Old Waterski Racers

[skyskier]

Anybody on these boards remember any of the following? Chuck Stearns, Butch Peterson, Rick Fowler, Mike Dixon, Mike Harker, Rick Cowles, Mike Murphy, David Lester, Don & Vic Baum, Debbie "Brown" Nordblad,Richie & Janie Welch,
Don & Denny Scales, Skip Hawkins, Bruce Izzat Jr & Sr, Pete Peters, Gary Steele, Timmie Guckes,
Jan & Dion Vanhoose, Nancy Symons, Joe Symons, Ron & Marge Eckhoff, Bill Kent, Ronnie & Norm Wilson, Danny Churchill, Dick & Shirley Freek, Dick & Gigi Williams, Leslie & Dickie Williams,...............anybody I left out???

[Havasu1986]

I grew up in Bellflower where Chuck Stearns had a store on Lakewood Blvd.?
Along time ago.

[skyskier]

[QUOTE=Havasu1986;2771321]I grew up in Bellflower where Chuck Stearns had a store on Lakewood Blvd.?
Along time ago.[/QUOTE
Chuck's family had a house on Bellflower Blvd at Rosecrans. The shop was in the back of the house where Chuck HANDBUILT all the Stearns ski line, tricks, jumpers , slaloms and speedskis. If you EVER went to the house to see Chuck, the 1st thing you had to do was get past the old man, Bill, Chuck's dad. Bill was quite a character, if you were'nt there to spend some money, Chuckie was too busy workin to come out an play! Super nice people. I still have one of his concave slalom skis and a speedski, have'nt been used in years, make that decades!

[skyskier]

Didn't want you think I blew you off on the other thread..........My folks have been in CDA for about 15 years, yes, ex californians. Those names didn't ring a bell with me, but once I get up there I hardly ever leave the lakehouse. The secret is out about Lake Coeur d' Alene, pronounced "Core DUH Lane" for all the new California transplants. As I'm sure you know, it didn't get much better for water conditions than what you got up there, even on a busy weekend. It's changed, a lot, since I started going up there. My Pop's got about an acre an a half, waterfront, Driftwood point, just down from the boyscout camp. Summers seem to be getting longer there every year, it was supposed to be 91 there today.

[Wheeler]

Anybody on these boards remember any of the following? Chuck Stearns, Butch Peterson, Rick Fowler, Mike Dixon, Mike Harker, Rick Cowles, Mike Murphy, David Lester, Don & Vic Baum, Debbie "Brown" Nordblad,Richie & Janie Welch,
Don & Denny Scales, Skip Hawkins, Bruce Izzat Jr & Sr, Pete Peters, Gary Steele, Timmie Guckes,
Jan & Dion Vanhoose, Nancy Symons, Joe Symons, Ron & Marge Eckhoff, Bill Kent, Ronnie & Norm Wilson, Danny Churchill, Dick & Shirley Freek, Dick & Gigi Williams, Leslie & Dickie Williams,...............anybody I left out???
Ray and Maggie Barton and there daughter Sandy.
Carl Johnsons parents live down the street

[flatnutz110]

Gary and kathy Steele live in scottsdale they are currently on a safari with Bill and Vicky Meyer in south africa. Mike and Carie Dixon live in cavecreek and spend weekends in havasu.

[obnoxious001]

Anybody on these boards remember any of the following? Chuck Stearns, Butch Peterson, Rick Fowler, Mike Dixon, Mike Harker, Rick Cowles, Mike Murphy, David Lester, Don & Vic Baum, Debbie "Brown" Nordblad,Richie & Janie Welch,
Don & Denny Scales, Skip Hawkins, Bruce Izzat Jr & Sr, Pete Peters, Gary Steele, Timmie Guckes,
Jan & Dion Vanhoose, Nancy Symons, Joe Symons, Ron & Marge Eckhoff, Bill Kent, Ronnie & Norm Wilson, Danny Churchill, Dick & Shirley Freek, Dick & Gigi Williams, Leslie & Dickie Williams,...............anybody I left out???
I grew up around the ski races and boat races. The Izzats were instrumental in teaching me to water ski, along with Stan and Tom Ward and several others in the Pasadena Boat and Water Ski Club. Bruce Jr. lived in Glendora until a few years back when he moved out of state. Butch Peterson was also a close family friend, we used to ski with him as well. Debbie Norblad and her girls Lacey and Mallory are still around ski racing. Last I knew Mike Murphy still had the ski school at Parker? Been a few years since I talked to David Lester, but he had a place on the Arizona side of the strip, as did the Wilsons. I had met many of the others when I was younger, am sure they would not remember.
I recall when there were actually "5 minute guns" that were fired at the ski races,, usually shotguns with blanks.

