Skater 368, from the beginning.

[ultra26shadow]

Just one more post please. Of you and your son enjoying the boat.

 

[HST4ME]

Pleasure meeting you Steve. Enjoy your boat,bikes and life.

Maybe we will cross paths on Powell someday. Soon I hope to spend some time out there.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Steve, glad even if only for 15 minutes i got to meet you and chat. Hope to see you on the water.
Peter

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Off hunting bigger game fellas..... good ride.

 

[OC Mike]

Just one more post please. Of you and your son enjoying the boat.

Yes, that would very nice and SPECIAL!!!!!

 

[Swain]

I just saw a video of Outlaw towing it is it back at Skater ?

 

[Duramax]

I just saw a video of Outlaw towing it is it back at Skater ?

That's not this boat, it was the 438.

 

[Swain]

That's not this boat, it was the 438.

Same two tone tile trailer, black bottom red inner? The 438 is different

 

[Singleton]

Same two tone tile trailer, black bottom red inner? The 438 is different

the 438 is a 5th wheel hitch.
have not seen the video, but I would not be surprised if the 368 went back to the factory

 

[NicPaus]

If it was just the warranty issue with the one engine. Octane makes much more sense than back to Skater.

 

[Duramax]

If it was just the warranty issue with the one engine. Octane makes much more sense than back to Skater.

It's at Octane.

 

[BeerMaker]

the 438 is a 5th wheel hitch.
have not seen the video, but I would not be surprised if the 368 went back to the factory

This looks just like the 368 2 tone trailer but it says 438 on the tool box and that looks like the 438 to me. Lol. Idk

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[Swain]

This looks just like the 368 2 tone trailer but it says 438 on the tool box and that looks like the 438 to me. Lol. Idk View attachment 1000043

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Wasn't this boat the trailer was red on the tilt bunk area, black where this one was red. It wasn't this boat

 

[BeerMaker]

Wasn't this boat the trailer was red on the tilt bunk area, black where this one was red. It wasn't this boat

Oh so, opposite colors basically

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[Singleton]

This looks just like the 368 2 tone trailer but it says 438 on the tool box and that looks like the 438 to me. Lol. Idk View attachment 1000043

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That is the 438. Thought he had 5th wheel hitch, guess not

 

[Icky]

438

 

[FROGMAN524]

Looking good at Octane

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[HubbaHubbaLife]

Looking good at Octane

View attachment 1000218


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Oh yeah there's our girl.... that white belly shows her identity

 

[RaceTec]

I normally don't like the busy Skater paint jobs, but this boat is in a class of its own! Amazing in every picture!

 

[HCP3]

Bummed that we couldn't get at least a final report of how the family enjoyed the boat. Thanks again for the thread. Cheers to you and your family.

 

[Singleton]

Bummed that we couldn't get at least a final report of how the family enjoyed the boat. Thanks again for the thread. Cheers to you and your family.

Boat is almost finished.
This is the first 700 boat skater has put on a tilt trailer, so a few items needed to be done.
Octane Marine had Skaters open checkbook to make it right! Should be on the water before Memorial Day is what I heard.

 

[Gelcoater]

Bummed that we couldn't get at least a final report of how the family enjoyed the boat. Thanks again for the thread. Cheers to you and your family.

He has lots of pals here, I’m sure those pics will be passed along in time

 

[575cat]

Wet sumps on a tilt HHHMMM .

 

[CLdrinker]

Has this beast been ran yet

 

[Singleton]

Has this beast been ran yet

I still text with Steve.
Boat is scheduled to be picked up Monday and should see water sometime next week.

 

[Duramax]

Wet sumps on a tilt HHHMMM .

Never thought about that actually.

 

[Duramax]

Looking good at Octane

View attachment 1000218


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That's a damn fine shop!

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

I still text with Steve.
Boat is scheduled to be picked up Monday and should see water sometime next week. View attachment 1004346

Thats great, glad to hear someone on RDP is active with him.... we'll all be counting on some video posts through you at some point. I think lots of us who followed the build really felt let down in losing him. Maybe there's hope again.

 

[575cat]

Never thought about that actually.

Yah how far can you tip and leave it hang there getting oil in the lower jugs and weeping past the rings and ?????

 

[Duramax]

Yah how far can you tip and leave it hang there getting oil in the lower jugs and weeping past the rings and ?????

What a little more research tells me is that apparently it is not an issue at all. They have been running the Merc 525's in Supercat Light for many, many years. 99% of those Skaters are tilt, and they stay tilted for a long time between races.

 

[precisiondetails]

I believe they pump the oil out of the motors into a holding tank

 

[Duramax]

I believe they pump the oil out of the motors into a holding tank

Good point, I do not know the answer. I know these 700's are just fine being tilted as of today.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Bump..... its been a bit since our original poster stopped updating his thread and I was wondering if any of the local RDPers had spotted his awesome Skater out and about yet? As I recall it had some tech issues to be resolved at Desert Storm. Those of us who followed this build I'm sure would enjoy an update or some pics when she starts running out that way.... thanks.

 

[FROGMAN524]

It was back at Octane marine last week. Apparently they're working on trailer issues.

 

[Instigator]

Steve hasn't been able to use the boat without a problem yet.
Sucks to spend all that money and wait 2 years to have it built and it still not be right.
He is clearly more patient than me or most would be I suspect.

 

[BingerFang]

Steve hasn't been able to use the boat without a problem yet.
Sucks to spend all that money and wait 2 years to have it built and it still not be right.
He is clearly more patient than me or most would be I suspect.

What a bummer.

 

[DWC]

Didn’t the 438 have issues too?

 

[Singleton]

Steve hasn't been able to use the boat without a problem yet.
Sucks to spend all that money and wait 2 years to have it built and it still not be right.
He is clearly more patient than me or most would be I suspect.

Last I texted with Steve his son has still not experienced the boat
Starboard 700 keeps throwing codes and might be headed back to Skater.
Steve said once he has a trouble free Pleasant cruise, he will head to Havasu. Going to try and convince him to join Monster Bash (but not likely, based on DS BS).

 

[Singleton]

It was back at Octane marine last week. Apparently they're working on trailer issues.

The lift device built for Steve’s son was not stable for one person to operate and needed some additional support. I am hoping that is what is being worked on.

 

[Done-it-again]

Guess the moral of the story here is, do not push the build to make a date that you have planned.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Guess the moral of the story here is, do not push the build to make a date that you have planned.

I would hardly call 2 years "pushed".

 

[BHC Vic]

I would hardly call 2 years "pushed".

I wouldn’t say pushed but having gone through something similar when building ours, I would never again plan a date until the boat is in the garage. Mine went back for finishing touches after my planned trip but I should have just let them finish right.

 

[Singleton]

I wouldn’t say pushed but having gone through something similar when building ours, I would never again plan a date until the boat is in the garage. Mine went back for finishing touches after my planned trip but I should have just let them finish right.

Same with my build. Picked it up for DS 2007, it went back right after that trip to have items finished.
Then again DS was 4 weeks after my initial completion date (date kept pushing, price kept dropping).

Steve’s Skater was scheduled to be completed months before DS. It kept being pushed due to supply chain issues. While a delay or two is acceptable, when you spend that kind of money, 1 or 2 delays is OK, but months start to really piss you off IMO, especially when it is a different issue with each call.

 

[Done-it-again]

I would hardly call 2 years "pushed".

2 yrs for a skater no problem and can deal with that for a sled at that level. But its the details at the end that take time, so yes it was pushed to get it picked up for DS street party. Now you need to deal with the gremlins keeping you off the water for the most part.

 

[Duramax]

Since this was brought back to the top, I feel the need to clarify a few things for Steve.

I always tell people I am easy, I just want it perfect, so if you need to keep xyz longer to make it perfect, then keep it. The owner also follows this way of thinking, and as much as Steve would have liked it for DS, it was no way a deal breaker if it didn't make it. Actually, with how hectic DS is, maybe it would almost be better to get it after so there is not 500 boats around you as you try and get the feel of your new toy as they are a different beast. He was absolutely ok with it not making DS.

Skater wanted two boats at DS, this 368 and the 438 that was shown above. DS street party is the place to be for performance boating and sales of such product, and they wanted some new product to show the public, and why wouldn't they?? They are in business to sell boats. Did they push any harder than usual to make it? Maybe, maybe not?

The 438 that was mentioned was just too big for the owner, felt like an aircraft carrier if I remember right. That's why the 438 went back. Most of these guys who build multiple Skaters like the build process just as much, if not more than the boat itself. It's not the owners only boat so he will do another.

In this boats case, they have been chasing codes since they put it in the water at DS, and sometimes codes can be a nightmare. Even if switches and sensors test ok, sometimes they aren't and they need to be replaced. Instead of shipping it back to Skater, the decision was made to try and diagnose the problems locally and save some time. After a few unsuccessful tries at the current shop, Skater has now sent one of their own to handle business, along with a Mercury Racing rep. I have been in the boat and experienced everything it is doing, they are small issues, but issues non the less and need to be taken care of. I think they are actually testing it today or tomorrow again, and I have no doubt that the boys at Skater and Mercury will make it right.

