Two friends 2 boats...One has a 21 Skater with a 2.5 race Merc. and loves it...the other has a 21 Lib with a 2.5 Mariner...also a nice boat, and a pic.can be seen on the Jet forum,under Pic. of Hammer Downs Daytona. Never herd of any handeling problems with either,seen em both run hard, they looked nice and clean on the water. I think with more freeboard the Skater would be a happer choice in rough water.