21' skater project

[fountainfever29]

Here are some pics of my skater after I got a chance to start working on it this last week.

[fountainfever29]

more pics of the progress

[fountainfever29]

I have these 3r racing seats I was thinking about using. Whats everyone's opinion. I was thinking of having them upohlstered and the head rest embroidered with the skater logo.

[fountainfever29]

here is a pic of the splash well I have to repair.

[fountainfever29]

motor ready to come off. I just spoke with a guy from here from London that may be buying it, have to work out the shipping details. anyone know where I could get an old mercury crate to ship it in?
scott

[apache21]

Go with the high backs. I noticed a set for sale in Classified.

[at100plus]

I like the original seats, but they look better with a more original multi color scheme.

[Ospreyproduction]

Fountain,
here are a couple pics of the carpet. They are bound on the side abd have what is called "Aqua Mat" on the bottom. There are no snaps and they don't move around. The back is cut to match they pattern of the floor and the front is cut for the foot throttle.

I'll look for the website at R&R Textiles and you can look at all the colors. They have the pattern on file in their CAD system.

I'm redoing all of my gauges with new Livorsi guages as we speak. I'll post a new pic when they are all in.

[Ospreyproduction]

http://www.rrtextiles.com/marine/aquamats.html

They carry a sizable color selection and you can order 20 oz. or 40 oz.

The 40 is a little too plush for me. My pics are of the 20 oz.

[tux974]

Fountain, Looking at your pictures the one showing the splashwell, where you are going to do your repair, the hole in the well where you have a hose or wiring harness possibly for your jack plate, I would remove the red bezel and reroute the hose because that is a bad spot to have a hole. Glass up the hole and do your repair. Fiberglass has no memory so it should work for you. Good luck. Tony

[fountainfever29]

osprey

thanks for the pics and info I like the carpet it looks great, can't wait to see the the gauges I just had livorsi send me a catalog.

[fountainfever29]

So you guys think I shouldn't use the black racing seats? I like the the skater high backs but I hate to spend the money when I already have two sets of seats to choose from

scott

[Ospreyproduction]

The high backs look a little big in the 21' to me. I actually like the low seats. Hell I like your white ones!!

[fountainfever29]

Tony,

that sounds like a good idea I didnt like the way they had this rigged anyways it needed alot of clean up on routing contols/wires. I have some west epoxy 105 I plan to use. Its expensive stuff but I have had great luck with it in the past.
scott

[fountainfever29]

skater guys, anyone have a 21' with the floor board cut out on the starboard side like mine does in the pic? I don't think this is done at the factory and Iam not sure why it had been done on my boat. I plan on reglassing it up

scott

[Ospreyproduction]

No need to glass it up. That's where the foot throttle goes...and you want a foot throttle. The throttle assembly will go in the opening.

[at100plus]

Yes, that is factory.

[tux974]

Scott, Yes you most definitly want a foot throttle so you can keep both hands on the wheel. That is why skater made them that way. I believe the previous owner liked the console control system. I even installed foot switches for eng trim and jack plate with enough space to plant my left foot between them. Tony

[beer30]

My boat has the hand control, no cut out in the floor. Yes, it came that way from the factory. I do have switches on the floor for the trim, but my jackplate switches are on the dash. I have jackplates switches on the dash right next to my trim switches that are mounted to the dash. Also has switches for the passenger to control both on their side. Chuck.

[Ospreyproduction]

Beer...you would love having a foot throttle. I couldn't imagine one without.

[LaserModVee]

Stick with the white ones. The factory Skater seats, at least in mine, have a huge bum pad, like 10+ inches thick. This comes in handy when you get into the rough stuff. Those black ones will knock your fillings loose.:D

They look a little tall too. My .02

Do what you want, it's your ride! :o

[at100plus]

Yea I tried to drive Chuck's boat with the lefty throttles and I was all discombobulated.

[beer30]

It took me a little to get used to it. Now it's second nature. I wouldn't change it because that's how it came from the factory. Foot throttles are nice and (safe), but they all weren't built that way. If Mike drove it for while, he also would get used to it. :) Chuck.

[fountainfever29]

-I like the foot throttle set up but the left hand throttles would be the same as my fountain so I wouldnt have a learning curve. left hand throttles keep it more with the all out race style Iam shooting for also. I do plan to instal a foot trim/jack system.
scott

[platypus]

The white seats look good. Good luck with your project

I have a 18S skater that I redid.

[Ospreyproduction]

lol...lol...

