I would say absolutly that the human factor comes to play. It`s guys like JT and Scotty from Geico who made the boats work, Put JT in the Skater and I`ll put my money on him anyday. Now put scotty in the mystic JT in the skater and watch one of the best races you will ever have a chance to witness, and for the hell of it make it six footers in Key West. I would not turn down a ride in either boat, both incredible machines, but I will say this don`t think for a minute that they ride like Rolls Royces in big water, you still have to command them, and they will still bite you. Just my opinion !!!!!!!!!!

No doubt about it, Skater is one fine cat! Here is something I am curious about. What are the differences between the 40 Skater & the 40SS & the 412?

I would love to see Dave and JT against Scotty and Marc 2 out of 3 in KW(or anywhere for that matter, make it Miami or FtL) that would be an awesome race!!

The Mystic would be faster most of the time. Its a lighter boat and set up for higher speeds. 6 footers or bigger might get the heavy 46 skater back in the game but the Mystic is a fast boat haul as you guys have seen over the last couple of years. Like 7xchamp said its not a pleasure ride in big water when your racing. Beats the living crap out of you.

40 SS is a bigger wider boat. Kind of like a short 46. Better call Peter for better details. I like the 40SS.

Yes I've seen inside video of Scotty and Marc, makes me wonder why they don't use shock mitigation seats. $15,000 per seat is not big money for that class of racing...

I forgot to answer the most important part. The human factor makes a difference in any boat. But if you gave the same crew both boats to run ten laps and timed them in the same condition you would probably have faster times with the mystic in most conditions. Bob and I had the fastest Key West average lap speed record for several years in a 4 engine 46 Skater. In 1997 it was 119 mph. I saw a 120 mph a year or so ago with Dave and JT in their Mystic. it may be faster now but I dont keep up on it. Maybe someday can look it up. Im heading to Cabo tomorrow and will be out of contact.

What a great thread!
Last year I decided after ten years without a boat it was time for a new one. Rough water capability, as well as reliability were my major requirements . After much searching I found that perfect ( for me) boat. 42 feet, 525sc's, full cabin, pleasure cockpit, staggered engines, low hours and most important a big water reputation. Now about 40 hours later I see where all the hype comes from. Now I do not have the fastest boat on the water, not by a long shot, and have not had it out in any seas over 5 feet, but I can tell you that this boat eats up the waves and asks for more. Its like driving a Ferrari at 55, it just wants more, kind of talks to you " come on daddy open me up, give me more I want to go faaast".
The only other boat I have ever been in was my old 12 meter fountain, so my comparisons are limited, but its awful nice to come home dry, and not have my teeth knocked loose every time I land off a big wave.
It still amazes me that with all the newer technology, manufacturers, and advances in hull design how much passion and discussion the word APACHE still triggers, just check this thread alone. I know im still in lust with my 42 Apache, as it continually amazes me with how smooth it rides in any water, at any speed ( as slow as that may be). Of course quite often it boils down to basically who has the biggest balls on those big days.

Your boat was on my lake for years with the original owner, Dan Fitzgerald. Very nice boat.

First of ... Happy new year America ... and to play devils advocate, and I may be wrong here but as I seem to remember it back in the 90's Fabio Buzzi in his big bad 4 engined mono kicked all the big bad cats out of play in Key West, or at least that's how I seem to recall it from watching the race, same again with his single engined Buzzi mono RIB, and again I may be wrong but it was said that both boats were banned to prevent him from competing as there appeared no way of ever beating them
On that assumption I would reckon if FB built a brand new boat with 4 big diesel engines it would be mostly unbeatable in long distance offshore as per the 80's racing





PS ... I think we have a winner of the Rough offshore supremo racing