http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJJeM...eature=related

Had to have a boat after that...

When i was 14 i rode in a 1974 checkmate jet with a 455 olds at 17 i purchased a brand new Taylor SS with a 460 Ford had a boat eversince still miss the jet boats.

Growing up on the Bayou I had been on and owned plenty of boats all CC or bow riders.

What got me hooked was riding with Crazy Charlie(may he RIP) on his 35 Cig for my first TF200. Had the best time and after that I was done. I had to have one.

Infact it's funny this came up. My friend called and sent me a pic of the Blood River Landing Cig to rub it in my face that I can't go this year.:angry-smiley-038:

10 footer I paid $5.00 for & the pin lock oars cost $7.00 new.

That was in 1957.
Shark River, Belmar N.J. was my home port

Used to go to offshore races in Detroit as a kid. First boat was a 12' aluminum with a 9 horse. Then on to...

19' Chapparal at 18
21' Checkmate at 21
25' Sunsation at 24
33' Powerplay at 31

Next one, either a 37 AT or 38 T/G. But I'm really thinking about 35 Motion.

my father had an old wodded Luhr's in the late 60's. being brought up in Point Pleasant NJ which was the home of the Benihana Offshore Grand Prix i was destined to get involved. neighbor had a nova 2 and my first boat was an 18ft invader bow rider w an evinrude OB, then Checkmate starflight w a high hat merc

The good old days! Still miss that show.


My start was during the pre-teen years in a little 14' Glastron with a 45 hp Chrysler OB. Finally convinced my father to let me take the windshield off and run a vynil racing stripe down the deck, it was way cool.;)

The Glastron was followed by my first all mine boat, a 13' Checkmate MX with a Merc 50 XS short shaft. He wouldn't buy it but loaned me the money and let me make payments to the Bank of Dad. Washed a lot of cars for that little hot rod, been a slipery slope ever since.

72 Sleekcraft Rebel. 455 Mondello Oldsmobile Jacuzzi jet, jet o vetor, basset headers. That boat would beat the crap out of me. Landed so hard after hitting a roller off a wakeboard boat it broke the fuel pump off the side of the block! Had a lot of fun on that boat. Closed bow and had many girls on the front at the narrows covered in whipped cream!

When was 8, neighbor had a blue speckled sidewinder maybe with big Merc outboard. It use to scare the crap out of me as my eyes were always teared up , but I always went back asking for another ride. Thank you Mr McGlaughlin.

It was 1995 at the in water boat show in Racine WI. I was looking for my first twin powered boat and was interested in a 30 Sonic with twin 350 mags, Loved the reverse arch at the time. I then came upon the 38 Scarab. I thought game over, can I swing this at 140k..wanted it bad....Fountain was there with a few models, allready had one, too small...but when I saw this guy talking about this boat.. Mike Fiore.. and his 37 OL..I was in love.. What a beautiful boat..and it was around 165k, if memory serves me correct...Nothing else was close... I couldnt quite swing it at the time...and ended up settling for a 34 Vyper which I had for almost 4 years. Then traded that for a single step 2000 38 Top Gun, terrible boat and support. Traded that back to the dealer for a 42 Sonic, very nice boat and ride. Got the itch that I needed more speed, and went with a 03 37 AT,..Radio Active.. another excellent choice...and then moved up to my favorite.. 3 43 NorTechs..04, 07, and my favorite 08...Awesome boat and excellent customer service. I made many friends along the way, and today are still close with Pat at AT and Terry at Nortech. Jeff