[rocket98]

Well how about Jerry Cogan and Rich Billingley. They were both National Champs. If you remember them than you also know about Beisemer point at Canyon Lake

[GN2RVR]

wheres your avitar pic taken at

[burtandnancy2]

Skyskier, going to answer you here as it seems more appropriate than the Steamboat thingie. I pulled Chuck Stearn three times with a 32 Spectra which was considered a very big boat back in '78, '79 and '81. Everyone else was using everything from 18' mini's to 24' Schiada's (which pulled Chuck a few times too). After that, I went back to using a 21 Schiada and pulled ex-world champ Jeff Wooton and then Gary Tomlin. Every boat I used for ski racing for 15 years was turboed except for my last one, an normally aspirated 32 Hallett with a pair of 555" engines. I would have stayed in ski racing longer if they had gone back to smaller boats for the Catalina, but I didn't want to buy a 42 foot Fountain and cut 8 inches off the beak...

[BADAXE]

I was a teenager in the 70's in Lake Arrowhead. There were a bunch of fast guys and girls up there. Craig Wendt was pretty fast. I remember going to the Endo's Speed Ski Nationals at long Beach Marine Stadium and watching him go through the traps at 135mph which at the time broke Chuck Stearns long standing world record.

[whiteworks]

I was a teenager in the 70's in Lake Arrowhead. There were a bunch of fast guys and girls up there. Craig Wendt was pretty fast. I remember going to the Endo's Speed Ski Nationals at long Beach Marine Stadium and watching him go through the traps at 135mph which at the time broke Chuck Stearns long standing world record.
my buddies dad broke out the home movies one night 16mm that he shot, boat racing, areobatics, all kinds of crazy stuff he was involved in. he has film of chuck stearns setting the world record behind a drag boat at longbeach. we must have rolled through that footage 10 times. it still blows my mind to think about it.

[Riverkid]

... I would have stayed in ski racing longer if they had gone back to smaller boats for the Catalina, but I didn't want to buy a 42 foot Fountain and cut 8 inches off the beak...
You don't have to do that anymore... :D

[h2ospdskir]

riverkid how is your heart ?

[Riverkid]

back at home, doing good. I think they fixed me... :)

[Racey]

My old man and Butch Peterson were best friends, they used to come up to mead and boat the whole lake in Butch's 18' Long Deck Mandella that my dad built for him, Won Catalina in it the week before Butch had his accident. Still see Danny Churchill out here on Mead every summer, he taught me how to ski when i was about 5. That guy is unreal on a ski, Him and Danny Hensler used to have competitions as to who could do the most Helicopters back to back, they'd break 100 in a row. :eek: Crazy sums of bishes, great guys!!!

[MUDXPRT]

my buddies dad broke out the home movies one night 16mm that he shot, boat racing, areobatics, all kinds of crazy stuff he was involved in. he has film of chuck stearns setting the world record behind a drag boat at longbeach. we must have rolled through that footage 10 times. it still blows my mind to think about it.
My dad had the world record in top blown fuel hydro back in those days and I remember them saying they pulled chuck stearns, the boats name was
Citation and my dad was Rene' Andre' I wonder if this was it?

