Boating content for a Wednesday

[Duramax]

Some of you may remember my old screen name, 40FlatDeck. I was going through some of my pics late last night and came across some cool pics of the boat that was my screen name.
I tried to find all the history I could on it, some good and unfortunately a lot bad. Here she is when new. A company named, American Offshore Marina, had commissioned the build from Skater in 2000. Skater is a true custom boat builder, unlike MTI for example, Peter will do pretty much anything hull up. This one was built as a flat deck, but they also did a negative slope to the sides of the deck. It was also built with Sterling 1100/1300 motors and 6's from Mercury. I thought the shape was beautiful ( I may be biased) =). It then changed hands multiple times, even had the same owner twice. What started as, "The Chase is on" went to "X-Men" then "Never Late" and ended with me, "Hitman"
If this thread gets enough hits I can dig up more pics, etc and tell more history. I had always heard when it was X-Men it was amazing paint. In fact, when I was having it repainted, I have pictures of the port side picture of Wolverine.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Is this boat all white now with a couple red accents?

 

[4Waters]

Yup, more pics needed

 

[Duramax]

Is this boat all white now with a couple red accents?

Yes, that's how I rebuilt it and I believe it is still the same.

 

[Singleton]

Yes, that's how I rebuilt it and I believe it is still the same.

still remember your rebuild thread. Keep the post going.
The rebuild was awesome, but also know it wore you out!

 

[hallett21]

Post everything!!!

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Plz post more

 

[Duramax]

I apologize for the pics going further. Ok, this is how I found it. A place by the name of Dick Simon Marine had it for sale. A multi champion throttle man by the name of Scot Conrad owned the place.

 

[Marios Metalworks]

Do you have a build thread on here?

 

[Duramax]

I will try and get some before pics of the motors. These were after I had gone through them. Probably 10-15K just in ruined steel braid and fittings.

Now, Sterling says they are 1100hp, then a pulley swap and you are at 1300hp. Those old school roots blowers make way to much heat after 12psi.

565's with 1471's

 

[Duramax]

Do you have a build thread on here?

No, I should have, and I will post pics that tell the story. I will dig them up tonight. The complete deck was removed as it was rotten. Complete trailer was rebuilt every nut and bolt. Drives, engines, etc.

 

[Singleton]

No, I should have, and I will post pics that tell the story. I will dig them up tonight. The complete deck was removed as it was rotten. Complete trailer was rebuilt every nut and bolt. Drives, engines, etc.

I think you posted that on RRX. Chris might have the archive

 

[DWC]

No, I should have, and I will post pics that tell the story. I will dig them up tonight. The complete deck was removed as it was rotten. Complete trailer was rebuilt every nut and bolt. Drives, engines, etc.

Great thread. Looking forward to more pics.
PS. How did the deck rot?

 

[RiverDave]

How does a deck rot?

 

[Duramax]

Look at this. I hated the, "Never Late" paint, and at one point I got together with Froggystyle (Wes) and thought it would be a good idea for Trident to take on the project of repainting this beast. Trident was slow and he wanted to keep his guys busy so they gave it a shot.

 

[RichL]

I could like each post but instead I'm going to like the whole thread. Has my undivided attention. Please continue.

 

[steamin rice]

Keep posting. I remember going to a SCOPE lunch run or two when it was never late, before you bought it I'm pretty sure

 

[Duramax]

Great thread. Looking forward to more pics.
PS. How did the deck rot?

@RiverDave asked this too. There was a point that the boat had sat for sometime back east. If you notice it has a deck hatch right in the middle of the deck. The hatch was either left open or the foam seal was bad and let rain water in, enough water that you could see the water line on the inside of the boat on the sponsons. From there, the moisture and humidity rotted the balsa that Skater uses under the deck. Peter doesn't use foam, still balsa. When I got the boat the deck had some bubbles in it which I thought was just from paint, and since I was going to repaint it, no big deal. At the same time, the top of the tunnel (right beneath the hatch) rotted also, so the deck forward from the canopies was replaced as was 5' of tunnel, AND, the last 6 feet of spray rails on each side of the boat (the rails that the boat rides on the trailer). Now, you might ask, "Erik, why didn't a marine survey catch this?" It would have if the man doing the survey actually looked at the boat, he did not.

