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32 Skater Rebuild
Ive got another thread in the Skater section but there doesn’t seem to be much happenin’ over there. Figured I would get some more eyes and advice over here and seeing on how there is a couple of other “32” cat builds going on at the moment it might be fun to watch all three progress.
Bought the boat in the spring of 18’ after selling my 32’ Velocity from the east side of Michigan. Came as a trailer, hull, and Bravos on IMCO boxes. Learned quite a bit of info from a few OSO members which was helpful and fun to acquire some more history on the boat. The plan is to ditch the Bravos, go to Arnesons, and I’ve got some older merc 700SC’s I am going to put in for the time being. Ditch the tri-axle leaf sprung duallie setup with out dated brakes and a bent axle for a tri-axle torsion single tire set up. Add a drive guard and new lights, paint, etc. I am thinking some sort of tunnel extension and bustle to cover the drives. I also plan on some sort of wrap around windshield or 1/4 canopies. Progress on the boat may be slow at times as I work out of town for weeks on end. Enjoy! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7dfd73c82.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2f6091421.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7b6d29ac7.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bf257ef98.jpeg |
I was waiting for motors to get shipped from Florida so I started work on the trailer. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...66b9082aa.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...255fc5b31.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f63283d8a.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4eaede11d.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...115148dbe.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4d63fb20e.jpeg |
I believe (aswell at Pete) that it was an original Skater trailer. A company in California converted it to the tri-axle duallies for whomever owned the boat at the time. Haven’t a clue why. I think it’s horrible ugly and way over kill. Removed axles, replaced outside tubes, started working on drive guard, put some steps on the front, cleaned some old welds up, put a new tongue on it, and some other odds and ends https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d44063896.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c9ba74191.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...358bb9393.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c3c48a386.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5167d88db.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...25747e162.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8b81f10c3.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...11f8f94fa.jpeg |
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b6daada20.jpeghttps://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...64bcb22a5.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...af1b816e8.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0fb2c3603.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...50c712cd0.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...624f8bdca.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...475655ae7.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a39785dee.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1a45e9dd9.jpeg |
Test fit the boat on the trailer and realized it was too high. By a long shot. I ordered 45* down angles on the torsion axles and should have ordered 0*. I’ve got a couple different ideas to lower it but winter had finally hit in Michigan and I didn’t want to haul it back and forth to work on the over salted roads and have a rusted out trailer before paint so it sat under the boat in the barn. I took the axles out from underneath of it so I had enough height clearance to try and rig some motors. I initially was going to run the boxes and bravos but found a smokin deal on some surface drives and love the concept and idea of them. My father has a 40’ skater with ASD 8’s and I like the simplicity, strength, and hydrodynamics of the drives. I ran down to Skater and got some motor mounts from Pete and fit them in the boat. To get the minimum amount of angle on the driveshafts I had to move the motors over an inch and three quarters and down two inches. I have not received the ASD 7’s yet but I think if anything I will be able to mount the motors even lower and keep them where they’re at side to side. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...15c1bc150.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e85862337.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6c138810c.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...da0123aa8.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e891204cd.jpeg |
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...48161d9cc.jpeg Rear motor mount clearance to slide closer to the tunnel https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5f638e1b9.jpeg After cutting a bit out the mount out I wanted to fill some of it back in to regain strength https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...536a2dd03.jpeg Taking an inch and three quarters out to move inboard https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...740f0089a.jpeg Clearance for tunnel on the front motor mounts https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b675c103e.jpeg New piece tacked in https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...95401c971.jpeg Fully welded (1/16” dual shield) https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d318d96df.jpeg Sanded flat https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cad323165.jpeg And the clearance cut out to move over https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6afce2513.jpeg Built a jig to ensure the mounts were true with eachother and still maintained a 9” offset in height difference https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...028017dae.jpeg Both mounts setting on jig https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...81378c665.jpeg One side of mounts done! |
Wow. More than a project I think. It's a mission
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Originally Posted by Cash Bar
(Post 4674422)
Wow. More than a project I think. It's a mission
There is a little incentive to go a few MPH faster than a 40’ skater around town :) |
I wanted to fill in the stringers that had been cut down and kind of just went off the deep in with sanding in the bilge for paint and what not. The boat came with a single hatch that opens front to rear. I am thinking about either going back to the barn doors that open to the outside of the boat or making two skinnier hatches that open toward the middle of the boat. Either way I would like to have a hatch in the center for fenders and ropes... possibly a cooler. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...55794ca05.jpeg Mounts on the motor https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...727727f46.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9aee5e010.jpeg The begining of a long journey https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4d7672224.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c80fa5222.jpeg Started sanding and figured it was time to split the barn in half with some plastic. I’ve got a few other toys nestled in there and didn’t want to have to detail them after sanding and now I only have to heat half of the barn! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a872901ac.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c9e54f858.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e79a01e0e.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dca77e5a3.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...115e55275.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...060c537ac.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ec8021dbc.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2e6ec6b89.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fb21b2e2b.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...77b0e9dc6.jpeg Let there be light! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ae89d18f9.jpeg Before the overhead lights https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3b43d3f38.jpeg After. Much much better |
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...af6a62c38.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...be03aebbc.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...aeca4bade.jpeg I believe this is a LOTO run This pic helps me a lot seeing as there is holes in the deck from an old windshield. I had figured that’s what they are from but it’s nice to see the profile of it and what not https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...62a9071bd.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ace6e7df0.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fe65ec3ea.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...469fcdbdb.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c22d96528.jpeg Look at that air pack and stern lift!!! LOL Some old pics of the boat when it had 1250 HP a side and #6’s |
Great project . East side? St Clair?