[H20skier]

Anybody on these boards remember any of the following? Chuck Stearns, Butch Peterson, Rick Fowler, Mike Dixon, Mike Harker, Rick Cowles, Mike Murphy, David Lester, Don & Vic Baum, Debbie "Brown" Nordblad,Richie & Janie Welch,
Don & Denny Scales, Skip Hawkins, Bruce Izzat Jr & Sr, Pete Peters, Gary Steele, Timmie Guckes,
Jan & Dion Vanhoose, Nancy Symons, Joe Symons, Ron & Marge Eckhoff, Bill Kent, Ronnie & Norm Wilson, Danny Churchill, Dick & Shirley Freek, Dick & Gigi Williams, Leslie & Dickie Williams,...............anybody I left out???
Gary McIntyre, the Martini family, and some others I can picture but can't come up with a name. I seem to be afflicted with CRS. :)

[skyskier]

Skyskier, going to answer you here as it seems more appropriate than the Steamboat thingie. I pulled Chuck Stearn three times with a 32 Spectra which was considered a very big boat back in '78, '79 and '81. Everyone else was using everything from 18' mini's to 24' Schiada's (which pulled Chuck a few times too). After that, I went back to using a 21 Schiada and pulled ex-world champ Jeff Wooton and then Gary Tomlin. Every boat I used for ski racing for 15 years was turboed except for my last one, an normally aspirated 32 Hallett with a pair of 555" engines. I would have stayed in ski racing longer if they had gone back to smaller boats for the Catalina, but I didn't want to buy a 42 foot Fountain and cut 8 inches off the beak...
I've herad about this guy " shortening" his boat length for the Catalina race? Now that's dedication!! The last year I skied was 1967, my Dad was running an 18 wickens whirlwind. Skip Volk sold him a bare hull, and Pop pretty much rigged the whole boat, running one of those big bad ass 427 DOHC fords. I've been to several of the ski races at Parker in recent years as I've got a place there. For me personaly, I think the guy's are missing out on something. Like lining up 12 boats around badenochs, with 180 foot ski lines, and blasting downriver at close to 100 mph with EVERYBODY knowing " I'm gonna be the 1st one out of that 1st turn!! and then running the relatively short course where the casino is now. I don't know how the hell our dad's got everybody thru that without anybody getting seriously hurt!? I can still (at 60 yrs old) VIVIDLY remember being close enough to reach out and literaly touch the boat's on either side. I can still "hear" those open headers and feel the heat off them, and feel the "sting" of the spray hitting my face off those "flying flatbottoms" Funnest dam thing I've EVER done, and I've done a lot of fun, crazy stuff!! As I look back on it, seems to me the "ski races" were just something we did to fill some of the time while we were at the river or San Diego, or Phoenix or wherever. These guy's today seem to be way more serious about it?

[skyskier]

Gary McIntyre, the Martini family, and some others I can picture but can't come up with a name. I seem to be afflicted with CRS. :)
Last I heard Gary is living near you? or Is this you? I feel your pain with CRS......I can't beleive I left these people & the Barton's out of my initial post?

[skyskier]

wheres your avitar pic taken at
Lake Coeur d' Alene Idaho

[Wheeler]

My dad had the world record in top blown fuel hydro back in those days and I remember them saying they pulled chuck stearns, the boats name was
Citation and my dad was Rene' Andre' I wonder if this was it?
http://www.vintagehydroplanes.com/foley3.html
Bob Foley Photo Album Page 3
I watched Rene' Andre' at "Ski Land" many times in the 60's. Above is a link that has your Father pictured.

[skyskier]

My old man and Butch Peterson were best friends, they used to come up to mead and boat the whole lake in Butch's 18' Long Deck Mandella that my dad built for him, Won Catalina in it the week before Butch had his accident. Still see Danny Churchill out here on Mead every summer, he taught me how to ski when i was about 5. That guy is unreal on a ski, Him and Danny Hensler used to have competitions as to who could do the most Helicopters back to back, they'd break 100 in a row. :eek: Crazy sums of bishes, great guys!!!
Sounds like you know Lake Mead better than most. I've got my boat in the barn over here in Parker and will NOT put it on the river due to ALL the frickin newbie crazies. The far end of Havasu, at the springs, is where we go out at now, but it's getting WAY MORE crowded there too these day's. I've been wanting to tow over to mead as I've heard parts of the lake are like being on Powell? Can you give an idea as to where I'd launch an go to? Gas availability? Me & my kids and a nephew are running 24 ft deckboats with IO's so I'm wondering about the water levels rock/sandbars & such? Is it as bad as I hear? Thanks

[havasurat27]

I know our boat has done the circuit and has towed a few peeps in the past. It is now retired and hauls an ice chest around Havasu.

