Offshoreonly.com

Offshoreonly.com (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/)
-   General Boating Discussion (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion-51/)
-   -   Boats with a Soul (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion/386907-boats-soul.html)

boattrubador 11-15-2025 08:28 AM

Boats with a Soul
 
New to Powerboats but I'm 66 and at 18 my first Boat was a Checkmate so Blue you could see it in the dark. I guess it was about 19 ft and had the 470 Mercruiser..

That's a 170 horse 4 cylinder with a 429/460 head on it. 27 boats since with 2 vdrive Kurtis Kraft 500s. Unblown gas National Record Holder.

Professional Builder Tuner. It's almost like a spell but I keep going back to the white 47 GTX nobody really wants, but honestly boats break down cause of your Techs, not the boat. The fuel system is way too small and it needs injection not carbs with Fuel Tech systems and on and on

Point is the 47 gtx seem so mysterious to me with the lines and the story of Mike. It reminds me of the 70 Mach 1s I've been around and the 67 Shelby Gt350 with a Cleveland Swap I drove for years. It wasn't just the look, it was 1.5 turns lock to lock and the handling and looks of the roll bar that gave it soul. My Father was a Ford Dealer in 71 and he ordered every odd Muscle Car he could get in.

Tell me I'm nuts for giving boats soul status and really digging the history because boats don't fit that soul except to some a 18 or 22 Donzi that I know of. I've had enough puddle jumpers in my life. I'm just so digging the 47GTX it seems odd.

My skin is thick and I know where I stand in performance and driving and am not seeking anybody's approval at a boat dock. Just my souls, so hit me.

Craney 11-15-2025 09:00 AM

When you say soul status it makes me think of 41 or 47 Apache or some Cigarettes but that’s just me.

speicher lane 11-15-2025 02:04 PM

Apache

Markus 11-16-2025 02:14 AM

Apache mythology
 
Very fitting. Apaches believe that everything has a spirit or soul

https://www.folklore.earth/culture/apache/

There were definitely evil spirits in the Mercury 2.5 liter ignition systems.

SecondWind 11-16-2025 04:12 AM

I’m going Skater and Outerlimits!!! Both brands seem to push boundaries to another dimension.

speicher lane 11-16-2025 07:30 AM


Originally Posted by SecondWind (Post 4938591)
I’m going Skater and Outerlimits!!! Both brands seem to push boundaries to another dimension.

That could be definitely said about the Mystic C5000 hulls...

Few boats other than the Apache 41 and 47 that are 30-40+ years old are automatically are recognized upon sight and still are lauded for their performance and wave crushing capacity to this day

For their time, the Bertam boats had a place. Seeing the Copper Kettle... don't know if that is looking at a boat with soul or remembering the evolution of true offshore

ICDEDPPL 11-18-2025 09:26 AM

People always talk about the "wave crushing" ability of Apache/Cig.
Compared to all the boats of that era?
My 1985 "wave crusher" wouldn`t stand a chance against any twin step, they fly straight and level so I never understood why they are so revered

boattrubador 11-18-2025 10:01 AM

I looked at a Hustler 50 ft Monster with 3 575s in it. It looked like a wave crusher. It was nice and cheap. Looked new.

Markus 11-18-2025 10:42 AM


Originally Posted by ICDEDPPL (Post 4938723)
People always talk about the "wave crushing" ability of Apache/Cig.
Compared to all the boats of that era?
My 1985 "wave crusher" wouldn`t stand a chance against any twin step, they fly straight and level so I never understood why they are so revered

Because they are old and therefore affordable.


Indy 11-18-2025 03:18 PM


Originally Posted by ICDEDPPL (Post 4938723)
People always talk about the "wave crushing" ability of Apache/Cig.
Compared to all the boats of that era?
My 1985 "wave crusher" wouldn`t stand a chance against any twin step, they fly straight and level so I never understood why they are so revered

Probably because of the same reason the muscle cars are revered in the same way. My friggin Subaru would beat most of them on a road course but that's not the point.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:02 PM.


Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.