The truck gets its imposing...
The truck gets its imposing stance from an 8-inch FabTech lift kit along with Daystar spacers and blocks for an extra 2 inches. Big, 22-inch Jesse James wheels and 40-inch-tall Toyo MT rubber are the perfect finishing touch.
Sometimes the best way to get the most fun from your first hobby is to add a second hobby that you enjoy just as much. A.J. Phillip Jr. is self-employed in the family construction business, so trucks are a big part of his everyday life, both for business and pleasure. His home in Waggaman, Louisiana, is not far from New Orleans, which means watersports also play a big role in his life, and he's been racing boats for the last decade. Wanting the best of both worlds, A.J. set out to create the perfect combination of luxury truck and high-performance boat.
Since the truck would be hauling some very precious cargo, safety when towing and stopping was one of the first concerns. When you're pulling something that weighs more than the vehicle you're towing it with, there's always a potential for problems. A.J. solved that by choosing SportChassis' Model P2, equipped from the factory with an amazing list of refinements, not the least of which was its ability to control a very heavy load. SportChassis begins the conversion with a fifth-wheel Freightliner chassis fitted with a Mercedes 12.8L turbodiesel that pumps out 450 hp at 1,900 rpm and makes a staggering 1,650 lb-ft of torque at only 1,100 rpm. Control is further enhanced thanks to the smooth-shifting, six-speed Allison 3200 TRV automatic transmission.
After safety and performance, good looks were next on the list and SportChassis had lots of options to choose from. Unique touches to the high-roof, aluminum crew cab include a custom hood, Strut grille, chrome bumper, visor, roof-mounted television antenna, and ground effects. A standard fullsize pickup bed is part of the package, and there's an optional tonneau cover for secure storage when the fifth-wheel is not in use. SportChassis truck interiors are characterized by plush leather seats that pamper passengers, along with a variety of electronic entertainment options. A.J.'s truck is equipped with a Pioneer AVIC-Z1 double-DIN in-dash system that incorporates a 7-inch touch screen controlling satellite navigation, satellite radio, iPod connection, and Bluetooth cell phone. DVD movies play on the front screen (when the truck is parked) and the 15-inch widescreen LCD monitor in the ceiling. For the ultimate in electronic convenience, you can even use the built-in 30GB hard drive to rip CDs to disc, creating your own mobile media library. Finally, the Inmotion Satellite system provides digital satellite television, adding an extra level of variety to the on-the-road entertainment package.
The SportChassis crew-cab...
The SportChassis crew-cab conversion includes lots of custom extras, like the fullsize pickup bed with optional tonneau cover, ground effects, Strut grille package, chrome bumper, visor, and a paintjob to match the catamaran in tow. Yes, we know those polished 22.5-inch Alcoa wheels are 12-lug units, but we liked this truck/trailer combination enough to make an exception.
The second half of the story begins with the fact that for the last 10 years, A.J. has been an active boat racer and uses his new Skater 40 Race/Pleasure Catamaran on poker runs to the Florida Keys; Odessa, Texas; Lake of the Ozarks; and Jacksonville, Florida, as well as several local area runs. The high-performance cat is fitted with a pair of Precision Marine 572 Chevrolet crate motors, which were marinized and now run Whipple Quad Rotor EFI superchargers. The engines are conservatively rated at 1,130 hp each, but could produce considerably more with some pulley changes and racing fuel. Transmitting the power to the water is a pair of #6 Mercury drives with 38-pitch, five-blade props. The 40' 7" Skater hull features a cut-down profile with the enhanced aerodynamics helping the boat achieve its 160-mph-plus top speed. At 100 miles an hour and riding on a cushion of air, the Race/Pleasure catamaran hull is as comfortable as a stretch limo. A.J. transports the boat to water using a triple-axle Micco trailer custom designed to carefully cradle the cat. Dean Rousch from Auto Design accomplished the paintjob on the boat, and thinking ahead, A.J. had the Freightliner wrapped to match the paintjob. If A.J. sells the boat, the truck can be easily re-wrapped to match the new one. Looking at this beautiful combination and the title of this article, we'd say A.J. has certainly achieved his goals!
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 Passengers ride in the lap...  Passengers ride in the lap of luxury, pampered in rich, natural leather seats and entertained by an elaborate audiovisual system that includes DVDs on twin screens and satellite radio. There's even satellite TV, thanks to the roof-mounted antenna. |  |  |
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 "Fast," "Luxurious," and "Sparing...  "Fast," "Luxurious," and "Sparing no expense" are words that describe the 40-foot Skater cat. Fitted with seats for five and a pair of a 572 crate motors producing more than 2,200 hp, the boat can reach cruising speeds in excess of 160 mph. To emphasize its elegant lines, the boat was built with no-rub rails and requires a little extra care when parking-along with lots of protective rubber bumpers-but the clean lines are worth it. |  |  |
 |  |  Pulling a large trailer can...  Pulling a large trailer can be challenging, so it makes sense to go with the best-especially when the cargo could be worth more than the tow vehicle. The Freightliner chassis and SportChassis conversion blends big rig power with the control necessary to tow the 40-foot cat safely. Matching paint schemes make the combination a head-turner as it travels down the highway. |
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