First drive in the 28 Skater yesterday - Now I get it
 

Finally got to take the first drive in my 28 Skater yesterday after having owned if for more than a year (first didn't have time, then didn't have insurance, then re-rigged with 300XS, then waited for some parts, then got it all together).

Everything went really smooth and the fuel consumption of a pair 300XS was about the same as that of a single 2.5 EFI.

Only annoying thing was the Skater hop between 55 and 75 mph. And that was with Bravo Is which are supposed to minimise hop. I did not use the tunnel tab, though.

Now I understand why people rate these things so highly.

The hop is just part of the true cat experience. I would recommend four of five blade Dewalds for props. Also, I started running with two 35# sand bags (type camera crews use for tripods) up in the bow in front of the first bulkhead at LOTO. My wife really likes the ride better with the ballast - boat runs much flatter when in the air with the weight. I also lessons the hop to maybe 65 mph. I haven't compared top speed with the bags, but it should knock a few mph, but I kind of done with finding top speed. Just getting old, I guess!

Glad you like the Skater! Welcome to Skater Nation!

Exactly, to get away from it you are either running 54 or punching through to 76mph in your case.

The overwhelming consensus is the Dewald is the premier prop for the 28 skater.. do a search on here and you will find the prop dimensions/setup of the guys with a lot of seat time testing the props

The hop is unfortunately part of the Skater experience. Not necessarily the cat experience. I had Norwegian Hydrolift single outboard 22 foot cat that was hop-free. A friend had a splash of a 21 foot Skater. That thing hopped like there was no tomorrow. Heavy V8 or light 2.5 XS on the transom made no difference.

A lot of people on here do praise the Dewalds.

The Bravo Is came with the boat. They were chosen when the boat was new and dialled in at Lake X. I also have a set of 3-blade 14.5 diameter Mercury cleavers that came with the engines that came off another 28. Propeller technology has moved on since...__PRESENT

The 28 is an absolute hot rod. We refurbished our 1996 a few years back and have really enjoyed it on LOTO. When the water is right, it is a blast. Our only challenge is when the cruisers come out, we need to get on the lift (be careful with them). The boat may be able to handle it, but I can't! Luckily, it is only a few hours on Sat/Sun in the summer. The one big upgrade that we did was to add a Lee Aerospace wraparound windshield. Game changer.

We have a trim tab on ours and it does help allot in settling down the hop, but more often than not, I like to power through it. If you use one, make certain it is up when you make turns, as the additional stern lift from using it changes the dynamics of how the hull works (from Brad Shoenwald- Tres Martin)

The boat came with 14 x 34's 3 blade clevaers. I ran the boat with 14.5 x 34's @ 118moh. Enjoy the boat.

They are truly a great boat !

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My boat?

yes

Great!

Are you Bill or Marc?

I checked the part numbers on the receipt from Lake X, and it is for two Lab Cleavers as you say. Not for Bravo Is.

At some point, the Cleavers were replaced by Bravo Is.

I got a pair of 14.5 x 34 Lab Cleavers with the 300XS engines. They the same part numbers as on the Lake X receipt . I have not tried them. Good to know that I can put those on and consider the restore complete. Also, while Bravo Is are more user-friendly, Cleavers feel more special.
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