discussing a difference of 1" in pitch, I'm just letting you know that they do not have molds for a 36" pitch prop - at least not yet! For now, 35" effective pitch is the most DeWald can offer.

[Rayzor]

Randy, Give Dave Dewald a call. He is a really cool guy. He has sent me a few different sets to try in the past and never asked for any money. Maybe times have changed but i do if you get a set a from him and do not like them he will take them back, exchange or rework them. I have his number if you need it. Based on the size/weight of your boat you are right in order to take advantage of the 300xs and max hp 36" pitch will do the trick. I run dewalds on my boat with 20 degree rake. They have been tuned to my boat and back and forth a few times.
I have not found a faster set yet.
Mine started as 34's. I know Jeff at Hering can make a 36 pitch.

I've heard the same thing Ron, that Hering offers a true 36" pitch in their small prop line.

[Double Rigged]

Dale,
You are correct. Dave can only start with a true 34". Mine have been labbed and tweaked to add more pitch more like a 35". It does make the blades thinner when he does that and according to Dave the prop is not as strong when he sells them warrantied as a 34". I believe mine are also 15" in diameter also. This helps a little in knocking down the RPM. I am looking forward to hear how your boat runs with that set up. If money is not an object Jeff at Hering would make a set of 36's but the cost is way up there around $6000.00 for the set. He would work them at that price as much as possible to make the perfect. Based on that price Dave's props are a deal and even if the Herings were a few MPH faster I do not think it is worth the extra money not too mention you would loose a ton of acceleration on a 28 with those big props. I have also tried the 5 blade thru-hub cleavers from Dewald but did not like the feel. For everyday boating here in the inland waterways and ocean I run a set of 15 1/4" 29 Round ear Herings that really work well at low speeds and idle. They provide a lot of good acceleration also with a top speed around 104mph.

[WILDMAN]

PPI just sent me pics of my new seats. The front seats have a carbon Fiber back like my 30 Liberator. The rear seat is all tubular aluminum framed. When I pick them up, I'll drop off the rear deck, side combings, shift console, and front bulkhead.

[WILDMAN]

Please post prop discussion on another thread. Thanx, Randy

[Mr. Action]

Those front buckets r fresh r u going to start using them In The 21s maybe cut down a lil more

[WILDMAN]

Those front seats cost $1900 each! I don't think it would be too cost effective in a 21.




Those front buckets r fresh r u going to start using them In The 21s maybe cut down a lil more

[NAVISPEED1]

Those front seats cost $1900 each! I don't think it would be too cost effective in a 21.

Randy what's the weight of the seats?

[WILDMAN]

I think they are about 30 lbs

[NAVISPEED1]

I think they are about 30 lbs

Gotcha, mines are about 36lbs, I thought with the CF they would be even lighter than 30. Look stunning though! :cheers:

Thanks,

[WILDMAN]

Just the back covers are carbon. The seat frames are fiberglass

[Brabender]

Love those buckets.
1900 ea. wow!!

[WILDMAN]

I put in the stainless plates that hold the seat mounting studs. The plates are epoxied in the floor and will be glassed over with carbon fiber cloth tomorrow

[JPEROG]

We will be riding next week-do you need me to call Jeff and see how fast he can get us a set of wheels or what? You're going to want them before lake murray anyways, and I need to know what I am going to be up against in the 24 class!!

Joe

[Mr. Action]

Seat studs look great this is going to b a bad @$$ boat
When/ what's lake Murray a poker run I want to go

[JPEROG]

June 20th Lake Murry S.C.-Its a big deal from what Randy tells me.

Joe

[cptunnel]

i can concure. i live on lake murray and its wild..be there!

[NAVISPEED1]

Randy, any progress?

[WILDMAN]

I got all my seats back. I put a Pirelli Floor in. Before I glassed the floor in, I built a 5ft x 2ft storage compartment in the left sponson next to the passenger seat. I put a 30" x 14" access hatch in the floor yesterday. The front seats are all bolted in on 3" high aluminum brackets I made. I'm just waiting for the console, side combings, front bulkhead panel, and rear sundeck to get done at PPI Interiors. Hopefully, I'll have the boat in the water next weekend.

