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.