Here's boat #3 in '76
 

"Second Choice" owned by Larry Pitts. His grandson is a guy by the name of Mike Perrette who was the number 2 guy at banana boat at that time.

Also in the background at the factory are #'s 2,5,6 & 7...

Re: Here's boat #3 in '76
 

Good stuff Charlie..love the history photos.Hull looks nice with no port windows or docking lights. What kind of speed were they getting way back then with outboards?

Re: Here's boat #3 in '76
 

...and a few more. That Camaro backing up is dad's "Bill Mitchell" camaro - Don Aronow and Bob Magoon had one too...

Re: Here's boat #3 in '76
 

Thanks! I have a great deal of good history stuff even earlier than these...plan to scan and post more over the winter.

I couldn't agree with you more on the smooth lines of the hull - I really like that clean look. I'd really like to change the cleats on my own boat to the pop-up style for an even sleeker look.

As far as the speeds and setups back then - I'll have to let dad answer that one...

The second pic is a "birds eye view" of the original 24' Top Banana...boat #1.

Re: Here's boat #3 in '76
 

boy id love to find one of those early hulls to see what it looks like now..you have your work cutout for you heatbuzz!! the blue one with the full windshied and the I/O is cool. I like those old school drive/tab indicators on the Top Banana. Two compasses and a chart taped to the dash..the good old days.

Re: Here's boat #3 in '76
 

Those are some great pics. I can't wait to see the rest of your stuff. I really dig the pics of the yellow and white one. We were thinking of doing a reverse Top Banana color scheme on ours. And now I get to see what it looks like before we do it. Also Charlie (Jr. or Sr.) did you ever find the info on the OE trailers in case I decide to get a new one instead of rehabing an old one? Thanks, Adam

Re: Here's boat #3 in '76
 

Funny you should say that Adam...the yellow one is boat #2 which was the 1st production boat. Here's a few more...

PS - sorry about forgetting to post the trailer info. I'll get you that model # asap.

Re: Here's boat #3 in '76
 

Where and when are you guys going to start growing new Bananas?

Re: Here's boat #3 in '76
 

...and here's 3 more of the first official test day. That's me and dad on the dock...

Note how different the banana boat is as compared to your "average" New England boats of the time in the background.

Who cares about the boat, how do I get a hold of a Pink fluffly jacket like your Dad is wearing??? :D :D :D