Who's running Apache?
 

Last week in passing I heard from people within the marine industry that Steve Wilson is now running Apache. If that's so, what are his credentials? I heard that he made Active Thunder Powerboats what they are today, but I know no more. I heard Eric Froberg left right after the new owner came on board. I wonder why? What happened to Bob Saccenti? I see from the OSO board that personnel are changing on a daily basis. Can any body fill me in please? If I go to buy a new Apache, who's going to build it? What kind of quality am I going to get?

Also, I see on www.apacheusa.com that Apache has issued a manufacturers challenge, posted by ApacheKid on 8/15/03. I didn't know they had their new 41' finished and ready to race. Does anyone have any performance reports? Or, do they plan on racing an old boat that Bob and Ben built? That would kind of defeat the purpose of this challenge, wouldn't it? We all know about the old stuff, prove the new.
:fish:

good question.

I will subscribe to this thread.

hmmm....just looked at the web site for the 3rd or fourth time since they started this whole thing and now i see that the 36' is retired?!? :confused: how can one retire the only boat they make at this time???? for that matter....didnt they only make one 36'er under this new company? dont make sense to me

WHAT 41 APACHE WILL THEY RACE? A BORROWED ONE THAT WAS BUILT BACK IN THE DAY?

The 36 is retired ????? WTF ????

I just checked the site and the 36 says "Current"???

Straight off the apache website:


"The 36 has been retired.
When the 41 is completed, we will start development
of a brand new 37 to replace the 36 and it will follow
the same styling as the new 41...should be complete
by Summer 2004!"

Hmmmm.....

Re: Who's running Apache?
 

I don't think it would be fair to say that Steve Wilson made Active Thunder what it is today. I think it would be more fair to say that he actually held AT back by his antics.

Check out the website.Didnt anyone notice they will build you a 38;) Forget any and all oso rumors.Just pick up the phone and ask for Bobby at Apache.:cool:

FROM WHAT MOLDS?....BOBBY MAY BE THERE AND THEY MAY HAVE A NICE SHIRT BIT THEY AIN'T PRODUCING ANY NEW BOATS..

Maybe the 36' is "currently retired," sort of like Barry Sanders. You kind of think that he could come back, even though he's currently retired.

:rolleyes: Here we go again.

For the 38......are they stretching the 36 molds ?
i loved them 36s !!!! tied up to RHC last fall what a boat !! Heluva nice guy also

as i recall the 36 is actually a short 41. I swear i heard that somewhere.

"Building an Apache is something special, it's a little bit old school meets new school, creating the best damn boat possible. It's not the lightest boat on the market, and we don't deceive our customers with incredible smooth water speeds. Consistanly, our 83 MPH Apache will clobber any of these so-called 88 MPH wannabes AND OUR BOATS DON'T NEED REPAIRS AFTER A ROUGH SUMMER! The trick to our build process is Bobby's experience combined with the expertise of Steve Koss and his advanced formulated approach of true engineering to creating a rock-solid performer...with a *LIFETIME WARRANTY!"

The pictures of the new 41 molds look interesting and I hope that they find tremendous success. The only thing I find interesting about this whole thing is that last week we learned that Steve 1 (aka Steve Koss) and Apache aren't on the same page. Yet, Apache continues to tout his expertise and build processes as one of the bedrocks upon which Apache can guarantee quality as can be read in the quote above, which was taken from Apache's website.

Now, that's interesting.

Website needs updated.Changes have been made at Apache.Just call and ask for Bobby ;)

Well, that answers that. Just seemed confusing to me since I'm not involved and am not privy to the happenings there.

Gentlemen Puleez
 

I didnt want this to be a pizzin contest. Just askin a few simple questions. buckk:fish:

From what I know, Steve 1 has left the building...;)
If the manufacturer doesn't agree with the laminator in how to layup a boat, well then the party is over. Time to move on.
I know if it were me and the lamination was going to have my name associated with the boat, it better be up to specs, otherwise leave my name out of it. I wish them both luck, but if Steve is not there doing the laminating, his name should be left out of any promotion of the hull.
Time will tell what the new Apache is made of.
If it lasts like the originals, the new ones will sell themselves.....;)

Deer skin, eagle feathers and sap worked pretty good in "the old old old days", and environmentally friendly too! :D :D :D

Hey Troutly, Pat would love to hear that, but he's too busy building boats...:)

thx eddie
 

I realize Bobby is at Apache, but in what capacity? He's the icon!:fish:

Edward, that was not an answer.

And I was curious as to why you have become the newest member with a different member number and this thread is your first post. What happened to when you were Eddie back on the Apache forum?

I love a good mystery.

With the exception of Steve1???:confused:

Are these original "Laminators" stepping up to today's technologies or relying on how the boats were built originally?:confused:
It's just a question... I'm not looking to stir the hot pot...;)

Re: thx eddie
 

Does Mr. 2.3 million let him take time off to talk on the phone to OSO people?:D :D

HOW MANY BOATS WERE REALLY BUILT BY THOSE SAME LAMINATORS AND RIGGERS, AND WHERES PEDRO MEDINA AT?

Man its hot in here.:hothead: :hothead: :hothead:

Ta Da! Way to go Bobby!

well put Bob. :D

As friends of both Bobby and Thad, kathy and I personally wish both of them the best of luck. Glad to hear the '41 project is coming along and look forward to seeing the finished product.
With Bobby, Thad and Eddie, we are for certain in great hands, you can bank on that.
Way to go guys!

Little Tommy and Kathy

rap on dude you said it all !!!!!

When spending those kind of dollars, it doesn't hurt to have a survey done. In fact, some banks or insurance companies may require one.
The big thing to have checked would be the BARCOL Hardness of the fiberglass. This meter will not lie.
This will tell you if the boat has fully cured. That will happen if proper ratios of the resin and catylists are used.
So for those in doubt that the new boats aren't up to par, have it checked. The answers you get will be proof enough on how good of a boat they are building...

I hope to see the new Apache 41 soon! Maybe one will be in NY for the Hudson River Poker Run to join the King of the Vee Bottoms Competition? :confused:
That's 10 months away...would that be asking too much? ;) :D

Bob is one of the few guys to last this long in a brutal business that sees so many give up. "Do what you know best" is something an old yacht builder told me many years ago. Heres the proof!

Bobby, all department heads must wear many hats?Sorry to correct you but its called a head dress:p Go get um Bobby!

Good to see a response from the factory. But what was the answer to the question? The fact is: there wasn't an answer. I believe the original question was: is Steve Wilson running Apache? Bob did not say he was running the show. Somebody must be, right?

fool
 

One person can not do it alone. All department heads must wear many hats including myself. The new 41' Apache plug arrived and we are starting the molding process in a few day. I will try to post some pictures in a day or two for the board to have a sneak peak. Yes I will be in the glass shop working with the crew.


That answers my question ; straight from the hip as always Bob.

Call me simple. What question did that answer? You asked nine different questions and that statement answered none of them. But since you seem satisifed with that, I will leave it alone.

What happened to Eddie though? It as if he never existed.

I flew to Florida yesterday and saw Bobby @ his new shop.
I must say I was impressed with the facility.

I can't wait to see some boats coming out of there. I'm sure it will be very soon.

It appeared to me that Bobby was & always will be in charge.

He is lucky to have a partner who stepped up to the plate with money.

When Ben & bobby were together they had an abundance of cash, and we all know how the boats were built back then.

It shouldn't be much different now Cash is Cash, and Bobby is still Bobby. (we all know Ben wasn't building the boats!!)

As for the discontinuance of the 36, I believe that it should not be retired until the new 37/38 molds are completed. Not everyone is going to be able to afford a new 41. And as we all know to build the right mold takes time.

I wish them the best of luck.

PS I have no affiliation with Apache at all.

Fred