Speedboat July 2018

SPEEDBOAT MAGAZINE

ON THE BAYOU AT TICKFAW!

From Grime to Sublime

BACK DEAD FROM THE

GENTRY EAGLE’S INCREDIBLE RESTORATION See Page 50

Sizzling SUMMER SWIMSUIT showcase

J ULY 2018 JULY 2018

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_001.indd 1

6/25/18 4:28 PM

87703_SpeedBoatApr18_002,003,009,012,013,015,017,018,019,021,023,029,031,033,035,055,057,061,063.indd 3

3/12/18 12:27 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83.indd 3

6/24/18 9:44 PM

S

Where true luxury meets speed and dependability at over 110mph.

Your next boat purchase is an investment in both your family and yourself. Make the right choice.

www.NordicBoatsUSA.com

50 years of serving the custom boat industry.

The 28SS with twin 300s... The fastest way to get to 100mph!

LAKE HAVASU CITY, ARIZONA • 800.279.5398 • E-MAIL: sales@NordicBoatsUSA.com

NORDIC_spread_0615.indd 4

5/6/15 12:41 AM

NORDIC_spread_0615.indd 5

5/6/15 12:41 AM

Table of Contents JULY 2018

COLUMNS 8 10 12 58

RAY LEE JET TECH INDUSTRY NEWS NEW PRODUCTS

26 SIX APPEAL It’s time once again for our annual tradition of mixing bitchin’ boats with bodacious bikinis. Any objections? We didn’t think so.

44 SUPERBOAT SHOWDOWN Super Boat International’s first race of 2018 took racers to the wet and rainy “Sunshine” State.

50 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED Tom Gentry’s legendary Eagle hull gets a once-in-a-lifetime makeover, with no expenses spared.

FEATURES

64 CIGARETTE RENDEZVOUS

18 TICKED OFF

Performance Boat Center once again plays host to owners of some truly “smokin’” boats.

Blood River Landing and Marina hosts Southern Louisiana’s immensely popular Tickfaw 200 Poker Run.

68 STARS & STRIPES 4EVER

6

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_006-007.indd 6

Oh, say, can you see...the most patriotic paint jobs in the USA? Happy Fourth of July!

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:36 PM

Speedboat.com Published by DCO Enterprises, LLC Publishers

Ray Lee ray@speedboat.com

Chris Davidson chris@speedboat.com

Editor

Brett Bayne brett@speedboat.com

Senior Tech Editor

Jim Wilkes jim@speedboat.com

Tech Editors

National Sales Director Art Director

Greg Shoemaker Jim Wilkes Valerie Collins Ray Lee ray@speedboat.com

Gail Hada-Insley

Helicopter Services Fred Young fyoung@live.com

Photographers

Cover Photo by Erick Bryner Table of Contents photo by Todd Taylor

Todd Taylor, Pete Boden, Kenny Dunlop, Paul Kemiel, Jeff Girardi, Randy Nuzzo, Mark McLaughlin

Operations Manager Michele Plummer and Subscriptions michele@speedboat.com 5840 W. Craig Rd Suite 120, #386 Las Vegas, NV 89130-2730

BRETT’S COVE 72 BY HOOK OR BY CROOK Matt Crook proudly displays his 1981 Youngblood—which has moved from California to Texas to Oklahoma.

74 MAY MADNESS NJBA racing gets down and dirty, with a first-rate skirmish at Bakersfield’s Lake Ming.

Webmaster

Craig Lathrop craig@speedboat.com

Web Design

Blair Davidson Market It Mobile, Las Vegas, NV blair@speedboat.com

Editorial Offices

9216 Bally Court Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 (702) 313-1400

SPEEDBOAT MAGAZINE (ISSN#1941-9473) is published 8 times plus a bonus issue this year by DCO Enterprises LLC. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Domestic $34.00 for 8 times plus a bonus issue, Canada $66.00 for 8 times plus a bonus issue, International $77.00 for 8 times plus a bonus issue. All prices are for one year and in U.S. funds. For subscription info: call (702) 313-1400.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Speedboat Magazine, 9216 Bally Court, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.

Editorial: Speedboat Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All manuscripts, materials, photographs and artwork submitted are at mailer’s risk and must include self-addressed envelope with proper postage if requested to be returned. All letters sent to Speedboat will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes, and are subject to Speedboat's right to edit and comment editorially. All rights reserved. Reprinting in whole or part is expressly forbidden, except by written permission of the publisher.

PRINTED IN USA These rates represent Speedboat’s standard subscription rate and should not be confused with any special rates or premiums otherwise advertised or offered.

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_006-007.indd 7

7

6/25/18 12:03 AM

OBSERVER’S SEAT RAY LEE

Mudbugs. Blood River. Lagniappe.

Pontchartrain. “Crazy Charlie’s” Fun House. Tickfaw.

These are all rather unusual terms unless you’ve been to the wildly popular poker run held every first weekend of May in Springfield, Louisiana–better known as the Tickfaw 200.

Call it Cajun Camaraderie While I was somewhat aware of it, this year was my first time to actually experience this event. Unlike other events that we attend, this one was difficult to gather any details on. Other than the dates and the location, Speedboat chief photographer Todd Taylor and I were perplexed as to how to cover this one.

The three-day run is about as casual and lax as they come.

There is no official start time, nor an end time. There is no paid registration, nor a hosted awards presentation. There is no schedule, nor itinerary. But what there are a lot of, are boats!

The Tickfaw 200 boasts the largest poker running fleet in Louisiana, if not the nation. With hundreds upon hundreds of boats running the 200+ miles between each card stop, it’s easy to see why the people return to “The Big Easy,” year after consecutive year.

Co-organizer Casey Harrison (along with Joey Fontenot) explained it to me like this: “It starts when you want it to start, you go where you want to go, and do what you want to do.”

Their website expresses equally specific information.

“Come rain or shine, hurricane, flash flood, mama dying, loss of blood, loss of limb, divorce, death of family dog, the flu, broke down and poor, and being

8

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_008.indd 8

in jail, we will run May 3rd through the 5th, 2018. Come Sunday, TAKE YOUR ASS HOME!!!”

I was graciously invited onboard Todd and Debby Campbell’s amazing new MTI V-57 Center Console behemoth aptly named Unbridled with quad Mercury Racing 400s. There simply was no better platform to experience the debauchery that is the Tickfaw 200 from. The Campbell’s and their onboard friends couldn’t have been better hosts to me and I’d like to thank them all for their hospitality. And for the Snapple.

Also, a big “thank you” to Bubba Chrisco and Laura Behan for having Todd onboard their new version of an older favorite–the 39 GTS Cigarette Center Console, widely known as War Party, to photograph the participants running through the swamplands, Lake Pontchartrain and beyond.

We ran from Morton’s to Lagniappe.

Then from The Blind Tiger to Gator Den. Then from Blue Crab to Prop Stop and all the places in between. These were a few of the eight total card stops/establishments that spanned the designated 200 miles of the Louisiana waterways.

But the fun isn’t only limited to the water. The host venue of Blood River Landing and Marina opens its grounds to their participants where RV camping

is the preferred method of lodging. After the boats are safely tucked away for the evening, the party continues at “Crazy Charlie’s” Fun House, which is the one and only establishment on the grounds, hence a built-in celebration occurred each and every night. The uniquely assembled “shack” comes alive with live bands, bright lights and free flowing beverages. Also, it is here that the poker runners are able to donate $240 per hand for their chance at jackpot glory. Over 400 hands were purchased throughout the weekend but I’m not sure who was awarded the best poker hand, due to the absence of an awards presentation.

Of course, while down in the bayou, we simply had to experience their timehonored tradition of a true Cajun crawfish boil, lovingly referred to by the locals as “mudbugs.” In fact, we attended two in the same day.

Having never tried this delicacy before, I was given a culinary crash course–first at Michael and Nikki Pierce’s house, then again at Chris and Teresa Tartamella’s residence. It was painfully evident that I was a rookie but I was eager to learn.

“Twist the body, suck the head, peel the tail,” they instructed.

I don’t know if I ever got truly proficient at the process but I sure enjoyed the whole production of it all (referring to both the boil and the event.) However, I am nothing if not a dedicated learner and so if I have to attend the Tickfaw 200 year after year after year–that’s just what I will do. speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:38 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83.indd 9

6/24/18 9:44 PM

Jet Tech GREG SHOEMAKER Intake ID Dear Jet Tech: Can you identify what type or what make this intake this is? Thank you very much for your assistance!

Jeremy Wright Costa Mesa, CA

The Oldsmobile’s weak point is its oiling system. open throttle for long period will also help. Here’s what happens: At wide open throttle, the oil is pumped to the top end of the engine. The oil return is slow, thus causing an oil-starving condition to the bottom end of the engine. Treat the engine with a little respect and you should enjoy a good summer.

Engine Help Dear Jet Tech: I have a clone of a 19’ Eliminator Daytona, and need to find out where to set the motor from back of transom (in inches).

Here are the specs: medium layup (hull weighs between 500 and 550 pounds), flatbottom keel, 700-750 hp, American Turbine B/C cut and inducer. The boat will have full stringers, two seats, a 12-gallon center fuel tank, cast block, aluminum heads, and the bare minimum for weight. Any formula on this would help me to get close and save some time. Many thanks!

George Husher Dayton, OH

The intake that you have is a Merish lowprofile intake, which is still used today in many race boats. There have been copies made of the intake through the years, but all were copied of the low-profile Merish.

455 Olds Dear Jet Tech: My jetboat is powered by a 1970 455 Oldsmobile engine. I have oil restrictors below the cam, a 10-quart oil pan and a stock oil pump. Will it survive, or should I do more? Thanks for your help!

Wally Wood Tulsa, OK Wally, the Oldsmobile’s weak point is the oiling system. What you have done will certainly help. Restricting the push rods’ hole size will also help, and if the engine is apart, side clearancing the connecting rods will also help. Limiting wide-

10

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_010.indd 10

With the power you have, with a setback pump and a flat keel engine placement should be around 26" from the transom.

Porpoise at WOT Dear Jet Tech: I have an 18’ Nordic Bubble Deck jetboat that porpoises like crazy at WOT. Here are the specs: 496 BBC, Berkeley split bowl, with a Berkeley Droop, Place Diverter, back-cut shoe (currently 1/8 below keel) and ride plate (currently 4 degrees) and a SS loader.

I have been told to just use the diverter.

I’ve used it and I can get it to ride perfectly at WOT, but the diverter is pretty far down. Is there anything I can do to make this setup work better (i.e., less degree on the ride plate, more shoe)? I’m wondering if I should wedge downward to straighten up the exit of the droop and nozzle. I have a 4-degree wedge. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Greg Hernandez Denver, CO

The Nordic 18 Bubble deck has a lot of lift designed in the bottom, This was done to give a stock setup a lot of lift using low horsepower. When a lot of power is installed in this boat the hull lifts completely out of the water and severe porpoising occurs. One way we have been able to control this problem is to install a set of cavitation plates next to the transom adapter of the pump 10 inches wide and 8 inches long. Using a set of turnbuckles and setting the plates approximately 1/8" below the bottom of the keel. This may change slightly depending on the ride of the boat. Also, a back-cut shoe is not my choice for this boat. A 2-degree tapered would be a better choice, because the back-cut makes to much lift at the transom, thus magnifying the problem.

Motor Placement Dear Jet Tech: I added a Jet-Away to my Stealth jetboat.

Now it seems that I need to pull the motor back about an 1" to 1½" or forward about the same. (I can’t seem to find a driveline made to where I would not have to move it). The motor sits at 24" from the transom now. With the driveline I have, it’s 13.5" end to end. I need 9”, but the driveline shop said they could not make it 9” and that it needs to be about 10.5" end to end.

That will slide the motor forward approximately 1.5". But if I buy a 1350, they measure 8" end to end. If I can’t get a 9", would it be better to slide the motor forward or back? Or does that small amount matter?

Many thanks for any assistance you can provide on this issue.

Vic Patterson San Diego, CA Vic, with the engine setting at 24 inches from the transom, moving the engine forward would be my call. With the TPR, a good starting point would be to set the engine in at approximately 26 to 28 inches from the transom. speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:42 PM

85973_SpeedBoatMar18 _002,003,013,015,033,037,041,045,047,053,084.indd 3

2/6/18 4:25 PM

INDUSTRY NEWS

Eddie Knox Quits Dragboat Racing

Drag-boat racing legend Eddie Knox, whose Eddie Knox Racing team helped propel his Problem Child competitor to World Championships, has sold his infamous rockets and is leaving the sport to focus on funny car racing.

Knox told Speedboat that years of enduring financial burdens and sponsorship challenges finally took their toll, and when opportunities to sell his boats

presented themselves, he decided to trade propellers for the rubber.

“The last few years, we’ve just been struggling to keep the thing running,” Knox said of the relentless campaigning of his boats Problem Child and Evil Twin. “It got to a point where I just couldn’t make them run fast and still be safe on the parts that we had. If you add up all the runs and divide it by how much you spend, it comes out to about $8,952.48 a lap. And propellers are $6,000 a pair. Meanwhile, on a car, the tires are $1,000 a pair, but they last all season.”

The alternative, Knox said, was just getting out of racing altogether. “It was just a good time to call it a day and call it a career.”

Knox ended up trading the Evil Twin

Mystic Boats Adds Dealer #5 Mystic Powerboats of DeLand, FL, builder of big-muscle catamarans and center consoles, has added its fifth dealer to a rapidly growing network in less than half a year.

Company President John Cosker told Speedboat that its new dealer, Marine Unlimited of Tom’s River, NJ, will be a strong retail presence in the Northeastern U.S. The dealership also handles the Nor-Tech line and also operates a brokerage.

The addition of Marine Unlimited follows close on the heels of Mystic’s

12

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_012,14.indd 12

signing of four previous dealers: Power Yachts International of Cape Coral, FL; Catawba Moorings of Port Clinton, OH; the recently launched Midwest Mystic of the Lake of the Ozarks; and Seven Seas Yacht Sales of Fort Lauderdale, FL. “Pretty much every dealer has boats on order at the moment, which we’ll start delivering in the next month or so,” Cosker said.

Notable Mystics include the World Champion American Ethanol offshore racing competitor and Chad Collier’s customized 4400, which was featured on

boat for a funny car. Meanwhile, Tommy Thompson purchased Problem Child after Kevin Burgess crashed Tom Sorci’s Locked and Loaded boat. “Tommy is a great guy,” Knox says. “He’s a sharp cat and has been racing a bunch of boats to help keep the sport alive. He’ll be racing SDBA and has the ability to bring at least four fuel boats everywhere he goes. He purchased my boat and will now let Kevin Burgess race it out of his stable and under his Locked and Loaded banner.”

Knox says he’s delighted to be shifting gears into a new sport. His funny car is being driven by Billy Morris. “He was a natural fit,” Knox says. “For his first run in the car, he just hammered it and it took off, even though he never sat in one in his life. So we knew right away that we had a good driver. Now it’s just time for Knox to get his act together.”

the cover of Speedboat’s September 2017 issue.

Greg Weber, Mystic’s sales and dealer development guru, told Speedboat that the addition of its fifth dealer nearly completes the first phase of its overall strategic retail sales plan. “We just started our networking in January,” Weber said. “We’ve changed from a single-point distribution to a multi-dealer network.

Phase 1 as to put six dealers on board, so we’re well on our way to finishing that up; we’ve got one more key market that we’re looking to place a dealer in, and then we’ll start looking at secondary markets. So we’re very excited.”

Weber said that the five Mystic dealers are “well run, well financed and good business people who have been doing a great job putting orders in the factory.

As a manufacturer, that’s always a great thing to have.”

Cosker and Weber added that the company’s new C-3800 outboard catamaran is currently in the final rigging and testing phases, and that the company has taken three orders for the model so far.

[Continues on page 14] speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:43 PM

87703_SpeedBoatApr18_002,003,009,012,013,015,017,018,019,021,023,029,031,033,035,055,057,061,063.indd 2

3/12/18 12:27 PM

INDUSTRY NEWS [Continued from page 12]

Race World Offshore Debuts Season July 20-22 Offshore racing fanatics who can’t get enough of SBI and OPA competition can now look forward to a new circuit getting in on the action when Race World Offshore kicks off their inaugural season July 20-22 in Mentor, OH. Offshore racers have raced in Mentor for the last two years under the Super Boat International banner. This event is billed as the 3rd Annual Roar Off the Shore Grand Prix.

A $100,000 cash purse will be an attractive lure for the kickoff race as teams vie for a win at the Key West, FL-based organization’s debut event. According to the group, each team will receive a minimum of $1,000 in prize money, with

the top five positions in each class each receiving “substantial checks relative to their podium positions.”

At press time, the group has one other race date scheduled for 2018: Aug. 17-19 in Dunkirk, NY. “We have been working very hard to bring the sport of offshore powerboat racing to the professional level of other mainstream motorsports,” said Race World Offshore founder and president Larry Bleil. “Our mission is to create events that benefit the racers, excite the fans grow

the popularity and exposure of the sport.

