Although it likely won’t hit the water until the end of 2016, the first Skater Powerboats 368 catamaran powered by Mercury Racing ROS outboards—the official 400-hp, Verado-derived four-stroke engine for the X-Cat World Series offshore racing circuit is progressing well. That’s the word from Tony Cutsuries, the national sales manager for the renowned custom catamaran and V-bottom builder based in Douglas, Mich.

Said Cutsuries: “We cut down the hull so far it’s unbelievable.”

The hull for the twin-supercharged-outboard cat, which is headed to former offshore racer and longtime Skater customer Matt Rice in Florida, has been pulled from the mold and has already begun significant modifications prior to decking.

“We cut down the hull so far it’s unbelievable—it’s going to be really low,” said Cutsuries. “We cut it down four times, which we could do because the race motors have 15-inch mid-sections. Matt wants something really low profile—we’re even going to have to cut down the backs for the bucket seats. Cutting down the hull also takes out a lot of weight.

“Now all we have to do is deck it, rig it, install the interior and wait for the outboards,” he added. “They won’t be in until December.”

As noted in a previous speedonthewater.com report, Rice is familiar with the Verado 400R outboards as last year Grant’s Signature Racing repowered his 32-foot Skater cat with pair of the popular offerings. (To learn more about that project, download the July/August 2015 issue of Speed On The Water digital magazine now at no charge by clicking here.)

The completed Skater 368 with twin Verado ROS outboards should be on the water by the end of this year.

Editor’s Note: Speedonthewater.com will continue to follow this build as it progresses.

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