[burtandnancy2]

I'll let Racey give you the best up to date info on Lake Mead, even though I've been going there since 1958. I've seen all time lows (we're not quite there yet) and all time high's (winter '84/84). Today the lake is down 117 feet, but that just make the beaches better in most cases. There are some rocks and shoals, but just give them some space, most (not all are marked). There are about a thousand miles of shoreline and you can explore a lot of it. At this level you cannot go up the Grand Canyon, but if the water ever comes back be sure to do that Got a call from our kids last night and they say this Labor Day was the nicest they have ever seen and that the lines at the ramps were very short. Although a few major marina's are no longer open, there are still plenty of places to launch, Racey will know the best ones...
PS, Racey's dad used to be one of the better riggers around, don't know if he's still doing it

[H20skier]

Last I heard Gary is living near you? or Is this you? I feel your pain with CRS......I can't beleive I left these people & the Barton's out of my initial post?
We both lived in River Terrace, but Gary moved to Sedona a year or so ago. Comes back occasionally for a ski ride. Still barefoots, wakeboards, slaloms. Awesome!

[2Driver]

Gary and kathy Steele live in scottsdale they are currently on a safari with Bill and Vicky Meyer in south africa. .
They were channel rats like us back in the late 80's when we lived in Havi. I think they had a Campbell named " Just another Shiddy Day" and a nice 26' turbo'd Hallet.

[Racey]

Sounds like you know Lake Mead better than most. I've got my boat in the barn over here in Parker and will NOT put it on the river due to ALL the frickin newbie crazies. The far end of Havasu, at the springs, is where we go out at now, but it's getting WAY MORE crowded there too these day's. I've been wanting to tow over to mead as I've heard parts of the lake are like being on Powell? Can you give an idea as to where I'd launch an go to? Gas availability? Me & my kids and a nephew are running 24 ft deckboats with IO's so I'm wondering about the water levels rock/sandbars & such? Is it as bad as I hear? Thanks
There are a few little islands here and there, many of them are completely dry, 10+ feet out of the water, I've only seen 2 that could sneak up on you, and i know exactly where they are now, and they aren't too hard to spot, both of them are in places that are out of normal paths, and one is right next to another reef that is about 3-4 feet dry anyway. Mead is great, if you want to come up i recommend staying in boulder city, it has the only amenities near the lake, its a 10 min drive from hotel room to launching. and there are great places to eat.
Up in the upper basin of the lake there are some really cool places, and some of the nicest hard, not muddy, sandy beaches around. It's really not that bad up here, yes the lake is down 110+feet, only holding 40% capacity, but there are so many great beaches and coves showing up now that it makes up for the fact the lake is so low. We boated all 3 Days this Labor day, in v-drives, no problems, the lake was pure glass, never waited behind one car to launch, launched at 10-11am, came off at 6pm or so, one great weekend on mead will sell you on the place for life, one shitty windy weekend and you'll never come back.
PS, Racey's dad used to be one of the better riggers around, don't know if he's still doing it
Still doing it a bit, he's been handing me the reigns for the last few years slowly, but he's finally confident to let me have at and make most of the stuff. We've done a couple schiadas in the last few years. http://www.raceyindustries.com/projects.html

[skyskier]

There are a few little islands here and there, many of them are completely dry, 10+ feet out of the water, I've only seen 2 that could sneak up on you, and i know exactly where they are now, and they aren't too hard to spot, both of them are in places that are out of normal paths, and one is right next to another reef that is about 3-4 feet dry anyway. Mead is great, if you want to come up i recommend staying in boulder city, it has the only amenities near the lake, its a 10 min drive from hotel room to launching. and there are great places to eat.
Up in the upper basin of the lake there are some really cool places, and some of the nicest hard, not muddy, sandy beaches around. It's really not that bad up here, yes the lake is down 110+feet, only holding 40% capacity, but there are so many great beaches and coves showing up now that it makes up for the fact the lake is so low. We boated all 3 Days this Labor day, in v-drives, no problems, the lake was pure glass, never waited behind one car to launch, launched at 10-11am, came off at 6pm or so, one great weekend on mead will sell you on the place for life, one shitty windy weekend and you'll never come back.
Still doing it a bit, he's been handing me the reigns for the last few years slowly, but he's finally confident to let me have at and make most of the stuff. We've done a couple schiadas in the last few years. http://www.raceyindustries.com/projects.html
Did you Dad ride observer for Butch? When Bruce was driving "Kini Po Po"

[502schiada]

Chuck Stearns is my moms best friends husband, super nice guy.