The trailer is the first of its kind and amazing. After the small boat issues are sorted, the trailer just needs a few adjustments and it too will be fine.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Since this was brought back to the top, I feel the need to clarify a few things for the Steve.

I always tell people I am easy, I just want it perfect, so if you need to keep xyz longer to make it perfect, then keep it. The owner also follows this way of thinking, and as much as Steve would have liked it for DS, it was no way a deal breaker if it didn't make it. Actually, with how hectic DS is, maybe it would almost be better to get it after so there is not 500 boats around you as you try and get the feel of your new toy as they are a different beast. He was absolutely ok with it not making DS.

Skater wanted two boats at DS, this 368 and the 438 that was shown above. DS street party is the place to be for performance boating and sales of such product, and they wanted some new product to show the public, and why wouldn't they?? They are in business to sell boats. Did they push any harder than usual to make it? Maybe, maybe not?

The 438 that was mentioned was just too big for the owner, felt like an aircraft carrier if I remember right. That's why the 438 went back. Most of these guys who build multiple Skaters like the build process just as much, if not more than the boat itself. It's not the owners only boat so he will do another.

In this boats case, they have been chasing codes since they put it in the water at DS, and sometimes codes can be a nightmare. Even if switches and sensors test ok, sometimes they aren't and they need to be replaced. Instead of shipping it back to Skater, the decision was made to try and diagnose the problems locally and save some time. After a few unsuccessful tries at the current shop, Skater has now sent one of their own to handle business, along with a Mercury Racing rep. I have been in the boat and experienced everything it is doing, they are small issues, but issues non the less and need to be taken care of. I think they are actually testing it today or tomorrow again, and I have no doubt that the boys at Skater and Mercury will make it right.

The trailer is the first of its kind and amazing. After the small boat issues are sorted, the trailer just needs a few adjustments and it too will be fine.

Thanks for that info..... sounds like you know Steve well..... he struck me as a guy who rolls with these issues well. No big deal... safari guys I've known develop learned patience. Looks like we know who to annoy for pictures once this beast gets moving, lol.

 

[Duramax]

@[email protected] Steve is a good guy and a great friend, but even the most patient customers start to wear thin.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

@[email protected] Steve is a good guy and a great friend, but even the most patient customers start to wear thin.

Remind him the best conditions are in the fall, lol.... thanks for keeping us looped in.

 

[Tank]

Since this was brought back to the top, I feel the need to clarify a few things for Steve.

I always tell people I am easy, I just want it perfect, so if you need to keep xyz longer to make it perfect, then keep it. The owner also follows this way of thinking, and as much as Steve would have liked it for DS, it was no way a deal breaker if it didn't make it. Actually, with how hectic DS is, maybe it would almost be better to get it after so there is not 500 boats around you as you try and get the feel of your new toy as they are a different beast. He was absolutely ok with it not making DS.

Skater wanted two boats at DS, this 368 and the 438 that was shown above. DS street party is the place to be for performance boating and sales of such product, and they wanted some new product to show the public, and why wouldn't they?? They are in business to sell boats. Did they push any harder than usual to make it? Maybe, maybe not?

The 438 that was mentioned was just too big for the owner, felt like an aircraft carrier if I remember right. That's why the 438 went back. Most of these guys who build multiple Skaters like the build process just as much, if not more than the boat itself. It's not the owners only boat so he will do another.

In this boats case, they have been chasing codes since they put it in the water at DS, and sometimes codes can be a nightmare. Even if switches and sensors test ok, sometimes they aren't and they need to be replaced. Instead of shipping it back to Skater, the decision was made to try and diagnose the problems locally and save some time. After a few unsuccessful tries at the current shop, Skater has now sent one of their own to handle business, along with a Mercury Racing rep. I have been in the boat and experienced everything it is doing, they are small issues, but issues non the less and need to be taken care of. I think they are actually testing it today or tomorrow again, and I have no doubt that the boys at Skater and Mercury will make it right.

The trailer is the first of its kind and amazing. After the small boat issues are sorted, the trailer just needs a few adjustments and it too will be fine.

Is Octane not a certified Merc Mechanic / dealer?

 

[Singleton]

Is Octane not a certified Merc Mechanic / dealer?

UPDATED after a quick text with Steve
yes. All work done by Octane was billed direct to Skater.
Since gremlins are still occurring, Skater sent bodies to PHX to resolve vs boat going back to Skater.