Which Skater Is The Safest???

[Viper GTs]

I am thinking of buying either a 21, 24 or 28 Skater. I know no Skater is safe over a 100...but i would like to know which may be the best one for me. I was told by a few boat people that the 21 handles better than a 24. I am guessing the 28 would probably be the best, but my wallet fits a 21 or 24 better. I do most of my boating on large lakes, the Connecticut River, and Long Island Sound. I want to be able to cruise in good water at 80, and do triple digits every now and then when the water is right. I do take my son boating a lot and would not want to jepordize his safety. I now have a vee hull that runs upper 70s which I feel safe in, can I be safe in a Skater with proper amount of seat time, or am I better off sticking with the vee hull? Thanks...AL...

[SKATER241]

I'LL TAKE A STAB AT ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS.THE 24 OR 28 WOULD PROBABLY BE YOUR BEST BET.I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL RELIABLE SOURCES THAT THE 21'S CAN BE A LITTLE TRICKIER TO DRIVE.MY TWENTY FOUR IS THE SAFEST,IN MY MIND,BOAT I HAVE OWNER FOR SPEED PURPOSES.I HAVE HAD BAJAS,ELIMINATOR,STV ECT AND HAVE ALMOST NONE OF THE WORRIES IN MY SKATER THAT I HAD IN THOSE BOATS.I DONT WORRY ANYMORE ABOUT BLOWING OVER OR HITTING BIG WAVES.I DONT QUITE UNDERSTAND YOUR STATEMENT ABOUT NONE OF THEM BEING SAFE OVER 100MPH THOUGH.I HAVE RAN MY 24,TO DATE,AT A BEST OF 108MPH WITHOUT A HICKUP.THESE BOATS LOVE ROUGH WATER AND HANDLE IT LIKE A DREAM.THE ONLY MAJOR CONCERN IN A CAT IS STUFFING A SPONSON AND BARREL ROLLING THE HULL.UNLESS YOU REALLY SCREW UP THIS SHOULDNT BE AN ISSUE IN FRESH WATER.THEY TAKE AT LEAST A FULL SEASON OF DRIVING TO GET USED TO AND TO FEEL CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE.THEY LOVE TRIM AT SPEED AND DO EVERYTHING WELL EXCEPT TURN AT HIGH SPEEDS AND CRUISE BETWEEN 50-70MPH.AT BETWEEN THOSE SPEEDS THEY LIKE TO HOP AS THE HULL BUILDS AIR AND GENERATES LIFT.I WOULD NOT DO HALF THE SPEED I DO IN MY SKATER IN A V-HULL AND FEEL AS SAFE AS I DO IN MY CAT.JUST MY TWO CENTS WORTH.HOPE THIS HELPS.

[Brad Zastrow]

Bigger is always safer in a boat. I have talked with a number of owners of 21's and they can a difficult boat to drive. Go with a 24'.
A really large cat can actually cruise at 100+ and almost bore you it is so calm.

[Spd-Kilz]

Originally posted by Viper GTs
I am thinking of buying either a 21, 24 or 28 Skater. I know no Skater is safe over a 100...but i would like to know which may be the best one for me. I was told by a few boat people that the 21 handles better than a 24. I am guessing the 28 would probably be the best, but my wallet fits a 21 or 24 better. I do most of my boating on large lakes, the Connecticut River, and Long Island Sound. I want to be able to cruise in good water at 80, and do triple digits every now and then when the water is right. I do take my son boating a lot and would not want to jepordize his safety. I now have a vee hull that runs upper 70s which I feel safe in, can I be safe in a Skater with proper amount of seat time, or am I better off sticking with the vee hull? Thanks...AL...

We're you working on the Enforcer outboard boat Viper? Its your bud Z06 from the Checkmate forum. How is that going. Good luck with your new boat purchase

[at100plus]

21s are great boats for their size. Again they are not a sharp turn boat, but barrel through alot of chop without a hard hit. With a 21 you just have to keep it out of swells that are farther apart than the length of the boat, because you don't want to 'stuff' it.

The biggest danger with a single engine 21 is the strain on the skeg with high jack heights. If you break a skeg or a steering component, there's a good chance it will barrel roll.

If you can afford it, go with a 24, but a 21 with a Merc PM 300 or 300X is a fun boat.

[jerry]

the safest skater is the one on the trailer!

[at100plus]

That goes for any boat. They are cheaper to maintain if you keep them on the trailer too.

[Todd]

While I don't own a Skater, I do have a 21' Liberator with twin 260's. I know it sounds crazy, but it is the safest boat I have driven. I put the whole family in and cruise 80 MPH without any fear. My wife even drives up to 85 by herself. I boat on a very large fresh water lake that can get rough. With the right props, you can keep the sponsons out of the waves and on top.

One thing to think about is storage. It can be difficult to find dry storage for a 24' or 28'. Mine fits in a tandem 2 car garage. A larger boat can also require larger tow vehicles.

[at100plus]

From what I hear, there's no comparison in rough water ride between a 21 Skater and a 21 Liberator. The Liberator is a modification of the 21 Eliminator bottom, and I've never heard great things about the Eliminator in rough water. If you were considering one of the two, I'd suggest getting a ride in both first. I really don't think there is a better rough water ride in the 21/22 ft. size range than the 21 Skater.

[skatermike24]

I think there all safe if you drive the boat with respect!

[Viper GTs]

If I were to go with the 21, I already have a 300X to put on it. Is a 20 inch shaft the right length for this setup, which is on my 23 Checkmate Enforcer right now. It sounds like you have to learn to drive a Skater and respect its speed potential. Most boats I drive you can floor it and go for miles wide open if the water is good...A Skater is more like my Dodge Viper, you cant floor it or you will off the road, and you cant attain a 190 mph just anywhere, the factors must be right. The learning curve is the same with a Viper..kinda like a street Skater...AL...

[Viper GTs]

Are any of you guys with Skaters coming to the CT river run this fall?? if so could I bumb a ride on a 21 or 24 I would love to get a feel of the cats performance and handling...Thanks...AL...

[at100plus]

Wrong.

You need to learn the characteristics of the hull. Once you know it, like any high speed hull, the boat is more stable the faster you go. The hardest part is figuring out how to get through the porpoise zone in calm water. It's much easier in rough water too.

[SKATER241]

Originally posted by at100plus
Wrong.

You need to learn the characteristics of the hull. Once you know it, like any high speed hull, the boat is more stable the faster you go. The hardest part is figuring out how to get through the porpoise zone in calm water. It's much easier in rough water too. I SECOND THAT 100%:)

[fastercat]

i own 21 skater with 300 po max 98mph 3 foot wave max. i love the boat i have had v's nothing runs like acat. if your not runing a cat you got dog :D

[docbones]

To whom ever thought 21 Liberator did not handle rough water well?? I was at the CT river run in mid october and anyone who saw it run will tell you it does quite well. I have seen 2-3 foot chop with no problems at all, very smooth and quick. I did run with 21 Skater and do not think it ran any better in chop! Just my opinion, Doc

[300x Stoker]

To whom ever thought 21 Liberator did not handle rough water well??

Was over some Tug Boat wakes. The boat was a light lay up and we were flying. I was sure we were going to die. A couple kind of hard bounces and we were over. I was very impressed.

[mjwalters]

I am sure the 28' is the safest But If you really want to be safe at 100mph you should by a 21' v bottom. Right Jerry :rolleyes:

[blkmtrfan]

Jerrys boat is a 24' :D

[mjwalters]

I stand corrected A 24' v bottom is the safest boat in world at 100mph. Can one run that fast?

[blkmtrfan]

Sure:


http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32425&highlight=imagine

Have fun it is a classic thread :D

[Trikki1010]

Scott,

He'll be 3 days reading that thread :D :D

And still ask the same questions :eek: ;)

[blkmtrfan]

But Rick, do you think he is having fun yet? :D

[BUD]

Hi Viper Gts, I am also looking at a 21 Skater. The problem is there are not many or any Skaters for sale so I am looking, Trying to decide between a Xtreme or a lightning. I also thought about a 24 , but the simplicity of a single 300 is winning.

[Spd-Kilz]

Hi Viper Gts, I am also looking at a 21 Skater. The problem is there are not many or any Skaters for sale so I am looking, Trying to decide between a Xtreme or a lightning. I also thought about a 24 , but the simplicity of a single 300 is winning.

Lightning.

[beer30]

You can buy a Liberator, Xtreme and Lightnings brand new. You can't do that with a Skater. You can only get a 21 or 24 Skater used. Something to think about!!!! :rolleyes: Chuck.

[Thunderduck]

The Bigger the Better. Twin engine is far superior (safer & faster) than a single. Good Luck!!

[blkmtrfan]

You can buy a Liberator, Xtreme and Lightnings brand new. You can't do that with a Skater. You can only get a 21 or 24 Skater used. Something to think about!!!! :rolleyes: Chuck.
Chuck you forgot about Sportcat :D :eek:

[baja200merk]

Chuck you forgot about Sportcat :D :eek:
blaahhahahahahaha :eek:

divide the lowest mph on that chart by 4 and who ever runs a sport cat at that number has ballz!

kevin

[beer30]

Please, we beat the chit out of that horse. Let's not start again!!!!! :eek: :p Chuck.

[blkmtrfan]

Sorry, not trying to beat the horse again, just thought I would lighten the mood a little ;) :D

[beer30]

It's cool, Scott. I thought the people here were going to tar & feather Ron Gracia!!!!! :D Chuck.

[BUD]

Hi Chuck, you dont want to sell your Skater, do ya? :D

[dreamboater]

Actually, Skater just re-designed their 24. You can see pictures at www.lakecumberlandmarine.com go to New boats and scroll down to the 2005 24. Looks cool with the Canopies, but not sure how I like the sloped deck seems a bit much for a boat that is 24 feet long. I bet that boat is every bit of 150k !!!!

[tux974]

I would like to add my 2 cents. I have owned 21,24,28 skaters. I'll start off with the 21 jacking engine braking skegs very common did it 2x not fun. The 24 - fast boat quick response but hard to tame. As far as the comment of liking trim- extremely dangerous, I blew one over at 100+mph. Personally I think they like to run trimmed in for better control. 28- great all around boat to race around 2.5 great combo for user friendly and great speed 300x. My personal and humble opinion skater is a second to none boat. I also don't believe that a skater is a family style boat and if I were looking for a boat to put my family in a skater would not be my first choice. I presently own the 28 and my wife hates it- tooo fasttt, tooo noisy, etc. I still love them and probably will always own one but I had to buy a center console to keep family happy. And by the way, Peter from Skater will make a 21 or 24 for the right price. But by the time you price it, you may as well go for the 28.

[WILDMAN]

One thing about the Liberator is that it does'nt porpoise at any speed. I've run mine as fast as 114mph in a 3' chop. No wind in your face is another good point. There's also the 24 Liberator which has the 24 Shater bottom. It does porpoise without the tunnel tab.

[Thunderduck]

Man . . . if you blow a 24' over at 100 mph you had to be trying. My boat (24) is much faster than that and it requires positive trim to really run. Glad you survived but I don't understand how you did it.

That 2005 is just UGLY!! Sorry Peter.

:confused: :confused:

[beer30]

The 2005 is too COOL, love it. I would own one in a minute. Peter came up with another WINNER!!!!!! :cool: :) Chuck.

[beer30]

Called Lake Cumberland Marine, told me the boat was built special. Took 2 years, has a 25,000 upgrade on the deck alone. Will retail for $180,000.00, but they will sell it for $140,000.00. Also told me they are anticipating it to run in the 120's!!!!!! :D Chuck.
P.S. Maybe I will buy 2!!!!! NOT!!!!!!! :D

[blkmtrfan]

One mans trash.... good one Chuck


2005 24 skater, The profile looks ok but I would like to see a more detailed shot of the front ??

[blkmtrfan]

WOW 180k, we were typing at the same time, holy cow, bargian basement deal @ 140k ...


OK that is just crazy :eek:

[WILDMAN]

That Skater looks like it has a couple of turrets. Looks like the Monitor and the Merrimac subs.

[gearcase]

05 24 gets a thumbs up! looks like skater supreme 24 to me. running a 28 skater right know i do recommend it.

[SpectreDave]

I say 28 skater but I like a Spectre HOLE LOT BETTER.

But do have a 2002 27 MTR Couger for sale .$69,900.00 OBO
There are pictures of the boat in the sales 20-30 feet .

[JIM5656]

Sorry!!!!!!! That has to be the ugliest 24 cat I ever saw.

[Ospreyproduction]

The 20 inch motor you have will work perfectly on a 21 or a 24 and a 28 too. You just need to add another for the 24 or the 28. That's what makes the 21 a great rig??? Less $$$ and it's still fun as hell.

The only people I know that complain about Skaters are people who have never owned one. Ride in one....and you will buy one. The 21 is easy to run, launch, trailer, and easier at the gas pump on your wallet. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the 24. I was even a bigger fan if SKATERMIKES 24. That was a real clean boat...but he sold it..DAMN I should have bought it...lol. Finding one in is a whole new story.

If you do find one you like.....you better be ready to buy it, because there are a number of people looking right now. ( for 21's and 24's) The 28's just cost too damn much. I'd buy a 30 Spectre before I plunked down the same $$$$$ for the 28.

Good luck with your search!

[Rickracer]

The one that's parked in the garage next to Greg's V-king. :eek:

HeHeHe, I just couldn't resist any longer. :D:D :D

[tux974]

Ospreyproduction,
You get what you pay for. There's a reason Spectre is cheaper. You'd appreciate a 28 Skater at time of resale. And sorry if you were to run a Skater.

[Ospreyproduction]

Buy a Spectre USED and you'll do OK on the resale. I'm not saying the Spectre is a better, faster boat...it's just finished a little sweeter...got a little more BLING!!! Hell, they're all fast! Just my .02 anyway.