Waves and Wheels to Unveil 46 Skater Design at Lake of the Ozarks Shootout on the Strip

Since the 27th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout is just a month away, and being that the event’s street party, which is returning to the Bagnell Dam Strip this year, is set to take place four weeks from today, we figured that would be a good place to kick off our 2015 Countdown to the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout series that will run until the Wednesday we arrrive in Central Missouri and start covering the event on site. This 1997 46-foot Skater is the next project boat for the Waves and Wheels crew in Osage Beach, Mo. Photos courtesy Justin Wagner It helps that there is some news going on with the event that is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. A few weeks ago, we reported that Waves and Wheels was sponsoring the “100,000-Watt Shootout on the Strip” and was expecting to have at least 10 boats with over-the-top entertainment systems installed by the Osage Beach, Mo., company. Not to downplay any of the amazing hardware and chest-thumping equipment that is sure to be on display, but we’re looking forward to an announcement Justin Wagner, the owner of Waves and Wheels, has in store for the crowd on hand. You see, a few months back Wagner picked up a 1997 46-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran that he is going to restore as the next Waves and Wheels project boat (read the story), and he plans to unveil the design concept at 7:30 p.m. Wagner and company haven’t done a whole lot to the 46-footer that was raced by Reggie Fountain as the Fountain/Mercury 76 boat in the late ‘90s. So far, the cat’s engines and most everything in the cockpit and engine compartments have been stripped, and the break down is pretty much complete (see slideshow below). Wagner said he’s completed much of the interior design work and is still working on exterior design concepts. He’s planning to start the project in the fall with the goal of having the boat finished in time for the summer boating season. Check out some more shots from Waves and Wheels of the stripped-down 46-foot catamaran in the slideshow above. Of course, you'll notice in the banner above that Waves and Wheels is one of four companies sponsoring our coverage of the Shootout this year. The other companies, MTI, Poly-Lift Boat Lifts and Sunsation Boats will be part of stories leading up to the event, as will many other companies and teams. The companies would get the coverage regardless of the sponsorship—it’s their sponsorship that helps pay for our time and costs to cover the Shootout, and it is appreciated. Related stories 2015 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Coverage Ready to Party? Waves and Wheels Sponsors Shootout on the Strip Ironman Hustler Chapter Closes, Skater 46 One Begins at Waves and Wheels

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