Why the 28 Skater ?
 

Gentleman and Skater Fans -

Just curious why this is such a loved boat? I own one (bought last fall), but haven't driven it yet. Almost none for sale out there.

Some of the guys with big Skaters and big I/O's have a 28 as a second boat. I can think of 3 and I'm definitely a beginner Skater owner so don't know that many people.

Let's hear it.

MDS

24. is too small,,
28 runs same speed with same power
and mainly handles the rough lots better

They are pretty darn fun

120+ boat for half the cost of the larger skaters ! I have Ben in 21s owned a 24 loved it !!!!!!!!!! Now I have a 28
I just hope it's as fun ,I am sure the wife will like the 28 abit more lol

Mike you need to bring that 28 down to Dubuque ia some weekend

the 28 isn't twitchy in some conditions which is noted with the 24 and not near the same porpoise to power through, 28 handles extra passengers better than 24, noticeably smaller than a 32 ( more speed for same power), easy to trailer and launch pretty much anywhere.... and considerably less to purchase, run and maintain than the bigger I/O sisterships but still have big water handling characteristics

... with the addition of the wrap-around windshield, the demand is definitely on the market for the 28 as the breakdown's/smoke with the 2.5's is all but forgotten as were the tear inducing 100mph runs

A 28 skater is the most fun you can have in a boat.
Let's compare them to cars.
28 skater = racing go-cart
388 skater = Ferrari
46 skater = Cadillac Escalade
44 mti = Ford Explorer

You can out accelerate a Ferrari with a go-cart but will not go as fast top end and you can not haul as many people or ride as good in either as the Escalade.

A 28 skater can handle just as big of water as anything you just cannot go as fast sometimes. A 28 skater will out run all of them in 12' seas because of its acceleration. We proved that in the Bimini challenge in jims 28 when it was rough.
The same way a racing go cart can outrun a pickup truck around a motocross track.

Tyson- I'm loving the 44mti is a Ford Explorer. I'm lmao at the moment!

28s Handle awesome, On the other hand you have to have your man panties on in a 24 for the same water

Very well said !! You actually have to drive a 24 an they are are a blast to drive!!!! N

As a past owner I will also say if you get the set up right and CG the boat will amaze you how well it runs in big water. The boat is very predicable. Like they all say it very versatile in all water conditions. I have ridden in many boats. It is one best all around boats I have been in and fun factor is off the charts.
Maybe if Pete see's all the interest of lately he will put the molds back inside and consider building a new one. I bet he would sell with rigged or just as a hull and deck.
Still think about mine every time a read about them!

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Now where is Mr. Razor and Mr. Jim and Dr. BAM when we need them ..... ?

Your 28' was probably one of the top 3 (if not top 2) 28's out there... and each mod just made it better. The new owner has a stunning Skater!

For me it's stress free boating with outboards. It's big enough to handle big water if you need to. can haul 5 or 6 people at 90+mph.

I'm buying one to use as my pontoon at LOTO.....something I can just drop the lift, turn the key and go places without getting out the big boat.

I'm also interested in living a little. We might drag it to Havasu last minute (something that take 6 months of planning and $7000 roundtrip with the big boat), plan on leaving it in Miami next winter, plan on having it as a backup boat in KW, plan on living.

Like Tyson and I always say.....it just allows you to go boating and thats what I want to do. I love the big Skater but those boats are always one run away from being broken. I've accepted that reality and plan for it. Sometimes I don't want to plan....I just want to go. That's what the 28 does. It just goes.

So why not buy a Cig, Donzi, Fountain, or CC for these purposes?.....If you have to ask then you are not my friend :)....

I don't think the answer to these problems is to build more 28s....because a new one is stupid money. Older ones are a reasonable investment because they have all about maxed out their depreciation. For boating dollar relativity, I can afford a lot of break down, repairs, and upgrades on the 28 as compared to the 40.

The prefect boat would be the 318 with 400s......Will do what a 40 and 28 combo can do all by itself.

Great post BAM

I agree totally. That is why I think outboard cats may make a come back. The value of the 28 has gone up over the last few years as well as the popularity. I think as more guys see posts like Bam and they go back to driving one it can only get better.

I thought about a CC for a long time. Looked at all of them. Just too much money for what I want. In my budget you don't get much.

My mission isn't to haul 15 people. We go boating.....with other people with boats. I don't really like hopping in other peoples boats because I want to be in mine...running along side of other people.

I don't mind a crowd of 30 as long as there are 5-10 boats involved. A bunch of people on 1 boat just isn't my style.

Jim Lee showed me what these boats are capable of. I'm beyond excited.

Congrats Dr. BAM. You sure had a flurry of activity the last 24 hours - LOL !!!!!!!!!!

MDS

Yea, Ha.

I have a big power, #6 Cigarette, it's a great boat. A real blast in 3-4s up and down the coast of Florida. Cruises 3500 rpm @ 63 mph. Love it and have owned it 16 years. My 28 will cruise At 95-100, under warranty, all day, at 3.5 mpg. The only thing I break is left hand gear cases. It is so much fun to run. It makes the keys small. Marathon to Islamorada in 16-17 minutes, for lunch. The Sanabel, Boca Grand, Sarasota areas are great in the 28. We travel in it. They are great boats.

I just sold a big power OL, and bought a 30 and putting 400s on it. I have owned (3) 28 skater and loved them. If these boats are set up right they are hard boats to beat. The old saying THE JUICE IS WORTH THE SQUEEZE.

Welcome to the forum Equalizer. You should check in over at the Outboard Skater BS thread. Good folks over there that share your interests. Post a pic of that 30 while you are at it. Would love to see it...