[dirty old man]

Chuck was best all around skier of all time and in the hall of fame. Always wore red/white poka-dot shorts

[Racey]

Did you Dad ride observer for Butch? When Bruce was driving "Kini Po Po"
I think he drove mostly, but i'm sure he observed his share as well, He was telling me a story the other day about running one of the Marathons up here at mead in the Mandella, Butch Skiing and Rados observing, the day prior Rados took a bad fall and screwed up/dislocated his collar bone, went to the hosipital and they told him he was ok, but he was in alot of pain, The Mandella was a bench seat so Rados had to ride on his knees facing backwards while they took the whole shot and smoked everyone to the turn then settled into a cruising speed and lead the rest of the race. I don't think that would fly nowadays! :D

[spectras only]

Guys , I'm surprised none of you mentioned Avila .
http://www.waterskihalloffame.com/pages/Bios/Mike%20Avila.htm

[48OFF]

Skyskier, are you Denny?

[skyskier]

Skyskier, are you Denny? R U across from driftwood point?

[dirty old man]

Avila is still in the sport, but now a driver. His twin engine (two small blocks) is very, very fast and sounds like a pair of NASCARS coming down the straight

[River Lynchmob]

Avila is still in the sport, but now a driver. His twin engine (two small blocks) is very, very fast and sounds like a pair of NASCARS coming down the straight
Those two words should never be used in the same sentence.

[Riverkid]

Those two words should never be used in the same sentence.
:D :D

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

Chuck was best all around skier of all time and in the hall of fame. Always wore red/white poka-dot shorts
Chuck was the best!
1958
http://www.v-drivevideo.com/jerrysgallery/albums/userpics/v-drive_ads_138.jpg

[burtandnancy2]

V-Drive Video, great shot of Chuck, I pulled him twenty years after that photo was taken. Have we raced/competed together and do we know each other?

[phebus]

Anyone recognize the name- Carl Swaisgood?

[flatnutz110]

mike dixon /;)

[jockorace]

I skied for 3 seasons back in the early 60's at Clearlake (Norcal). A few of the top names were Jack McManus, John Belvail (sp?), Bryon Whipple (actually the entire Whipple family), Mike Avila, Lavonne Bushey (she's why I got into it!) We all were towed by flatbottoms back then and NO AUSTRAIAN STYLE ! HANDS OUT FRONT. Back then we would have at least 12-15 skiers per class on just the regular season local races. Awesome times. God I'm old, just realized that was even BEFORE big block Chevy's! FE 427 Fords and 426 Chryslers were the shit then. Jocko

[burtandnancy2]

You're right, Jacko...........................you are old...

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

V-Drive Video, great shot of Chuck, I pulled him twenty years after that photo was taken. Have we raced/competed together and do we know each other?
Aren't you the guy that loves wearing polyester? (Billy B. told me to type that:D )

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

mike dixon /;)
Hey Gary,
Is this boat still in the family?
http://www.v-drivevideo.com/jerrysgallery/albums/userpics/Steele_ski_boat.jpg

[flatnutz110]

Jerry that boat went to south africa and was crashed a few years later. Great picture

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

Jerry that boat went to south africa and was crashed a few years later. Great picture
south africa????
I took that pic from the March 1976 issue of Popular Performance boat. Great article!

[funkcity]

http://www.raceyindustries.com/projects.html[/url]
Hey Racey,
Didn't you folks have the original Spectra 32 Molds?
I believe Burt pulled Stearns and won with that boat at a Catalina Ski Race.
If so, Do you still build them?

[Racey]

Hey Racey,
Didn't you folks have the original Spectra 32 Molds?
I believe Burt pulled Stearns and won with that boat at a Catalina Ski Race.
If so, Do you still build them?
Still have the molds, been talkin back and fourth as to whether we want to build another one, the mold hasnt been used in probably a dozen or more years.

[sleekcraft80]

I knew a guy in the mid 70s who used to pull his son in the catalina race. He had a 21 ft Schiada. His name was Gary Wells. He was killed in an accident on the 91 freeway in the late 70s. His son Marty Wells lives near Yucaipa. Did anybody know Gary or his son. If I remember correctly, he also raced GN.