We’re encouraged that our efforts will provide additional incentives for racers to return to Mentor and put on a show that fans will remember. Additionally, we’ll be adding a block party in downtown Willoughby where the teams will display their equipment, sign autographs and interact with the hundreds of fans expected to be in attendance. RWO will also be providing national television coverage of the weekend activities on the CBS Sports Channel.”

Skaterfest Set for Aug. 10-12

Attention, Skater owners: Be sure to set course for Detroit’s Lake Saint Clair the weekend of Aug. 10-12 for the seventh annual Skaterfest, organized by Ron Szolack. This event is sure to be the most massive and exciting event related to the iconic Douglas, MI, muscleboat

14

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_012,14.indd 14

builder to date, as industry luminaries from Bill Pyburn Jr., Devin Wozencraft, Win Farnsworth, Jim Lee and numerous others are scheduled to attend the festivities. Between 35 and 40 Skaters are expected to descend upon the lake in August, so it’s bound to be a power cavalcade like no other.

“It’s a great turnout and a lot of fun,” Szolack told Speedboat. “We get a great variety of Skaters—every model shows up, old and new, I/Os and outboards, and both big and small. We even see some of the 28s.”

Of the new boats, Szolack says a 2018 388 will be attending: “It’ll be done probably about a week before the event,” he says. “It’ll be the first eight-seater 388 done by Skater.”

At a typical Skaterfest, participants first launch their boats, then enjoy a casual fun run on Friday, where they head to a favorite local restaurant.

It’s basically an arrival and setup day, Szolack explains. That night, day after

launching their boat just go off to a local restaurant. Just that that’s what everyone pretty much puts their boats in the water in Friday morning and stuff. So we just get everything set up for kids on Friday.

On Friday night, the group heads to the gentlemen’s club that Szolack owns, known as the Flight Club. With its two levels, stunning architecture, casino and five-star restaurant, the Flight Club combines spaciousness with intimacy, and definitely competes with the best of the Vegas gentlemen’s clubs.

On Saturday around 11 a.m., a chopper follows the Skaters as they leave Metro Beach for the Ambassador Bridge in downtown Detroit while video footage of the run is shot. Then it’s on to St. Clair for lunch at Pepper Joe’s and then back to Metro Beach, where the chef at Szolack’s restaurant cooks a tremendous feast for everybody. Typically, the boats cover about 100 to 140 miles round trip.

Sunday is another casual day with a focus on lunch and a photo shoot. speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:43 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83.indd 15

6/24/18 9:44 PM

80679_SpeedBoatNov17_002,003,009,011,017,025,027,033,081,083.indd 83

10/9/17 6:06 PM

87703_SpeedBoatApr18_002,003,009,012,013,015,017,018,019,021,023,029,031,033,035,055,057,061,063.indd 21

3/12/18 12:27 PM

Blood River Landing and Marina hosts Louisiana’s immensely popular Tickfaw 200 poker run.

Ticked P OFF

oker run enthusiasts will no doubt recall what happened last year when the dates for Desert Storm and the Tickfaw

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Todd Taylor and Ray Lee 18

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_018-21,22,24-25.indd 18

200—two very popular speedboating events—somehow got scheduled on the same dates. Some go-fast enthusiasts were forced to make some tough decisions. Happily, cooler heads prevailed this year, and Tickfaw got early May all to itself. That’s a very good thing indeed, because the Pelican State’s can’t-miss event lures plenty of partygoers and prodigious power.

Organizers have continued to build on everything that works about this iconic muscleboat gathering. Held at the Blood River Marina in Springfield, LA, the Tickfaw 200 was launched by the legendary “Crazy Charlie” Albert, and is overseen by Joey Fontenot and Casey Harrison. Every year, this sleepy marina is transformed into one of the most exciting poker runs in the country. This year’s event encompassed Thursday through Saturday, May 3-5. Eight stops were earmarked; participants needed to visit five stops to qualify for speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:45 PM

Above: ”Crazy Charlie’s” Fun House,” a wild and wacky bar that’s part of Blood River Marina.

Left: Kurt and Angelle Larson’s Midnight Mistress, a 1999 32' Sutphen powered by a fuelinjected 502.

a hand. (Five of the stops were accessible by land, for those choosing to travel by car instead of by boat.) And, this being Cajun territory, where else are you going to find stops with names like Canal Bank Bar, Langniappe, Gator Den, Blue Crab and the Blind Tiger Bar? Oh, and there aren’t a lot of rules at this event, but officially, there’s this: “Come rain or shine, hurricane, flash flood, mama dying, loss of blood, loss of limb, divorce, death of family dog, the flu, broke down and poor, and being in jail, we will run May 3-5.” And run they did, on two lakes: Lake Maurepas and Lake Ponchartrain, with poker run stops on both lakes. An enormous area of water is covered, providing attendees with both river and lake boating fun. These areas speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_018-21,22,24-25.indd 19

include the two lakes, fed by fresh water rivers that include the Tickfaw, Tangipahoa, Amite, Tchefuncte, and Bogue Falaya.

Thus, the Tickfaw 200 offers many miles of boating—after all, it gets its name for its scenic 200-mile length—with a variety of boating conditions, from wide calm lake water to a rough wind-whipped Ponchartrain chaos. The river boating is also amazing, as you have twisty winding river tributaries including a manmade diversion canal. The atmosphere on the poker run is relaxed and laid back, and the organizers work overtime to make sure participants feel like family. And there’s a high degree of camaraderie—people go out of their way to ensure everyone has great time.

(Text continues on Page 24) S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

19

6/23/18 11:45 PM

Ticked OFF

Above: Jeff Ford of Gonzales, LA, in his 26 Redline.

Left: Jordan Gumm poses on Loren Michael Peters’ 40’ MTI Race/Pleasure model, powered by twin Mercury Racing 1350 engines.

Below: James and David Branton’s Platinum Edition 388 Skater, Voodoo.

20

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_018-21,22,24-25.indd 20

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:45 PM

Above: Chad Mayer of Prairieville, LA, drives his 33 Baja Outlaw, powered by a 496 HO. Right: Smell those delicious BBQ swamp burgers? They’re sizzling on the grill here at the river’s popular Prop Stop Inn. Below: Monty and Marci Farrell of Buford, GA, in Maddernhell, their 2001 Donzi 26ZX. It’s powered by a Mercury 509.

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_018-21,22,24-25.indd 21

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

21

6/23/18 11:45 PM

Ticked OFF

Greg Harris and Yvonne Aleman’s 32' Skater, Mad Props.

Chris Wall of Celina, TX, drives his 36' Spectre with twin Mercury Racing 700s to the delight of nighttime onlookers.

Kenny Armstrong and friends enjoy his 48' MTI, the legendary Phantom.

22

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_018-21,22,24-25.indd 22

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:45 PM

90988_SpeedboatJun18_03,09,13,25,27,31,33,35,41,47,51,81.indd 13

5/29/18 3:32 PM

Ticked OFF

Mike and Angela Goldsbaugh’s 135-mph 368 Skater, Late Fee$ x 2 is powered by twin Mercury Racing 700s.

Unbridled is Todd and Debby Campbell’s MTI-V 57, which is powered by quad Mercury Racing Verado 400Rs.

Attendance at this year’s Tickfaw met or exceeded expectations, with more than 300 boats registered for the event, including numerous center console models—one of which profoundly impressed organizer Casey Harrison.

“When MTI announced that they were going to build a 57-footer, I thought to myself, ‘Well, what in the hell do they need to have a 57-foot center console for?’ That was my first thought—and this is coming from a guy who loves to fish and go offshore fishing all the time,” Harrison says. “Then I got a ride on their 57-foot Unbridled, owned by Todd Campbell (see above photo), and the boat totally blew me away, all the way across the board. It totally changed my outlook on a center console needing being that big. The way that boat rode was

24

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_018-21,22,24-25.indd 24

unreal…I was just absolutely astonished.”

Harrison said attendees have adopted a true laid-back routine. “Everybody was a lot calmer this year, and there were no issues at all,” he says. “Many people said this was their favorite year ever—which, from our point of view, is a very good thing.

People knew they had three full days here, so the attitude was ‘Just have fun. If you want to go run the boat wide open on the lake, fine, go do it. Or, if you want to take it easy and take three days to do the poker run, go do that.’ Someone who came out from California in a DCB made a point to tell me that a lot of people could learn something from how we run this event. He said, ‘Everybody’s out here having fun. They’re not just sitting in one spot talking to each other.’ ” speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:45 PM

Dirty Money, a 2015 Skater 368 cat powered by twin Mercury Racing 700SCi engines, is owned by Beau and Tiffiney Renfroe of Georgia.

