I currently own a 37' Outerlimits with#6's and 975 SC's. I am
currently considering changing to a Cat with somewhat close to or complete Stock power. Of course a Skater would be a first choice. Will be using the boat mostly on Lake Havasu or Lake Mead. I want a slightly used 32 or 36 Open Cockpit (with a cabin ). Questions:
how many 32 and 36 Open Cockpit Skaters where made? I am looking at 3 different 36's that are open. Is the 32 ok with #6 drives or is it too much weight for the boat? How does the bravo or imco drives working on these boats with 575's or 525's ie" do they break often? Two of three I see out there are 575's w/ #6 drives. If I was to buy a 32 or 36 with #6 Drives and if I put 3" spacers on to get rid of the rooster tail (don't ask why you'll laugh when I tell you) will the boat handle like a Skater? Will it plane ok? I know I may loose some top end but that's ok I will up the HP to accomodate. I raced Mod VP Hulls (center sponson) years ago how is the full Cat Skater handle in comparison? Is there any real hull differences (or handling differences) in 1998 -2000 hulls versus 2001 and newer? Any other advice?

Thats alot of questions.

I have owned a 36 with bravos and another with 6's both with HP500 motors. After we raised the bravos to get any speed they broke all the time, would recommend the 6's. The speed is about the same.

I would think you could just trim the 6's in and the rooster tail would go away.

The 32 is a much smaller boat, I think the beam is only 8'6 on the older ones, the 32b is 9'6. The 36 is a 10ft beam.

I have never been in a 32 pleasure so Im not sure of the room, I like the freeboard of the 36.

Im also tentaively looking for a 36, just not ready to write the check yet.

Curtis

A friend of ours just bought a 2003 32 skater this year. It has 575's with XR drives(??). They are def. not #6's. Boat runs 116 with 5 blade props and 121 with 4 blades. Its an open cockpit...no cabin. They thing planes easily with no bow lift...the ass end comes up...thats it! Turns pretty good too. At high speed its more of a "pivot" vs. a turn.

Why no roost, are you going to pull skiers or wakeboarders?

bobkatz yea we want to ski behind it once in a while on a big semi speed ski for exercise. We have a Malibu tournament boat as well for really skiing but now and then while out cruising the lake we want to ski just to do something. Don't really care about the wake but a rooster tail makes it hard. You can all start laughing now. Last week i skied a couple of times behind a 28' Cat (center sponson) with Xr drives and it was fine. For sure we can't ski behind our 37' outerlimits with #6's (1" inch spacers now, maybe 3" spacers would help).

I don't think there were any 32' built with cabins (classic or B modles) I would for sure get a #6 boat.

Just curious why do u want out of the Outerlimits? My buddy Joe has an Outerlimits 37 quad with 850's and 6's. I have spent some time on his boat. I have run the boat as well. I have a 2006 32B with qtr canopies with Arnesons. The boat planes instantly, turns on a dime.

I can help you. I bought Yahoo's 36 open cockpit Bravo boat and ran it 4 years and only blew one drive. Then in 2004 I upgraded to a new one with 900 hp and 6 drives. It would take too long to type the differences. If you call me I would be happy to answer your questions.
John Buyers, home #716 688 7604

I want out because I am about to buy a place at Havasu and the 37' OL is a lot of maintanence for the top end speed. Havasu is not as rough as the Ocean or sometimes Lake Mead so I should be able to get away with a Cat and run same or better speeds with a Cat w/less maintanence. I like the 37' OL
a lot, it is fun and i have run it at Havasu and it's fun. However the river part of the Havasu the boat is a little big. I may not change at all. i might just stay with the OL after I do more research about Cats. Havasu is more of a Cat Lake than a Big V lake.

John,
How did it run with 900's, must have been really fast. Could you get the bravos to live ?

Would you recommend a pleasure 36 with bravos or 6's. There is such a big diff in price. Especially the props.

What kind of boat do you have now ? I thought I saw you in a V bottom on the dvd they gave out in destin.

Curtis