Good advise on calling Peter to verify. When I was looking into having mine done I checked with local shops. One had to be done twice, another was willing to give it a go but had never done it before and they were going to charge pretty much the same as Skater.

Of course you have to factor in the transporting expense to and from Skater. Best thing I did with mine was bringing back to Skater for all the work I had done.

Next to yourself, nobody cares more about your boat then Skater.

Besides, memories from the trip to and from are great, at least now!

The lunch with Pete is worth at least 11 hours of driving. More than that and I'm not so sure lol.

Mine were done twice as well......after a few weeks of getting my tanks done at Skater, back in 2007, I found a small pin hole leak in the rear of the tank....I had told Chris about it several times...he said not to worry. A few months later I called and talked to Peter...he was Not very happy that he had not been told.....
He had a hauler pick up my boat 2 days later, and took it back to Skater.....a few months later , it was delivered back to me.
Peter is The Man!! Stands behind everything 100%
I have always said...if the Tanks were Not done at Skater.....then they were Not done...JMO!

So I'm listening to your opinions on these tanks....Is anyone else just shaking their heads at this? So the best therapist the one that keeps treating over the one that's tells you the truth for the cure? I will never understand this concept..... (Don't jump all over me guys, I'm part of Skater Nation too. I'm just a fix it kind of guy, not a patch it and see how long it holds kind of guy)

Certainly not going to jump all over you with what you're saying.

There are basically three avenues to go on these tanks.
1) local fiberglass shop to repair.
2) Back to Skater for repair.
3) Install aluminum tanks. (Putting other material bolt in tanks in same option).

If I remember correctly your replacing your tanks with aluminum ones and I gave great thought to it.

Pete says the tanks are part of the structure of the hull and doesn't like the idea, nor does he recommend, going with a bolt in tank. So when the designer and manufacturer says these things his opinion carries a lot of weight.

I feel resale value also comes into play. Seems tanks repaired by skater have the best resale value.

There are a couple of boats out west that are going the bolt in tank route and I'm sure they'll be fine.
Joe Perog was kind enough to send me lots of info on a 24 that he did bolt in tanks. He glassed in some extra bracing to add structural support.

Me personally, I occasionally run very hard in the San Francisco Bay and didn't want to be out there running hard second guessing the structural integrity of hull.

Also, regardless of opinion on weather Skater should cover these repairs or not on a boat manufactured fifteen plus years ago, he's not making a bunch of money on these repairs. Not trying to speak for Pete but he takes care of his product and doesn't need to do these repairs to keep the doors open.

I have absolutely zero regrets going with the factory repaired route.

Forgot to mention. Larry your boat is looking great! Really glad to see that particular boat be saved!

When I look at the demand and prices these 28 are going for, both used and new, I'm sure glad I have mine.

Sometimes while in the process of these restorations you wonder if your crazy for what you're doing. Once done its all worth it. Every time I use mine, which is not enough, it puts the happiest smile on my face even when chasing gremlins.

Agree. I don't think any 28s with 300s will sell much below $100k again.

Gentleman -

A few random comments .........

1) I would love to have a beer with Peter Hledin and Darris Allison

2) I bought a 28 last fall that I have not yet driven. I cannot wait to drive it and feel lucky to own it.

3) Can you big 28 gurus tell me what it's like to drive one?

4) I want to drive BAM's 40

MDS

Rally all the OB SKaters to LOTO Shootout week and I'll arrange a helicopter to follow us around for a few yours and get some photos and video.

Could probably talk our LOTO Skater dealer PBC to get us an end dock to tie them all up together before for pics and after for some dinner and drinks at RHYC

We would have our 40 there for any OB Skater guys who want to go out and tear up the lake a little if you haven't been in one.