Brent Medley is the owner of this 38' Top Gun, the 600th built by Cigarette Racing.

Andy and Stacy Robinette in their Sunsation 32 Dominator SSR.

Hugh Patroni Sr. of Pensacola, FL, drives Way Nutz, a 43’ Nor-Tech.

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_018-21,22,24-25.indd 25

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

25

6/23/18 11:45 PM

SixAppeal

photography by

26

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 26

Ray Lee

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:46 PM

It’s time once again for our annual tradition of mixing bitchin’ boats with bodacious bikinis.

Any objections? We didn’t think so.

S

ummer brings out the best in everything: the sun, the boats, the girls. As

always, Speedboat Magazine’s photo crew was delighted to welcome all three of these elements once again to bring you our annual Swimsuit Spectacular. This year, we recruited six of the most beautiful bikiniclad models at Southern California’s Lake Elsinore—along with a bunch of great-looking boats. In recent years, we’ve conscripted a dozen or so jetboats to join in the fun. For 2018, we thought we’d let the gals pose with some V-drives (only one of the boats in this section contains jet power). Welcome, summer. Please stay for a spell!

Please welcome this year’s gorgeous swimsuit crew (from left): Lauren, Nathalie, Alia, Kortney, Marissa and Dionna.

Sure, they’re smiling here, but their grins were even wider once they got in our boats!

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 27

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

27

6/23/18 11:46 PM

Six Appeal

28

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 28

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:46 PM

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 29

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

29

6/23/18 11:46 PM

Six Appeal

30

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 30

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:46 PM

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 31

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

31

6/24/18 9:33 PM

Six Appeal

32

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 32

speedboat.com

6/25/18 12:49 PM

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 33

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

33

6/25/18 12:50 PM

Six Appeal

34

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 34

speedboat.com

6/25/18 12:50 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83,84.indd 35

6/25/18 11:44 AM

Six Appeal

36

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 36

speedboat.com

6/25/18 12:50 PM

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 37

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

37

6/25/18 12:50 PM

Six Appeal

38

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 38

speedboat.com

6/25/18 12:50 PM

Subscribe & Save!

It’s the fastest way to get your go-fast fix! 1 year, 9 issues for $34 delivered to your door.

Best Bargain add a T-shirt for $44.95.

Slight extra charge for 2XL and bigger t-shirt sizes.

o t o spe speedboat.com

G

*Current subscribers please call (702) 313-1400 to renew. *Curr

FRONT

Use Credit Card security through

MEN’S

www.speedboat.com

For orders by mail, send check or money order to: 5840 W. Craig Rd Suite 120, #386, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2730

QTY

Attn: Subscriptions

L

Call us direct at: (702) 313-1400

XL

Med-XL $14.95

2XL

XXL $16.95

3XL

3XL-4XL $17.95 Shipping and handling to be calculated at time of purchase.

4XL

BACK

and subscribe today!

NAME

AGE

ADDRESS

CITY/STATE/ZIP

PHONE NUMBER

EMAIL

1-year $34.00 – 9 issues Canadian rate: $66.00, International rate $77.00 (U.S. Funds)

92255_SpeedboatJul18_039.indd 39

6/24/18 9:07 PM

Six Appeal

40

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 40

speedboat.com

6/25/18 12:50 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83.indd 41

6/24/18 9:44 PM

Six Appeal

42

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_026-34,36-38,40,42.indd 42

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:47 PM

89198_SpeedboatMay18_011,13,15,27,39,41,45,81.indd 45

4/20/18 2:53 PM

Superboat Unlimited: Miss Geico struggled to keep up with Wake Effects (opposite page), but a steering fluid problem reportedly took the Gecko out of the race.

Cocoa Beach

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Pete Boden

SUPER BOAT showdown Super Boat’s first race of 2018 took racers to the wet and rainy “Sunshine” State.

S

uper Boat International kicked ing Wake Effects, FJ Propeller, WHM to mechanical issues. (WHM would go off its 2018 offshore racing sea- Motorsports and Sunprint Management on to get spanked in their subsequent son in very wet fashion, with were the recipients of the coveted check- OPA race against Super Cat competitor

rain and poor visibility contributing to a soggy showdown in Cocoa Beach as competitors in seven classes battled on the rough seas off Florida’s East Coast.

The aptly named Thunder on Cocoa Beach Grand Prix featured 20 race teams from around the nation enduring sloppy conditions as Super Boat live-streamed the event on its exclusive Internet site.

Several seasoned race teams, includ-

44

S P E E D B O A T | June 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_044-46,48-49.indd 44

ered flags as each grabbed the top spots of their classes. Only two boats battled for the Superboat class trophy this year: WHM Motorsports and MGI Digital TechKonika Minolta. Driver Billy Mauff and throttleman Jay Muller, competing in Mauff’s WHM 40' Skater, took on Randy Sweers and Glen Hibbard in their 40' MTI MGI. Mauff and Muller took an early lead, while Sweers and Hibbard eventually dropped out of the race due

Performance Boat Center/Jimmy John’s (see Page 56).

In Superboat Unlimited Class, Rusty Rahm and Jeff Harris, in Wake Effects, took the lead in their 48' MTI, besting competitors Jesse’s Ranch and Miss Geico, the latter of which also suffered mechanical gremlins. Again, however, fortunes would be reversed at the closely following OPA Lake Race, which would see Miss Geico trumping Wake Effects. speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:48 PM

#91 Jesse’s Ranch and #77 Lucas Oil Silverhook also failed to put an end to the lead maintained by #17 Wake Effects. Jesse’s Ranch would finish second in Superboat Unlimited; Lucas Oil, fourth.

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_044-46,48-49.indd 45

S P E E D B O A T | June 2018

45

6/23/18 11:48 PM

Superboat Showdown Production 3: Sponsor Wix Filters was a good-luck charm for The Developer, which won its class using one of the company’s #51222R racing filters in their boat. They took the win over The Dollhouse and 2nd Amendment.

Superboat Extreme: AMH Construction/Instigator, a Fountain vee bottom piloted by Aaron Hope and Anthony Smith, ran uncontested in its class.

46

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_044-46,48-49.indd 46

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:48 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83.indd 47

6/24/18 9:44 PM

Superboat Showdown

Superboat: Only two boats battled for the Superboat class trophy this year: WHM Motorsports (above) and MGI Digital Tech-Konika Minolta (right). Driver Billy Mauff and throttleman Jay Muller, in the WHM 40’ Skater, took on Randy Sweers and Glen Hibbard in their MGI 40’ MTI and nabbed first place.

Superboat Stock: Gary Ballough and Jimmy Harrison in FJ Propeller, a 32' Doug Wright hull, led in the class for nearly the entire race. In second place was the S-111 Reliable Services Group, a 30’ Skater (inset).

48

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_044-46,48-49.indd 48

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:48 PM

Superboat Vee: Despite going up against defending national and world champions LSB Hurricane of Awesomeness (right), it was Steve Miklos and Steve Fehrmann in the 29' Extreme Sunprint Management (above) that took the checkered flag after the LSB team broke a prop.

Splashdown!

Cocoa Beach, FL, was probably the wettest and rainiest place you could be on the weekend of May 19-20, and it contributed to a lot of hard rough-water landings. Left: Superboat Extreme competitor AMH Construction Instigator, a Fountain vee bottom piloted by Aaron Hope and Anthony Smith, gets a temporary view from beneath the waves. Below: Superboat Unlimited racer Wake Effects, a 48' MTI, makes quite a splash.

In spite of the rough waters, both boats took first place in their classes.

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_044-46,48-49.indd 49

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

49

6/23/18 11:48 PM

EAGLE Has Landed THE

Tom Gentry’s legendary craft gets a once-in-a-lifetime makeover, with no expenses spared. story and photos by Erick

T

Bryner

he year 1984 was a critical one Scarab—for the famous Miami to New on the line. But just before the race in for offshore powerboat racing. York endurance race coming up the fol- August of 1985, Tom decided to replace

The APBA had expanded its race schedule to 11 races with record sponsorship after almost failing the previous year. The famed TV show Miami Vice made its debut, thrusting offshore powerboats into the mainstream spotlight. And Tom Gentry, a wealthy real estate developer-turned-engine manufacturer, built and prepared the Gentry Turbo Eagle—a 46' Larry Smith

50

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 50

lowing year.

Originally built with three Mercury Class 1 motors and running a #3 drive in the center and two #4 drives outside, no expense was spared on the boat in preparation for this long distance race.

After all, five of the top offshore powerboat racers of the time had bet $120,000 each for a total pot of $500,000 in a winner-take-all contest, so there was plenty

the Mercury engines with his own twin turbo engine packages to prove that they were powerful, reliable and fast. His rigger and copilot, Richie Powers, agreed to the change and worked around the clock to have the boat ready for the big day.

Early in the run, the new engine designs were proving their worth.

However, the drives, which were the latest technology of the era, were no match speedboat.com

6/25/18 4:34 PM

Left: The Gentry Turbo Eagle rides high off the coast of Orange County, CA. Below: Dan MacNamara, owner of Team Archer Marine, did a complete restoration of the Gentry Scarab.

for the twin turbo power, and within the first 100 miles of the race they had blown a drive and were out of contention.

Tom continued to race the offshore circuit in the Gentry Eagle for the next couple of years, upgrading the drives in 1987 to the newly developed (and first of their kind) “Sterndrives by Kiekhaefer.”

Tom was their first race customer and test pilot, and after several seasons of dominance, Kiekhaefer would eventually be sold to Mercury Racing speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 51

and the drives would become known as MerCruiser #6 Drives.

Former Mercury Racing President Fred Kiekhaefer recalls the boat—and the drives—very well. “The drives were the very first that were successfully raced,” he says of his invention. “They weren’t actually the first pair sold, but the first that were seriously campaigned.

After the World Offshore Championships down in Key West, they were the Super Boat World Cup champions of 1988.”

Kiekhaefer remembers spending a great deal of time with Gentry’s team trying to get the boat to run well. “They had pulled the original engines out and substituted some other engines—also Gentry turbos—but they were not of the same output,” he says. “So we were chasing our tails trying to figure out why the boat didn’t run the same or better. It ran worse, but eventually we tracked it down to the fact that the new engines had smaller turbos on them, and a few other S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

51

6/23/18 11:51 PM

The Eagle Has Landed

Above left: The Original Gentry Turbo Eagle in front of the Trump Casino in New Jersey, 1988.

Above: Mold and moss growing in the engine bay after 18 years of sitting in a boat yard. Thankfully, Dan and his client had the vision to see the potential through the grime.

Left: The Gentry Turbo Eagle Scarab upon arrival at Team Archer Marine with its last known racing number (9) on the deck. Moss and mold still cover the hull. The complete restoration of Gentry took two and a half years.

issues, but they were able to chase her down and eventually we got it to run. So there were a handful of challenges at the beginning.”

It took about a month to get the setup correct, he says. “It’s one thing to dial a boat in, and quite another to take engines out, put different engines being shipped from California to Wisconsin.

Once I overheard a comment spoken on the phone that I wasn’t supposed to hear: ‘We just gotta confess what’s wrong with these engines! The guys are figuring it out. They know we’re not mak-

52

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 52

ing the power we made last night!’ We were absolutely convinced that there was something wrong with the package. But once we got the good strong engines in there, It didn’t take long to dial in the props and get everything set up.”

Eventually, Tom stopped racing the Gentry Eagle in trade for his 50ft quad engine Supercat. It was at this time that Wellcraft, in a manufacturers deal capitalizing on the success and popularity of Miami Vice, leased the boat from Tom Gentry and put Don Johnson (driver), Bill Sirois (throttles) and Gus Anastasi (navi-

gator) at the helm. Don had proven himself a legitimate offshore racer in the previous season and he took it as seriously as his acting career. The move paid off, as he and Bill would end up capturing the 1988 World Championship. The legend of the Gentry Eagle was cemented in offshore racing history, and offshore racing as a whole continued its growth in popularity.

From 1990 to 1994, the details of the Gentry Eagle Scarab are a little vague.

The boat was seen at races, rigged and ready, but rarely made it out onto the [Continues on page 54] speedboat.com

6/25/18 4:40 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83.indd 53

6/24/18 9:44 PM

The Eagle Has Landed

Below: The cockpit was restored to an exact replica of its former life. Dan used old pictures to determine the location, colors and configurations of the gauges, including the hand-painted gauge indicators on the dash.

course, with Tom still campaigning his Supercat. But in 1994, tragedy struck when Tom flipped his cat and sustained serious injuries, putting him into a coma.

He died of respiratory failure at his home in Honolulu on Jan. 15, 1998. He was just 67 years old.

“Tom was an absolutely hard-charging, first-class competitor who was willing to try things that were novel and, and maybe pushing the envelope quite a bit,” Kiekhaefer recalls. “He was a very creative man and he had been successful enough with his creativity to be able to do some pretty outrageous things.

He was one of the few who was willing to lease a boat to somebody who was actually racing against him—and then ended up losing to! The guy was just creative as hell.”

After his death, Tom’s assets were liquidated and the Gentry Eagle hull was sold to two men with plans to convert it to a triple diesel setup. They barely began their conversion, but for whatever

54

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 54

reason it was never completed and it was towed to a marina storage yard in Georgia where it sat for the next 18 years.

Eventually, the marina owner sold the boat to another gentleman who had seen it sitting in the yard for all those years.

He had remembered the Gentry Eagle from its racing days and also intended on restoring it, but quickly realized the massive undertaking to do it properly and decided to sell the boat.

It was at this time in 2014 that Dan MacNamara, owner of Team Archer Marine, was actively looking for this particular boat. He had a customer approach him with enough funds and the full intention of finding the historic race boat and restoring it. His customer, a businessman from Southern California, had remembered the boat growing up, and was interested in bringing it back to its full former glory. Dan had put the word out online that he was looking for the Gentry Eagle, so the gentleman contacted Dan and sold it for what he paid.

Because while he decided not to restore it himself, he still wanted to see it done right, and Dan and his client were just the ones to do it.

Dan immediately flew to Georgia to inspect the boat. The damage from years of weather and the previous attempt at modification were significant. Says Dan of his arrival… “I climbed up in the boat and there was actually a 2½-inch diameter sapling tree growing in the engine room. It had rooted itself in all the mud and dirt that had accumulated over the years and had grown to about a 36" tree.

I pulled it out and threw it out of the boat and then thought….I wish I would’ve taken a picture of that! Nobody would believe it!”

The bow was full of rainwater, which had collected in the spaces originally designed for the tanks that carried the 1500 gallons of fuel required for the Miami to New York endurance race. The deck had about an inch of moss growing on it. “It was in rough shape,” Dan speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:52 PM

Above: The new Gentry Scarab after full restoration with the previous 9 replaced with 99—the number with which Don Johnson won the 1988 World Championship.

Meticulous attention to detail was made, right down to the red “Gentry Turbo Engines” name plates that were shipped on every engine produced. speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 55

Above: The original fuel pump mounting plate was found under the deck with other parts when the boat was purchased. As many original parts as possible were reused for authenticity.

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

55

6/23/18 11:52 PM

The Eagle Has Landed

Above left: A closeup look at the engines reveal the steel braided water lines shrink wrapped with a rubber coating for extra protection.

Above right: The dashboard under the wind/splash fairing contains all of the instrumentation, including the hand-painted gauge indicators.

Left: The Sterndrives by Kiekhaefer were the latest in stern drive technology. First generation #6 drives were used in the restoration which were essentially the same drives and the closest available equipment in the modern era.

Bottom left: All original lights, fixtures, rails and cleats were reused wherever possible.

Below: All decals were re-created and placed in thier exact location with the help of old photos for reference.

Caption

56

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 56

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:52 PM

says. “I noticed under the deck there were things sticking out of the water so I reached under the water and found all the original motor mounts and drive line guards from the engine room thrown up under the dash. So I hopped out of the boat, ran to Home Depot and bought a shop-vac and came back and vacuumed all the water out. From there I found all of the original stringer mounts for the engines, the battery box mounts, the fuel plate where the fuel pumps are mounted, the fuel tank covers for the Kevlar bladders, and all that stuff.

The dashboard, the throttles and everything were still in the boat. A few odds and ends and gauges were missing, but basically everything was there. We even found the original three-person bolster seat in the engine room. It was all just very weathered from sitting for 15 years.

It was pretty sad.” However, Dan saw that the overall integrity of the hull and deck were intact and he was confident he could make the boat great again.

