Skater Fuel Consumption

[presto]

I know the old saying if you have to ask then you can't afford it, but seriously there does not seen to be data available on the 24 skater rigged with 2.5's in terms of fuel consumption. With twin 60 GAL tanks I would think that this should provide some range at high speeds.

I read here I believe on a test scanned and posted they get 250 miles at 4,500 RPM's. What type of speed is this hull running at those speeds, does this seem accurate? What about at faster speeds etc.

I am interested to hear any experienced thoughts.

Thanks.

[LakeTrash]

Asume 260's

That is 52 gph at WOT. 24 Skater = 110 or so. 120 gallons = 2.3 hours = 253 miles = 2.1 MPG.

My experience with the 31 Warlock / twin 300's, is the fuel economy does not get much, if any better when you slow down. The hull gets wet thus increasing drag.

Mine gets 1.0 mpg no matter how fast I go. I did not know that until I installed gallon per hour meters that take input from the GPS and read out MPG.

A diesel is being installed as I speak.

LT

[Thunderduck]

I've got a 24 Skater with 2.5 Offshore Race 280s. We have run from St. Pete to Boca Grande (200 miles round trip) without refueling several times. The boat might have a range of 250 miles at 4,000 RPMs but I'm not sure. We typically run 4,000-5,000 RPMs depending on water conditions. I don't have any idea about fuel consumption at WOT. My boat runs about 60 at 4,000, 100 at 7,000. The boat doesn't like to run wet and is probably real inefficient at less than 4,000 RPMs.

[presto]

That is a real nice looking rig. What types of props are you running on that hull, what is the top speed? How does the 280's race perform vs. 2.5EFI Offshore 260's.

[Thunderduck]

I run 14.5 x 32s (Merc & Spinelli). Boat runs about 110. My friend runs 260s on his 24 and it runs about 105. Big difference is in the midrange and acceleration.

[presto]

Do you run any jack plates / set back on this hull or are the motors bolted directly to the transom.

Another interest would be insurance. I ahve run a 26 Scarab with a single 502 MAG and the costs weren't too bad. Are these skaters runing these speeds "black listed" are they tough to get insured??

[Thunderduck]

The motors are bolted to the boat. Peter Hledin (Skater) says that the 24 doesn't need any setback. Jack plates would only let you dial in the motor heights for more soft water speed. I don't really care about soft water speed down here on the Gulf Coast. I've never had any problem with insurance but I know several people that have.

[Thunderduck]

Bolted to transom.

[presto]

I have seen your thoughts on the skaters and your I really appreciate your direct personal knowledge. I like many are very interested in the skaters and I am getting close now that my wife is on board. Due to costs I am looking at a 21 skater with twin 2.5 Carb (1995) motors for around 28,000 on a trailer. It is rigged nicely etc.

If this good set up on in land lakes MAX 2-3 foot chop mostly 1 or less or is this package one that I will want to move up from in a season or two. What type of fuel capacity / range do the 21's have.

For a decent 24 with twin 2.5EFI engines what I am looking to pay. Can I get into one for 30,000 or less?

Any conitued adivce is appreciated.

[Thunderduck]

The 21 with twins is probably a "nice" rig for soft water (lakes, ponds & rivers). My wife didn't like our 21 because we ran with larger boats and got "beat up" pretty good. A 21 with twins at around $28M sounds about right. I don't remember how big the fuel cells were in my 21. I'm guessing around 40 gallons each side. You just don't see many 24s for sale. I've seen them from $55M to $35M, depending on age and power. Several on my friends have 28s and they're real "wave eaters". Just depends on how much $$$ you want to part with. Good Luck!!

[Brad Zastrow]

I will agree that 2.1 mpg sounds about right. I had a triple 280 30' Motion that would get 1.5 mpg running really hard in Poker Runs. And that is running 7-8000 rpm.

[Thunderduck]

FYI

24 Skater For Sale
1986 24' Skater For Sale - 1996 2.5's With Around 50 Hours Set On Manual Jack Plates With Transom Pick Ups. Never Been Raced. Boat Is White With White Interior. Race / Pleasure High Back Buckets. Full Gaffrig Package With Blue Bezels. Triple Axle Trailer With Electric Front Jack. Two Sets Of Lab Finished Props. New Full Boat Cover / Engine Covers. Asking $36000.

Email Me At OneEyeKJ@aol.com If You Would Like Pics Emailed Out!

[Ryan Beckley]

There are 24's around you just have to look around here, offshoreonly, and boattrader. Like ThunderDuck said the prices very alot I've seen them from 25-50. I know there is one on Boatrader for under 30. In my opinion a 21 with twins would be a very hairy ride.
Good Luck
Ryan Beckley
www.kineticanimation.com/skater.html
that's a link to my 24 before and after

[JIMKID motorsports]

hay im putting a 28 skater together using 300xs shortening the mids to 15 inch i have a place in punta gorda on the bay will we be able to run say from there to naples or up to sarasota with no problems let me know maybe we can hook up when i get it down there and have you show us the neet spots talk to ya this is for thunder duck

[Thunderduck]

You can run that boat from Key West to Tampa - No Problems!! There are plenty of places to run, eat, drink and just hang. We usually run down to Boca Grande at least once during the summer. I keep my 24 in Saint Pete, about 100 miles north of Punta Gorda. Email me (thunderduck) when you get to Florida.