What came in to Skater as a 26k repaint, snowballed into a complete rebuild. Anybody want to guess the final $$?


Let me dig up the pictures of the deck removed, engines, and everything else.


To be continued......

 

[Duramax]

Keep posting. I remember going to a SCOPE lunch run or two when it was never late, before you bought it I'm pretty sure

Yes, Scott ran that a few times.

 

[Duramax]

I think you posted that on RRX. Chris might have the archive

Maybe? At the same time we found out my father had Parkinsons. It was a big blur sometimes.

 

[Singleton]

@RiverDave asked this too. There was a point that the boat had sat for sometime back east. If you notice it has a deck hatch right in the middle of the deck. The hatch was either left open or the foam seal was bad and let rain water in, enough water that you could see the water line on the inside of the boat on the sponsons. From there, the moisture and humidity rotted the balsa that Skater uses under the deck. Peter doesn't use foam, still balsa. When I got the boat the deck had some bubbles in it which I thought was just from paint, and since I was going to repaint it, no big deal. At the same time, the top of the tunnel (right beneath the hatch) rotted also, so the deck forward from the canopies was replaced as was 5' of tunnel, AND, the last 6 feet of spray rails on each side of the boat (the rails that the boat rides on the trailer). Now, you might ask, "Erik, why didn't a marine survey catch this?" It would have if the man doing the survey actually looked at the boat, he did not.

What came in to Skater as a 26k repaint, snowballed into a complete rebuild. Anybody want to guess the final $$?


Let me dig up the pictures of the deck removed, engines, and everything else.


To be continued......

Final number was over 100k

 

[Duramax]

Final number was over 100k

116k

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Yes, that's how I rebuilt it and I believe it is still the same.

That SOB rotates the earth at idle! LOVE THAT BOAT!

This boat, Pure Platinum, and the Captain Hook DCB, all absolutely crush the noise battle!

Side note, do you know who owns it now? Is it for sale? This would scratch my itch for a season or 2.

 

[ChrisV]

badass dude. No wonder why you love your Daytona. Soo much easier and cheaper.

 

[Duramax]

That SOB rotates the earth at idle! LOVE THAT BOAT!

This boat, Pure Platinum, and the Captain Hook DCB, all absolutely crush the noise battle!

Side note, do you know who owns it now? Is it for sale? This would scratch my itch for a season or 2.

I think some smaller Teague engines were installed. I am not sure if it's for sale.

There is nothing like a 40 Skater. When all systems are go, it is king of the jungle. A couple times coming back from Havasu Springs with water big enough that most other boats got off of plane, we bombed through at 120.

Unfortunately the amount of work it took to make it right, did me in.

 

[Duramax]

badass dude. No wonder why you love your Daytona. Soo much easier and cheaper.

I have fallen in love with that damn thing. My Eliminator brought all the love of boating back for me.

 

[Duramax]

Skipping ahead, this was the final product. Mercedes Pearl (Standox) with red accents.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

THATS IT!!!!!

ME WANT!!

 

[Tank]

@RiverDave asked this too. There was a point that the boat had sat for sometime back east. If you notice it has a deck hatch right in the middle of the deck. The hatch was either left open or the foam seal was bad and let rain water in, enough water that you could see the water line on the inside of the boat on the sponsons. From there, the moisture and humidity rotted the balsa that Skater uses under the deck. Peter doesn't use foam, still balsa. When I got the boat the deck had some bubbles in it which I thought was just from paint, and since I was going to repaint it, no big deal. At the same time, the top of the tunnel (right beneath the hatch) rotted also, so the deck forward from the canopies was replaced as was 5' of tunnel, AND, the last 6 feet of spray rails on each side of the boat (the rails that the boat rides on the trailer). Now, you might ask, "Erik, why didn't a marine survey catch this?" It would have if the man doing the survey actually looked at the boat, he did not.