Dan estimated a minimum of one year for restoration, but his customer was undeterred. They made the deal

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 57

and arranged to have it shipped back to Team Archer Marine in California. In an ironic turn of fate, Dan’s truck driver, Thaddeus Findley—who had originally towed it from Tom’s shop in Torrance,

California to the Georgia marine yard upon the estate sale—was now the one who drove out to the very same boat yard in Georgia to haul it back nearly 20 [Continues on page 59]

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

57

6/23/18 11:52 PM

NEW PRODUCTS

Jetboating Made Easier Hi-Tech Performance of Shell Knob, MO, (Newbury Park, CA) has unveiled two exciting new products for the jetboat crowd. The first is the Race Nozzle, which utilizes a newly designed elliptical insert that increases thrust. It fits most all popular brands of pumps, droops and snoots.

It also helps the attitude handling of the boat.

The second is the Race Gate, designed to make holding a boat still that’s on the holding rope vastly easier. “When a jetboat has a race nozzle on it, it has no reverse and it does not need one,” explains Hi-Tech President Duane Oblander. “However, many people would like to have reverse when they are testing, tuning and loading the boat. Some boats are raced on Sunday and go to the lake other times.”

Fastest RC Boats Bill Oxidean, an avid radio-controlled boat racer, has launched Oxidean Marine with a series of RC boats he’s marketing to lovers of high-performance craft. This exciting new company is a perfect fit for Oxidean, who has been drag-racing a full size jetboat on the Lucas Oil circuit and in the National Jet Boat Association’s 10-second class. Oxidean has also been a pro-sponsored RC boat racer for close to 20 years, and has taken his R&D skills to a new level in developing these products.

Oxidean uses high-quality composites for its RC hulls, which are hand-laid with full epoxy resin. These boats are constructed using high-quality carbon fiber and carbon/kevlar aramid weaves. Oxidean Marine doesn’t even offer fiberglass hulls, which sets their creations apart from most any other mass-produced RC boats.

Oxidean uses 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum hardware and high-grade screws to prevent corrosion. These hulls look abso-

58

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_058.indd 58

From top to bottom: The Race Gate in the neutral position, forward position, andthe reverse position.

Oblander has developed two elbow attachments that can be slipped onto the ends of Hi-Tech’s Race Gate with two simple push-lock pins that give the boat a reverse that is better than most stock reverses, while retaining the race nozzle. This gives the boater the best of two worlds. You can race it or run it on the lake with your race nozzle and also have reverse for ease of operation by just pulling two pins.

The Race Nozzle retails for $425; the Race Gate with reverse elbows goes for $450.

The Race Gate will fit Berkeley, Dominator, American Turbine, Legend, Place Diverter, HM and HTP race nozzles.

For more information, visit hi-techperformance.com.

lutely breathtaking in person, displaying beautiful workmanship and finish unlike any other boats in their class.

Astonishingly, these boats are capable of reaching blistering speeds right out of the box, from 60-80+ mph. That makes them the very fastest in their class the world over. Oxidean says he believes in giving the user the most quality in one package for the most affordable price.

These boats come stock with all highquality components from the gate. No guesswork is necessary—just robust, power and superb handling.

Currently, Oxidean Marine offers three ready-to-run models: • The Dominator 33 inch deep vee (4-6s lipo).

• The Super Dominator 33 inch deep vee (4-6s lipo).

• The Animal Twin Catamaran.

“All of the electronic components inside stay nice and cool because the Dominator and the Animal twin cat both have dual water pickups with large diameter tubing for superior water cooling,”

he explains. “These ready-to-run boats come with a high-quality SANWA radio, and high speed, high torque, high precision Pro-Amps low profile servo.” Super versions come with a stout 130-amp highvoltage electronic speed controller capable of up to 12s lipo. Oxidean offers beautiful graphics packages for their boats.

The irridescent ones are real eye catchers on the water and sure to dazzle. Although these are proven race boats, their main purpose is pure, unadulterated fun.

Own a different electric RC boat but want the ballistic speed and robust power of the Oxidean Marine Dominator? The Dominator powerplant and all of Oxidean electronics are sold separately. In addition, Oxidean also offers some really cool swag: From their hoodies and tees in assorted colors, to trucker hats, and women’s tank tops.

So do your RC boating in style— Oxidean Marine’s got you covered.

For more information, visit Oxidean online at oxideanmarine.com, or call (415) 937-3673. speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:54 PM

The Eagle Has Landed Left: The trademark American flag, which was a trademark graphic on the back of all Gentry raceboats.

years later.

As work began, more and more challenges were discovered, which is to be expected on a project like this. About 90% of the hull was in decent shape because of the single-skin Kevlar construction.

But they found that the bulkhead to the engine room and rear stringers had some rot from water exposure due to the previous cutting, and the cockpit floor where the seats were removed had to be replaced—nothing that Dan couldn’t handle.

According to Dan, one of the hardest parts about the restoration was the engines. While they were lucky enough to find the original race team Gentry twin turbo engines, they had been sitting since 1988 and were in need of a lot of work. Being proprietary in design meant that they couldn’t just buy standard parts off the shelf. Luckily, Dan was able to obtain most of the custom manufactured parts with the engines including things like engine mounts, brackets, fuel regulators and fuel lines. They ran mechanical, cam-driven fuel pumps on the fuel injected motors which they made themselves, and he got all of those parts with the purchase. The blocks, heads, rods, cranks and intake manifolds are all original parts. The exhaust manifolds aren’t original, however, they were actually recast from the original molds, complete with the Gentry insignia inside the main port.

They did modernize some aspects of the motors for the rebuilds. For instance, roller cams were used in lieu of the original flat tappet cams. Another upgrade was the modern computer system to speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 59

manage the EFIs. They are also running slightly larger turbos supplied by Carson Brummett—all of which help to produce nearly 1,000-horsepower on pump gas at 10 lbs. of boost, vs. the original engines that produced up to 900hp on full race fuel at 15 lbs. of boost back in the day.

No expense was spared in the restoration of the Gentry Turbo Eagle. It was important to the new owner to maintain as much accuracy of the period as possible. His goal from the beginning was a

museum quality restoration. From the wiring, harnessing and hand painted gauge labels on the dash to the rubbercoated, shrink-wrapped, steel braided water lines on the motors, no detail was left unturned. Even parts that seemed odd in design, but proven invaluable on the course, such as the vinyl wrapped wind fairing over the dashboard, which replaced the original flip up wind deflectors to protect the crew’s heads from being torn off by a nose dive or a rogue [Continues on page 82]

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

59

6/23/18 11:52 PM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Pete Boden

THE

AMAZING Lake Race

OPA’s second race of the year boasted some of the fiercest battles in offshore racing.

60

S P E E D B O A T | June 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_060-63.indd 60

speedboat.com

6/24/18 7:10 PM

Above: In Extreme class, Wake Effects (left) planned to wipe the floor with Miss Geico, but the famous Gecko grabbed the checkered flag.

Below: Class 2’s twin-outboard Wright Performance 360 prevailed over competitors Somerset Boat Lifts and Bat Boat.

Top: Shadow Pirate finished first in a field of six Super Stock boats.

Above: Dawson Custom Marine, a 22' Velocity, was the winner in Class 7.

L

ake Race, which since 2014 has been the second or third stop of the Offshore Powerboat Association

(OPA) season, returned to the Lake of the Ozarks in June for another exciting battle featuring 11 classes (plus one exhibition pontoon class).

The race attracted hulls of numerous sizes and power configurations, from the single-outboard Class 7 for boats 20' to 22' (top speed 60 mph) up to the piston-powered, unlimited top speed Cat Extreme participants. Notable winners included Super Cat class racer Performance Boat Center/Jimmy John’s, with the team of Myrick Coil and John Tomlinson besting Billy Mauff and Jay Muller in WHM Motorsports. After each team came out on top in two heats, Coil and Tomlinson prevailed in one of the event’s biggest nail-biters.

Meanwhile, the two fastest boats at the event—Wake Effects and Miss Geico—fought a tough battle, with Miss Geico winning in Extreme Class. Prior to the race season, the two teams had agreed that the loser of their first 2018 race would pony up $500 to a charity chosen by the winner, so Geico donated to Wake Effect’s charity after losing their SBI race (see Page 60). The ante was upped to a cool grand at this OPA race, which Miss Geico won after Wake Effects suffered mechanical issues; Wake Effects donated $1,000 to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund in honor of Reese Werner, a 5-year-old casualty of the disease.

