Let me know Riche if you want a clean copy, Hugh

Richie:

As I recall we used trailer ball hitches for anvils back then and you could get more or less cup depending on which size ball you used. The bronze two blade Michigan "hubless" design was big for a while....until the propshafts broke.

T2x

I actually got pretty good at cupping props, The propshop in Fondulac gave me my own lead custom hammer, and you are right, we used everything from trailer balls to various size ball peen hammers. That was the era where if you were on your game you had to do all those things, from complete rigging to mechanic work, to driving both the boat and the rig. The good old days, when you actually had to finish a race irregardless of where or when you broke down, you needed the points, That`s why we carried the spare two blade props on the bulkhead etc. and always a tool box, I rode in the bilge many times repairing or rigging something to get us home during a race, also shoving towels, life jackets etc. into holes in the boat to save her and finish.
7XCHAMP

I had a co-driver (nice name for "designated victim":D ), Willie Schaefer, who actually attempted to change sparkplugs on two inline 6's on my JJ Glastron (we had a fouling problem during a marathon race), ........ while we were racing!!!!! All I heard was "Ouch...OOMPH,...DAMMIT...... UNH...." punctuated with crazy laughter as he lay in the bailing well and reached around behind the engines. Every now and then he'd scream out "Back off on the port motor", and he'd insert a plug... (The old plugs shot out on their own:D ).. Fortunately he gave up after actually getting a few plugs in.

T2x

T2rex, have you ever heard the expression, "Get the f**k outta here!"?

Brownie:

As usual...you can't make this stuff up...... :p

T2x

I remember the old JJ and J boats from the OPC days, I was with the factory team for two years, Late 1969 to early 1971, before I left and went to work for the old man at Aeromarine building Magoon and Bonomi boats.
That would be some feat to change plugs while running, the compression was 150 PSI in those days, I could see shutting one motor down and running on one while changing the plugs then vice versa. Motor running and changing plugs????????
I saw a lot of motors explode on the dyno, not pretty, That guy was some co-driver, plus getting the s*** knocked out of him from the thunderbolt ignition, about 120,000 volts, it will knock any good man down, especially if it`s wet, I know I have been knocked off a boat a couple times by it. Keep up the pictures and stories. You were there.
7XCHAMP

It was definitely pre Thunderbolt....1965, but he got shocked..A LOT. I might have shut an engine down for a few seconds to get each plug started, but I really don't remember doing that. On the other hand, you're right about the compression, so he definitely did something....... knowing Willy, he might have plugged a carb venturi.....:D

T2x

Ryan - My Brainfart! You are correct! That picture is printed backward.....I Think......I'm pretty sure......probably.....I'm absolutely certain that picture MIGHT be printed backward......Help me out here Richie. I think the "new" tower was on the left as you idled out of the "new" slip. -Steve

Dyslexia
 

How about this? I was getting dizzy looking at it the other way. Thought I was going crazy. Now the lake also takes on the proper proportions. By the way, I don't think the bridge was there when the "new" building and slip were first built. - Steve

Correctomundo: Good spotting, the tower is definitly on the left, at the end of the boat launch ramp, which was to the left going out.
Remember when we lived in the trailers over there, then later they moved them to behind the auto mechanic bldg. Remember the white haired auto mechanic ( Bud ) he was the maintenance man, used to take care of the old half track, remember jumping on the half track to go fight fires around the lake. I remember one time unloading a semi full of hay from wisconsin to be fed to the animals around the lake, also some mighty good tasting wisconsin steaks and fresh veggies, that clarence would cook up, remember he was always trying to get us to eat his mashed rutebeggers. Those were the days.
7XCHAMP

Now that you mention Bud, I think I do remember him. I think he always had a hat on. How about Charlie, the black guy that drove a tractor..I think he got into some trouble when he accidently ran a forklift into the bottom of the wing on the Goose. And then there was Rachel the maid. George..the huge retired Air Force Major that ran the parts room. Every time I see Robin Williams on TV, I think about Ed Luthie..midnight mechanic. You mentioned daytime cook Clarence Pennel...I went to his wedding reception at the J&A Bar in St Cloud. Do you remember Chuck Stowers? He was named head of Kiekhaefer Corp Security by Mr K at dinner I attanded in Sarasota. He had just worked as a private detective on a project which I will not talk about here. Prior to that, Chuck had been a Constable on Long Boat Key. When I was in High School, we would race past him late at night and make a run for the bridge to St Armands. As soon as we got on the bridge we were out of his jurisdiction. Yes indeed, the times AND the people were memorable. I even remember a skinny kid named Richie that came to the lake from Sarasota. :cool-smiley-011: -Steve

Anyone Remember This One
 

This 1973 30' Monza is on ebay now . It said it was raced, and held a speed recorad back in 73. It might be another good restoration project. Anyone know about this boat , and owner ???

