48 MTI AND 40 Skater classic differences...my observations
 

I have had several people ask what my thoughts are on these two boats, so here it goes. Please keep in mind these are my personal observations only and your experience may vary!
Just for clarification, the Skater was set up with 1100 Q c4V turbo motors and 6 drives, the MTI has 1350's and 8R's. Also, the MTI is the new 48 G6 version.
First of all they are BOTH super nice boats in their own way so it really comes down to some relatively small differences between the two.
The fit and finish in both boats is outstanding! Being that Skater builds every deck to suit, there is more customization to be had. However, the new G6 deck and cockpit has enough built in molding in the deck to eliminate ALL flex. It is extremely solid even in rough water. Regarding paint finish, either boat taken to Visual Imagination will come out flawless. Mark takes the time to do them right.
Interior wise, the MTI is phenomenal. The windshield eliminates wind in the cockpit, even for the rear seat passengers. The 8 seat layout gives everyone a great view and normal conversation at 120 MPH plus is easily achieved. The access to fenders and lines, as well as ample storage for small items really make the boat useable for all outings.
Regarding handling, even though prop and spacer selection is not finished (8R's are different to set up than standard 8's), the MTI handles extremely well with no surprises all the way to the top speed range (let's say 170 plus for now). The Skater always felt "flighty" in that it required a more nose high trim angle to get the speed out of it. I know the 388 style hull dialed in correctly is not that way, I have run with one.
The ride of the MTI is where the extra length and weight really shine. I can run in LOTO slop all day long and not feel beat up at the end of the day. My wife likes riding in this boat and definitely did not like the Skater ride. It was just too flighty and rough riding for her.
Realize that set up and prop selection can change a lot, particularly with a classic bottom Skater. I have ridden a lot in orthobams 40 classic, and his rides much better than mine did.

At the end of the day, for the type of boating that I do, the MTI is a better fit, mostly because of the ride and convenience of the interior set up. MTI has a philosophy of building whatever the customer wants, regardless! That made the boat building experience a great one!

I post this to answer some question and not to start a bashing thread of any kind, so please do not turn it into one, that is not the intent! They truly both are great machines and get better with each and every new model. I look forward to seeing what both these companies and others release in the future!

That's interesting, I have always been told Skaters were better in rough cause of the deeper tunnel. I think the 2 companies make each other better with competition. I would say this tho- the more comfortable something is to drive and the less hung out it is- normally means it's slower. Lol :)... And as far as building what u want, It shows that's true cause MTI builds some wild boats, which I for one is a big reason why I'm a skater fan, straight business and the way they look on Thier own is enough for me. I'd say some of the stuff people build into these boats are utterly ridiculous and unimaginable for performance boats, some options belong on cruisers, and I agree with Pete when he doesn't want to do some of the completely DUMB DUMB DUMB stuff that some of these people want in a PERFORMANCE boat. Just my opinion.

I agree. That, however is up to the customer at MTI.
There is a big difference in a performance boat and a race boat, IMHO. I want a boat that is enjoyable to use, handles well and is fast. The extra speed I would get from a race boat converted to pleasure use is not worth it to me. For that I will buy a race boat. Lol

All in fun, i really like how your boat looks, really dig the bull face/heads super cool.

Funny story from back in the day when Outerlimits was no body. A friend of mine went to see Skip and told him he wanted a generater and AC in a new Cigarette. Skip told him he does not build condos he builds boats....need to say my buddy was pissed and had Outerlimits build him a boat with AC and generator. Fast forward years later and look at Outerlimints. Good for MTI listening to their customers....since the customers do pay the bills.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]527625[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]527624[/ATTACH]A pic of both boats :

For me (and I think for John), it would come down to the fact that we have breakfast with the guy who builds the boats. He has to look you in the eye every Saturday of the summer if your boat is not what was promised. You also have Bob Bull at the table who is going to win the worlds before it's all said and done and he's pumping his money to MTI.

Now if Peter buys a home at LOTO and brings a boat to run with us to breakfast then he would absolutely sell some new boats.

I think in these situations, it comes down to more than bottom design, tunnel width, and the blah blah blahs, and more about customer relations at least in this part of the country.

You should have kept the Skater as a spare. That is the still the most perfect boat I have ever seen.

thanks summer O ... my dream boat was a 36 mti with 1350's ... till now ... raising the steaks is insane from the paint to the 8 seats 170 + mph

may i ask one thing please .....

MORE PIXS AND VIDEOS

CONGRATS ITS ONE OF A KIND

Bunch of pics in the MTI section here! More coming throughout the rest of the summer!
Thanks

cant wait to see you and it at desert storm 2015

He's bringing it to DS next year? That would be awesome

For certain people it is about more than that. I've met Randy- good guy... But for others- they wouldn't care about breakfast... If u know what I mean.

Would some of the rough water ride advantage be attributed to the MTI being somewhat longer in length? Still loved your 40 skater my favourite boat by a long shot.

Sweet toys!

It's not about breakfast, lunch, or dinner! It is way more than that.
Like I said, both are great boats, just different. Both are great companies, they just do things different!
There is no wrong answer here, fortunately for all of us.

Well to a casual observer.....

