Gladiator or Skater
 

I am considering both of these boats what would you buy. Gladiator W/525 bravo xr or 32 Skater 525 Arneson 8-6's. The price difference is kind of big but not too bad. I would love to hear some input.

douglas marine.. hands down

I would by a Gladiator. Just my worthless Opinion. Did you take either or both for a test drive?

I wouldn't think twice... 32' Skater.

That is one of the problems. I could ride the gladiator but the skater with the big arnesons was my idea and ITS is going to build it for me. I do have some reservations about the rides on each like how will the sater run in 3-5 seas. Both being sit downs people are saying I will have a sore back but I just do not know. I have a 33 powerplay currently that I would not mind holding on to if things do not work out with either boat. I am a bit tired of standing up all day.

I need more input examples...

I'd take that 32' Skater in those waters any day of the week. The thing about the cat is you really need to be going over 65 mph before the ride really softens up. If you're not willing to travel at this speed or more you'll take a little beating. At higher speeds you will not get beat-up like you would I a vee hull. I don't know much about the Arnesons, but I've heard nothing but good things about them for use in cats. The two down sides to cats are insurance rates and lack of cabin space. If you can get over those hurtles, cats are FAR superior in just about every way... IMHO.

I have no problem with the speed, and lack of cabin space but I will say that the insurance is a bit depressing. Do you think it would be a big differance?

completely different but neither has a cabin. Go with the Skater. I rode in a 32 last summer. With 5 people on board the boat ran 118mph on gps. The motors were 575's but I think he was running a different pulley kit, the motors were making about 7lbs of boost. The entire ride was above 85mph other than the start of course. This was my first ride in a larger cat and I was impressed. The boat turned well and rode very flat. We launched off my father in laws cruiser wake at 100mph and the boat flew level and landed very smooth. Since you dont want a cabin, I would go with the Skater hands down. Have you checked the insurance rates, it will be very different.

Flip a coin.

32' Skater would be my choice...My friend bought one w/575's brand new for $260k on a trailer.

The insurance will be noticeably higher on the Skater (call your agent). If this isn't a big deal GO WITH THE SKATER!!!

What kind of water are you going to run in? A 32' anything is going to have issues when it get's 4'+.

G

Skater.

If you going to get stuck sitting down and without a cabin, go for the cat, it'll be a better ride and it's a faster boat.

skater. they are the best. Cabine wise i don;t think the gladiator has much on it. Cockpit wise they seat the same. Skater is gonna be faster with less power.

What kind of water, you will spend a lot of time at home if you get the Skater on the same day you would be out in the Gladiator. In my opinion you always have to compare a v to a bigger cat, not smaller.

And if you want a Gladiator you can buy the OSO one and I have a brand new set of 525's with warranty. You can buy the whole package for $175.

And no, this boat was not the boat that was hit in the St Pete race

Gladiator....It can handle the rough water.

LS JR.

Hard decision. I am a Skater man, but Skaters aren't for everyone. Get some seat time in both and then decide.

OSO, we will not tolerate the sale of boats in the general discussion area!! You must have a platinum or gold membership in order to advertise a boat for sale.....in the BOATS FOR SALE SECTION!! Someone call troutly quick! We have a violator on our hands.Move this thread!:D ;)

You aren't kidding! He'd be all over that statement like stink on chit!!! :D

Go Skater. Once you experience a big cat a speed you'll wonder why people screw around with vee's. They are amazing. Like others have said, go for a ride in one... there will be no question afterward.

Great Trout! I call 911 and get hung up on:D F the police;)

SKATER ALL THE WAY.

OK , the real truth is that the the 32 Skater is not a wide tunnel cat like the larger ones. I would be very intereted to hear Rich's opinion and how many of each he has owned or driven so we get a real feeling of the seat time in both.:D

It'll have to wait. This from the Meaoow God.
Vacuum LOL :D:D

I agree. I was also very offended by oso's post:mad: using OUR fourm to sell his boat. Geesh... some people:rolleyes:

If you don't buy the Skater the first time you will wish you did later!!

Just my $.02

I would step up to the 36 . If you buy the 32 after 6 months yull wish you had the 36.I am wishing I went with a cat now.You might want to ck on Insurance on the cat. Its bad.

ive allways liked the sleek profile of v hulls . the gladiator is a stunning looking boat by any ones standards BUT can you imagine spending all that cash; and on your first trip out the skater goes past you like your standing still; and your allready flat out ? i went to the states in june looking for a 31 bullet and brought a 32 active thunder which is similar to the skater and ive NEVER been out in either boat !!!!!

I have a 2002 Skater 32 classic twin 300x's
I run in Long Island Sound from CT to Block Island RI. 2 to 4 foot almost every day.
The boat has always made me feel safe.
Very dry ride
Fuel economy is excellent.
The ride quality is very smooth at 76 MPH and up.
The build quality is excellent. (Zero stress cracks @200 hours)
Factory support has been EXCELLENT.
A sit down boat allows you to put pressure on your shoulder blades if you have Skater type foot pads. This keeps your spine from being compressed.

The boat will not cruise 45-74 MPH, it has and uncomfortable hop.

What....:snide:

there is a 32 Active Thunder Cat that is/was made.

Simon,

if you can pass a V that is doing 75 in 3-4s in a 32 cat and make the v look like it is standing still send me the video so I can display it on OSO.

The Cig.....:cool:

The skater will be about 20mph faster with the same power. 3-4's should be no problem for that boat. The bottom line will be price and insurance vs the 2. It also comes down to personal preference V vs Cat, there is no question the cat holds the upper hand in performance.

If you get a cat get the 36 Skater it can run with any V-Hull in rough water. BH

I would buy the Gladiator, It sound like the Insurance may be an issue with the cat. But I guess if you can afford either the insurance isn't going to kill you. How much more is the Skater $50-75,000 ? just curious what price you got on each. Hydro stated " The boat (32' Skater) will not cruise 45-75 MPH, It has an uncomfortable hop".

It's great to have all that top speed, but if you have to run above 75MPH all the time, that may be an issue as well, depending on what type of boating you do.

Why not get something different like the Dragon pictured below, it even has a small cabin for storage. Good luck with your decision

Kirk

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Get the Galdiator..... Skaters are for people that have to ride bikes with training wheels. Anybody can make a Cat go fast just hold it wide open, on the other hand seeing somebody work a Cig through big water is a thing of beauty...... (an Apache as well!)

That Dragon is a great looking boat. I wonder how it performs?

That is my Dragon. It does 95 mph with Merc 525's, Sportmasters, 34 pitch 4 blades. It turns on a dime and handles 6'-8' off of Miami. I couldn't be happier. It will be in the Cleveland Boat Show Jan. 17 to end.

John

Now that's a good post. :rolleyes: I wonder why insurance is so much higher on cats???:drool: