I know this 368 is already well known on this site, but it was the first time for me to be able to actually get out in it after my buddy out here in California recently bought it. After putting over 150 miles on it last Sunday, I can say that the boat is truly amazing! I was expecting it to be a slower, lazier version of my 30, seeing that it is 6' longer and a foot-and-a-half wider with the same power. From the minute we first rolled on plane and accelerated up to cruising speed, I could tell that my expectations were wrong. The boat rolled on plane effortlessly, with very little bow rise, and accelerated up to speed seemingly the same as my 30. The boat does lean out slightly from plane (17mph) to about 40, as all true cats do. Once at 40mph and above, it leans in slightly and takes a perfect set in the corners. The porpoise range starts right at 50mph and once above 70 it flattens out. Once it's past the porpoise, you can back it down close to 65 and it still stays above the porpoise. The water was glass smooth on the sections I reference the porpoise range, as when the water get's choppy, the porpoise disappears. My 30 porpoise range is slightly higher, and longer (55-75) plus it is more pronounced. Once up and running over the porpoise, the boat drives like a dream. Obviously this is a race proven hull at speed, and it corners and gets over rough water and large cruiser wakes phenomenally, as would be expected. With the 400s on the back, it cruises between 70-100 effortlessly, again with very similar acceleration and feel to the performance of my 30 - I was VERY surprised! Even in the corners of the windy Sacramento river, I would leave the throttles set at 85mph as we'd enter the sweeping corners, it would only drag us down to 75 or so. Once running straight again, the tunnel would clean up and the speedo would climb right back up to 85. I was really expecting the corners to drag it down more, and the boat to take longer to get back up to speed. Again, it was very similar to how my 30 drives. The new owner is new to performance boats, and did not feel intimidated or uncomfortable driving the boat at 75-90 all day. He actually was thrilled with the boat, and is super happy that he bought it. With him behind the wheel, I ran the throttles up to see what it would run with the 3 of us in it and over half tanks of gas - as you can see from the picture, it ran 118mph! This is a no-bull**** speed in 90+ degree heat. I'm certain that with a lighter load and cooler weather, the boat will see 120+. There has been so much written about the MTI 340X and DW360, because Performance Boat Center does a great job of getting those boats media exposure, but I want people to know that the 368 is on par with both of those models when it comes to speeds that I've seen published for them. The deadrise (19 degree) and depth of the tunnel/entry of the 368 would lead me to believe it's a better rough water boat than either the MTI or DW, but I won't state that as fact. I have nothing to gain/lose by posting up my experience in this 368 last weekend, I just want guys to know that are in the market for a new midsize cat how good of a boat this 368 is with a pair of 400Rs on the back. It will be even better with the new 450Rs! It honestly bummed me out in a way, because I was expecting to not like it as much as my 30 in the smoother waters I typically run on - but I was wrong! It drives/performs as well or better overall, in a much bigger boat. Happy 4th everyone!
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I enjoyed watching this hull get rigged by Grant Bruggeman for Matt Rice. It is a one-off, cut down, lightweight 368 that began life with a pair of the 400ROS motors. A pair of 450Rs would be next level fun factor for sure. Gorgeous piece and I wish your buddy many happy times with it.

I got to see it in person while it was being built during the many trips I made back to Skater over the course of the conversion of my 30. It was a special build indeed.

What you wrote in the first post, is 10X better sales pitch/presentation than what a prospective 368 owner would get if they were standing face to face in the Skater Factory with Cash in Hand..... 118mph is a great number and that is a BIG boat. I may be dating myself but I remember when 110 in a 24' Skater was damn fast.

Happy 4th

This boat has received plenty of attention, because it was being fitted with ROS 400's. It was kept secret till its unveiling, It was a Cover shot for Speed on the Water.

Hey smurf, thanks for the very nice review. It will be great to have another OB Skater to tear up the Bay & Delta with, especially as we wave as they fly by us...........
Awesome boat

"There has been so much written about the MTI 340X and DW360, because Performance Boat Center does a great job of getting those boats media exposure."

A couple of clarifications need to be made to this statement, Dale.

1. Performance Boat Center has done a great job promoting the Wright Performance 360. But they've also produced a bunch of them. Same goes for MTI with its 340X, though MTI was doing a great job moving those well before Performance Boat Center became an MTI dealer one year ago this month. Most MTI 340X models completed to date were marketed, promoted and sold by MTI. Giving credit where it's due is important.

2. As Pete Boden pointed out, the 400R-powered Skater 368 was well-covered—and not just in Speed On The Water digital magazine. Leading up to the magazine story, we published six stories on that build and the boat's initial performance. As the people at Mercury Racing made very clear from the start, the ROS outboard never was a good option in a pleasure application, so when the owner switched to 400Rs the move was a good one.

3. A Skater 368 with 400R outboards is—without question—a dream boat, something to drool over. But, right now, there is one of them. Trust me, we will cover every subsequent build. But there are a lot more MTI 340Xs and Wright Performance 360s on the water. Hence their greater coverage.

But ... I enjoyed your review. (Next time I see you we'll grab a cold one an go over paragraph breaks. They'll make you easier to read.)

Now, close your eyes and imagine and 368 with 450R outboards ...

Happy July 4, my friend. (Come to Napa—we're having an open house today.)

I'm running as fast as I can! On it, Chad. Hope your July 4 was a good one.