Owners of Skater Powerboats, built by Douglas Marine, converged on Lake St. Clair to flex their muscle during the eight annual Skaterfest gathering in Harrison Township, MI.

The event, which debuted in 2011, is organized by Ron Szolack, and transforms the area into a muscleboat paradise. With more than 40 Skaters and their crews in attendance enjoying near-perfect weather, the Douglas, MI, builder had plenty of its gorgeous offerings on Lake St. Clair to represent its illustrious array of beautiful, high-performance catamarans.

Szolack originally launched the event as a way to enjoy a weekend with his friends who owned Skaters, inviting anyone from anywhere to bring their Skater and attend his “house party.” Since then, it has outgrown his private residence and was relocated to the spacious surroundings of Lake St. Clair Metropark, which offers a wide, multi-lane launch ramp with plenty of dock space reserved for Skaterfest guests.

“This was definitely the best Skaterfest ever,” Szolack says. “It keeps getting better and better every year. We had a lot of newcomers who had never been here before, and it’s so great that they get to experience what we do. The camaraderie among everybody is just unbelievable. When you come to Skaterfest, everybody knows everybody else by the time you leave. It was just a spectacular time, and we had a lot of newcomers.”

One bonus was that two new Skaters were sold during the event: a 368 was went to Bill Munyan of Bradenton, FL, and a 388 went to James Branton of Covington, LA. (Both Skaters were on display at this year’s Miami International Boat Show.) “I’m glad they went to good owners,” Szolack says.

Skaterfest is a great place to see some older models, including some from the 1990s, while a few of the newer boats boast incredible power packages. One of the most famous Skaters in attendance was the 438 Skater Rockette, powered by Mercury Racing dual calibration 1550/1350 sterndrives. “That boat ran 180 mph in 1350 mode, so that’s a pretty fast boat,” Szolack says. “Steve Gordon has a 46 skater with 1875 twin turbo Sterlings in it, and that boat is capable of running 200 mph.”

Also in attendance was Skater President Peter Hledin. “He can tell you about every single boat there,” says Szolack. “His mind is incredible. He can tell you how every boat was laid up, even the little 28 Skaters from 1996. He’ll tell you exactly who owned them, how they were built, how they were laid up, what he did to build them for each owner. It’s pretty mind-blowing.”

Among the farthest traveled were Greg and Yvonne Harris, who trailered their 32’ Skater Mad Props all the way from South Florida.

“It just keeps getting better and better,” Szolack says. “The people are incredible, and they’re such good friends who travel all over the country once a year to come hang out with me. It’s really special.”

Powerboat Nation was on the scene at Skaterfest #8. Check out the gallery of photos below.

SkaterFest 2014 was another great success in the 2014 boating season. High profile personalities, fast boats, and a private venue that is a powerboaters dream home were all on hand for this trip. Thanks again to Chip Miller ofMiller Marina as Powerboat Nation was once again able to capture some of the life on video from his quadcopter.

Fast boats, fun people all enjoying a great time on Lake St Clair. We hope you enjoy our short video.

This last weekend brought another HUGE power boating extravaganza to the water. I just spoke to Chip Miller of Michigan Miller Marina – A Full service Marina located in St. Clair Shores on the Nautical Mile and of course he was slammed preparing Skaters to participate in SkaterFest that was hosted this last weekend by Ron Szolack who has owned/owns variety of fast powerboats many of them SKATERS.

The weekend at Lake St Clair also brought JOBBIE NOONER, JobbieCrew.com Everything Jobbie Nooner related | JobbieCrew.com and Welcome to Jobbienooner.com! If you don’t know or ever been, this powerboating event in my estimation is the single largest one of its kind event in the world. Thousands of boats were running around the lake and all congregated on a small island near the Canadian Border know as Gull Island.

Prior to the weekend Chip told me he had four Skaters at his marina more were coming and had heard twelve boats were confirmed but expected more. Skaterfest is unique to many other manufacturer regattas because it was initiated, supported, and run by the customers rather than the builder showing how strong the passion for the brand rally is.

Jobbie Nooner had nothing to do with SkaterFest but only addes to the adventure and excitement of the weekend on Lake St Clair. In the past over 1000 boats have been recorded rafted together. Chip told me guys will come to the marina the day of and want to buy cheap boats just to go to Gull Island, never owned a boat, never been in a boat, but they have to get to the party on the island.

If you read my boating while intoxicated article you can find the reference about he guy who despite having his boat at the bottom of the shipping channel only really cared about getting to the island with his Vodka Melon.

The history of Jobbie Nooner goes back to the early 1980’s and I encourage you all to read about it, and attend it, I have and it is worth the effort.

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When a passionate boat owner invites a group of other owners to his home for a boating event you can only assume his brand loyalty runs deep. Powerboat Nation was fortunate to be invited to attend this years SkaterFest hosted by multi Skater owner Ron Szolack on Lake St Clair, Michigan. 15 SKATERS and 1 Outerlimits V-Bottom all gathered for this invitational event that was more than something special. Skaters new and old, small to big, and well I can’t say slow to fast because they are all fast, so how about fast to faster. The owners ranged from some that were new and some that have been around with their SKATERS for years and years. Jim Lee brought his familiar 46 Freedom and a 28, Garth Tagge was on hand with his very recognizable all white classic deck 36, Other notables at the event were Skater founder Peter Hledin, Mike D’Anniballe of Sterling Performance, Chip Miller of Miller Marine, and Jerry Gilbreath was holding court at the dining room table and answered just about every boat set up and prop question being thrown at him.

The party at Flight Club was spectacular and the over the top hospitality presented by Ron at his home was as incredible as well. Of course another passionate powerboater who opens his home to the poker run crowd, Kenny Armstrong was in the house and riding along with Ron in the 46 Skater TopCat with 1350 Mercury Racing QC4v engines.

This was a great gathering of horsepower in the Motor City, I used to live in Clinton Township on Lake St Clair and I have great memories of fast boats running around everywhere. I cant wait to get back next year with a great friends very special new 388 Skater.

Special thanks to Chip Miller for the Gyrocopter pictures and video. Miller Marina is THE place on Lake St Clair for all of your powerboating needs!