Spearheaded by Ron Muller of Electronics Unlimited and Skater 36 catamaran owner Chris LaMorte, the first official owners celebration of the Skater brand this year—the Invitational Outboard Skater Fun—already happened two months ago in Southwest Florida. Assuming you can wangle your way onto the invite list, you’ll have to wait until next year to enjoy it.
You might even eek your way in with a stern-drive model as Muller and LaMorte have discussed “loosening” their stringent outboard-power requirement for the 2026 version.
But there are two more organized Skater-centric events ahead this season. So all is not lost if you’re looking for a chance to run your ride with your fellow Skater-owning fanatics.
The first is called “Weekend At Ronnie’s” in an honor of host Ron Szolack, who has owned more Skater catamarans than anyone alive and organized his own Skaterfest gathering just outside of Detroit for years. For the second year, Szolack will host Weekend At Ronnie’s at the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri, where he owns a posh waterfront home and has a posher (yes, that’s a word) version under construction.
The good news? You don’t have to own a Skater to participate—Szolack has relaxed that rule.
The less than good news? You still have to be invited.
But back to good news.
Open to the Skater-owning public, the second-year Skaterfest produced by RP Elite Motors and Marine in Springtown, Texas, returns October 2-5 to the West Bay Casino and Resort and Catfish Bay Marina at Lake Texoma. RP Elite principal Ross Ramsey and his wife, McKenzie, have proven they can throw a proper celebration for the Skater faithful. When Skater founder/owner Peter Hledin and national sales manager vow to return, as they did after the 2025 event, you know you’ve done well.
“Skaterfest 2025 on Lake Texoma is locked in,” Ramsey said.
—Matt Trulio