[Racey]

Marty Wells is around, he still races Catalina. I'm sure many on the board know him.

[sleekcraft80]

I used to work at a gas station/convienence store in colton just down the street from Marty's house in the 70s. He used to try and buy beer with a fake ID all the time. BTW, he never got the beer. Because I knew his dad selling him beer would never happen. Do you know if he still has the yellow Schiada? I do know he has a big tunnel boat on his lot along with the mould.

[burtandnancy2]

V-drive; A few years after the 111 boat went to South Africa, they started sending more American boats over for the various ski races. In 1983 I took a 20' Rayson craft over ( Frank Gibsons old GN boat) raced it for 3 weeks and sold it on the beach. A few years later I shipped a 21' Rayson (with a Thunder aircraft motor) over. Never heard anymore about either one of them except that the 21'er was disqualified often for too much rooster tail (they didn't allow that in ski racing.) This was Kenny Kastons boat and raced very successfully in circle and marathon ski races, and finished 2nd (behind me) in the '81 race...

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

V-drive; A few years after the 111 boat went to South Africa, they started sending more American boats over for the various ski races. In 1983 I took a 20' Rayson craft over ( Frank Gibsons old GN boat) raced it for 3 weeks and sold it on the beach. A few years later I shipped a 21' Rayson (with a Thunder aircraft motor) over. Never heard anymore about either one of them except that the 21'er was disqualified often for too much rooster tail (they didn't allow that in ski racing.) This was Kenny Kastons boat and raced very successfully in circle and marathon ski races, and finished 2nd (behind me) in the '81 race...
I remember one of your boats having the Cask and Cleaver on the side. I worked at the original Cask just out of high school where I met Paul Spencer Jr. Billy B. married my sis.., says he knows you well.

[Riverkid]

V-drive; A few years after the 111 boat went to South Africa, they started sending more American boats over for the various ski races. In 1983 I took a 20' Rayson craft over ( Frank Gibsons old GN boat) raced it for 3 weeks and sold it on the beach. A few years later I shipped a 21' Rayson (with a Thunder aircraft motor) over. Never heard anymore about either one of them except that the 21'er was disqualified often for too much rooster tail (they didn't allow that in ski racing.) This was Kenny Kastons boat and raced very successfully in circle and marathon ski races, and finished 2nd (behind me) in the '81 race...
You need to get some pics of your old race boats put up. Love to see those...:)

[obnoxious001]

Did you Dad ride observer for Butch? When Bruce was driving "Kini Po Po"
I did some recreational skiing behind the Kini Po Po boat. As I mentioned earlier, I got elected to ski back across the lake double up with Butch at the end of a long weekend, after we packed the boats full of gear and people. Guess that's about the time I got the ski race "bug".

[DaddyMack]

I went to High School with and was friends with Tom & Karrie Gelisse (brother/sister)... I believe the Herbst's pulled them back in those days (late 70's)... I was on the JAM for a catalina race about that time... back in those days Jerry herbst had a blue 32 Spectra (and a smaller one that was red). hmmmmmm .... come to think of it I believe the guys that owned Spectra at that time had a brown 32 and would hang with us at Lake Mead as well....
I skiied behind Jerry's boat at about 70 a time or two... :D

[H20skier]

How about the veteran men? Remember what a show they put on? One of the favorite races on the schedule. Merlin Midstokke, Dick Kennedy and Lee Squier (?) not sure of the last name. :)

[dirty old man]

Come on Daddy Mack, can you really see Jerry Herbst in any boat but his trademark red? Back in those days at Mead there were a lot of 32 spectras and I can name you at least half dozen owners

[spectras only]

I remember one of your boats having the Cask and Cleaver on the side.
This is Burt >
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/Burtcourtspectra32.2.jpg
Vic Edelbrock also had a 32 with # 427 on the side .

