STV vs Stealth Liberator

[flattracker60]

I know there are guys here that have been in both, and hopefully driven both boats.

Can you provide the pros and cons that stand out on each boat?

At the top of my list would be stability at higher speeds, and which one is more likely to blow over at speed?

Thanks for any input.

[Michael J Giesler]

Are you just lake boating or racing i myself would go with a Stv river rocket

[flattracker60]

Not racing.

River running on a 15 miles stretch of river.

What does the STV RR do better then the Stealth running a river?

[WILDMAN]

STV's are great boats, but I have only been in the 18 Liberator which is basically a Mirage hull. I have been 119 in one with no issues at all. Any of the smaller cats can get you in trouble quickly though. Usually from hitting a wake or swell and getting air under the nose. I think the STV may have better resale, but it all depends on condition and rigging.

[flattracker60]

STV's are great boats, but I have only been in the 18 Liberator which is basically a Mirage hull. I have been 119 in one with no issues at all. Any of the smaller cats can get you in trouble quickly though. Usually from hitting a wake or swell and getting air under the nose. I think the STV may have better resale, but it all depends on condition and rigging.

I didn't know a Stealth was a Mirage hull....good to know.

Randy, ballpark.....whats a new Stealth cost rigged like you rig 'em, no motor?

[WILDMAN]

Probably $25k - $30k on a trailer. Depends on paint etc.

[Da Bull]

You won`t get a STV RR turn key for that price but these two boats should not be compared. The Lib Stealth is entry level where the STV RR is more of a high tech race boat. Yea I know they make lake boats but I don`t know anybody that bought an STV RR just to cruise.

DB

[JPEROG]

If you look at the guys that have been in performance tunnels for a long time (15 years or more), you will see that a very high percentage of them are running STVs. I have driven both (a few of the 18s that Randy rigged), I have seen the materials used by Dave at liberator and I own another STV. You don't need or want a light one for river running (unless you are drag racing). My current River Rocket weighed 850 when Randy painted it but it will run 120 anytime that I want and will run in water that I wouldn't take a liberator in as shown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYPTFnFBn00 pause it anytime in the mid to late two minute area and you get an idea of what I was running over. I ran it up to a 100 several times that day in those conditions and I try to take it to dinner at least once a week-great boat...

Joe

[JBS]

That boat handled that slop real well