[2.5-21]

Can you post some pictures of the flooring you used?

[ofna2005]

Hey you got any finished pictures that boat looks really good .

[hometown45]

5 X 2 foot storage is not big enough for rods....:cheers:

[Onetime]

Big enough for my rod

[WILDMAN]

Here's some pics with the seats in. I still gotta get the rest of the interior

[WILDMAN]

I gassed it up today and fired up the motors. The rest of the interior is supposed to be here tomorrow.

[Zero Patience]

Beautiful boat, great work on the build, bring it to the glen this weekend.

[MeCapnDave]

Pictures don't do this justice !!! This boat is one of my favorites !!!

[WILDMAN]

I finally got the boat in the water today. More pics here: http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?291749-Finally-finished-my-new-25-Liberator-Cat

[craphappens]

Verados will not work on a cat. It will have a pair of 300XS motors like my blue and silver one.
randy i hate to bring up the past here but i refuse to believe your statement that veradoes will not work and i actually would like to show you that the work just fine here is my 24 skater twin 275 vrods she ran a shocking 97mph on a hds7 lowrance gps
sold full rang torque and sound bad as hell on take off seeing that verados do not have external steering i had to make my own wing plates so that i could stick with the normal look of the tie bar at the back of the motors299599 299598

[2.5-21]

randy i hate to bring up the past here but i refuse to believe your statement that veradoes will not work and i actually would like to show you that the work just fine here is my 24 skater twin 275 vrods she ran a shocking 97mph on a hds7 lowrance gps
sold full rang torque and sound bad as hell on take off seeing that verados do not have external steering i had to make my own wing plates so that i could stick with the normal look of the tie bar at the back of the motors299599 299598
Show some videos of it running and some close up pictures of the rigging......
What steering is in there? what controls did you use?

[RUM RUNNER 305]

Sorry to get off topic Randy..

Freakin Screamin you should start a new thread on your boat. 275 Verados must be a **** load of weight on a 24 Skater. Wonder if it ever gets threw the hop? I have never seen such a thing.. the ass end sure sits low!!!

[NAVISPEED1]

Sorry to get off topic Randy..

Freakin Screamin you should start a new thread on your boat. 275 Verados must be a **** load of weight on a 24 Skater. Wonder if it ever gets threw the hop? I have never seen such a thing.. the ass end sure sits low!!!

I think you meant "craphappens" to start the new thread ;)

[NAVISPEED1]

randy i hate to bring up the past here but i refuse to believe your statement that veradoes will not work and i actually would like to show you that the work just fine here is my 24 skater twin 275 vrods she ran a shocking 97mph on a hds7 lowrance gps
sold full rang torque and sound bad as hell on take off seeing that verados do not have external steering i had to make my own wing plates so that i could stick with the normal look of the tie bar at the back of the motors299599 299598

Very unusual setup, I agree with Justin, please start a new thread to learn form this. Looks very nice, did you do nose cones on the Verado lowers or adapted Sport masters to the motors?

Thanks:cheers:

[craphappens]

I think you meant "craphappens" to start the new thread ;)
New thread starts tonight I can answer all questions for anybody who wants to no
Fyi the steering I used is stock but I designed my own steering plates
remember guys 2 strokes are slowly going away except optis vrods will b the new hot rod toy

[pogalz123]

How did you paint that thing gelcoat or paint. You didn't mold it so I suppose it would be hard to use gelcoay.

[WILDMAN]

It's paint with yellow gelcoat on the bottom. I've been doing custom paint for over 35 years

[pogalz123]

It's paint with yellow gelcoat on the bottom. I've been doing custom paint for over 35 years

So did you apply the gelcoat after you got the bear Hull or did it come from lib that way

[WILDMAN]

It came all yellow, but I changed the shade of yellow except for the bottom. I try to never paint the running surface on a boat.

[pogalz123]

That's awesome I wish had the time and cash to do that