[Racey]

Vic Edelbrock also had a 32 with # 427 on the side .
It's been sitting in our shop next door in storage for the last couple years, We put a new interior in it, it's cleeeean. But the original spectra 32's are nothing quality wise to the few we popped from the molds, the old ones have very flimsy decks. Our's we built for 10 person dance parties on the deck :D

[spectras only]

Racey , Burt told me once that the 32's had a little flex :idea: . I've been on
David Kahn's , but never had a chance thumping on his deck :) .My
20 and 24 Spectra decks were strong . You could dance on them without
feeling any flex :idea: The 19 [ 1978] we still have feels pretty stout
too .You do have the moulding for the 32 , right ? How much would
you build a hull/deck only ? They would go pretty good with two n/a 572's.
Ps; would Vic ever sell his ? I know he has his megayacht up here that he probably uses more
often , hehe.

[burtandnancy2]

Spectras, thanks for putting up that old picture of my boat, even though I have a scrapbook full of old race boat photo's, I'm incapable of doing so. And you are all correct, that long deck (for its day) was a little flexy. As I remember, Jerry Herbst and Vic Edelbrock both had red and white boats, Steve Rados had an orange and white, and the partner of Spectra Boats had a brown and white. The designer, Bud Bailey still lives in Boulder City...

[spectras only]

Burt , you should come visit here and bring your pictures :idea: :) . I'll scan and fix them on Photoshop ,so we can post them here on HB .

[Racey]

Vic sold his a couple year ago to Bob Brain, Rados sold his orange and white one about 15 years ago when my dad built his new Grey/Yellow/Blue from the molds, He is talking about wanting to build another new one since his current one was made in about 92' (it still looks brand new, has had brummett 572's in it for the last few seasons) He just want's to get another maybe before it's too late. About 5 years ago we talked to some glass guy about doing a bare from the molds, he wanted 40k+ then for laying one up. If we do another one we're gonna work the bottom over, take the hook out, do vinyl-ester and some composite, and try and get some weight out of the front without giving up too much strength.
I love the 32, think its still the best looking boat of that size range, and the way we've built them and all the interieror finish work, teak cabinets, flow coated bilges with all the wood showing, no one can match us in those departments. But i really like building the V-Drive stuff alot more, it's alot more of a challenge, and I really enjoy fabbing and machining the one-off stuff, hardware etc. Slapping Drives and Tabs on, and suspended motor mounts are pretty much a cinch to do compared to a V-drive boat, and doesnt really leave room for any fancy metal fab. But ya never know, we might end up doing another....

[burtandnancy2]

WHAT! My 32 had a hook in it?
And all the time we thought Rados just regelled his old boat...

[spectras only]

They sure look good . Would look even better with longer deck/shortened cabin .
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/32%20%20spectra.jpg
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/32%20%20spectra%202.jpg

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

Spectras, thanks for putting up that old picture of my boat, even though I have a scrapbook full of old race boat photo's, I'm incapable of doing so. And you are all correct, that long deck (for its day) was a little flexy. As I remember, Jerry Herbst and Vic Edelbrock both had red and white boats, Steve Rados had an orange and white, and the partner of Spectra Boats had a brown and white. The designer, Bud Bailey still lives in Boulder City...
Bring them pics over and i'll post them and show you how in the process. Don't you live in Alta Loma?

[burtandnancy2]

V-Drive, no I'm not fortunate enough to live in Alta Loma, although my kids do. My wife and I settled in Rancho Cucamonga in the condo's just outside Red Hill Country Club. But we should get together and share war stories sometime over a cold one...

[FlatStupid]

I knew a guy in the mid 70s who used to pull his son in the catalina race. He had a 21 ft Schiada. His name was Gary Wells. He was killed in an accident on the 91 freeway in the late 70s. His son Marty Wells lives near Yucaipa. Did anybody know Gary or his son. If I remember correctly, he also raced GN.Was Gary kinda of a heavy set guy that was a builder around Riverside. The Wells I'm thinking about, son was also killed and it wasnt an accident !I went to Perris lake a couple of times with him.

[flatnutz110]

We stil have the Campbell Mike and Carie Dixon cruise it in the channel

[Rexone]

Burt remember when we pulled Charlie Chance with your boat? Those were good times. I specifically remember a front straight at Clearlake when we went by a bouy by a couple feet at about 95. Obviously I didn't see it until we went by it. Charlie missed it by about 4 feet. I was much more concerned about it than he was I guess. :eek:
I'm guessing that was mid to late 1980's.

