Image of the Week, Part IV: Sterling-Powered Skater Triumph

Having covered the Sterling Performance 1,700-hp turbocharged engine project on speedonthewater.com since it began three years ago last month, I have to admit that this shot by Jay Nichols could be my favorite “Image of the Week” of the 100-plus we’ve published so far. To some degree, this photo of the Sterling 1700-powered 36-foot Skater catamaran running on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri represents “closure.” At the very least, it means I don’t have to pester Mike D’Anniballe at the Milford, Mich., high-performance engine and product testing shop with a phone call every three or four weeks.

Three years in the making—the Sterling 1700 engine-powered Skater 36 made a big first-impression on the Lake of the Ozarks. Photo courtesy/copyright Jay Nichols/Naples Image.

Three years in the making—the Sterling 1700 engine-powered Skater 36 made a big first-impression on the Lake of the Ozarks. Photo courtesy/copyright Jay Nichols/Naples Image.

I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been pulling for the 36-footer to do well at last weekend’s Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. After laying down 188- and 190-mph passes on the course, the cat made one more run and rocketed to a class-winning 195 mph. Throttleman John Tomlinson, driver Myrick Coil and D’Anniballe were giddy at the docks after that one. Here’s some of what they had to say:

Tomlinson: “I was wishing the track was a little a longer because it would have rolled over 200 mph.”

Coil: “It’s awesome. It pulls like you couldn’t believe.”

D’Anniballe: “I couldn’t be happier.”

The following morning, speedonthewater.com’s Jason Johnson and I found out firsthand what all the fuss was about. But you can read about that in the November/December issue of Speed On The Water digital magazine, which will include a comprehensive feature on the Sterling 1700/Skater 36 project. Until then, this stunning photo from Jay Nichols will have to do.

Editor’s Note: Look for a complete feature on the 2013 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in the September/October issue of Speed On The Water digital magazine, which is scheduled to go live on Friday, September 6.

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