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Subscribed
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Originally Posted by Alwhite00
(Post 4674480)
Great project . East side? St Clair?
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I am pretty much caught up on the progress pics for now. I got shipped down to Florida for a work for a few weeks. I was fortunate enough to get a Sunday off and shot over the the Miami boat show. Wow. Crazy huge event with lots of cool hardware. Ken (Pro1) had to tease me and send some pics of the ASD’s. Hopefully be getting some packages in the mail soon! Ken had the boxes blasted and I’ve got some decisions to make about colors! There is a new 32’ spectre (or Sonic) not sure... that is a deep maroon with tan seats and what not that is very sharp. Not sure what to do yet. Thanks Ken! https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...775a1130a.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...eda3e2bfd.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...eff81439c.jpeg Arnesons on Kens 32B https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5ed46f81d.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...89a361f86.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c6040ed60.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c84fe5afe.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a8a0ad866.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...381d66516.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1b25ab43c.jpeg |
Great work so far! Which skater does your father have? Hopefully we’ll see you running around this summer |
Originally Posted by jbraun2828
(Post 4674498)
Great work so far! Which skater does your father have? Hopefully we’ll see you running around this summer https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7dca041f1.jpeg Dad https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9e99d6b3b.jpeg Still has the race canopies https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...661f2b52b.jpeg Tiger is for sale https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4c9cb0988.jpeg ASD 8’s https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e4f4343b5.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9bb60e7e8.jpeg Dad https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...57bd93a4a.jpeg Such a fun time I love this photo https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...28f486980.jpeg |
Awesome, I met him up in charlevoix last year. We were docked next to each other, he had his tiger. I have the orange and silver top gun. That’s pretty cool that both of you have some old school skaters and can boat together |
Originally Posted by jbraun2828
(Post 4674525)
Awesome, I met him up in charlevoix last year. We were docked next to each other, he had his tiger. I have the orange and silver top gun. That’s pretty cool that both of you have some old school skaters and can boat together I have seen your Cig around! Where abouts in MI are you? I’m waiting for Pete or Rik to sponsor the father-son Skater-Arneson team LOL. He used to race P-1 so it’s all his fault that I’m addicted to this sick thing we call “boating” haha. And dirtbiking and snowmobiling and jet skiing and all sorts of other fun stuff. Sometimes I think it would be easier to just be a computer nerd - probably a lot cheaper too - but what’s the fun in that? |
that maroon boat has a great color combo.
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Whats the info on the Tiger
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Originally Posted by F-2 Speedy
(Post 4674535)
Whats the info on the Tiger
-Lip Ship Edition -850 Richie Zuls -IMCO SCX Drives -150 hours on new motors, drives, and exhaust Sharp boat very clean and well taken care of If you are interested give me a PM and I can get you hooked up with my father. |
That's a cool project and the rivalry between father and son is awesome! I usually check on your Skater thread to see whats going on, I'll be sure to look here also. I built the bustle on our boat a couple years ago, it was a lot of work but really updated the looks. Whats your email and I'll give you some details.
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Originally Posted by 111scoundrel
(Post 4674610)
That's a cool project and the rivalry between father and son is awesome! I usually check on your Skater thread to see whats going on, I'll be sure to look here also. I built the bustle on our boat a couple years ago, it was a lot of work but really updated the looks. Whats your email and I'll give you some details.
email is Ross dickman @ live . com without the spaces. Seems like now a days If you post your info like that on Craigslist or any internet related stuff you get 500 phone calls offering you a free medical brace or a lower credit card rate LOL. Looking forward to hearing from you Scoundrell! Thanks! |
Originally Posted by Alwhite00
(Post 4674531)
that maroon boat has a great color combo.
