Skaterfest Set To Host Record 50 Boats

When Greg Harris, a South Florida-based real estate agent who owns a 32-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran, recently described this year’s relentless buzz around Skaterfest Aug. 10-12 in Harrison Township, Mich., as a product of “pent-up demand,” he wasn’t kidding. According to Skaterfest founder and organizer Ron Szolack, the eighth annual celebration of the Skater Powerboats brand should have a record-setting 50 boats based on commitments so far.

A well-known Skater 46 catamaran, Tom Cat is one of many stunners coming to Skater Fest next weekend. Photo from the 2018 LEOPA Thunder Fest by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“In our biggest year, I think we had 26 boats,” said Szolack, who’ll be running his just finished, wider-cockpit eight-seat Skater 388 catamaran in the event. “So we’re almost double that now.”

In fact, Szolack said, this year’s event grew so large that the private home docks traditionally tapped to handle the event weren’t enough to accommodate all the boats. So Skaterfest, which is returning from a hiatus in 2017 and will feature is traditional activities including a lunch run, raft-up and several photos sessions, will be taking over much of the dock space at the nearby Metro Beach Marina.

Skater owners from around the country, from as far away as California in the case of 30-foot Skater owner Devin Wozencraft, are bringing models from 28 to 50 feet. Thanks to noted Skater aficionado Tyson Garvin, there will even be a 40-foot Skater offshore raceboat—the M-Con team catamaran, at the event.

“It’s looking like a great event,” said Szolack. “And the weather forecast is perfect. From Tuesday through Sunday, it’s predicted to be 80 degrees and sunny every day.”

Editor’s Note: Look for additional coverage of Skaterfest 2018 on speedonthewater.com on Monday, Aug. 13.

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