Outboard-Powered Skater Cats Descend On Sarasota

Three years ago, Ron Muller of Electronics Unlimited in Stuart, Fla., invited a few of friends who—like him—own Skater Powerboats catamarans for a fun run and photo session across the state in Sarasota. The intimate event typically draws about a dozen creations from the Douglas, Mich., builder, and this year’s go-round last Friday was true to form with 11 beautiful Skater cats in the mix.

Though the Outboard Skater group mostly stayed in the protected waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, there were a few launch ramps to be found in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday. Photos by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

The happening originally was planned as a two-day affair, but yesterday’s sketchy weather forecast motivated several participants to head home yesterday. But the run was still a hit with everyone involved.

“It was a great day, a little breezy but all the boats fared well,” said Muller.

Speedonthewater.com chief photographer Pete Boden captured the Friday outing for the third year in a row. The Gulf of Mexico waters beyond the Intracoastal Waterway were a little too jagged for the small cats he said, so they mostly ran inside for the photo shoot.

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Enjoy more action from the 11-boat happening.

The fleet included five Skater 38 cats, five 308 models and one 318.

“The Gulf was a bit much for the 28- to 30-foot cats,” he explained. “But it would have been great for big offshore raceboats.”

Following the photo shoot, the group headed to Shore Restaurant at the Dunes Marina in Sarasota for lunch. Among the participants were New Jersey’s Chris and Quinn LaMorte, who brought Lucas, their fourth-month-old, to the event. (The infant and his mom skipped the boat ride and arrived at the lunch spot by car.)

At four months old, Lucas LaMorte is far and away the youngest participant in the event’s three-year history.

The LaMortes sold their Skater 28 cat last year. They still have their Mercury Racing 700 SCi engine-equipped 36-footer Skater, but because it has stern-drive power it didn’t make the cut. So Chris LaMorte caught a ride with a friend—in the 28-footer he formerly owned.

“I sold my 28 Skater to Jimmy Speros after this run last year and he redid the entire boat, repowered it with (Mercury Racing) 300R outboards and invited me to run with him this year,” said LaMorte, who helped organize the first two Outboard Skater Fun Runs. “I was very grateful to be invited—we had a great time.

“Ron did a great job and pulled off another good run,” he added.