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Sent you two emails, let me know if they go thru. |
Nice work!! Question on the axles......Dexter doesn't recommend using the torsion axle for a triple axle setup. The reason I know is I was about to swap out my spring axles for torsions. Did you speak with anyone to get clarification on this? Also, IIRC a 22.5 degree down has the same ride height as a 7k spring axle. Did you buy 7k or 8k?
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Originally Posted by 111scoundrel
(Post 4674661)
Sent you two emails, let me know if they go thru. |
Originally Posted by payuppsucker
(Post 4674691)
Nice work!! Question on the axles......Dexter doesn't recommend using the torsion axle for a triple axle setup. The reason I know is I was about to swap out my spring axles for torsions. Did you speak with anyone to get clarification on this? Also, IIRC a 22.5 degree down has the same ride height as a 7k spring axle. Did you buy 7k or 8k?
Thanks for the input! |
Rossman,
Yeh, the Skater thread has become very "sleepy" over the past year. I am not sure why. There has been some discussion on that thread site about it, but no change??? Very cool boat restore project you have going. Best of luck! |
Beautiful boat, can't wait to see what you end up with. Sorry if I missed it but what is your expected timeline for completion?
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Originally Posted by Stclair26
(Post 4675795)
Beautiful boat, can't wait to see what you end up with. Sorry if I missed it but what is your expected timeline for completion?
Who knows... September 25....... of twenty twenty something.. 202__? Thanks for the kind words. Have you ever seen the boat when it was on st Clair? |
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...021ee41c4.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...83dc77cd8.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d61d92fb2.jpeg Ken sent some more pics that really got my excited today! hopwfully be done with this Florida Job soon and work work work on the boat! NJ —> MI 😁 |
We must keep FedEx and UPS in business. LOL.
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Originally Posted by ren3
(Post 4675914)
We must keep FedEx and UPS in business. LOL.
its a 800 mile trip so I figured by the time I were to drive out there and back (1600 miles) and a day and a half’s worth of time that was pretty cheap. $240 in fuel and time or $325 to click a button. Easy choice |
Originally Posted by Rossman
(Post 4675866)
HAHAHAHAHAHA GOOD ONE! Who knows... September 25....... of twenty twenty something.. 202__? Thanks for the kind words. Have you ever seen the boat when it was on st Clair? |
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...df984dae4.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8e43068ff.jpeg Resting on the stringer https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d537c368f.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...401fd0958.jpeg Thinking I need to go up a touch yet https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dae112f00.jpeg Finally home! For a minute... Drives showed up and started playing around with the inner transom assembly plate to see what would need cut / moved / added to get the Arnesons on the hull. Will have to call Rik again now that I’ve got them in my hands to see about mounting height for the drives. Ken was nice enough to sand blast the boxes for me and put some new bearings in before sending them my way. Need to do some glass work on the transom and fill in all of the holes.... can’t wait! LOL |
Looks like a nice set-up I would be curious to know what Rik tells you for the installed height for the boxes mine are on a V hull and are mounted 1/2 in above the running surface directly in front of the boxes .
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Got a hold of Rik again yesterday and assembled both drives. 5/8” - 3/4” above the bottom of the running surface to the rear most center of the box. I will not be able to achieve this as the outside would be dragging in the water. I am limited to 1/2” clearances on the bottom corners of the boxes. I will try and take some pics when it’s not just me around. Holding a straight edge, tape measure, and trying to take a pic is impossible! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...79c75ad10.jpeg Dry fit together ( No silicon or thread lock etc). They went together very simply when I hung the box from the Hilo then lowered it onto the thrust tube to keep all of the u-joints and cardigan joint straight. Lower it down and spun the prop shaft and wahla. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...778711a57.jpeg In much need of a spring cleaning soon https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...21446f441.jpeg Close to where she will land https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...39087105d.jpeg Going to start filling holes hopefully today. Need to get a scale for mixing resin / Hardner and I would like to get some thinner glass as well. Stay tuned |
What I ended up doing was make a jig using the motor center line , pin it to the bottom of the boat with some jacks put a peace of 1/2 wood for a spacer upward and it also doubled as a work bench and just set the boxes on top of that made real easy to draw around the boxes to set it up for the drill jig
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