VR1 History.
 

Anyone have any information about the development of the VR1?

Was it conceived in tandem with the 290sc or before or after?

Any ideas on production numbers to date?

Any info or stories greatly appreciated.

the vr1 came maybe 2 years before the 290. some of the things Steve did on the vr1 is they tarted with the 280 and made many changes to it. 1 they strightend the sides up to make less drag and the deck more narrow. 2 he mae it a little lower lest depth in the boat. they were some changes to the bottom but i am not sure what they were.

Did you end up buying that boat from steve? If that is the boat that Steve had at the factory. That is the record holding boat. From what steve told me about that boat the only changes are that it was a complete wood free hole there were special inserts for the swim step and the top of the boat is much more arrow dynamic. The bottom is the exact same just been blue printed.

Yes i did buy the boat from Steve last year and it was sitting at the factory for some time. It is wood free but i thought all VR1's were? Not sure about it being a record holding boat as its the cabin version.

What vr1 are you talking about? The red theft recovery or the yellow one. The one that set the record is owned buy a guy named CA. I think he still has it. I used that boat a few times for fun runs when the factory still had it. The 2nd vr1 is in Cape Coral fl.

I was looking at buying that boat last year also. My problem was how expensive it was to get out to the west coast. Steve was the one that told me about the boat I have had several conversations with steve stepp. And that's what he said about the boat. Maybe I just miss understud him.

Could be , But the boat that set all the records was the yellow one. Thay ran my prop on the boat when thay wone.
the red boat was a Guy named Lowren it had a 575 and a conrad drive If I remener wright.
The second boat is in Cape coral fl. And the 3rd was Mike Jax's with a 850 and a bravo. It was at National liquidators a few months back. I drove it with Scott Mcormick at 104mph. in testing. I lost track from there. Bill park had 2 f1 boats I ran those a few times. one with a 500 efi and one with the Inovation 500. both ran about 84mph.

THe red boat really is not red. When it was stolen they repainted it. If you look at it close you can the see all the graphics under the paint.

Ya I thought it had something on it! But man that was a long time ago. The first time he realy ran the boat was at the first Jax. poker run. He had a 22 with a 496 mag ho. prior to it. I took a couple for a test ride in it! I remember the lady was blind. Man we could not go fast enough for her. I cant remember what it ran.

I think it had red and black stripes for some reason.

Im not sure what was on the boat befor they painted it red. I just know that when I was looking at that boat Steve told me that it was the boat that set the records. I have several pics of the boat that Steve took if you want them I can send them to you.

What ever! just telling you what I know. Thay were building the 2nd one of them when I was there building my 2nd 390. And Scott Mcormick had the race boat upside down redoing the bot.

I think you are taking me wrong not that I think your wrong. Sorry for the confusion. :coolcowboy:

The red one that i bought originally had red flames down the side with black and silver accents. This is the stolen recovered one that originally left the factory with a 575sc, ITS & XR drive and is a cuddy cabin version.

I was wondering how many of the race and cuddy cabin versions have been made?

Ya thats the boat!!! I thought it had a konrad for some reason.
My friend bought a 260 from a big dealer.its a 1998 with all vr1 int. and windshild on it. And gues what, its red and black. I thought something was weird about the 260 its a 98 with a new style metal framed windshield.
The vr1 got stolen wile it sat at a trailer man.
I think lowrens new vr1 has 800 hp inovation and konrad.

So what are you doing with the boat? Plans for big power or are you just trying to put it back to more original

I shall probably stick with the ITS & XR Drive as original but as for power i am yet undecided though i would like around 600hp. The boat will be built up for Poker Runs and pleasure use. Not to bothered about the cabin to be honest as we dont overnight that often. I am currently collecting the necessary parts before commencing the refit. So as its still winter here i thought i would try and find out a bit more about the VR1 whilst waiting for the longer evenings.

Did steve get you a hatch or the tip of the swim platform? What did you do for the bulk head?

The boat was shipped to me with a new plexi screen, foam core bulkhead, floor & vinyl, engine hatch, cabin door and cover.

That's good makes the project a little easier. I just got done redoing my entire 280 new gimbal, engine, drive , steering, wiring, stereo, ect. Much bigger project than u thought it was going to be. Sure worth after it's all done makes you feel like the boat is yours not something you bought.

I have a 2007 VR1 purchased in 2008 w/ 50 hours on a 525 Hp. I bought it from Robert Palmer (not the famous guy) through Kenny H. and Bruce Baker. I have kept it looking like new. Would like to attach some pics, but I can't seem to find the option on this forum.

Some pictures would be great.

I think you have to have a paid membership to post pictures. You could email them to one of us and we could post them up for you

Jon, Hows your project coming along..

I still have the first one......

CA.. n it still looks good..did u ever sell it...

CAVelocity,

That looks sweet. :drink: