George Linder back in the day
 

Ever wonder where his use of the name "Challenger" started?

T2x

1966 Carlson (before Art teamed up with Bob Hammond at Glastron)......16 foot.... twin 110's..speedmasters.... Italian Record props....... Red Metalflake and Gold Leaf trim..... (our boy went top shelf back in the day).

In one memorable race George's co driver ( an employee "victim") was pitched over board..... George continued and picked the guy up as he passed by on the next lap......... He's all heart I tell ya!;) ;)

George learned so much from this boat....... (How not to design a hull)...that he created the Challenger 21 only 8 years later.

T2x:p :p

Meanwhile I was blowing his doors off with this

until he got this.........

which begat this

Which was developed while I raced these

after which we collaborated and made these

and eventually these

Which predated this

and eventually this

and now I'm restoring one of these

And the circle is unbroken........


T2x..........

The boat in post #6 is absolutely gorgeous! No question...I'd love to own one.

Wait'll you see the video..... But that's gonna cost ya;)

T2x

cool pics. thanks..........and don't forget where he was last year:)

That's ol' lonesome George alright......and the picture is very flattering......

T2x

No

Need upgrade photos on the Wing. Does Darren have any?

T2x,

Was that Carlson the design that was a small tunnel up front that became essentially a flat bottom at the transom? If so Charles Blicklie (He of the Bradford Yachts family, importer of Feadships for decades) (remember Lionel Beakbane and his Switzer Wing, his Dad was part of the Feadship importing group) had one that we took to school in 1967 and 1968. Powered with a 90 or 110?? Pine Crest had moved to NE 62 Street in Fort Lauderdale and the Cypress canal ran nearby. We would ski behind the Carlson up the ICW (No manatees, no no wake zones, no condos (yes, those were good times!) Alternate days we took my 18 Donzi, however the school high ups could hear us docking and ultimately the gig was up and alas, school bus hell...............

I digress, the boat wouldn't turn worth a darn and above 55 porpoised like a Boston Whaler 13 with a 65 hp Merc at last tilt pin. (You, me and a couple of really old goats (yes Brownie, that would include you as well) remember what a tilt pin was :)Didn't matter, we were boating, and then, that's about all that mattered...........

Glad you're well T2x, regards to Darren.

Your Mexican compatriot

I have been checking Darrens site out frequently to see the Switzer Wing restoration.Looking forward to seeing that ole gal run!

T2x,

Are you familiar with Hallett's new "260AC" model that they just came out with?? The "AC" stands for Art Carlson that collaborated with Hallett for this new project. The boat is a vee-tunnel hull design. Sounds interesting, but don't know much more about it.

Hope you are having a good summer.

Stan

Georges boat Back in the Day
 

.;)

Its for sale. oso member firewalker did the resto,slapped a new 300 on it and now wants a new project. It took 14 months to redo the hull and it is real sweet up close. Contact him if you are interested.

Man, we've got T2x, George Lindner, Steve David, Brownie, Philip, all mentioned or contributing to this thread. Was water even INVENTED when you guys first started building boats? :p I wish i could somehow scan and post the pictures of my father and Dick O'Dea building the old 3 Point Hydro's and motors in my fathers basement and in Dick's shop in the old "Gasoline Alley" in Paterson, NJ. Everytime I visit my parents house in NJ, usually just at holidays, I always find that old scrap book and look at the pictures. I have probably looked at that thing hundred's of times, but I always seem to find something new hidden in there somewhere.:) Keep the pics and captions coming guys! I LOVE the old stuff.:D

T2x,

Question. On the picture you posted of the Shadow cat, teh center engine looks smaller in overall size in comparison to the 2 outside engines... Is that a figment of my imagination, an old timers speed secret, or is it really smaller? And if so, why?

Thanks my outdated friend.;)

Shane, I noticed that too, the caption says2 3/4 outboards! That's wild. I have heard of using a cleaver on the center motor, like a high speed kicker, T2x can you shed any light? Thanks for another great history lesson!!!!!:D

Hey "dimples"........ how are ya?

To answer your question...yes that is the same hull.... However, it didn't porpoise with twins....nor did it bank in turns (obviously....even though Mr. Carlson insisted it would. There was a picture of it in Hot Boat, Powerboat's predecessor, at the time banked up on a wake...that Carlson claimed was its true turning attitude). It was very pretty, styled beautifully and neither particularly fast, nor competitive....which is a trademark of California hulls to this day..... More sizzle than steak.

Mr. David we miss ya....here in "exile".;)

T2x

The boat pictured has two of the old t-4 300+ hp engines on the outside and a 2.4 in the middle.... three t-4's wouldn't fit or, at the very least, float very well.

The boat did fairly well out on the old west coast circuit, but I doubt if it would have lasted long against Black Duck with smaller motors(3x 2.4's) and better balance.
It was an interesting experiment however.

If it's anything like the original Carlsons...........

Is it produced in California?:p :p

T2x

Here's another old Eltro...... with a really neat natural wood finish.

T2x

T2x,

Yes, it is produced in California, at the Hallett factory. Hallett is located in Irwindale,Ca. but basically that is L.A.

Good Memory Steven David T2x!
 

Good Memory Steven David T2x It did porpoise and did not turn well!

Holy Crap that is Awesome!!! they shoved a 3rd smaller motor between 2 others to get a little more??? WOW! That is going to the extreme to compete...Very impressive

Welcome to OSO Charlie...:)