Some offshore racers use nothing but foot throttle. If you also use easy acces, on the steering wheel or close to it so you don't have to remove your hands from the wheel, trim switches there is no reason you can't run in the rough stuff.
I use the In-Control split pedal also. The split pedal allows you to throttle the engines individually for slow speed docking and maneuvering. Also use the In-Control dual gunwale mounted shifter. Makes for a lot more room in the cockpit not having the console. Mine are all the original In-Control stuff, not the splashed copies.
Still have some of the original stuff if you're interested.

Do they(original) differ from the In - control that CP sells?

I've never had a CP n control in my hands so really can't comment on them. They do have differences just looking at the pictures in their catalog on line. Rayzor has used them and says they are good.
I'm not a fan of companies that splash/copy products without the original company on board.

Larry here is a super cool video where your 28 appears. You probably have seen it though, I just love how many OB cats are racing!!
1996 offshore racing, the old good days!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXnSXgAda5w

any progress with the boat??

Take care,:boat::boat:

Ivan

Thank you Ivan! Very cool. I have not seen that one. Yes, tanks are almost done, powerheads are getting freshened as we speak. Can't wait to get her wet.

Larry

any updates?

Larry, Why are you changing it to Left hand steer? Seems all 28's are right hand! I think it would be odd to have left hand and may hurt resale. Just my opinion.

Times are changing > http://www.skaterpowerboats.com/

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I saw the pics from that boat when it was for sale. It is hard to tell from the pics but I would think the all straight dash would change the distance from the wheel to driver in regards to where your feet touch the footrest in the inner liner. The wheel would need a long shaft off the helm pump.

If you enlarge the pic, it appears that Peter just extended the existing steering "pedestal" all the way across to the left. The reflection does make it hard to see.

Yup, that's what he did Steve. Have fun getting in and out of the driver's seat with that dash/center console/steering wheel setup! Some of the setups I see in these boats are so impractical!

Instead of going left side steer, I'm moving the shifters to the right side of the boat and using foot throttle. I will be eliminating the center console completely. This will make for much easier access to seating. She's at the fiberglass shop now...Interior is on the way...I'll get pics from the shop next week. Should be ready right for the snow to hit! Lol

I had mine set up like you are doing. Right side panel > In-control dual shifter, In control foot throttle, no console. I loved it.
I like your style, we should both be boating as soon as the first snow hits.

Steve did you set it up that way or was it that way from DCB?

That's the way I got it, I would assume that DCB set it up

p.s. yours running yet?

No but getting closer.

Just got my helm back and installing it. Get to bleed the steering again.

Like this? :) Don't forget the trim override left pedal and the blinker style trim at the helm. I run my 28 without either hand ever leaving the steering wheel......... BTW, do you have the windshield all mounted up yet?

Dale, Definitely something to be said for the console being gone and easy access. Boat looks nice. For me I like having the console. It is fun to run the boat in the ocean with two people and let my son or friend drive while I throttle the boat like the old days.....

Who said these boats are practical ? I know you try to make them as practical as you can but at the end of the day, they're not. Personally the center console does not bother me at all and it's a lot better IMO when you run the boat with someone else while you drive/throttle especially in big water. I totally agree with Ron. Besides all that it simply looks bad ass and all business. The same way I'm a fan of having a cluster of gauges opposed to having 2 huge Garmins with all the digital stuff.

Skater30 kick ass steering wheel. Wonder if they have it in different colors.

Nice Pair, not all "change" is positive!

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Lol....hey, no Dems on my thread! Lol

I do agree with you Ron that it's cool for letting your son or friend drive when in the open Ocean. My first 28 had both foot throttle and hand controls, which was sort-of the best of both worlds. But since I don't have kids and I won't let others behind the wheel of my boat, I went the "pull-the-center-console-out" for this 28.

I respect your opinion, and that's what makes what we do so much fun - everybody's stuff is different! For me personally, I would never relinquish my throttles to someone else, or not be behind the wheel of my own boat. It must be a West Coast thing, because every offshore race driver I know and respect out here drive and throttle - Bob Nordskog (RIP), Howard Arneson, Rick Bowling, Karl Koster, Rod Karnofel all drive (or drove) and throttle their boats. I've always seen the separate throttleman as a paid professional for the rich guys that don't know how to do anything but be a monkey behind the wheel in offshore racing. I saw it first hand out here on the West Coast when Matt Alcone first showed up on the racing scene in a 40' Skater with Jerry Gilbreath on his payroll to throttle the boat for him. As for looks, I agree that the center consoles look nice, but I'm not willing to deal with the inconvenience of them in my boats (no center console in my 30 either).

