I had the pleasure to build my dream cat last year. I visited DCB twice and MTI once. I did not visit Skater. Although I respect Skater and they are no doubt the king of speed, speed was't something that topped my list. Plus, I'm not a fan of their interior. DCB by far has the best rigging. Attention to detail is unreal. My visit to Mti was what really closed the deal. Their front office and design team really made me feel at home. Nothing was off the table on what they could do. In fact, they did several new features on my boat that had't been done before. Randy spent the whole day with me and answered all my questions. Not only that, after the Miami boat show, he showed me the ropes on my cat before the poker run. I'm a small fish in their big builds but they made me feel like a top dog the whole time. Still to this day if I call Randy he will pick up the phone.

Its all in what your looking for. Mti fit my needs. DCB fits Win's needs in his beautiful DCB and Skater fits Bill's and Mike's needs.

I have been in all three brands plus Nortech and IMO i will have to agree with Gino....Mti's are the best built "safest riding" cats made.

Mark & Gino, How are you qualifying the term "safest riding"??? I am not trying to start anything here in the least, just trying to understand your P.O.V.

I have run several Skaters and been on a couple of Nortechs....Skaters always were dialed in and ran like they were on rails and very stable at speed even in the slop - with no ill manners or sense or running beyond the limits of the boat. Just curious what sets the MTI's apart???

That's a good question.... I don't know Gino however I know he has alot of experience in MTI's and has a ton of knowledge of go fast boats in general... In fact, He probably has more "go fast" seat time then anyone on this board... BUT.... Has Mark or Gino ever owned a skater??

It's a little tough to say what "brand" is better on this thread. Even within brands such as Skater, different hull designs, gear ratios, prop set up (turning in or out), and weight distribution will affect the ride and handling.
I have friend that have the 388 Skater and it is an entirely different handling boat than my 40 classic. Not necessarily better, just different.
MTI does a great job setting up their new boats for a reasonable combination of speed AND handling. One without the other, IMHO is irresponsible. I can't say anything for DCB as I haven't been in their 41 yet.
All great boats, just different paths to the same result!

Dcb doesn't paint boats!! It's all Gel coat

All I will say is I've had a lot of boats. The attitude of MTI (regardless of model) is always the same. Straight as an arrow and very forgiving. In all my years of owning MTI's, I have never had that "OH ****" feeling regardless how fast or how trimmed.

Gino, How about that time you and Larry hit the wake of the Naval Submarine on the way to Bimini? I heard that was a pucker up moment. I wonder what the Captain of that boat thought seeing a cat aired out at 150 coming at him.

I would say we were very surprised. The ocean was pretty flat and we were running hard and trimmed out. The huge swell came out of no where. I was never in fear of going over and the boat reacted perfect! ,I puckered due to my fear of heights!

Owned- No.
ridden in -Several

Passed - all of them!


I'm in trouble now! I'm just joking!!! I like the attitude of MTI's. Everyone has their own opinion and preference!

So the engine bay is all gel coat as well? Never new that, more impressive if that's the case.