Racing action was marred by a single accident: CR Racing, which wrapped its rookie season last year, rolled over and flipped bottom-side up after hitting a boat wake. The outboardpowered 32’ Doug Wright hull, driven by Rob Unnerstall and throttled by Casey Boaz, competes in Superboat Stock on the Super Boat circuit and in Super Stock class for OPA. Neither Unnerstall or Boaz were injured. speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_060-63.indd 61

S P E E D B O A T | June 2018

61

6/24/18 7:10 PM

the AMAZING Lake Race

Class 5: Specialized Racing, a 32' Superboat driven by Mark Gallagher and navigated by Michael Wood (left), finished ahead of Tunnel Vision, a 28' Pantera (above).

Class 6: Smith Brothers Racing dominated their class, open to singleengine boats with a top speed of 70 mph and a limit of 26 feet. The 26' Joker hull is driven by Pete Smith and navigated by Rich Smith.

Class 6: Liquid Addition, a 24' Carrera hull powered by a single Chevy 502 / Bravo 1 setup, finished second in the class. The team features Tim Vanderberg (driver), Alan Petitt (throttles) and Cliff Shaw (navigator).

Super Cat: Performance Boat Center/Jimmy John’s (left), a 38' Skater, snatched victory away from WHM Racing (below), a 40' Skater.

62

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_060-63.indd 62

speedboat.com

6/24/18 7:10 PM

Super Vee Lite: Done Deal, a 30' Phantom piloted by Bob Mazikowski (driver) and Steve Papp (throttles), was the class winner. In second place was BoatFloater.com, a 29' Extreme driven by Stephen Kildahl with dad Steve Kildahl on throttles.

Super Stock competitors Rob Unnerstall (driver) and Casey Boaz (throttles) of CR Racing were not injured after their 32' Doug Wright hull flipped bottom-side up after hitting a boat wake. speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_060-63.indd 63

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

63

6/24/18 7:10 PM

Cigarette

Story by

Brett Manire

Rendezvous

Photography by

Brad Glidewell and Shawn Kober

Performance Boat Center once again hosts a gathering that’s truly s-s-s-smokin’!

T

his was the fourth consecutive year that we have hosted the Cigarette Rendezvous at Performance Boat Center in the

Lake of the Ozarks, and we’re proud to be part of the Cigarette family.

In the past, we’ve had people come in on Friday and participate in some kind of activity, but the event has been mostly centered around one day— Saturday. Many people come from a long distance, so this year we arranged for some boating on Thursday afternoon, followed by a driver’s meeting on Friday morning and a full day of events on Friday. With 88 boats lined up, we ran down to Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar & Grill. Everybody got in the pool, and there was a deejay and music. We hung out there until about 2 p.m., then went

64

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_064-67.indd 64

to another pool bar called Tap and Grill Lakeside Brew Haus, which overlooks the main channel at the lake. To top it off, we had an afterparty at the Tiki Bar at our own Redhead Lakeside Grill. It was extremely hot out, but the pools definitely helped.

On Saturday, we went to the “noncommercialized” side of the lake to visit the infamous Big Dick’s Halfway Inn. They don’t have a pool, but we had lots of music and catered barbecue.

Later, about 20 boats had a big raft-off party at Linn Creek Cove, while others just kind of went their own ways.

We had a huge turnout for our spectacular dinner on Saturday night at the Redhead Lakeside Grill. People feasted on crab legs, shrimp, steak, great desserts and two full bars. We also had

our first awards party, which was very successful. People really enjoy having something to look forward to, as well as to get a little recognition for their efforts. We recognized attendees with a Spirit Award, a Congeniality Award, Most Classic Cigarette Award, and a few others to get some excitement going.

The evening was capped off with a tremendous fireworks display outside of our showroom at around 9:30, after which we all headed back to the Tiki Bar for what can only be described as some shenanigans until later in the evening. It was enormous fun.

At least 20-30 percent of the Cigarette owners are folks who live and boat locally, and who actually keep their boats here at the docks. Some of the out-oftowners stayed at the Tan-Tar-A Resort speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:57 PM

Above: The Redhead Lakeside Grill.

Below: Cigarettes line the Performance Boat Center showroom.

Above left: Michael Brooks’ 38 Top Gun. Below: Andrew Mackey’s 38 Top Gun.

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_064-67.indd 65

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

65

6/23/18 11:57 PM

CIG Rendezvous

in Osage Beach, MO. Meanwhile, Bubba Chrisco and Laura Behan (see Page 8), with their 39 GTS Cigarette Center Console, parked his motor home right in our lot. Still others take advantage of the VRBOs—Vacation Rentals By Owner—renting homes and condos by the lake, many of which offer boat slips.

This was definitely the place to be if you wanted to see the full range of Cigarettes through the years. We had a 46 Rough Riders, 38 and 39 Top Guns, 42’ Tigers and Xs, a 20 Son of a Gun and a 28 SS, along with Cafe Racers, Flat Decks and a couple of 39 GTS Center Consoles. About 30 percent of our Cigarette owners were newcomers to the event, which is unheard of.

There were a lot of boats and faces that I hadn’t seen before. Everybody seemed to have an excellent time. This has become our signature event, and we very much look forward to hosting and putting it on for everybody.

66

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_064-67.indd 66

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:58 PM

Opposite top: Rob Beagle’s 38 Top Gun. Opposite middle: Brett Adams’ 42X. Opposite bottom: The girls of Performance Boat Center and Redhead Lakeside Grill Above: Mike Pascow’s 42X. Right: Alan Shepherd’s 38 Top Gun. Below: Chris Hummel’s 39 Top Gun Unlimited.

Bottom right: Brent Medley in the 600th Top Gun ever built.

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_064-67.indd 67

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

67

6/23/18 11:58 PM

Ray Lee, Mark McLaughlin Pete Boden and Chris Davidson

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

68

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_068-70.indd 68

speedboat.com

6/24/18 12:00 AM

Opposite Page: Our model Dionna shows off her very patriotic bikini.

Below: Preston Collins of Texas in No Cents, a 26' Velocity.

Above: Cigarette 35 Top Gun Limited Edition from the Tickfaw 200.

Left: American Outlaw, a 32' Aero-Tek racing on the OPA circuit.

Oh, say, can you see...the most patriotic paint jobs in the USA?

S

peed junkies have been decorating their musclecraft

with American flag designs for as long as they’ve been around. There’s something singularly patriotic about the combination of red, white and blue—and the stars that follow—that one finds it impossible to look away from. Whether it’s an 18-foot flatbottom or a 48-foot offshore catamaran, there’s no better way to say “Happy Independence Day” all year round. If your Fourth of July takes you to the water this year, please boat safely. speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_068-70.indd 69

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

69

6/24/18 12:00 AM

STARS & STRIPES

This all-Ameircan Fountain was photographed at the 2008 LOTO Poker Run.

Above and left: Here’s American Soldier, a rare 1968 shovelnose Sanger that was first featured in our August 2017 issue. The boat is a patriotic tribute to the Armed Forces, particularly the Wounded Warriors. The boat can currently be seen at the NJBA races, where it is campaigned by owners Jeff Epling and George Vose.

Howard Hoffman, a Purple Heart veteran, paid for the boat’s patriotic wrap.

70

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_068-70.indd 70

speedboat.com

6/24/18 12:00 AM

Brett’s

By Hook or By

CROOK

’81 Youngblood

Featuring

NJBA May Madness

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_071.indd 71

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

71

6/24/18 9:31 PM

by Brett

72

Bayne

•

photography by Ray

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_072-73.indd 72

Lee

speedboat.com

6/24/18 12:01 AM

W

hen Speedboat shot this Crook installed a new 496-c.i. engine built and MSD ignition; the engine works with 1981 Youngblood for last by John Boydstun that puts out around a Dominator pump. He’s planning to

year’s Swimsuit Edition (July 2017), the boat was owned by Tyler Pavlick of Southern California. It has since traded hands a couple of times; first it migrated to Texas, and currently it’s owned by Matt Crook, 41, of Oklahoma.

“When I bought it, it was basically stripped down,” Crook says. “The previous owner had taken the 471 Chevy engine (712 hp on nitrous) out of it.”

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_072-73.indd 73

800 hp. Top speed is not yet known, as he’s still dialing in the boat, but after making several good runs, he’s had it to 91 mph so far. “We’re hoping with a little bit of adjustments and after working out the bugs, we’ll have a 100-mph boat,” he says.

The naturally aspirated engine features a Howard forged crank (4.25 stroke), Ross pistons, Manley rods, Dart Pro 1 aluminum heads, Dart intake, full roller rockers, 1050 Holley carburetors

swap the A impeller out for an AB to get a little more performance out of it.

“I love this thing,” Crook says. “I put a manual Place Diverter on it and set the trim a little differently,” he says. “Man, you hit the gas and get it up on plane, and it lifts up out of the water and it’s gone,” he says.

