Cool, I remember them bringing White Heat to Key West one year with for sale signs on it.

I had never seen it as Hawk until I was watching an old video a few weeks ago and it was on there. I take it that it never race much as hawk......

A few years ago, the Linder designed Checkmate cat molds came up for sale on Ebay. From what I've read, only a few boats were ever produced from the molds as Checkmate bowed away from producing the cats. There's been interest in the past on Checkmate-boats.com regarding what happened to the Checkmate cat...anyone know where the molds are??

Where did it go ? Did it sell ?

It never raced much...period. The owner had been racing a Sport Class Cigarette of the same name at about 75 mph. After his first ride in the Conquest, at about 110 with more throttle left to go, I think his "enthusiasm" tapered off...... . Remember this was a time when 100 mph was breathtaking speed and very few racers had been anywhere near triple digits. In any event the boat only made 3 or 4 races in its entire career as White Heat, Hawk, and Coors Silver or somesuch.

By the way, it was the very first Conquest.

There was a cat 'Jesse James' in NZ in the 80's that looked exactly like the one on the Mercruiser wall poster that everyone had up in their shops.
Was this the boat that went ot Japan?

No, The Jesse Jame in NZ is the 30' Chris Cat.

Here you go...................


TEAM PROFILE

Jesse James
Racing Class National Open Racing Number Retired
Association New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Association

Site Sponsor
Boat Owner Wayne & Grant Valder Contact Details
Driver Wayne Valder Contact Details
Co-driver Grant Valder Contact Details

Profile / Status Named after a legendary American outlaw, the veteran offshore powerboat Jesse James is taking time out from the New Zealand racing scene.

The 30ft (9m) racer is more than 23 years old and has been put in mothballs by current owners Wayne and Grant Valder.

Built by Chris Craft in the United States for brothers Mark and Chris Lavin the boat was the result of more than $100,000 in research and development by Chris Craft and Mercury Marine.

Well-heeled property developers from Wilton Connecticut the Lavins loved all things associated with the old American "Wild West" including the "Outlaws" of this era. Mark was passionate about the 'mystique' of the outlaws and hence the name for the boat evolved.
Unfortunately Mark was killed in an accident while racing the 'Conquest Jesse James 2'

The catamaran is built of GRP over a balsa wood core. The original power plants were two Chevrolet 350 cu in V8s through Mercruiser No.4 stern drives. Launched in 1983 she won the American Offshore series in 1984 and 85, setting a world record of 101.3 mph along the way.

The Lavin's chose the name to honour Missouri state's most infamous citizen, born there in September 1847 and shot dead for the $10,000 reward money put on his head on April 3, 1882. The shooters were a pair of brothers Jesse James had recruited to help him rob yet another bank.

Ross Tebbs bought the total Jesse James rig, boat, trailer and tow vehicle. His aim was to contest the Class 2 World Offshore Powerboat Championships being raced here in 1985, which it won with ease.

Tebbs re-powered Jesse James in 1989, installing two Buick 372 cu.in. aluminium block motors giving 650hp each. He also lightened the boat and fitted Harvard Engine Intakes.

Mothballed for 7 years - along came Aucklanders Wayne and Grant Valder. They didn't want to re-name her and were keen to keep the truck, trailer and boat in the original livery created for the Lavins.

That was in June 2003. Since then the Valders retained the Buick motors but undertook what they call a "major freshening up exercise" to prepare Jesse James for the 2004 series.

Chief mechanic Mark Ross has been making subtle improvements since 2004 and has resolved a number of niggling problems, which gave Jesse James a Second overall placing (after a failed protest result) in the 2005 championship.

Jesse James was given a major restyle for 2006, "The addition of a centre cockpit and moveable engine mounts to the boat plus a new tow vehicle" put the rig up front with the best like "Sleepyhead" and "Placemakers".

JESSE JAMES Achievements include:
1984 & 1985 - USA National Champion
1984 - World Speed Record holder 101.3 Mph
1985 - World Champion in Class 2
1988 & 1991 - NZ Champion
2005 - NZ Champion National Open Class

Jesse James is currently retired from further racing.

The Valders first experienced the thrill of fast powerboating watching their uncle Stan Ash competing in a series of quick boats through the 1970s and early 80s such as 'Super crysol'.
The brothers first raced offshore in the mid-80s, Wayne in the national A class and Grant in Class B.

Many thanks T2
I wish I still had the poster

Jesse James with the Valder brothers.





Crash-Box

Just bringing this fantastic thread back to the top. A few questions for those in the know.
Concerning the Cougars, with their aluminum and riveted construction, how have they held up over the years of offshore abuse?
Also, I see that Endangered Species,38' is for sale in the classifieds , for what appears to be a very reasonable price. How is the overall ride of these Cats? BTW, what a great piece of history.




Darrell.