So if they run the Baja 500 on the Indy 500 course next year and I won, I'd likely also hold the all-time top speed average for the race?

First of all, since I've owned 3 of them, I'd hardly call myself an Apache basher.

Mark is a nice guy and a very competent boatbuilder but again, we all know the story behind how he ended up owning the name. I don't recall ever seeing him in the cockpit or ever mentioned anywhere in any article, interview or elsewhere. And, to his credit, I don't believe he's ever claimed otherwise. Sure the silver boat is very nice and it does share a lineage with Apache. Bobby is substantially closer to the direct lineage of Apache but what he's doing isn't what Apache did in the early 80's. How many Chiefs are there now? One? Two? And steps? I understand he needs to earn a living and lots of people want steps but it's pretty contrary to the original spirit of Apache.

You miss the point of my post- what was Apache happened once and that era passed. They were a one-of-a-kind in an exciting era of offshore powerboating and they built a boat that was a quantum leap forward. They out-performed and out-classed everything ever made. They also struck on the magic combination of design, dimension,mass and construction that made the Apache the best, most durable rough-water boat ever built. There wasn't anything like them back then- there was only one "best" and it was Apache. I could name at least 6 or 7 builders today that could be argued to build the best boat. And, they're building them in some sort of regularity.

If Ben & Bobby & the rest of the Apache crew were 25 years younger and built the boats today, they'd be hard-pressed to make a ripple.

Thanks...That "Red Dragon" Spectre is amazing.

Man this thread is sorta heading down hill.. Sooo

Yup, it was a joke, comradery, ribbing, having fun!

We all buy boats for different reasons but that doesn't make everyone else wrong. I hate narrow minded individuals.

This 2006 Saber was built from the original Apache mold without steps. This might be considered pretty close to the original Apache's except it ran 108 with 1075 Merc's. The Chief is a nice boat but other than Bobby driving it around what does it have to do with Apache? It's not an Apache hull, it wasn't built by anyone connected to Apache, now or then, it has steps and it's 42 feet long. Does an Outerlimits become a Hustler cause Paul Fiore drives one around?
NK

Nope but the OL and Hustler are distant relatives of the Magnum!

I think 108 with 1075's is quite impressive for a non-step boat with old school technology! Does the boat have a cabin?

[QUOTE=Chris Sunkin]You miss the point of my post- what was Apache happened once and that era passed. They were a one-of-a-kind in an exciting era of offshore powerboating and they built a boat that was a quantum leap forward. They out-performed and out-classed everything ever made. They also struck on the magic combination of design, dimension,mass and construction that made the Apache the best, most durable rough-water boat ever built. There wasn't anything like them back then- there was only one "best" and it was Apache./QUOTE]

Not to start an arguement but,,,,,,,,,,, stating that this was a one-of-a-kind, quantum leap, outclassing everything else boat is a bit of a stretch.

Now, as I agreed above, Apaches were cool and impressive. But, remember where the hull came from in the first place. It came from across the road at Cig. The Apache hull was by no means "revolutionary". Built tough? Yup. Rigged tough? Yup. Driven hard? Yup. Original and groundbreaking? Nope.

No you are correct .. however noone is so closely connected with the history of the brand ..Did the rightful heir to the Apache name end up with it after all the legal bs .. IMHO NO!
Bob and Ben are the ones that brought the name to the forefront all those years ago..
Saber, McManus, Chief all build very nice boats

Just out of curiosity why did'nt Bob try to take control of Benny's side of Apache when he "went away "