Cougar England/Brownie
 

Does anyone have any info/history about Cougar Boats from England...I believe that Brownie was involved with the company for a while, how about a history lesson Brownie?, I thought I read that they were made on 188th st. for a while, is that true? Any info/pics would be appreciated...thanks: Matt

I gotta few photos,let's see what I can do:

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I took those photos in post #7 at the 1983? Key west World Championships. In that photo, a shrimp boat went by kicking up a steep wake. Steve Curtis (the son of Cougar boat owner Clyde? Curtis) was out testing the day before the race and.....he was lucky not to have rolled it. The boat was one of the first 28' Cougars-"Smokey Cougar".

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I'm sorry, I got virtually all those photos from my OSO brothers like Bob and Ryan Beckley, I should have attributed them as such. That is a great set of shots you took Bob and a little scary:eek:

If memory serves correctly the English company granted a license to Cougar USA (Brownie's company) to build boats on 188th in Miami. I don't know much past that but they are the English design and not related to the Cougar boats now made in Canada.

Ted,
Thanks for the kudos! It's kind of neat to see photographs appear 20 years after you had taken them.
Two year ago while reading an article on Tim Ciasulli in Poker Runs, I recognized a photo of his first raceboat which I had taken in the mid 1970's. You never know where or when these pics show up. ;)

Ted,
How about some updated shots of yours??? Hows it coming along?:cool:

I'll try and get some soon. We are building a new shop and it is behind some mud piles right now:p Once the shop is done we have lots more room for the boat and we can get down to some serious action. They are supposed to be laying blocks today and it's sunny outside so I figure no excuses:rolleyes:

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There are 2 or 3 Cougar vee bottom owners here in Chicagoland, and board member 'Cougarman' with a 46 vee is in Michigan . .

I was Chief Engineer at Magnum, and project engineer on the 53' and 45' Magnums, when Sonnly Levi introduced me to James Beard at the Genoa Boat Show, in Italy, 1977. James was a major circle racer, and partners with Clive Curtis in Cougar Marine, Ltd. They sold me a license to built 29' cats in America, which I did as a sideline, Flight Marine. They finally asked me to be President of their American operation, which I accepted January '81. We had treewood boats, back then, and I must say it was a little disheartening to go to the Worlds in Key West in Nov. 81 with 7 Cats, and sink 11! We kept fixing them, and they kept sinking!

We discovered aluminum and glass, and kicked everybody's ass for the next four years. With the relationship of the Pound Sterling and the dollar, they decided to sell and go home in late 1985, which they did. High points of my 4+ years there, were Richard Branson's Transatlantic attempt, dozens of Championships, 33 consecutive races overall, and helping raise Clive's kid, Steve. We built boats in every existing medium, from 1 to 8 engines, and had a great time. I think back fondly of those years.

Hey Ted this is from point pleasant

Brownie,
Don't stop there...

more info!
more info!
more info!

;) :cool:

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33 out of chicago

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33 in Florida

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33 not sure of this one anymore

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38'

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41'

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41'

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41'

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Busness end of the 41'

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46' in Ohio

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46' in Ohio

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46' in ohio

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46' in Ohio

Allen - tell everyone about your adventure with the NOVA - am sure that will open up some eyes too -

Phil

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46' in Michigan

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46' in michigan

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46' in michigan

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46' in michigan

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46' in michigan Name is removed