I agree that the bat boat is one nice looking ride. (only seen pictures) I did see one in Jersey that was being rigged by the owner but the paint job was marginal at best. So that is the only batboat I have seen so that is what I am basing it on.

I owned a 25 AT before my current boat and the reason I bought it was the fact it was biult like a brick chit house, and after a few years( I bought a 98) and a few races it looked new. The boat with 500 hp motor, extention boxes ran 80 mph and in all kinds of water.

the 28 is the open version seats five, the 24 would yes be great for one and a friend. i was not implying that some of the builders their wont do custom work. obviously $$$ talks as does the quality, a few of the chioces just in my opinion dont do quality control as well as the others. just a example one of the above manufactures had one of thier boats displayed at miami show last year, engine compartment was dirty, screws were not in straight(head not flush with countersink) small items like this while maybe overlooked by the average consumer, should never have made it out the door. it begs to ask what others sub-standard workmanship was done??

Checkmate has my vote for best buy for all around use.I raced my 25 convinsor in key west and didnt brake it. Its a big 25 foot boat and handles nice.
Randy

The 25 Outlaw and the 25 AT are very similar in the big water. We have run several poker runs on lake Ontario and we seem to be neckand neck in 4-6 footers. I have too say the Baja is a better bang for the buck. By the way the Checkmates never seem to be able to handle the big water here and they go from the 60 mph groop to the 50mph group.

Pantera all the way.
I had a 24' and loved it, despite some problems dealing with Pepe and Jo. It was a fantastic ride and can handle conditions that some bigger boats can't. GREAT JUMPER!

Fred,

I have many pics of us skiing, air chairing and wake boarding behind the 24's... but I must say the 28 is a much better choice for pleasure.

As for comparing to these boats, you are correct that it is not fair. The boats are layed up by Skater now and all have custom paint. Carbon Fiber and Kevlar with epoxy does not compare to fiberglass, and military switches, carbon fiber panels, etc. A boat that will go 82 with 320 hp and weighs 3500lbs (which is very heavy, built to last 20 years.)

But if you wanted to throw in the Skater and our boat, along with a few other well built ones, you would have a complete list.

ThunderDan,

You were way to nice, that is the worst paint job ever to go on a boat of ours and we are demanding it back to fix it even if we have to do it at our cost.

Long story short, buyer wanted to save $, so an outside party painted it. It certainly was not done under our supervision.

Chris Reindl

Thanks for clearing that up Chris. It really was a very great looking boat metsa metsa paint job, and I like to hear that you are concerned about the way your product looks and are interested in making it right. I do really like the design and I am anxious to get a ride in one, whether it is this one, chuck's 28. He raves about it and I can not wait to drive one.

Hey!!!what about Eliminator. Please don't start, it does work good on a nice big lake. I've had no problems on a 5yr old boat. The left coast sure is out numbered on this site. Good luck with you new one.

You did'nt say weather you where looking for new or used ?
if you don't mind a used boat and saving a little(probably a lot of
money) one of the fastest and best rough water boats ever made
was the Switzer 25ss. with 500hp and a 25pitch hydromotive you get 79.1 on gps on flat water. and in rough water things only get better. We use ours at LOTO and regularly pass 28 ft boats getting beat to death while we skip a cross the tops .
If any body else has been in one or owned one they know what i am talking about.

Panteras ROCK. I miss my old one very much and should have bought a 28 when I went bigger.