What came in to Skater as a 26k repaint, snowballed into a complete rebuild. Anybody want to guess the final $$?


Let me dig up the pictures of the deck removed, engines, and everything else.


To be continued......

This is a fairly common issue with Skater's actually. Buddy has a 46 that he was / is in a HUGE pissing contest with Pete over this exact issue and the ransom to fix it.

 

[Tank]

We've talked about this before. I was lucky enough to run with Scott when it was Never Late and then my buddy Justin owned it after you sold it and ran it for a while in So. Cal and in Havasu before selling it to the dude in Havasu.

When Justin owned it.

 

[Duramax]

This is a fairly common issue with Skater's actually. Buddy has a 46 that he was / is in a HUGE pissing contest with Pete over this exact issue and the ransom to fix it.

I will bet you, that 90% of used Skaters, especially ones that are 2012ish and older, are full of water. I will put money on that. ESPECIALLY where the boat sits on the splash rails in the rear. The engine weight literally makes the bunk carpet push water into the epoxy/balsa.

Most people don't pay enough attention to it.

 

[Tank]

Scott running it with us from Santa Barbara to Anacapa Island when it was still Never Late

 

[Duramax]

We've talked about this before. I was lucky enough to run with Scott when it was Never Late and then my buddy Justin owned it after you sold it and ran it for a while in So. Cal and in Havasu before selling it to the dude in Havasu.

When Justin owned it.

View attachment 1133681 View attachment 1133682 View attachment 1133683 View attachment 1133684 View attachment 1133685 View attachment 1133686 View attachment 1133687 View attachment 1133688 View attachment 1133689 View attachment 1133690 View attachment 1133691 View attachment 1133692 View attachment 1133693 View attachment 1133695 View attachment 1133696 View attachment 1133697

Great pictures! Everything you see in the cockpit was new, except for the cb and Garmin, lol.

Silver carbon fiber dash, all new interior, gauges, etc, I had the canopies sent off for a re-polish. EVERYTHING

 

[DWC]

@RiverDave asked this too. There was a point that the boat had sat for sometime back east. If you notice it has a deck hatch right in the middle of the deck. The hatch was either left open or the foam seal was bad and let rain water in, enough water that you could see the water line on the inside of the boat on the sponsons. From there, the moisture and humidity rotted the balsa that Skater uses under the deck. Peter doesn't use foam, still balsa. When I got the boat the deck had some bubbles in it which I thought was just from paint, and since I was going to repaint it, no big deal. At the same time, the top of the tunnel (right beneath the hatch) rotted also, so the deck forward from the canopies was replaced as was 5' of tunnel, AND, the last 6 feet of spray rails on each side of the boat (the rails that the boat rides on the trailer). Now, you might ask, "Erik, why didn't a marine survey catch this?" It would have if the man doing the survey actually looked at the boat, he did not.

What came in to Skater as a 26k repaint, snowballed into a complete rebuild. Anybody want to guess the final $$?


Let me dig up the pictures of the deck removed, engines, and everything else.


To be continued......

Any liability on the Surveyors part? Wow.

 

[Tank]

I will bet you, that 90% of used Skaters, especially ones that are 2012ish and older, are full of water. I will put money on that. ESPECIALLY where the boat sits on the splash rails in the rear. The engine weight literally makes the bunk carpet push water into the epoxy/balsa.

Most people don't pay enough attention to it.

LOL, yea, I didn't want to poo poo skater or anything but yeah, it's a pretty common issue. Buddy sent his 46 back to get repainted and next thing he knows the deck is off and Pete's demanding umpteen hundred thousand dollars to finish it. He's like, Uh, no. And the fight began. Its now at Performance Marine on the east coast I believe getting repaired. Meantime he's running a 46 Cigarette.

 

[Tank]

Great pictures! Everything you see in the cockpit was new, except for the cb and Garmin, lol.

