I used to race against Bob Eubank in F2 in the silver cup series. I used to drive/nav for F2-16 Backdraft racing. I used to talk to the crew at the races. I heard he sold the boat to the crew chief. The racing was ok, the poker runs are allot more relaxed and fun. Who is doing the dyno work on your motors in Wisc.?

I do not know how much my boat weights because I avoid scales and any inspection stops as possible. Have you had any towing issues and do you banner and flag your trailer? I heard that these boats weigh between #10-12,000 depending on the set-up and what year it was built. The older the boat, the heavier it weighs.

I am looking for a tow vehicle and not to sure which way to go. The dealers say that 350/3500 is not enough to pull the cat. My friend that owns a Ford dealer has a F550 used with 24,000 miles with a custom 5th wheel conversion but it is not 4x4. This truck new is $60,000. I can not justify spending this much for just a tow vehicle.

Mark

I haven't heard what Bob did with the boat. I will ask Mike when I see him this week.

When accounting comes in I will get the name of the company who dyno'd the motors. I have a friend who works for Mercury and he knows those guys and was driving up there anyway.

Unfortunately I may have to do it again. If so I will send them to Dave @ Wesco racing in Grand rapids.

I heard my boat weighs around 12,000. I will run it over a scale when I am finished.

My trialer is in excess of 5,000.

I was told the same about a truck. I have a buddy who has two Ford dealerships. The 3500 Ford is at it's peak limit and borderline on GVW for the truck. Also, unless it is a diesel it will be too much load on the motor. He also reccommended a 550 but the $$$$ for such a limited use item is too extreme.

The F700 I am considering is a 85 with only 128 m miles, 8.3 liter Detroit diesel. A custom conversion unit designed to haul mobile homes. Set up for a fifth wheel plate or gooseneck (remove the plate). Looks like a mini tractor trailer cab with the sleeper on it. When all done I would have $12-13m in the truck. Interior needs replaced and panels painted, a little paint work also outside to spiff it up.

This unit will tow either boat and I will haul one back and forth to Florida every year. My Top Gun is in Florida right now.

Fixed Drives?
 

Are your Arnesons fixed or have trim?
Mark Smith

Fixed

No trim or even trim tabs. Always planed out well without.

Cat Builder,
Are you still out there? Can't wait to see the 49 OE. Whats happening with that?
Mark Smith

Hi guys ! I pulled my 39 with a single wheel F350 diesel, 6 speed manual, and 3.73 gears . I would recomend a dually but it handled fine ! I bought mine out of Michigan and towed it across rt. 80 through PA and Jersey . I had the cruise set at 80 mph across PA ! If the boat sits on the trailer right , you can do it with a 1 ton dually . Just depends on how your state law reads as far as GVW ratings and if they declare a weight on the trailer registration or if the truck carries it . Joe

NY or bust
 

Joe,

Are you doing the NY Poker Run? I hope so. I have never been there and need so guidance.

Mark

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

Hey guys,

Thought you might like to see this ocean express 48'

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

douglas!!

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet ride! You have anymore pics???

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

Thanks for the pics Doug. I have actually been on a couple of those. One had trips.

Thanks for the pics. look back in a few weeks I will havbe some final pics of my 39.

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

Just got the drives hung. Hopefully will have pics of the engines actually being in the boat next week instead of sitting in crates! What a change that will be.

Re: Pics are good.
 

Hi Mark, no Im not selling BUT**** If there is a very good offer they just might need it more than me.

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

33' OE X-Race Boat now pleasure :cool:

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

Hey guys!
My 25' used to belong to Ken Stafford of APBA fame. It's name was "Kat'n".
Still has v8 outboards. Any pics out there of it from the late 80's? Apparently he raced it a bit. He runs a east coast marine transmission business but I lost the number. If anyone has heard of him I would appreciate any contact info.

Thanks,
Scott Hassan

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

Someone tell me about the 33's with outboards,please tripps

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

I mean can,someone tell me anything thanks tripps

Re: Ocean Express Pictures
 

the 33' active cat in pic #6 any one know were it's at,, if it has Kamma drives on it, Look's like my old cat!

