TWO NEW

photography by Tom Leigh and Daren Van Ryte

Eliminator’s latest innovation: A pair of new models with an extra-wide beam.

Of the many reasons to admire Eliminator Boats— Southern California’s legendary producer of custom speed machines— firmly situated at the top of the list is their refusal to stand on their laurels. Led by Jake Fraleigh, the Mira Loma, CA-based team is constantly innovating, re-thinking, re-imagining, and inventing new ideas and directions. And it’s admirable that they take a great deal of input from their customer base: not only do they listen to feedback from their clients, they convert their ideas into new products.

Such is the case with Eliminator’s two new releases for 2021, both of which base their bottoms on the shop’s legendary 30' Daytona. Almost simultaneously, Eliminator has unveiled the 33X and 31XO Speedster models; the “X” representing “extra wide.” Both boats sport an 118" beam; the 33X is 32'6" overall, while the 31XO is 31'2". One major difference between the two boats is that while the 31XO is an outboard-powered boat, the 33X has been set up exclusively for I/O power. “It’s a home run for me,” Fraleigh says of the wide platform. “We’re absolutely in love with it.”

The 31XO: The first of the 31XO Speedsters is powered by twin Mercury Racing 450R outboards and was sold to customer Steven Satcher of Riverside, CA. It’s his first full-on

performance boat in a deal that transpired after a Daytona-owning friend recommended he shop for an Eliminator.

“When I first put together my order for the boat, only the 400Rs were available,” he says. “Then as the process unfolded, the 450Rs became available, so I ended up upgrading, upgrading to the 450s.”

Satcher says he digs all of the boat’s performance characteristics, including its impressive holeshot. That dynamic was improved by the addition of jackplates from

Porta Products Corp. (New Smyrna Beach, FL) known as the Porta Bracket. “I have the adjustable jackplates, along with trim on the motors, and that helps it get out of the hole really well,” he says. “I have the ability to drop those jackplates all the way down by 4 or 5 inches. It helps get the props deeper in the water and makes the holeshot really quick.”

Satcher also loves the 31XO’s sports car feel. “When you get it up on plane and go to take off, it definitely feels like you’re driving a sports car.” He praises the boat’s fit and finish, interior and all performance characteristics. “We’re still working on top speed,” he says, adding that he’s seen 120 mph and is still in search of the ideal prop for the tallest possible number.

Among the cool features of the first 31XO is its rear-bench staircase up to the transom (as well as its no-gauge dash), and the addition of screens in the backs of the front bolsters. “Those Simrad screens are really cool,” Satcher says. “They can be modified in all kinds of ways, and it’s great that the back-seat passengers can all see how fast we’re going.”

Satcher, a subcontractor for plaster and drywall painting, enjoys using the boat with his wife, Nicole.

The 31XO shares the same bottom as its big sister, the 33X. The first boat out of the mold features a similarly roomy cockpit made possible by the extra-wide beam. Like the 33X, it sports a staircase nestled between the rear seats for easy access to the back of the boat, a Simrad screen-dominated dash and luxurious upholstery. The back of the bolsters also sport Simrad screens for viewing by the rear passengers.

The first 33X out of the mold is owned by returning customer Lance Merchain, who worked with Eliminator to design a simple and elegant design, with a low freeboard, uncluttered dash and Gator Step flooring. The 33X is designed exclusively for I/O power; Merchain opted for twin Mercury Racing 700 SCis with #6 drives and a Stage 3 Whipple kit, resulting in a top speed of 151 mph.

The 33X: The first 33X out of the mold was built with twin Mercury Racing 700 SCis with #6 drives and a Stage 3 Whipple kit, resulting in a top speed of 151 mph, according to Fraleigh. Featuring a walkoff bustle, ample cockpit room and two couches and a large bow pad underneath the deck, the larger of Eliminator’s two new models looks astounding and is an incredible performer to boot.

“The boat turns exceptionally well— the handling is amazing all across the board,” he says. “She feels the same at 80 mph that she does at 150.”

The first 33X out of the mold was purchased by customer Lance Merchain; five [Continues on page 82]

[DOMINIC STANCOMBE continues from page 33]

to let Dominic get some seat time in clean water. “Once the other two boats passed us and one was behind us, I knew we couldn’t really pass them,” said Dominic. “It just felt like we were on the lake.”

The Stancombes were using Bluetooth intercoms inside their helmets and Dominic said he couldn’t always hear his dad. He said that for most of the four-lap race, he felt like he and Mike were “just cruising.” Class 7 has a top speed of 60 mph and Dominic said he’s comfortable at around 60 or 70.

“You’re always apprehensive your first time out with your son and I’m sure dad had the same feelings with me,” said Mike, who raced successfully with his father George in numerous classes in their 36 Skater that has flown the CT Peppers and Lucas Oil colors.

On the water, the Stancombes thought they had finished third, which was good for a podium. Prior to the race, Dominic had mentioned that it would be cool if he could continue the family tradition and win in his first foray into the sport.

At the awards ceremony, when the thirdplace finisher for Class 7 was announced as Punisher, Mike briefly thought, “We were standing there at the awards ceremony and if those two lead boats broke out and we won this thing, my son is going to have the biggest head on the planet.”

Ella’s Nightmare took second place in Class 7. The boat’s name came from Dominic’s great grandmother Ella, whom Mike said would probably have preferred that Dominic not follow in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps.

Moving forward, Micheal and Dominic plan to race the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix in Sarasota, FL, on June 26 weekend and then the two Midwest races in Michigan City, IN, and St. Clair, MI. After that, Dominic needs to go back to high school.

“We knew this year would be just what we could do,” said Mike. Now that he knows Dominic enjoys the sport, Mike said he’s looking for a newer Class 7 boat that he can push harder in myriad conditions. Mike also races for Team Woody and took the victory in Class 5 with JJ Turk in Team Woody’s 30' Phantom.

The one experience that might have been surprise for Dominic was that the team picked up a check for $1,200 for finishing second. That’s not something competitors should expect in any class, but Offshore Powerboat Association officials hope that as more sponsors come on board, more money will be available to more classes.

Looking forward to Sarasota in late June, Dominic admitted he has some concerns because he’s heard the race can be rough. “I hope that it’s going to be a little bit calmer so I can get some practice in for driving,” he said. But regardless of the conditions, he’s relishing the experience. “It was exciting,” he said. It was fun to be with my dad and I’m doing it because I’m in the boat with someone I trust.”

Editor’s note: At press time, Dominic went on to win his class at the race in Sarasota, FL. Details in our next issue. Congratulations!

[Continued from page 8]

take the opposite route back through “the Channel” to find a spot to park and again spectate the frivolities. By this time, many of the other boats’ crew members have had more than their share of adult beverages, which makes for unparalleled entertainment. You can always pick out the newbies, as well as the seasoned pros.

Just prior to the sky getting dark, we’ll go find our “perfect spot” to anchor down in the Bay and watch the glorious fireworks overhead. As the darkness of the night is illuminated from the beautiful glow of the pyrotechnics, I’ll play my patriotic music, loud and proud, as the nearby boats turn down their party music to listen to soundtrack of the U.S.A.

It’s always an emotional moment as we remember the freedom and liberty that we sometimes take for granted. As Lee Greenwood put it so eloquently, “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.”

God bless the U.S.A.!

[Continues from page 29] In Bracket 4 Class, competitors ran 10 laps, limited to 85 mph. Cocoa Beach winners Dean Stahlman and Nate Hunt in Predator faced some fierce competition in Old School, featuring driver Matt Soper and throttleman Daniel Soper. Old School enjoyed a considerable lead throughout the race, unofficially finishing first, with Predator finishing second. During the race, Grant Greytok (driver) and Bill Reeves (throttles) of GNS Motorsports spun out, recovered, then had a fuel line come loose, pulled inside, fixed the problem, and resumed racing.

But in a twist, both Predator and Old School were ultimately ruled to have broken out, leaving an astonished Greytok and Reeves to learn they’d won the race when their names were called at the awards dinner. “It was a bit of a surprise to us, to be straight up honest with you—I was expecting a third-place finish,” Greytok told Speedboat. “Matt ran a flawless race in Old School, in my opinion. It just goes to show you that you’re not only racing the other boats out there— you’re racing the GPS too.”

In Bracket 5 Class, competitors ran eight laps limited to 75 mph. #509 Shoreline Plumbing, with driver Brent Appiarius and throttleman John Coen, attempted to repeat their Cocoa Beach victory, and appeared to finish in first place ahead of #527 Team Woody, #517 Bulletproof and #520 Reindl Powerboats after leading in all eight laps. However, Team Woody (featuring driver JJ Turk and throttleman Micheal Stancombe) took the win.

“Team Woody actually passed Shoreline in the last turn of the race,” Billy Shipley told Speedboat. “That was missed by TV and by the announcers. In any case, Shoreline’s GPS only recorded half of the race and data, so they were disqualified, which also sealed the deal for our Class 5 win.”

In a similar set of circumstances, Bracket 6 Class—limited to 70 mph—saw Deception leading for most of the race, but in the final lap, Rum Runners/NuWave Marine— which had been consistently in second place—overtook them and appeared to capture the win in the class. However, the Rum Runners team of Mike McColgan and Francis Vellutato were determined to have broken out during lap 5, pushing them back to seventh place and handing the win to Deception driver Jesse Schmig and throttleman Robert Bryant.

In Bracket 7 Class—featuring boats with a single outboard engine limited to 60 mph—it was Jackhammer (with driver Ray Maldonado and throttleman Julian Maldonado) claiming victory, while Ella’s Nightmare (with driver Dominic Stancombe and throttleman Micheal Stancombe) finished second. (See Page 31 for more on this team.) Several boats ran unopposed in their classes, including Factory Stock class (Marine Technology), Bracket 3 (Team Woody), Stock Vee (Relentless), Mod Vee (Boatfloater.com) and Vee Extreme (Knucklehead Racing).

Following the race, competitors met at Point Pleasant Beach, NJ (see Page 12 for those results) and Sarasota, FL; they will then head to Eastlake, OH, St. Clair, MI, and Michigan City, IN. Congratulations to all!

COVEBrett’s

JET SET