Silver carbon fiber dash, all new interior, gauges, etc, I had the canopies sent off for a re-polish. EVERYTHING

It was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Justin buys and sells boats and has owned nearly every high end performance boat builder on the planet. He LOVED that boat. As I recall it was kind've a handful to run if you didn't know what you were doing.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

I will bet you, that 90% of used Skaters, especially ones that are 2012ish and older, are full of water. I will put money on that. ESPECIALLY where the boat sits on the splash rails in the rear. The engine weight literally makes the bunk carpet push water into the epoxy/balsa.

Most people don't pay enough attention to it.

I also believe much of the water issues are from water getting into the deck hatch when washing. Believe me, the gap between the hatch and the hatch register holds a bunch of water. Once in there, there is NO WAY to get it out, even tilting, some stays in there. You open the hatch, water runs in. I have made it an absolute habit of leaving the deck hatch (and engine hatches) open whenever possible. Not much if any water gets on the deck while driving. The outside spray rails keep things pretty dry.

Right now, as we speak, my engine hatches, deck hatch and tool box (the hatch between the engine hatches) are open. @Duramax frightened me with his story, long ago.

The bunk pressure on the spray rails is also something to consider. Skaters sit on the inside spray rails, they don't really sit on anything substantial. The width between the spray rails is all the keeps it on.

If I tilt directly after recovery, the thing creaks and groans as it settles into place. Its a bit disconcerting.

 

[Duramax]

It was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Justin buys and sells boats and has owned nearly every high end performance boat builder on the planet. He LOVED that boat. As I recall it was kind've a handful to run if you didn't know what you were doing.

I put my heart and soul into that boat.....and then it took my soul with it, lol.

They are animals, but handle great. I have a decent amount of cat time. It was a crusher.

 

[Duramax]

I also believe much of the water issues are from water getting into the deck hatch when washing. Believe me, the gap between the hatch and the hatch register holds a bunch of water. Once in there, there is NO WAY to get it out, even tilting, some stays in there. You open the hatch, water runs in. I have made it an absolute habit of leaving the deck hatch (and engine hatches) open whenever possible. Not much if any water gets on the deck while driving. The outside spray rails keep things pretty dry.

Right now, as we speak, my engine hatches, deck hatch and tool box (the hatch between the engine hatches) are open. @Duramax frightened me with his story.

The bunk pressure on the spray rails is also something to consider. Skaters sit on the inside spray rails, they don't really sit on anything substantial. The width between the spray rails is all the keeps it on.

If I tilt directly after recovery, the thing creaks and groans as it settles into place. Its a bit disconcerting.

Absolutely, when boats are not in use, open everything up, always.

 

[Duramax]

Any liability on the Surveyors part? Wow.

You know, if my family wasn't dealing with my father who was dying and all of his issues, I would have pursued it. There is more to the story but that is for DM's.

Like @Tank said, I love the boat, the brand, but used ones are a toss up.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

I put my heart and soul into that boat.....and then it took my soul with it, lol.

They are animals, but handle great. I have a decent amount of cat time. It was a crusher.

Duramax and I speak often. These things ABSOLUTELY become a second wife. There isn't a day that goes by, I don't do something on the boat to get it ready and keep it ready.

My props get really nasty sitting in Havasu for 3-4 days. Just cleaning the crude off is two hours per prop.

Guys like Duramax and I with bad OCD need nasty old garbage scows that never need cleaning. These consume you.

 

[Tank]

I put my heart and soul into that boat.....and then it took my soul with it, lol.

They are animals, but handle great. I have a decent amount of cat time. It was a crusher.

You done good. Shit happens and everything happens for a reason.

I think your version of it was the best out of all the variants. It really shows the negative slope and lines perfectly well. And I LOVED the neg slope. Looks mean.

 

[Duramax]

You done good. Shit happens and everything happens for a reason.

I think your version of it was the best out of all the variants. It really shows the negative slope and lines perfectly well. And I LOVED the neg slope. Looks mean.

Thanks brother, I appreciate it.

