2014 Skater 308 with Mercury 300 XS's
 

2014 Skater 308 Classic Deck with twin Mercury 300 XS outboards warranted until 11/2015 Fresh water only and very low hours. Power Jack plates, Mercury Racing Vessel View, Garmin GPS, Tonnaeu Cover, New Fiberglass back bolsters and Custom Interior, Skater Trailer power Jack stand,custom wheels and spare, electric over hydraulic disc braces and composite walkway.



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Ad In classifieds.

Wow, not too shabby either, priced to sell, if I was in the market I'd be jumping on this one

love it!!! I'm a little bias but that really doesn't matter does it!!!???!!! it's an outboard powered skater!!!!!

That was quick. It seems like he just bought it. I wonder what is next?

My guess is a 338 :whistle:

I just saw it listed in his Avatar on pbn. Congrats Helt.

Thanks. Now if just it would WARM up.

congrats helt.... was nice here for 2 days...took the express out yesterday to a local watering hole after I blew the soot out of the 250 SHO LOL.

Several updates on the boat since I took it in on trade. Ron did a great job on this boat build as usual but I changed out the interior changed the bezels added a stereo and fender pins. Also LED red/white interior lights and underwater transom LEDs blue/white. Don't tell my wife but I left Ron's brass stripper pole just in case for date night!

The stereo is pretty cool. I used a JBL gauge style head unit installed in the rear of the console with a waterproof floating remote. The JBL is bluetooth and connects to your media player or phone via bluetooth to play music. I used JL Audio MX 770 speakers with JL Audio M400/4 amp. Chis had installed a onboard battery tender/charger which keeps the batteries ready to go even when running the stereo.

I installed a 5 person intercom system by Rugged Radios and VHF. The intercom interfaces with your phone and the VHF allowing you to make and take calls on phone or VHF and listen to music from phone or head unit.

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Before interior
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After interior
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Before dash
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After dash

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I made the bolsters removable and replaced with a flush color coordinated insert for days when conditions are calm and the girls want to lounge in the back seat

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I cut the cored divider and added aluminum brackets with riv-nuts. You flip seat up and run a couple of bolts in and it's done. Very secure then flip seat up remove bolts and then the bolster. Inserts just Velcro in. I'll have photos of those later

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You can see riv-nuts and bracket in the second photo.

It's been a lot of fun working on these updates. My upholstery guy is awesome and also making a full cover this week.

looks awesome!! and thanks for the tip on the JBL Gauge style head unit a little while back...wife loves it!

will have to try to get our 308's at the same place at some point!

I'm ready for some D@mn warm azz sun and water!!

Overly cool upgrades, great thought process. Ausome boat.

Sam you have a great vision on what looks good in a Skater.. I have proof in my shop!

Sam, you don't mess around. Great Job!

Video not very good..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ZBvhmm9j8

Nice job Chris airing out the 308. Now let's see and hear your 338!

Boat looks good. What kind of MPH/RPM?

I don't recall. That video was taken back in November. I've never been in a 28' but that 30' sure is fun to operate.

I will have something for you in the next couple of weeks! :evilb:

Im all confused here! did Skate build the 338 then sell it to Helt? and did Skate buy the 308 from Ron and now selling? funny bc i vaguely remember talking to Skate about this boat before and i also remember talking to Helt abt center consoles.

whats price on 308? have a friend just sold his nortech and wanting something smaller.

Who's on third......it's a long story and I don't drink during the week so you'll have to wait ill the weekend if you want details.

Your good. Yes I built a 338 then traded with Helt and now selling upgraded 308. Don't ask what is next!

Don't ask what is next![/QUOTE]

You gonna start to build a widened 28 flat deck with a wrap around windshield lol? :whistle:

trip 300x's 308 flat deck?:party-smiley-004:


would like to see merc, come out with a 400+hp outboard that didn't weigh a ton to replace the 300xs's offshores...REALLY!

I finally finished the upholstery and had time to get it installed. We made the rear bolsters removable so the rear seat could seat four and. The girls could hang out when we were in calm conditions.

With bolsters.

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Without bolsters


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I also had a full sunbrella cover made.

Sam your convertible option looks GREAT..:cool:

Modify the mercs you have LA. They should easily be turned up to close to 400 hp. The old 2.5 Drag motors, I was told put out closer to 400 crank hp. At 375# per motor thats alot of hp/ lb.

102.9!
 

Well I finally had a free day and decent weather. I put on the 32" x 14.5" 4 blade lab finished Mercury cleavers and headed for the Arkansas River where I had unobstructed clean water for testing. Conditions 78*, low humidity 2-4 MPH winds, 430' above sea level, smooth water minimal current. 3/8 to 1/2 fuel both tanks. Two persons.


Top speed 102.9 MPH , 100.5 consistent at 6100 RPM

Boat was very responsive to trim and jake plate adjustments. Best speeds attained by reducing trim and raising motors on Jack plates. The boat ran much more level and gained 4.9 MPH with the Mercury cleavers over 32" Bravo II BBlade lab finished props under similar conditions.

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Motors are stock with warranties

Listed in classifieds. The take home price is only $199,500

Good info Sam. Are you turning the motors in or out? Based on my testing and what you all are seeing as well as my buddies 30' the lower rake cleavers are a better solution and provide less bow lift. The other 30' Skater is turning in. It would be good to see what speeds are obtained turning out unless yours already is.

Just ran the numbers and you are 12% slip using the 100.5mph.. That is a little high. I bet a set of Dewald 32's would bring that down to under 10%. I would guess 8% or so which would net you 105mph.
I tried a pair of Mercury Labbed 34"s and they were 3mph slower than the Dewalds.

Those are great numbers Sam and one good looking ride.

I'm turning in. To be fair the LH prop had a very minor stick ding to the leading edge which I repaired but it needs to go back to Mercury to be refinished.

Pete and others said the boat ran best turning in but they also liked the Bravo II props which I do not care for. It's a big boat with the 9'6" beam. I don't get that bad feeling like I did with the 28' when it was turning in. Even at LOTO in the rough the boat felt very stable.

Guess I'll be calling Dewald again to see what he has.

Thanks. I thought so. It's a really fun comfortable boat. You can run with confidence the boat is going to handle what you throw at it. The fuel economy is amazing compared to my 28' with the 300Xs.

turning in huh...how does it compare to turning out? my port turns out...my starboard doesn't turn at all now LOL

wth???

Lol.....Sorry to hear what happen.... Every once in a while they go BABOOM

Hey Sam
Is your interior guy in Arkansas ? Did a great job
On yours .those are some great numbers you turned !!!

Yes he is local. I have dealt with him over 20 years. I still have the seat covers from my old interior. Get the shells and he can do the rest.

I'm not trying to high jack the thread, but I know there's several of you that live in LA and I'll be there for the weekend of Oct 17 and wanted to see who's going to be out that we can hook up one of those days.

No problem. I'm on the college tour program with my daughter so no boating for me. Have fun!

Been there Sam, Have fun with it and get ready $$$$

So Ron and Sam, when are you guys going to trade rigs plus some $$$? You'd look good in that 30 Ron, and you'd have no problem selling Ron's 28 Sam. I think it's time you guys make something happen! :whistle: :drink: