Great thread to look at on a cold evening! The 28 in the top pic of post 22 came out of NY bare. It was in real rough condition. John had David do quick rig job and wrapped it as in the pic. Then John promptly flipped it.

I Own this boat now , spends its Summer's running in Long Island.

Wow, I'm late to the party! Here are the three I've owned.......... My first 28 - the red/white/blue 28 ('97) purchased in Sept of 2001, re-rigged/painted to Princess Hooker/Speed Racer scheme (started w/ 2.5s, ended with 3.0s). My second all white w/ black brow 28 ('96) w/ 3.0s. And my last 28 ('07, hull #124), started w/ 15" Diamond Marine 2.5s, ended w/ 15" DBR 3.2XSs.

The one that started my Skater sickness - my buddy Rick Bowling's 28. I believe it's a '94. That's me in the backseat at the SCOPE Poker Run in August, 2001 - bought my first 28 the next month!

And this thread would not be complete without our brother, Skater Jim's (RIP) beautiful and ultra-fast 28 w/ Diamond Marine 15" 300Xs. Nobody took performance in a pleasure 28 as serious as Jim did. Nor did anyone do as good of a job at it. His was the most kick-ass 28 ever in my opinion. I tried to buy it from him at least 2 or 3 times in the past 7-8 years, but no matter what was going on in his life, he'd never part with his 28. He loved telling me how he beat 90% of the inboard boats at whatever run he last attended, or how everybody thought he was running some fully-modded time bomb motors. The reality was that they were not that far from stock, and were actually very reliable motors that Marty just massaged a little of his magic on. The secret to his 28s performance was the relentless pursuit of performance, and Jim's keen knowledge of how to make a Skater run.Let us always remember our Skater brother Jim Melley................

^^^ Well said Dale. RIP. He had the most beautiful 28 ever.

MDS

Amen. Jim and Garth were both 28 owners and great guys.

I bought this boat in August this year and now have it on the Gold Coast in Australia. I'm absolutely blown away with how awesome it is. Would love to know more of the history of the boat. Its a 1996. Refurbed a couple of years ago

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/a...read-image.jpg

A guy I've met from Minnesota owned that boat and did the work on it. I'll see if he'll post more - not sure if he's a member on here.

MDS

^^^^almost bought that boat instead of buying one to redo......I would have money to buy Christmas presents if I would have :).