I've been running Sparco suede steering wheels for years and I love them! They come in black, black or black. :)

I understand ... did you have to scare the **** out of me.

I'm sorry ... that's kinda my fault. :picard1:

Let see some pics. (of your boat, not Dems)

Sorry about the early "Halloween" interjection. I just could not help myself! NP, look at the "My new 28 Skater" thread. I'm new at this "cat" stuff. Trying to learn as much as I can and asking questions. David

Dale,
I agree with not letting anyone really run the boat. The only two people who drive my boat is one of my best freinds Tom Russell driver for the Mobil 1 raceboat for years and my son.
I am always on the throttles either way. I have not had any issues running the boat by myself and throttling but then I am not running circles on a race course LOL.
I feel that in the rough water you have a better feel with throttles than a foot throttle.
I do like all the room around the seats too though.
It is always great looking at everyone's boats and seeing what is out there. That is why sites like this are so great.
On another note anyway to get Joe at DBR to call me?
Tried calling/emailing etc no luck.
Thanks

A lot of people have not tried the foot throttle in a boat thing and I've said it for years, boating is a "monkey see monkey doo" world. Everyone thinks that a race boat needs a throttle man as Bobby Moore convinced someone back in the late 60's that it was necessary and he was 100% correct as boating is the only sport one can walk in with a blank check and be at the top of the sport with little to no experience and those guys need someone to hold their hands.

However, back in the pleasure boat world, that is not the case. I know they don't sit down as much, but when was the last time you saw a throttle person on a pleasure V? It's a 90% one man show, yet the same cannot be said for catamaran's. Why? I want a race boat syndrome...

I just closed a deal on a new 30' Skater today and there will not be a center console solely due to the fact like Dale stated, it's in the way of getting into the seat. This customer is not getting a foot throttle, yet he considered it.

Beautiful boats Dale. Bring the 28 to the Fl Keys to play this winter:)

.

congrats Rik!

will this be a new build of Skater 30, or is there one already built at the factory for the customer?

please share pics of the 30 during its build/rigging steps.

perhaps a new thread by either you or the new owner, don't wanna hijack this awesome Mobil-1 thread.

.

I completely agree with the above coments. My last few boats and twin had foot throttle and it's second nature to me now. My buddies 28 skaters I've been in, I see them muscling the wheel with one hand and the other hand on the sticks. Made no sense to me whatsoever. To each there own. This is going to be a pleasure boat for me, and I want a hot foot and shifters to my right. It makes sense to me.

Jr.

I've been using foot throttles in my boats since 1986. Been a foot throttle in every boat since then. Some people ask how a foot throttle could work good in offshore use. Several offshore racers I know use nothing but foot throttles. If you think about it the best synchronizing of throttle and steering your going to have is by one person.
No other racing format that I can think of uses hand throttles. Off-road races can be just as brutal as offshore racing and I've never seen an off road vehicle that doesn't have a foot throttle.
As others have said it's entirely up to the boat owner and his preferences.

Power steering solves all these issues! In my opinion. I added Verado power steering to my 28 and one finger (really one hand) to anything but docking and that is now a breeze! I just makes sense. My trim is on the dash and on the throttles. However, my boat is so set up that I leave the trim neutral then, trim down above 100. Guys give me your opinions. I am new at the "go fast cat" thing but I draw from my life of racing cars and motorcycles. I just want it to feel that it is second nature and natural like when I don't even know that I am going fast and all is just flowing!. David.

Ok so bear with me as I'm unfamiliar with all of the power steering options. I have a Capilano helm, can't use the SeaStar power assist. The others I've looked into have to use a power steering helm like an inboard uses.
So can the verado power assist be used witha Capilano helm?

I agree one time ,Its all what you feel comfortable with , I have run both foot throttles an my current set up with hand throttles
if your on an off the gas a lot in large waves my arm can take a lot more then my ankle can !!Just my 2 cents

Onetime, You are correct you need a CharLynn valve type helm to use with a true, full time power steering system like a Verado or like inboards use. The SeaStar type are "on demand' type that sense a load and then apply power. I thought that the SeaStar was compatible with the Capilano helm though. The change to a different helm is not all that expensive or difficult. Paul Everett supplied all the parts for me. I can provide to you, the list of parts and costs if you like. How abut motorcycle racing using hand throttles???

Seriously!! Now that's funny!

I contacted Teleflex and their on demand pump does not have enough volume to support a Capilano helm. It was designed for SeaStar helms. Didn't know if the Verado used the CharLynn system or not. Since my Capilano helm is new I'm not ready to change out yet. Maybe down the road. I've spoken to Imco about it as I'm using their rams. I can use everything I have except the helm. Need to get the CharLynn helm, two more hoses and the pump unit. Just not ready to do that yet.