Hey Fountain!! The first time you fly that puppy thru the air, you're gonna wish your left hand was on the wheel insead of the throttles!! Just kidding, I've had both and there really isn't a learning curve, just like your car....without brakes!!!




HEY BEER!!! I put my race hatch on for the first time the other day. I still have not run with it on, but it looks so damn cool I can't stand it. Everytime I would see your avitar I would want to put it on. Well I waxed it and it's getting ready for a big Skater Logo. New Livorsi gauges are almost in, and I just received my Finney's windflaps. I'll take a pic when I get it all done. If I ever do!

[beer30]

Lee, when you get the logo on the hatch, post some pics. I love running around with it on. It's like driving a Vet on the water!!! :cool:Chuck.

[fountainfever29]

osprey,

I got a throttleman both hands will be on the wheel:)

[fountainfever29]

I plan to custom build a race hatch with two speedster style humps coming off the headrests and tapering back it should look cool as hell.

[apache21]

I see you have the Skater Fever. For the 21 Skater I would have the foot Throttle but in a 24 I would rather have the Levers. It really takes two people to operate my 24 I have Spring Loaded throttles. I usually run the throttles while a friend drives. I have more fun that way and we can run hard as Hell.

[Ospreyproduction]

NOW THIS IS A GOOD THREAD!!! NOBODY OUT THERE BITCHIN. NO WHINING....

Fountain, get a throttle woman!! They look better!! :D

I would have to agree with Apache. Go with the foot in the 21. Looking forward to seeing the custom race hatch.

FINALLY....SOME SKATER GUYS TALKIN!!!!! I like it!!

[at100plus]

Absolutely go with a foot throttle. If you really want to set it up with throttleman controls, look into the In Control setup for foot throttle and hand combo. It's the best combo available, pricey but great quality.

The 21 is not an Offshore raceboat, it's great for rough lakes and bays but it's not the kinda boat you really need a throttleman for.

I'm getting a 24, and I will have both because I run mostly bays, lakes and rivers and I don't intend to beat the crap outta my ride in the Ocean.

[Propster]

Where did you get the race hatch? I want to see how it runs without the heavy back seat.

[Ospreyproduction]

Propster,
It came with my boat, but I have never run it. I wish I had of put it on before. It's the perfect reason to only have two people in the boat!!

[fountainfever29]

foot throttle /hand combo is the way I will go you guys sold me!

scott

[fountainfever29]

I started to glass up all the holes and dash today

[fountainfever29]

another pic of glass work

[Ospreyproduction]

So whats the major plan here? Are you gonna do the entire boat?

[canoeman]

Dude If Your Gonna Treat Her Like That, You Should At Least Put A Bag Over Her Head :d JK LOOKS GOOD. PS THIS IS MY VERY FIRST POST :D

[at100plus]

Man you're getting down to business! Must not have any screaming children in the house. ;)

[fountainfever29]

Plans are to do the entire boat over, new everything, paint,rigging,upohlstry motor etc. The hull is now completly bare! So Iam starting fresh from the ground up. No kids yet but I have one on the way, I took this project on so I could work on something at home to keep the wife happy. I am never home always working at my business or on my Rental properties. I have always wanted to redo a skater but never made the time for anything that wasn't business related. Iam really enjoying this!!!!!!!!!
Scott

[fountainfever29]

The paint job will be the most exciting part of the project. Iam going to do something really wild like on the bigger skaters. Since I own A body/paint shop this part of the project has NO BUDGET.:)

scott

[beer30]

How is the project going, haven't seen any up to date photos. :) Chuck.

[Propster]

I am going to do the same thing on mine. I was just going to change the trim color and rub rail. I don't think I will be happy with that. I am going to strip everything off the boat and plug the extra holes in the dash and splash well, then move some stuff around on the dash and replace the rub rail. I think I will paint it white and use tape graphics until I can come up with a cool paint scheme. I hate ripping apart a perfectly good boat, but I know I will wish I had this summer.

What kind of resin are you using? Is it vinylester or epoxy? Are you using balsa core with the fiberglass to fill the holes or filling them with fiberglass?

[blkmtrfan]

Propster are going to rip it apart now, or wait until next winter? If you are going to do it now, you better get on it :D

[beer30]

You start a project like that, which then leads to something else. :eek: Next thing you know you are in the middle of Summer trying to get it done. :rolleyes: Painted my Shadow, started in March, finished it in July. :eek: Talk about wanting kick your own a$$!!!! :D Chuck.

[Propster]

Yea, maybe I should do a mini makeover instead of going for it. I hate being boatless for the summner.. We only get a couple of months of boating out here as it is!

[beer30]

Did you ever find a place to get the trim?Chuck.

[Propster]

Yes, Skater gets their trim from Taco Metals. I also like the white rub rails. Might look funny on a Skater though.

[beer30]

Did you call them? How do you go about ordering it? I got some I would love to replace. Do you paint them or does it come already in color?Chuck

[Propster]

The trim comes anodized. I believe it is the A51-0106TAL12D shown on page 8

http://www.tacomarine.com/diypages/aluminumrr.asp

I am going to call and make sure. Skater gave their phone number as 305-652-8566.

I was going to look at some white vinyl trim with hidden screws like the newer boats have also. As long as they are 6" centers, I can use the existing holes.

[beer30]

Did they give you any prices? I looked at the catalog, saw what I needed. Thanks for the info. Also I need to get my race hatch hinges powdercoated again or get new ones. I saw they have hinges too. Thanks again. :) Chuck

[fountainfever29]

have most of the glass work done. just have the transom left to repair. The weather is getting better and I have been busy with outdoor projects. I will try to post some pics soon. I probably wont be doing much more with it untill september now though. Iam looking to buy a 300x or a set of 2.5's for it. I hope I can find a deal on something this summer. I have sold the 225 that was on it.

[Propster]

Fountainfever, any status?

[fountainfever29]

hi

I have not had much time to work on the skater this summer. I do have most the glass work on the hull complete. Sold the motor. I plan on getting back to it near the end of sept.. I will continue to post pics of the project. I think I will be going with a single 300x or a built 2.5 280 Race.
scott

[NICE PAIR]

foot throttle /hand combo is the way I will go you guys sold me!

scott I have a brand new Gaffrig shifter/throttle (white ) for sale. I run twins w/throttle hooked to in-control foot throttle and the twin shifter has L&R shifters + 1) throttle stick to use as a cruise throttle. I also ran my in-control throttle cables thru some teflon lined motorcycle throttle cable jacket an am able to get by with about 1/2 the spring tension that most people use. I cut my morse 33c cable and hooked it to the foot throttle. Talk to Jim @ In-control 413-527-3197. :)

[Merc-Cruiser]

You might want to try Gaffrigs, sold factory direct, from Gaffrig Performance. Ask for Mike. M/C

[fountainfever29]

winter is here so Iam back in the garage working on the skater. Here are some recent pics. New dash glassed in I added abount 18-20 degrees on tilt to lower the helm down, the new seats will sit me lower in the boat. also the custom fiberglass windscreen I made is glassed on. I plan to mold it in I will foam in under it and mold the dash around it next.

[fountainfever29]

more picssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[fountainfever29]

last pic for now

[fastercat]

ha looking good hope to see it at the pirate run this year did you get the power yet????i think 300x or 280 race.but thats just my two cents. :)

[Johan_H]

I know this is a REALLY old thread, but I will give it a shot....

For the moment I'm the owner of this boat and it's totally awesome. Recently I have noticed som cracks on both sides of the engine just as shown in the picture in post nr4.

Does anyone know if this was fixed or did it sell with the splash still there? Should I be concerned about these cracks? It's hard to tell how deep they are.

Thanks //Johan

[Viper GTs]

Yea>>> Skaters Suck!!!
NOW THIS IS A GOOD THREAD!!! NOBODY OUT THERE BITCHIN. NO WHINING....

Fountain, get a throttle woman!! They look better!! :D

I would have to agree with Apache. Go with the foot in the 21. Looking forward to seeing the custom race hatch.

FINALLY....SOME SKATER GUYS TALKIN!!!!! I like it!!

[Faster-Boat]

The cracks in the fiberglass are because of the stress of the engine weight and the engine force when pushing the boat forward. The cracks indicate that there is a concentration of forces in that area. The supporting structure is flexing and allowing the fiberglass skin to flex and crack. You have to decide how important this is to you, so that you can decide if it should be fixed immediately or if you can wait until later. If you decide to repair the fiberglass, you should also add some additional structure to strengthen the transom and the area where the stress of the engine is pushing on the cracked fiberglass. If you do not reinforce this area, then it will crack again. You should contact a good boat builder or someone experienced in fiberglass structures to examine your boat and give you their professional opinion on how big of a problem your boat has, and how it should be repaired.