Thanks Artie,
Have you been out to Buckeye lately?

We've been out there quite a bit this summer. We should be there this coming weekend, have you guys been out at all?

Hey, have a great time, this weekend I'll be working on you know what. Its fun but its been slow. Good thing I dont have to make a living workin on boats

Anyone out there know where I can get the top rear engine cowl support locking pin assembly? I need one for the new mercury 2.5 280 offshore that I'm adding to my Skater. They dont come with them from the factory, but without them the engine cowlings have been known to work loose in rough conditions and fly off $$$$. :eek:

Call Marty @ Diamond Marine in Ft.Lauderdale

Thanks Steve, I'll give him a try

I seen a few on scream and fly for sale

on scream and fly, I couldnt find any for sale for the 2.5 280 with the alien style cowling. Every one of them so far has been for the 260. Diamond sells them but are on B.O. right now

Did you try JSRE?
http://www.jaysmithracing.com/picture_gallery.htm

Also looks like Waterboy has found the solution-

The solution came AFTER the problem! Im putting the older 2.5 rubber hold downs on mine or fabricating some JC Whitney cheapo hood pins..

whoa!! . . . . cool! . . . . . because it clears . . . . an because theres a motor hangin off the back :D. I worry about those clearance things when we have to do the measurements long distance but that was a good idea to just widen it the difference of the offset from where they use to be. Lookin good and glad you had a good time in St.Clair :cool:

yea I know, we did well with the clearance issues on the spacing between the engines too
note last picture shows clearance between the cowls with engineS:D turned full

Nice! . . . . Those look great on there :cool:



Holy Cow!! this thread has almost 600,000 views :eek: highest viewed Skater thread ever and the next closest one is almost two hundred thousand views away :D

four across the back....Looks familiar....:)

I know almost ZERO about doing a boat project but I come here to learn and see how things are progressing...a lot of you guys know A LOT of chit and some don't know dog chit :lolhit: but it's very informative and nice to see how its done. this is one nice project and it's turned out great so far IMO :ernaehrung004:

Looks great !!! What do est top speed will be ?

even more so when you see those tie bars and center engine wingplates:D

I dont know Larry, but I'd like to see 125 and get it dialed in time for LOTO

Damn Dave, I forgot you bought those. I feel a little sentimental now...lol..

what is the current status

a little piece of sting will live on:kiss:

list of things to complete:
dash wiring, find and buy and install new fuse blocks for 4 engines behind dash, hook up gps speedo kit

run control cables thru bulkheads and connect at both ends

finish connecting gas tank fill and vent hoses both sides, complete pickup fittings at top of tank

measure gas tank for correct depth and order senders and install

finish routing engine harness, power supply wiring, water pressure hose for guages, etc from back to front thru bulkheads and console, install and wire in fuel pressure sending units and hi pressure fuel pumps

re-install engine trim pumps and wiring, come up with a solution for controls at helm

wire and install 19 instrument panel toggle switches


finish out water feed hoses and fittings and hook up everything to water distributor block and then measure, purchase and connect to engine adapter plates with appropriate fittings and hoses

reassemble remaining two outboards, clamps, midsection cans, gearcases, hang on transom.

hook up power cables to 4 Optima batteries and hope that I don't see sparks anywhere in the boat:picard1:

Install hyd steering cylinders, wing plates, center plates, tie bars, connect hoses to cylinders,

reconnect hyd steering hoses fore and aft

bleed steering system

install new cockpit carpet

install new upholstered side panels

install front and back seats

probably a long list of misc. items that I will remember later

drink some beer and gaze at it for a while

Are you running power steering ?

no, just standard hyd

i know its going to be a workout steering

Its not hard to interface a Verado electric/ hyd pump . That is my plan after talking to a few that heve P.S . If you decide I have info to help you out .

Larry

Larry, can you explain how to interface the Mercury Verado electro-hydraulic steering systems into racing outboards steering systems

Ancient Chinese Secret !!!

I recently received my throttle/shifter controls back from Latham. They did a great job of converting my old trip engine set up to quads

Looking good, Gps shipping tomorrow!
Did you talk to Latham about the bezel? I can bring them a unit if you need me to.

Ancient Chinese secret. Oh oh oh I know the answer....;)

yes, i did contact them, and I will be sending a dash cut out template of the 5212 for their engineer dept to look at.
Also, thanks DR for the great deal on the Garmin!

have you considered putting 2 shifters on either side of the throttles??
great project...

yes I did, but decided to just keep the set up the same as original. Why?

just easier handling..i would think...you only need 2 engines around the docks..so you would only be using the "sticks" on the outside..

i was glad to receive back the mid-section parts for the remaining two merc 2.5 outboards that I'd sent away to a company called House of Powder. They bead blasted and powder coated the steering arm, adapter plate, and drive shaft/exhaust housing. They did a great job!

that sounds like a good idea too, that whole docking thing can be stressful enough without fiddling with the sticks

Awesome project! I would love to see your madien voyage/shake down run. I have been wanting to get a larger Skater but hate to give up my outboards. Looks like your proving you can have both and not sacrifice performance. It would be really cool if someone could rig a 32 or 36 with a pair of the Seven outboards. Sure would save a lot of rigging! Might even break even buying the beast..

If you make it to LOTO 2012 we wilk be there and happy to help youin any way.

Sam

Thanks Sam! I love the outboards too. For many years after giving up my triple outboard spectre, I missed it and would be constantly checking the OSO classifieds. I knew that without a doubt, Skater made the best cat but in the past the price was prohibitive for me. I was fortunate to find this 36 with the rare outboard setup and rich racing history. There's been alot of really good people involved in this project, and I appreciate everyones interest and support on OSO.

The economy sucks but the silver lining is you can find a deal on a Skater if you have cash. Only problem is there are fewer boats running to go play with.

When I bought my 28 I used my wifes excuse "but honey think of the money I'm saving you!":evilb: