Leadsleadmerc, Yes sure I will get some more pics up of her thanks for the nice words. And thanks to the other members for the nice words as well. I have only just got back into the HAMB in the last few weeks and was happy to see a section on my fist love....Timber Boats.. Will post some more pics tonight.
Love this thread. A bit off topic, but that's cool! The factory wild custom boats of this era go nicely behind a '50 or 60s rod. Nothing turns heads more than a cool boat behind a cool car. Here are just some of my good friend's boats. All even more cool in person. All of them are particularly rare. All are on correct vintage trailers too (when shown). 1958 CarAqua...1958Glass Slipper (side/rear)...1959 Lone Star meteor (side/dash, not my friends actual boat)...1980 Scimitar T-tops and 1980 Eldorado windshield (FREAKIN FAST!!! @80 MPH+)...1959 Vali (Don't have a pic of his actual boat)
nope it doesn't man, a old woodie boat just can't be beat on looks and a love of when things where hand made, that boat is a piece of wonder.
Thanks Lee Your photos are great, wish I could have met you at the Showdown. As you can see the tires were already getting muddy and I had not even gone into the infield yet, where the car sunk down to the frame. But with all the Showdowns parking crew I was back up on solid ground with no trouble. Everyone is sending me your beautiful photos and I have sent (at request) the 3rd photo of the boat to a Willis Boat web site. There are only 2 or 3 of these little 1940's raceboats known to still exist today. Thanks again ! Frank Ol Skool '51
These 2 Chris Craft's belong to my big boss.. They may not be real speedy but they are old and kinda neat. 1950 Sportsman U-22 Continental 6 1962 Cavalier Was a 283..now has a new 350.
Anytime Frank, You have a neat rig! Look me up next year, I always come on the Friday before the mud starts flying.
Gotta bring this one back up top. I have always admired the boat worlds hot rodders, flat bottom V drives. I lucked into this one. It is a 66' Stevens that was originally designed for an outboard of no more than 110 HP. It now sports a very healthy 327 backed by a Powerglde. I don't think I have driven anything that matches the raw feel of power this boat has. It is awsome to listen to the sound of the gear drive cam against the whine of the outdrive gear case at 7K rpms as you shift into high gear. I can't put into words the feeling of going 85mph in a 15 foot boat.
This is probably my most favorite boat in my collection. Schafer''s ,such crust, such bread, nef said, boat. Started on the west coast from what I've been told but she is very cool. Ya, Ryan, they have great lines and a history like the rods to appreciate and respect. Been following this thread and finally decided to share.
I have this Aristocraft Funliner that just got restored (I need to add new pictures) and also a 1959 RedFish Shark that is going to be restored this winter. LOVE the old boats.
When I was a kid growing up in upstate New York, we used to go to Lake George every summer. George Reis lived in Bolton Landing and was the owner of El Lagarto, one of the most successful racing boats in history. Motor Boating magazine described the boat this way:"Three-Time Gold Cup Winner - Arguably John Hacker's most famous boat--El Lagarto--was originally built in 1922 for Edward Grimm of Buffalo, New York, who was the owner of the Peerless Marine Engine Company. Designed and built by Hacker as a V-bottom displacement type of boat, she measured 25 feet 10 inches in length and 5 feet 6 inches in beam and was powered by a 150-hp Peerless engine. Grimm raced the boat, originally named Miss Mary II, in the 1922 Gold Cup race. At that time, boats were restricted to the use of monoplane bottoms without any types of "steps" or "shingles" on the underside and a top displacement of 625 cubic inches. That race proved a disaster as the boat placed 10th with an average speed of only 29 mph. Grimm withdrew the boat from any further racing. George Reis of Bolton Landing on Lake George, New York, purchased the boat in 1925 and renamed her after his brother's estate in Palm Springs, California, which was named "El Lagarto" because of the abundance of lizards in that area. Reis installed a rebuilt 621 cubic inch Packard engine and used her for pleasure on Lake George for several years. The Gold Cup rules were changed to allow hydro-planes with "stepped" hulls. In 1931, Reis added five steps to the underside of El Lagarto. As a result she ran much faster, but the formerly smooth riding boat became the legendary "Leaping Lizard of Lake George" for her loping gait when running along at full speed. From 1933 through 1935, El Lagarto was the fastest boat in the world--winning three consecutive Gold Cups--the first in 1933 on the Detroit River, the second and third in 1934 and 1935 respectively on Lake George. She ran an official mile of 72.727 mph--the fastest straightaway speed ever recorded by a Gold Cup Racer of the 625 cubic-inch restricted hull variety." Often on a Sunday morning, we'd hear the unmuffled Packard V-12 in the distance and we kids would run down to the water to see the boat go roaring past with Reis behind the wheel. A few minutes later, we'd see him return on his northbound leg. It was memorable. I think the boat still exists in the Adirondack Museum.
We just bought this '65 Formula By Thunderbird in a pretty good condition. Orig. gelcoat, never re-painted. 260cui with a Shelby aluminum intake. Gonna start cleaning it up and hopefully launch it shortly!! Can't wait.
Wow, she's a beaut! Condition looks really good. Keep us updated. And don't forget your camera on launch day!
Crash...........that's a primo boat. Nice find. A little paint on the trailer and ur done. Gimme a headsup on the launch date and I'll come down. Ferry terminal? Jim
Hey Jim! Yeah, hopefully we'll launch it in a few weeks..Gonna replace old fuel lines and such, rebuild the carb. Today we'll start cleaning her up, and waxing her down. Later / H
Went for a ride this weekend in a 1970-vintage inboard/outboard with a Chevy 250. What a great little number that was - and very well preserved by the son of the original owners. -Dave
Took the boat out for a gentle little first ride yesterday. It all went well, part from the fact that it veers heavily to the right when i let go of the wheel..The bottom fin of the outdrive is slightly bent, maybe that is the reason why. We coasted at about 30mph to check her out, hasn't been in the water in 4 years. All seemed good, was kinda thirsty. Went up the Napa River and back... More boating coming up next weekend
My friend wants to sell his truly unique and exotic hydroplane race boat. He's got tons of documentation, and extra parts that goes along with this fully restored boat that has exceeded speeds of 100 mph!!! Built in 1957 as Joker IV, then later on renamed HoneyBear. Find out more about it here: http://mysterymachines.com/joker4.2.html Let me know if there is any serious interest!!
He may want to list it here as I didn't see it in the classifieds............ http://www.network54.com/Forum/610351/
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