With final pre-paint sanding complete, Skater Powerboats‘ first 318 catamaran is headed to the paint booth this week. Once the graphics for the 31-footer have been handled, the Douglas Marine, Mich.-based performance-boat builder will install the cat’s interior.

After hours of sanding, the first Skater 318 catamaran is ready for the paint booth.

Steve Lane, the boat’s New Jersey-based owner, opted for a portside helm station with the throttles and shifters for the boat’s twin Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboards in a console between the bucket seats for the driver and co-pilot. The boat will not be set up with a second helm receiver on the starboard side of the dash for dual-person operation.

“We’re going with a touchscreen GPS so the radio runs through it,” Lane said. “The Mercury VesselView screen will be on the left side of the dash. I think I am going out to Skater in the next couple of weeks to set my seat. I am only 5’7″ and I can’t be way back from the dash. I have to make sure that’s right.”

According to Lane, the outboards should reach Douglas Marine and be installed on the cat by early June. From there, the boat will be sent to Mercury Racing in Fond du Lac, Wis., for dialing in prior to final delivery. Lane said he’s hoping to be present for that part of the process.

“I’d like to be there,” he said. “I don’t have any seat time in a cat, so I’d like to see what’s going on, how it drives and handles.”

Lane will return to Skater when the interior of his 31-footer is installed later this month.

Editor’s note: Speedonthewater.com will continue to follow this new-model build as it progresses.

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