Reply With QuoteThe TX19 was originated by Jim Youngblood when he worked for Apollo Boats near Little Rock, Ark. in the late 60's or early 70's.
The TX19 was originally a high sided bass boat with a Jacuzzi jet pump and a BBC. Jim raced the boat in circle races and outran everthing on the water. The boat was an ugly S.O.B. and was often referred to as that ugly S.O.B. that outran me. Jim later lowered the sides of the TX19 and started Youngblood boats. He sold a lot of TX19's along with 18's and a couple of pickle forks. Most of his boats were very light. One story goes that he laminated a 2x6 stringer, then pulled the wood out for weight reduction. People say that Jim Youngboold said he built his hulls thin so they would not crack.
No one is sure of Jim Youngblood's whereabouts now, but the last anyone heard he was near Monroe, La. building model boats. I understand many creditors would like to know his location.
Further history for TX19's could come from Neal Clark who was part of Apollo and I understand lives in Arkansas. Neal should be easier to find than Jim.
The Texas Tunnel (Texas Performance Marine ?)was a TX19 splash that was built by Earl Smith in a goat shed near El Paso, Texas. The Texas Tunnel had straight up and down sides instead of slanted like the TX19 and the sides were cut down somewhat lower than the TX19, but the bottom was the same. Texas Tunnel was started in the mid 70's.
There were several other TX19 splashes in Texas in the mid 70's to early 80's. One was Sundancer in San Antonio (my TX19 is an '82 Sundancer), Jim Sadler Custom Boats in Killeen, and another TX19 splash was built in Lubbock.
I am not sure where California Performance fits in. I think they came along about the time Youngblood Boats sank.
I hope this post jogs some other senior squirt boaters memories and they can add to the history lesson for the TX19.
