Recent Articles/News
Speed on the Water article
Written by Matt Trulio
Without question, the nomenclature surrounding the Spectre line of catamarans, which was originally created by Florida-based Jay Pilini, has been confusing at times during the years. But given that Screaming Eagle Boats of Bellefontaine, Ohio, owns the Pilini-designed tooling for the Spectre 30-, 32- and 36-foot catamarans—the tooling was purchased from its former owner Chris Ivey—company principal Todd Lamb has decided that a name change is in order. “We have had some confusion in the past with potential customers inquiring about Spectre Powerboats and being confused with the Screaming Eagle Boats name,” Lamb said. “So after discussing a lot of pros and cons in a meeting this past week, the decision was made to drop the Screaming Eagle Boats name and just keep the Spectre Powerboats name solely.
“So from here on forward we will be known as ‘Spectre’ and ‘Spectre Powerboats,’ ” he added. “Hopefully we should have the first one out of the paint shop soon and back down here getting rigged.”
Still in the sport catamaran manufacturing business, Pilini’s current company is called Pilini Marine Technologies.
“Although Jay Pilini is the originator of Spectre Powerboats, he sold that company in 2006 and is no longer affiliated with the construction of any Spectre cat after that date,” the Pilini website states.
SEB takes a bigger leap into the CAT boat market with Todd and Karen Lamb purchasing the remaining molds and company name of Spectre Powerboats. Last summer, Screaming Eagle Boats purchased the 30’ and 36’ original Spectre boat molds. At that time the 32’ molds and the Spectre company name was not for sale. Todd told the owner of Spectre, if he ever wanted to sell, to put him first on the list. It just so happened, that the first of this year Todd received that call from the owner of Spectre. Even though this was happening a lot quicker than expected, SEB knew it was a now or never opportunity. After a month and a half of sleepless nights, SEB officially closed the deal Friday, February 16th, 2018. The SEB crew is very excited to have the complete Spectre line up along with Talon and American Offshore Powerboats under one roof. There are great things to come with this company, and great quality boats to back it!
"Screaming Eagle Boats, Talon 22 - The Talon 22 is without a doubt one of the most stunning designs of any boat from any time. I remember seeing one in a magazine as a kid and it literally looked like a spaceship compared to other boats. With a wide stance and swept back fairing, the small Talon looks like it was designed in a wind tunnel by an F1 racing team. But, it was actually designed and originally built by Gary Armington, who previously built a 21 that was unique but not the caliber the 22 is. Not long ago the molds exchanged hands and are now being built by Screaming Eagle Boats. The owner Todd Lamb, has posted some awesome builds recently and it looks like they are doing a great job. You can get a brand new one from them and when rigged with a 300 XS will eclipse 100 MPH no problem. Still one of the nicest looking small tunnels around, they are a center pod design that can handle big power and is a really stable boat that is near impossible to beat. The hull is exactly 22’ with an 8’ beam and weighs about 1,150 Lbs."