Just saw that yesterday. I think it's in Socal, but I don't have a clue about it. She looks rough though!

Where at? I work in Tuckerton and it's such a LARGE town ;)

Last Friday I was out looking at waterfront homes in my neighborhood with [ygrowup] and we spotted the Active cat BLUE MAX. She was sitting on her old trailer minis the beaks they added on to make it legal to race in open class back in the day. The cat is a little rougher than the pictures show I believe there were only 3 Active 33' race cats made. I know the fate of [COUGAR - MOTOR CITY MAGIC ] I made here into a pleasure boat for Bob Kehrig, [Miss Gallo] ??? and now the Blue Max.

What size was the Baja Bandit? I remember when a friend of mine put the beaks on the blue max in his driveway, he work for Express back then.

Both Baja Bandits & the Motor City Magic were 33' with about 10-1/2' beam Image cat's later to become Express Marine. I saw her out running a few years ago with the beaks off, but not since then. The inboard Bandit had beaks put on and later raced in APBA Open Class.

Active-8-er
 

Nice looking boat!

A Ross Focht Design (Ocean Express).

H20, any stories on this one?



Check out their new web site, cool pics and stories....
www.oceanexpress.com

The black and white pic is Bud Drettman's Magnum race boat that he raced with Ross Focht. This Magnum I also believe was raced before as the [Wolverine] of Pete Smith. The other pic of [ACTIVE-8-ER]is one of the frist Active boats, and the beginning of Active, Image, and Ocean Express powerboats. The Vee Hulls won some race's, but the Cat's went on to win championships, and many wins in several classes.

1966 27' Magnum ???????
 

Saw this listed as a Magnum on boat trader for $5200.00, look's like a flat deck 28' Donzi Sportsman. Any history on this classic ????????

Yeah......what is that thing?

That is a 28' Cary. Probably twin inboard.

Here is a Frodé 32 designed, built and raced by Mikael Frodé in offshore 2 in 1987 and 1988. It has triple mercury 2,4 EFI and a 7 beam. He still has the boat.

pic for butch
 

My dad found this pic of your cat in new york thought it was cool,,,,,,,

Same pic is hangin in SanSucci bar on Harsens Island, very cool.

Billy, There was one hagg'in in Ross's office also.

Photo with Twin towers
 

Makes me feel good - so many have this photo and like it - my twin brother Peter took it - and I will tell him how it is appreciated. The building at the right - is the Woolworth building - built in the 1920s - the invention of Elevators made it one of the first tall buildings of that era - it was famous for a long time for being a "sky scraper"

PHIL
[email protected]

That was the day we flew under the Brooklyn Bridge.........

I think the statute of limitations is up on that one:D:D:D:p

T2x

Did we ever go over a bridge ?
 

I dont remember going over any bridge except the time I got the Michelob Light flipping under the Old Sky Way Bridge in St. Petersburg - think the bridge has been replaced now anyway.

It was always fun to hear you Squeal Riche - saying -" Oh, No - not again Frank - I told you to let me out before going under another one !" -

The most exciting bridge I have flown under was the bridge on Route 80 and where 81 meet - going under that in Fog to avoid Powerlines - oh well - just another grey hair !

Richie , can you remember (know you can) the time you and Peter argued about what color a bouy was in California - or the time George Linder said " they are going the wrong way, lets go back" and I said - we follow them where ever they go !

What fun - great people - even better people to work with - it was a Team effort - I had the easy job - just point and shoot - you had to talk - and that you did so well. Frank or Walt or Jim were the best Pilots bar none - they too get the credit -

What a team - Thanks to all of you !

Phillip !

Found this great pic of the 38' Scarab LET It ROLL the former Power Boat Magazine of Bob Nosdskog. Mike Huffman I believe still owns her and had her out in a few poker runs.

Ross Sent This Pic To Me A Couple Of Years Ago, Great Shot.this Race Was One Of Lou Coopers Last Races. Really A Great Guy To Have Known

got a new scanner.......... i have a ton of pics i just got from my friends dad

you should love this one mark and butch......

tt

THE LITTLE EXPRESS M-811, IS THE 24' CARRERA OF DAVE JONES

GET IN TOUCH WITH ME, I'VE GOT A TON OF PICS YOU CAN SCAN

nocig's Magnum when it originally was the Screaming Yellow Zonker, out testing before the 1974 Blue Lagoon race, on Lake St Clair.

I've got a boner guys............keep scanin' boys!!!

Check out were the trim is set in that shot !