Curious on everyone's thoughts, why is everyone so intent on having 4 seats across the back. I understand the thought of taking three couples out but how often do you ever have that many people onboard? I had a 32 Spectre that had 3 across the back and probably used the third seat a handful of times in three years. Now that I've got the 32 Skater I'm doing a ton of updates and one of those is actually getting rid of the center seat to create better bolsters and a way in and out of the cockpit between the seats. I'm still in the mocking up part of the backseat design so I could change it if I was persuaded to keep the third seat. Just curious why everyone wants 6 person cockpits but then counts every pound that goes in the boat.

I've heard the argument about family but how many take "kids" out on the Skater? I for one don't think I'd let anyone under 18 on the boat when I go out to run it other than maybe for a short quick "ride" for a friend and their kid. One note, I will admit I don't have kids but to be honest if I did this wouldn't be the boat for me.

Would a 4 person interior if done well hurt resale that much? I'd almost think the opposite as long as it looked right.

Thanks

I had 5 people in my 308 this passed weekend... had a freinds husband been back from offshore work I wouldn't have had room LOL. also had 5 in it for the tickfaw 200. I don't like the added weight at all but it is what it is. I do like the idea of 4 across seating but would want more hp to carry the load LOL. 2x2 seating the way mine is now wouldn't be all that bad of an idea because it is a deep cockpit and somewhat of a challenge to climb around the head rests and down into. no way to not step on the armrests or seats which I can't stand doing!!!

removing the center seat and adding a step/storage/cooler spot would be cool...along with two access doors instead of the one, which makes it a b!tch when doing work, adding oil etc... have to put al ladder on the side of the boat to get in and out doing that right now.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]542174[/ATTACH]

MmI had 28 college kids at my lake house on Memorial day.**We routinely take the kids out for a very conservative bat run they love it and I love it.**With that being said I took kids out at LOTO Shootout on the Make Dream/Wish rides last year.**My co-piolot was an Army crew chief on a Chinook.**I did not want to go fast with people I did not know signed waiver or not.**He explained they took civilians up all the time and that speed was reIlative.**What seems fast to them and to us are two different things.**He also said they**did a lot of banked turns which really made their riders think they were hauling butt.**So we never got above the 50 MPH lope and did a lot of easy turns and wake jumping.**They all thought they had gone 100MPH.

Besides four of my daughters friends don't weigh what two of my buddies do and are a heck of a lot cuter.

We made two boards with upholstery on one side and carpet on the other. These go in the outside rear bolster for entry and exit. Jim Sykes place steps on the outside of his four person rear bolsters to do the same thing.

That is a great question as I look into updating mine this winter. I have kids but don't see them going for a ride in this for a while. It seems that putting 4 seats in the back of an outboard would add a ton to weight and change the balance drastically.

Yea I'm not knocking the 6 seat configs at all and the way you redid yours looks amazing, heck you've got me thinking about cutting my deck down after I'd talked myself out of it.

I guess the question back though is if you only had 4 seats instead of that the time 5 would that have precluded you from doing the rides that you did and will having 6 seats open up your boating options on any but a very few outings?

The boards are a great option but still aren't firm like steps and it's still one big step which when the slippery deck is wet can be daunting for the ladies that have had a couple drinks in them.

I guess for me it's more about aesthetics and I like the look of the narrower cockpit and wider gunnels. I know what I'm doing doesn't do that in truth but does have the visual look of it.

Not that it really matters because I imagine I'll be keeping this boat for a long time but would anyone not be interested in one of these boats because it was 2+2 instead of 2+3 or 2+4?

I guess I'm just asking for opinions so I don't do a ton of work and then find out it's not as usable as I think or miss the third seat for a reason I haven't thought of.

I've told myself I wasn't going to post pics of what I'm doing until I get farther along but if I can get to them I'll try and post a couple teasers so you can get the idea of what I'm thinking.

Here's a couple pics of the boat as it was when I got it then the dash as I'm finishing the redo.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]542186[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]542187[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]542184[/ATTACH]

The plan is to install a VV to the upper right of the wheel and a new switch panel below it.

Here are a couple of the original rear and some of the rough mockups for what I'm thinking. Obviously the steps etc will be much more rounded and fluid but just trying to get idea of placement and sizes. The original rear seats didn't inspire any confidence in holding you in the boat, with raising the backs, adding some recline to them, and moving the bases forward they feel MUCH more substantial.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]542188[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]542189[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]542190[/ATTACH]




Before anyone gets bent up about not having everything wrapped, the whole boat will be getting painted as well so I haven't seen the need to overly protest everything as I would if the paint wasn't being done anyway.

Condor if you're redoing yours I'd seriously try and replicate what they did on a couple of the inboard boats. The teardrop four seater half canopy that continues back past the rear seats is one of the best looking interiors I've seen IMO No it's not very practical and would probably be ridiculous hot but it looks good.

I like the look but I think someone's head is gonna be banging the he!! out of the sides of that half canopy sitting in the back seat LOL.

I'm looking for an outboard Skater and 4 seats across the back is a must. We have kids, but also like to take friends and family. I want to have the option rather than leaving a couple behind because there isn't room.