Skater 18

[Leonard]

After a bit of searching I found a Skater 18 for sale and I'm not sure if it is a worthy project or not. It's an 84 the guy I am dealing with is the second owner he bought it back in 88 after the original owner scared himself with it or so I am told. It has an older 175 Evinrude and a 200 evinrude that needs rebuilding. The boat shows its age with spider cracks and some oxidation I'll most likely need to repaint the topside if nothing else.

Does anyone have any experience with this model that can offer some words of advice? I have not pulled the trigger on this yet but I so badly want to. The seller is asking $3000 I was thinking of offering him $2000 considering the time of year and the condition the boat is in. Any help is appreciated.

[Riverratt]

check with Platypus on this site. He has one with a 225 Mercury. It doesn't sound like a bad deal to me.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

It's a great piece of history just to hang on to!! I'd grab it! From what I've been told they are a bit flighty at speed. I wouldn't trim to high!!!

[jphii]

Welcome Leonard. Sounds like a deal. If you don't take it be sure and let the board know (me first!). It'll be gone quick.

[150aintenuff]

cool lookin boat... never knew skater built an 18... lern sumthin everyday...

[Riverratt]

It's a great piece of history just to hang on to!! I'd grab it! From what I've been told they are a bit flighty at speed. I wouldn't trim to high!!!
I will have to agree with the flying high. I saw Platypus run his at the Romp and his bow was definately in the air.
Here are 2 links to his boat
http://forums.screamandfly.com/Gallery/showphoto.php/photo/6217/cat/3087/page/13
http://forums.screamandfly.com/Gallery/showphoto.php/photo/6227/cat/3087/page/12

[Leonard]

Thanks for the replys I'll make my decision tonight. I might have to buy this without the wifes knowledge I could be in for trouble but I think it's worth it!

I'll keep you posted!!!

[TOP1GUN]

there selling one of those also in the fl keys if someone is intrested i might be able to get the number tomorrow nite

top1gun

[David]

Note that the 18 Skater was not the fastest boat of its day

Powerboat used to test it almost annually and it was never the fastest outboard tested. I can't remember if the center pod version came first or the true tunnel, or which was faster. Your picture shows the center pod.

Still cool to own a piece of history.

[platypus]

Hey,Leonard you might want to check those built-in gas tanks :confused: design not good at all :mad: lot of work to fix had to do mine,that price is not bad.
Skater made 2 models one had a center pod and one with out. :cool:
They do ride a little higher than other boats but i think some of that is
because of design of the hull.

Art

[platypus]

I will have to agree with the flying high. I saw Platypus run his at the Romp and his bow was definately in the air.
Here are 2 links to his boat
http://forums.screamandfly.com/Gallery/showphoto.php/photo/6217/cat/3087/page/13
http://forums.screamandfly.com/Gallery/showphoto.php/photo/6227/cat/3087/page/12

Thanks i think :rolleyes: :eek: :confused:

Art

[platypus]

Note that the 18 Skater was not the fastest boat of its day

Powerboat used to test it almost annually and it was never the fastest outboard tested. I can't remember if the center pod version came first or the true tunnel, or which was faster. Your picture shows the center pod.

Still cool to own a piece of history.

Best speed with mine was 87 so far still trying to respect it. :)

[G-Train]

Platypus is right about the gas tanks...may start to deteriorate and put fibers in the fuel, or just bust right thru the bottom as mine did...it had 2 - 40 gallon tanks, one in each side sponson.

That being said, it was a great boat.
Without knowing anything about setup and performance at that time, mine ran 78 on the speedo w/200 stock merc...not doubt that could be greatly improved with any setup time.

They are flighty, but mostly because it took a lot of trim to get them to fly, without the power options we have today.

I've also heard guys that had them in the 90+ mph range talk about them "walking" sideways (maybe they had to set the motor so high to cause this? Or not the good gearcases/mods we have today)...I never reached those speeds, so i didn't experience this. I've heard also that w/2.4 hi-perf, they were running over 100 back in the day. They are a great part of hi-perf boating history.

Peter Hledin of Skater told me the model without the center pod was about 5 mph faster, but a rougher ride.

18' long with an 8' beam, you can walk from side to side in one of these, and it doesn't move.

Good Luck

G

[platypus]

Platypus is right about the gas tanks...may start to deteriorate and put fibers in the fuel, or just bust right thru the bottom as mine did...it had 2 - 40 gallon tanks, one in each side sponson.

That being said, it was a great boat.
Without knowing anything about setup and performance at that time, mine ran 78 on the speedo w/200 stock merc...not doubt that could be greatly improved with any setup time.

They are flighty, but mostly because it took a lot of trim to get them to fly, without the power options we have today.

I've also heard guys that had them in the 90+ mph range talk about them "walking" sideways (maybe they had to set the motor so high to cause this? Or not the good gearcases/mods we have today)...I never reached those speeds, so i didn't experience this. I've heard also that w/2.4 hi-perf, they were running over 100 back in the day. They are a great part of hi-perf boating history.

Peter Hledin of Skater told me the model without the center pod was about 5 mph faster, but a rougher ride.

18' long with an 8' beam, you can walk from side to side in one of these, and it doesn't move.

Good Luck

G
Everything you said is right on the money word for word. :)

[Leonard]

Great information guys!!! I do know that the gas tank problem has already come up with this boat and that it was fixed by skater back in 89 or 90. I was shown the the fiberglass work around the tank area. The boat is located in Saugatuck MI right in Skater country so it was maintained well.
I have decided to buy it and will make my offer to the owner today! Hopefully I will have it in my garage this weekend.

[WARLOCK]

You can't beat that for three grand. And its a Skater. Good luck. Later, Dave

[Riverratt]

Thanks i think :rolleyes: :eek: :confused:

Art
You are welcome Art. I think? :confused: :D

[TOP1GUN]

there selling one of those also in the fl keys if someone is intrested i might be able to get the number tomorrow nite

top1gun


the number is 305-451-1840 it's located in key largo fl (keys), it's all white with no motor but has a trailer. hope this is helpful for someone

Top1Gun