Batman has an MTI
Darr has a Skater
Randy will come to breakfast
Skater has Skaterfest
MTI builds fast car themed boats
Skater builds fast boats

Both are beautiful! :D

Ahhh...Brown nosing! :D

SO, Ride in a new 46 skater with 1350's, I've been in a new 48 MTI, compare apples to apples, just saying, LOL. Enjoy your new boat, turned out awesome

I realize it's not apples to apples, that's what I said in the original post. Skater has some new things coming out that will be outstanding! The 52 they built is an incredible machine.
Their interiors have come a long way in the last few years as well. Like I said, they are both great boats.
That said, I have owned a DCB, a Skater, and now a MTI. I obviously don't drink the Kool-aid like others regarding any manufacturer. I buy what I like and I like them all! Lol
Who knows, maybe the next one will be a Mystic!
I will say MTI does have the edge on interior comfort and features right now.

Well Duh, you have to buy a Mystic next, how could you not. You have come this far... I guess you could do an OL cat too, think that's all that's left. Lol

I don't think Peter eats breakfast. But every time I have been to the Skater factory at 12:00 on the dot, Peter asks every customer there to join him for lunch (on him).

However, I don't think having meals with the manufacturer affects most of his customer's decision when it comes to buying a Skater. Most want the best built hull which will provide safe, reliable boating. Some like to go faster than others so speed is more of the primary decision making factor. Others want to look good or perhaps be more comfortable. I think a Skater is good for that too. Summer defined some of his motivators for buying the MTI which seem to include his wife's assessment, the ride, and the convenience of the interior. All good reasons.

My experience is that most Skater owners like to go fast without incident and then get home safely afterwards. For that, I think it is a real good choice.

I would say MTI have proved them self a manufacturer that can do that too. It's not like be bought some off brand pile of junk.

Some people are seriously wayyy too brand loyal.

I'm not implying that bacon and eggs sale a boat.

But if you come to this lake and see the stable of MTIs running around with the opportunity to ride and drive them and see how satisfied their owners are, it would be hard not to go that direction.

I own a Skater, I love my Skater, and I will probably buy another (used) Skater some day and if I could afford it right now today would probably buy a new 48 MTI. That's just my opinion given my limited (150 hours driving a 40 Skater, 3 hours riding in a 46 Skater and about 3 hours riding in a new 48 MTI) experience and knowledge.

Skater vs MTI debate will never end. I would not hesitate to own either.

My F150 rocks and Chevy Silverados suck. Same (similar) argument. I buy Fords because my good friend is the manager of the Ford dealership and it's a painless transaction. Yes guys do buy million dollar cats like they are a disposable Ford so the analogy is somewhat valid.

I didn't say anything AT ALL about an MTI. I didn't say that a Skater was a good boat and an MTI is a bad boat. I merely commented on what many Skater owners look for in a boat and the reasaons why they choose a Skater at purchase time.

Summer started a thread on his reasons for buying an MTI instead of another Skater. Why can't I respond back with why many Skater owners - myself included - would consider buying a Skater?

If I am too brand loyal I think you are too sensitive!

Lol, Pete does do lunch right at 12 tho. Went with him on Monday.

What's wrong with Brand loyalty? I would never own a ford, as I'm a Chevy guy, but do respect them. Same thing goes for Skater and Mti, I'd never own an MTI but respect them. Same goes for sports, I'm a Niner fan, hate the Seahawks but respect them... No I don't hate Fords and MTIs, I do hate the Seahawks tho! Lol

I have been to your lake many times. Without a doubt, it is one of the best performance boat lakes in the country. And LOTO is the best event of the year - anywhere. I will be there again this year.

I have seen and talked to many MTI owners. They love their boats and are as "brand loyal" as any Skater owners I know. I have never bashed an MTI - I have just never bought one. I'm too happy with Skaters. But if you really dissect what I wrote, you will be hard pressed to find anything negative said about an MTI.

Summer O felt compelled to write a comparison of the MTI to the Skater. He also didn't bash either model. He just described the MTI in a more favorable light than he described the Skater. I replied with a positive review about Skaters. Am I a bad guy for doing the same thing he did? What's the purpose of having a forum for discussion if the discussion can't be two sided and lively?

We can solve all this by getting a local Skater dealer. I volunteer if Pete can floor plan me a few :)

chocolate vs vanilla

in the end its just a personal choice

skater strip it down go fast boat just whats needed more of a race boat feel .... great boats

MTI go fast race boat with bling / comfort / storage ..... great boat as well

jmo

Bring one to the Shootout and let's go for a ride! Sounds like a plan to me.

You certainly can but while doing so you implied how much great you feel skater is to his boat.

He had a skater.......I don't think you need to inform of how they run.

I am also very far from sensitive. Trust me lol.

I don't want to start a pissing contest but if you read what I wrote again, I never even make mention of his MTI or any other MTI. My feedback was strictly limited to Skater attributes. I didn't compare a Skater to his MTI in any way shape or form.

The only thing "I implied" was that Peter doesn't eat breakfast.

There is a pic on here of a skater (Scaredy cat) running to Bimini really hanging it out in the ocean...boat is full of people. Personally until I see someone with an mti do the same I couldn't imagine comparing the two.

Both are super nice boats. But I wonder if a 46 skater would be a huge gap over a 40? Hard to imagine 8 foot gap mti:skater not being a different animal. The fact they're being compared gives skater credit in my eyes.

No brand loyalty hereally btw... I'm apache shopping haha

i will be driving with Bill in GOTCHA. Sounds like a plan. We can eat some big water. And I owned every brand and size cat out there, and i will continue to buy every brand cat out there. LOL

MTI has multiple boats in the racing series that run in rough. It shows they can get through the slop.

Both boats are great IMO in the rough.

Same here. Give me a shout when you get there, I look forward to it!

WTF do you know? You also think it's cool to live in Michigan and to work with Naked women every day!!!

no and yes, why do you think I just got a place down the street from you? LOL. Going to be a good winter

I'm so happy I can cry!!:D