Bahama's 500

[seeroy]

Jim - Glad to hear news on Phil. Bill ran several different boats in Offshore. I will list what I remember:
Formula 23, 3 or 4 Outboards, Miami-Nassau 1966?, Co-driver?,
T-Craft 21'?, 2 Outboards, Gateway Marathon? 196?, Chet Strickland
Old Yellar, 28' Donzi?, 2x427 sterndrives, 1st Bahama 500(and other races, Gateway?), Ed Leslie
Sternwinder, 31' Bertram, 2x427 sterndrives, 2nd Bahama 500, Mike Ramsey?, Also Around Long Island 1968, Fred Kiekhaefer
Formula 28', 3 Outboards in Europe, Co-driver?
There were others that I can’t remember
And of Course he Throttled very successfully for several guys..I will look through “Searace” this evening and maybe I can ferret out better answer.
Charlie - I found this picture at HORBA 1966 Miami-Nassau and I am wondering if this is Bill? I never saw the Formula 23 that I referenced above. -Steve

[seeroy]

Another picture of same boat from HORBA. Based on outer engine spacing and cowlings, I think there are 4 engines, and it looks like a Formula 23, which further leads me to believe that this is Bill -Steve

[gofish 7070]

Do a reasonable amount of offshore fishing everytime we go out with many trips to the Bahamas,,,,,,,,,,, and fishing off 38 Rampage with 1150 HP diesels with Air Conditioned Helm,,,,,,,,,, am shocked and amazed at reflecting back and seeing some of the photos,of 23 Seacrafts,cut-down Formulas,stuff like Bill Coopers, Spooky,,,,,, if I remember right in Odells 33 Maritime,all Mel Riggs had to hang on to was a welded together extra old steering whell,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, very little padded bolster,, Realize that was 40 years ago,,,,,, but the water was just as rough than as it is today,,,,,,,,,,,,,, A bunch of tough old birds for sure !!!!!!!!!!!! Respectfully GO Fish

[Donzi38ZR]

Originally Posted by seeroy

E. C. Kiekhaefer, "EC" to some, "Carl" to some, "Mr K" to some, "Mr Kiekhaefer" to some (Me), "The Old Man" to most (When he wasn't in earshot) -Steve

Here's a few of Mr K and Knocky I'v recently come across.... pretty positive these are never before seen....

Now which one of you guys is holding out on old Donzi photo's?

[BUIZILLA]

I think that second photo is in Indian Creek, just south of the Broad Causeway headed south towards the golf course ??

[Top Banana]

Originally Posted by seeroy

Another picture of same boat from HORBA. Based on outer engine spacing and cowlings, I think there are 4 engines, and it looks like a Formula 23, which further leads me to believe that this is Bill -Steve

Steve I think you may right with that 233 Formula.

[seeroy]

Donzi38ZR - I don't know why the pics of Knocky and Mr K hit me the way they did, but the first one absolutely floored me. Mr K leaning against the car that way told me he was perfectly relaxed and at ease talking with Knocky. And, of course, Knocky's stance was as you would always see. I only spent time around Knocky for a couple of months, but he always put me at ease. Does anyone know if Knocky is still with us? Respectfully - Steve Sirois

[MikeyFIN]

Originally Posted by Mark75H

409 Daytonas ... cool!

Most people don't know that Daytona offered turbocharged marine conversions with water cooled exhaust turbine housings, intercoolers and boost pressure regulation waaaaay before anyone like Gale Banks.

Those 409 Chevys could have been 400 or 425 hp @4,000 which was really big horsepower in those days

Like the ones on Surfury?
Daytona 427 Scarabs?

[Top Banana]

Originally Posted by seeroy

Donzi38ZR - I don't know why the pics of Knocky and Mr K hit me the way they did, but the first one absolutely floored me. Mr K leaning against the car that way told me he was perfectly relaxed and at ease talking with Knocky. And, of course, Knocky's stance was as you would always see. I only spent time around Knocky for a couple of months, but he always put me at ease. Does anyone know if Knocky is still with us? Respectfully - Steve Sirois

Steve ....Knocky is gone. He was always great with me too. He helped me a great deal when I was learning the black art of props and how to trim a boat correctly.

He was a guy that even Aronow respected very much and was careful around. They made a great pair.

Knocky was one tough guy no matter what the circumstances. Not many know he was an Olympic wrestler for the United States.

[cougarman]

Originally Posted by MikeyFIN

Like the ones on Surfury?
Daytona 427 Scarabs?

Wow.........What year is this from ?

Thanks for all the continued history....Great Stuff !!

Jon