When I need my Skater fix, I have a new 368 =) @nganga

 

[Singleton]

Duramax and I speak often. These things ABSOLUTELY become a second wife. There isn't a day that goes by, I don't do something on the boat to get it ready and keep it ready.

My props get really nasty sitting in Havasu for 3-4 days. Just cleaning the crude off is two hours per prop.

Guys like Duramax and I with bad OCD need nasty old garbage scows that never need cleaning. They consume you.

I found a product that helps clean the props and exhaust after sitting in the Havasu water for day.
@Tank posted about it. AJ sells it at the shop. Avoid getting it on the paint / gel. I will send you a pic next time I see Havasu

 

[Tank]

My props get really nasty sitting in Havasu for 3-4 days. Just cleaning the crude off is two hours per prop

You’re welcome. Like MAGIC!!!!

Wet down, spray on, wipe with wet cloth, spray off. It’s that easy. Don’t get it on any rubber coating / lines.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

You’re welcome. Like MAGIC!!!!

Wet down, spray on, while with wet cloth, spray off. It’s that easy. Don’t get it on any rubber coating / lines.
View attachment 1133718 View attachment 1133719 View attachment 1133720

You may have just saved a marriage.

Even CLR makes it a hard job.

 

[Tank]

You may have just saved a marriage.

Even CLR makes it a hard job.

Dude, I shit you not, stuff is like magic. There's no scrubbing or buffing or elbow grease or even sweat involved. wet prop, spray stuff on, lightly wipe with wet cloth, spray off. DONE! You can follow up with a little metal polish to really bring 'em back to bling but that pic above was no polish, just the spray stuff after the boat had sat on the river and lake for 10 days!

 

[River Dirt 2]

You’re welcome. Like MAGIC!!!!

Wet down, spray on, wipe with wet cloth, spray off. It’s that easy. Don’t get it on any rubber coating / lines.
View attachment 1133718 View attachment 1133719 View attachment 1133720

How are the tail pipes sealed at the flanges? Aren’t they a rubber/silicone gasket? Does the hull clean mess with the gasket?

 

[ToMorrow44]

I will bet you, that 90% of used Skaters, especially ones that are 2012ish and older, are full of water. I will put money on that. ESPECIALLY where the boat sits on the splash rails in the rear. The engine weight literally makes the bunk carpet push water into the epoxy/balsa.

Most people don't pay enough attention to it.

LOL, yea, I didn't want to poo poo skater or anything but yeah, it's a pretty common issue. Buddy sent his 46 back to get repainted and next thing he knows the deck is off and Pete's demanding umpteen hundred thousand dollars to finish it. He's like, Uh, no. And the fight began. Its now at Performance Marine on the east coast I believe getting repaired. Meantime he's running a 46 Cigarette.

I also believe much of the water issues are from water getting into the deck hatch when washing. Believe me, the gap between the hatch and the hatch register holds a bunch of water. Once in there, there is NO WAY to get it out, even tilting, some stays in there. You open the hatch, water runs in. I have made it an absolute habit of leaving the deck hatch (and engine hatches) open whenever possible. Not much if any water gets on the deck while driving. The outside spray rails keep things pretty dry.

Right now, as we speak, my engine hatches, deck hatch and tool box (the hatch between the engine hatches) are open. @Duramax frightened me with his story, long ago.

The bunk pressure on the spray rails is also something to consider. Skaters sit on the inside spray rails, they don't really sit on anything substantial. The width between the spray rails is all the keeps it on.

If I tilt directly after recovery, the thing creaks and groans as it settles into place. Its a bit disconcerting.

I’m curious, don’t all true tunnel boats sit on the trailer the same way (supported by the spray rails)? Wondering why they don’t sit on the tunnel like a center pod boat? DCB M37 looks like it sits on the tunnel.

 

[ToMorrow44]

I apologize for the pics going further. Ok, this is how I found it. A place by the name of Dick Simon Marine had it for sale. A multi champion throttle man by the name of Scot Conrad owned the place. View attachment 1133613

One of the more iconic Desert Storm photos ever