With four well-known catamarans dubbed Gone Again in the high-performance world, it can be a little tricky to keep them straight. But with the exception of one, a 38-foot Skater owned by the STIHL offshore racing team before it was purchased by former top-speed shootout specialist/fledgling offshore racer Kenny Mungle and is now for sale, three of the four trace their ownership roots—and all four trace their name— back to Rick Bowling of Alamo, Calif.
After 22 years on the water, the smallest catamaran in the well-known Gone Again family was due for an update.
Bowling’s wife, Kathy, originally came up with the handle in a nod to her husband’s frequent weekend disappearing acts during his offshore racing career.
Several years ago, Bowling updated the graphics on his 37-foot Gone Again Talon. The catamaran was his last offshore raceboat, which he had converted into a pleasure boat powered by Mercury Racing 1350 engines. Now he’s at it again with his 28-foot Skater “fun boat” powered by twin 300-hp Mercury OptiMax outboard engines. Like the 37-footer, the smaller cat began its life as a raceboat but was converted for pleasure use.
Bullet Fiberglass of Madera, Calif., is handling the work, which Bowling admitted was due.
The transformation is underway and the boat should be back on the water in a couple weeks.
“After 22 years of ownership, I’m updating the paintjob and the rubrail,” said Bowling. “I’m hoping it will be finished by the end of this week. They still have to Clear Cote it, and I have to get a new cover made.”