I don`t know where this boat is at.I do know that the first one we built was black and went to Bud Drettman the owner of Active Marine.The second one had red sides with a white deck and was built for Rich Anderson .Drettmans did have MERC drives I cant remember what they were though.Andersons had TRS.The third and last was built for the owner of Wolverine .It was the same color as the 37 race boat.That boat left the factory as an unrigged hull and deck.I did notice the stripes on the back of the bolsters look to be close to the same color, I call it turquois,as the sides were originally.The black one was sold and stayed in the ST.CLAIR SHORES area I believe until the late 80`s or early 90`s.Anderson went to Florida and I assume the boat went with him.The first two were KEVLAR the third was strsight glass.

[QUOTE=lupner;2221319]I don`t know where this boat is at.I do know that the first one we built was black and went to Bud Drettman the owner of Active Marine.The second one had red sides with a white deck and was built for Rich Anderson .Drettmans did have MERC drives I cant remember what they were though.Andersons had TRS.The third and last was built for the owner of Wolverine .It was the same color as the 37 race boat.That boat left the factory as an unrigged hull and deck.I did notice the stripes on the back of the bolsters look to be close to the same color, I call it turquois,as the sides were originally.The black one was sold and stayed in the ST.CLAIR SHORES area I believe until the late 80`s or early 90`s.Anderson went to Florida and I assume the boat went with him.The first two were KEVLAR the third was strsight glass.


Thanks for the info............whats your relation to Ocean Express????

Love these boats ecpecially Wolverine.......have any other info on these????

LS.


Could you give me a rundown on how it handles the rough stuff. I been eyeing one of those 33's for a while. Hoe much do they weigh with fuel,,,handling etc!!1

I think there awesome rigs!!!

Thanks,
Shawn

Here's my project. Some might recognize this as Boots old boat. If anyone has any other history on this boat it would be appreciated.

Get it in the water and make your own history!!!!!:party-smiley-020:

Also Built One Called Rolling Thunder For Vince Rinaldi

I bought my Active cat from Pete Smith [WOLVERINE], it was a fun boat, loved the whine of the KAMMA drive's. She ran in the 90's, a lota boat for around $18000.00. My big mistake was taking the wife and some friends for a high speed run around Lake St Clair, scared the Hell out of her, she said it had to go. She went out te next day a bought a 38' Scarab to insure the cat would go. I should have kept the cat and got rid of her, I did a few years later but the judge gave me her Scarab. But back to the cat, sold it to a local guy who never used it, he later pulled the 468cu chevy's and put them into a Cigarette. He later sold the cat and it went to Canada, then ? But now here on OSO there is one for sale that might be it, it's listed as a Cougar ? This cat sure looks like my Active, even the whole were the radio was. But the drives are gone looks like some typ of transom fix with adapter plates were the Kamma drives were ??? This boat ran well but not as good as the later 33' Image [Ocean Express] I rigged and was on the crew of the [MOTOR CITY MAGIC] Image cat, she ran 105 to 110 with 372cu 575hp smallblock chevy's, back in 1986 that was rockin !!!!

ttt

Old Ocean Express Ads
 

found a few Old Ocean Express magazines ads
31' Nitro

Bandit
 

Bandit Race boat I think it might be the same boat as post #10

31 33 39
 

31' 33' 39' Nitro

My 31'

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...at100411AM.png

Believe it or not same boat!!
Years later

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...33739363_n.jpg


http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...40563536_n.jpg

Thats funny. Just last week I was talking to Dennis about this video he did.

That video is definitely a time capsule of that era in the western basin... Its great to see the boats and people I remember from back then.. Denis definitely had the baddest boat on the lake at that time...

Yes he did. Great pic of me doing my favorite pass time. Thanks J-bonz

We still does, his Mti is ...off the charts

Thats true............... I thought of that after posting..... :)

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...iGnbw60_57.jpg
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40

Ocean Express Web Site

every time I see one, makes me wanna keep mine

Still looking for the pics of yours at private dock at Kelley's..... Hopefully I can find them.. Yours sounded great taking off!