[Rexone]

Was Gary kinda of a heavy set guy that was a builder around Riverside. The Wells I'm thinking about, son was also killed and it wasnt an accident !I went to Perris lake a couple of times with him.
Must be a different guy Craig, Martie is alive and well to my knowledge. Also one of a very few elite men ski racers that I would consider the best of all time.

[obnoxious001]

[QUOTE=spectras only;2780605]
This is Burt >
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/Burtcourtspectra32.2.jpg
QUOTE]
I had a ride in Burt's boat around 1979, same year he pulled Chuck to one of his Catalina wins! I was working for Gale Banks, and Burt had Banks engines in the boat at the time.

[sleekcraft80]

Was Gary kinda of a heavy set guy that was a builder around Riverside. The Wells I'm thinking about, son was also killed and it wasnt an accident !I went to Perris lake a couple of times with him.
Gary Wells lived in colton just off of washinton. He was a GN racer for a time and he also pulled his son marty in the catalina race. Gary liked his bourbon and fell asleep at he wheel on the 91 freeway near the 55 and was killed. Marty lives in the yucaipa/redlands area.

[flatnutz110]

Which of the three regions would win overall for THE BRAGGINGRIGHTS

[Halvecta]

All the chatter over the V-drive Vector for sale made me dig this up. Evidently my '87 Vector is in good old school company. I am sure many of you will recognize the driver names and boats as well. Enjoy.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/showphoto.php?photo=134133&ppuser=16107
Not sure how to get the image from my gallery to this thread, but here is the link.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/showphoto.php?photo=134133&ppuser=16107

[bordsmnj]

that's pretty cool.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/Scan0006.jpg

[WishIknew]

Which of the three regions would win overall for THE BRAGGINGRIGHTS
Parker Strip

[skyskier]

My dad had the world record in top blown fuel hydro back in those days and I remember them saying they pulled chuck stearns, the boats name was
Citation and my dad was Rene' Andre' I wonder if this was it?
Found this pic of your Dad in Citation. I saw your Dad run many times at Long Beach Marine Stadium. ALWAYS a crowd pleaser to say the least!

[Shrike 16]

How about Ronnie and Bobbie Bolton or Steve Baum, Casey and Kelly Harker or Kathy Franzen Tom and Joyce Brown Or most importantly Rudy Ramos.... My dad Em Franzen and Randy Harker and Im sure afew other very dedicated boaters ran off the
very first edition of the "SKI-LINE" with an old crank ditto machine for our Long Beach Boat and Ski club. boy those were the days !! Sure would be happy to talk to anyone who was there. and might have pics.... Kathy Franzen/ Shrike 16 race team

[Wheeler]

How about Ronnie and Bobbie Bolton or Steve Baum, Casey and Kelly Harker or Kathy Franzen Tom and Joyce Brown Or most importantly Rudy Ramos.... My dad Em Franzen and Randy Harker and Im sure afew other very dedicated boaters ran off the
very first edition of the "SKI-LINE" with an old crank ditto machine for our Long Beach Boat and Ski club. boy those were the days !! Sure would be happy to talk to anyone who was there. and might have pics.... Kathy Franzen/ Shrike 16 race team

Try River Daves place, he has a ski section.http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=128

[ponytailgrandson]

Anybody on these boards remember any of the following? Chuck Stearns, Butch Peterson, Rick Fowler, Mike Dixon, Mike Harker, Rick Cowles, Mike Murphy, David Lester, Don & Vic Baum, Debbie "Brown" Nordblad,Richie & Janie Welch,
Don & Denny Scales, Skip Hawkins, Bruce Izzat Jr & Sr, Pete Peters, Gary Steele, Timmie Guckes,
Jan & Dion Vanhoose, Nancy Symons, Joe Symons, Ron & Marge Eckhoff, Bill Kent, Ronnie & Norm Wilson, Danny Churchill, Dick & Shirley Freek, Dick & Gigi Williams, Leslie & Dickie Williams,...............anybody I left out???

Dick and Gigi are my Grandparents. Leslie is my Aunt and "Dickie" Dick is my father. Dick and Gigi are living in San Ramon CA, Leslie is in Piedmont CA, and Dick and Jan are living in Redondo Beach. Their boat was 47 - Pony Tail