Crook and his wife Stephanie enjoy using the boat on Oklahoma’s Lake Hudson.

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

73

6/25/18 3:43 PM

MAYMadness Story and photos by Mark

McLaughlin

NJBA racing gets down and dirty, with a first-rate skirmish at Bakersfield’s Lake Ming.

T

he weather gods were smiling an “almost crash” that occured when com- Richardson in Liquid Addiction, scoring its in May as the third of the season’s petitor Juan Cortez Jr.’s boat started climb- first victory in a long while.

six National Jet Boat Association (NJBA) races got under way on Lake Ming in Bakersfield, CA. Water conditions cooperated for NJBA’s May Madness event, although some strong winds did hold up racing for a short time on Sunday; after they died down, the action continued unabated, with around 70 boats vying for checkered flags. The weekend was virtually incident-free—only

74

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_074-80.indd 74

ing at 3/4 track, causing Cortez to get up and out of the seat.

It was a very competitive event, with a field of 14 racers in Quick Eliminator and another 14 in Top Eliminator. Chase Grenke nabbed his first win in the former class and also performed admirably in Unblown Fuel Jet, where the legendary Kjell Adams prevailed. Meanwhile, the win in Top Eliminator went to Ralph

In yet another big class, 10 boats came to play in Modified Eliminator, which saw Lance Gilbert grabbing the win. Nick Pisciotta and Ricky Sneed both ran in the Modified Eliminator class, with Nick coming in second place to Lance Gilbert.

However, in the Super Eliminator class, Nick’s jetboat took the win over Ricky’s flatbottom in the finals.

NJBA racing resumes in September. speedboat.com

6/24/18 8:34 PM

The current points leader in the Blown Gas Flat class, Jim Shelton drives his Smokin Whitie (near lane) took on Juan Cortez Jr.’s Drag N Fly in the Pro Comp Flat category. Juan went on to win that round, but got wild in the semis and almost went for a dip in the lake Sunday afternoon.

Right: Shelton and sweetheart Michelle Parsons collect the hardware and the big money check for winning the BGF category over Tom Riggs.

Left: Tom Riggs took the runner-up spot in Blown Gas Flat class. Riggs’ Drag This is a beautifully wrapped machine that he’s still trying to get the bugs out while competing in BGF class.

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_074-80.indd 75

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

75

6/24/18 8:35 PM

May Madness

Unblown Fuel Jet: Chase Grenke (near lane, above) and Duncan Patterson go head-to-head, with Chase taking the win in the first round.

Grenke’s No Name jet also took home the honors in the Quick Eliminator class, with a #1 qualifying position. He took the traditional plunge in the lake at the trophy presentation for his first win. Quick Eliminator: With a very competitive 14-boat field, #4 qualifier Jason Silva in Gypsy (near lane, below) went up against #2 qualifier Craig Collett, driving the multi-colored hydro named Twisted. Both drivers are shown qualifying here for position in the field; Twisted finished runner-up in the class.

76

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_074-80.indd 76

speedboat.com

6/24/18 8:35 PM

Top Eliminator: Alan Asbe and his Pathologicole flat (near lane) goes up against Ralph Richardson’s Liquid Addiction. The #4 qualifier, Ralph took home the win over Alan’s #3 position, giving Ralph his first win in a long time. We tried to get him to jump in the lake at the trophy presentation, but Ralph was having nothing to do with that.

The Pro Comp Flat final was put together the way the ladders are generally laid out. The #1 boat against the #2 boat for all the marbles. #1, Michael Torgerson (near lane) launched first with Brian Coin not far behind.

Brian’s Coin Operated blown black flatty ran down the Breaking Bad machine of Torgerson for the close win.

Above left: A very happy Coin family (Brian, Stephanie and son Zach) show off their first place trophy. speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_074-80.indd 77

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

77

6/24/18 8:35 PM

May Madness Pro Eliminator saw two familiar faces in the finals. Jayne Bradley, #1 qualifier, went up against #2 qualifier Matt Hudson. Again, a perfect scenario for the finals. The current points leader in the class, Hudson ran an almost perfect 8.07-second pass for the win to Bradley’s 7.94 breakout pass. Jayne had to roll the dice and try to run Matt down to win, but went too quick doing so in the end.

Modified Eliminator: Here was another big class (10 boats). Lance Gilbert’s machine (near lane) took on Bill Erkelen’s outboard in qualifying here. Erkelen drove his boat to a #9 qualifying position in the Top Eliminator class and won the first round before bowing out in round 2. Gilbert took the win in Modified Eliminator.

78

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_074-80.indd 78

speedboat.com

6/24/18 8:35 PM

Unblown Fuel Jet competitors Kjell Adams (near lane) and Steve Penberthy showed up in the finals together as #1 and #2, respectively. Adams’ Fluid Motion machine overpowered One More Toy by running consistant 5.40s all weekend.

Steve’s 5.90 finish was no match for Kjell (inset).

Modified Eliminator: Nick Pisciotta (near lane) and Ricky Sneed go head-to-head, with Nick coming in second place to Lance Gilbert. However, in the Super Eliminator class, Nick’s jet boat took the win over Ricky’s flatbottom in the finals.

speedboat.com

92255_SpeedboatJul18_074-80.indd 79

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

79

6/24/18 8:35 PM

May Madness

80

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_074-80.indd 80

Stock Eliminator: Tara Scribner (near lane) won the class uncontested as the lone boat. (Her 11.01-second pass would have been tough to beat in an 11-second bracket anyway.) Here, Tara’s Wicked Pickle hydro goes up against JD McKay’s Too Hosstyle jetboat in qualifying. McKay’s machine qualified #1 in the Modified Eliminator class with a 10.01 pass in a 10-second bracket, but got eliminated in the first round on Sunday.

speedboat.com

6/24/18 8:35 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83.indd 81

6/24/18 9:44 PM

The Eagle Has Landed [Continued from page 59] wave coming over the deck.

The paint job was hand-crafted to an exact replica of its former self. At one point during the design and placement of the large red Gentry logo on the sides, the owner had noticed that the font looked slightly different than in one of his old pictures. After closer inspection, it appeared to be three different fonts that made up the logo, with some characters having different style serifs than the others. Without hesitation, they tore off the masking and started over again, just to ensure that much more accuracy.

The entire hull was hand painted, and covered in six gallons of clear coat. And when it came to sponsors, the decals for logos which no longer existed, were recreated and placed in their exact location for that time period. In fact, once Fred Kiekhaefer saw the stickers that Dan had recreated for his sponsor decal, he asked, “Where the hell did you get those?” And of course, asked if he could have a couple for himself.

What does Fred Kiekhaefer think about this incredible project? “I’m a big believer in restoring historically significant boats,” he says. “Those original Kiekhaefer drives were wet sump, and had a skeg profile that was not optimal.

We didn’t know it at the time or we would have changed it, but we learned that after we sold the company to Mercury— we learned an awful lot of things that we could do with Mercury’s resources but that I couldn’t do on my own. For example, we could dramatically improve the efficiency of the drive by going to what I like to call ‘spot oiling,’ where you’re putting a fine mist of oil right at key spots and lowering the overall amount of oil.

So that improved it a lot. We were able to do better hydrodynamic assessments and improve the skeg profile as well as the thicknesses, dramatically improving the drive all the way around.”

When talking to Dan, his passion for the project is clear. He himself got his start in offshore racing in 1988 at Traverse City, Michigan, where Tom Gentry was also competing. He recalls that day well, as he and the rest of the teams were

82

S P E E D B O A T | July 2018

92255_SpeedboatJul18_050-52,54-57,59,82.indd 82

relegated to a different dock—keeping them separated from all the fanfare that was taking place when Don Johnson and crew were prepping the Gentry Turbo Eagle for race day. Through the years he ultimately befriended Tom, whose shop and race team were also based in Southern California.

The stories Dan has are as fascinating as they are entertaining. One after another, the history of offshore powerboat racing unfolds from his memory with the fondness and detail that can

only be told by someone who was there.

Not everyone will remember the Gentry Turbo Eagle from the golden years of offshore, but with guys like these willing to perform what ended up being a twoand-a-half year restoration, it’s clear that the legend of this beautiful beast will live on for years to come. Hats off to both Dan and his client for completing the restoration to such perfection, and for their combined passion, love and dedication to this historical masterpiece.

speedboat.com

6/23/18 11:52 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83.indd 83

6/24/18 9:44 PM

92255_SpeedboatJul18_03,09,15,35,41,47,53,81,83,84.indd 84

6/25/18 11:44 AM