speedboat august 2014

speedboat.com

JULY/AUGUST 2014

SP

EE

DB

OAT M

AG

AZIN

E

JU

LY/AU

GU

ST 2

01

4

0 71896 47230 1

0 8

$5.99US&CANADA

MARKS THE SPOTA TOUR OF FLORIDASBRAND X POWER SHOP

DEATH-DEFYING CRASH!

How Billy B Revamped

the CHEROKEE MAIDEN

Biesemeyer

BEAUTYBEAUTYBILLYSBILLYS

by Performance Boats Magazine

X

FC_SB_0714.indd 1FC_SB_0714.indd 1 7/22/14 11:18 AM7/22/14 11:18 AM

03,13,15,43,47,81_0714_newADS.indd 303,13,15,43,47,81_0714_newADS.indd 3 7/21/14 2:50 PM7/21/14 2:50 PM

speedboat.com 4 S P E E D B O A T | July/August 2014

C O N T E N T SCOLUMNS 6 CHRIS DAVIDSON 8 ALEXI SAHAGIAN58 READER RIDES

FEATURES10 LONE STAR LEGENDSThe Texas Outlaw Challenge once again proves that they do every-thing bigger n better in the Lone Star State.

22 X MARKS THE SPOTSpeedboat pays a visit to Jason Venturas one-stop power shop in South Florida.

30 TREK TO TAMPAStu Jones takes his Florida Powerboat Club on a memorable poker run to a luxury-drenched Tampa / Saint Pete destination.

38 VELOCI-RAPTUREWho better to update a 1986 Velocity than Jim Bakatselos of Electronics Unlimited?

44 STUNNING SPLASHDOWNSWhat goes up must come downand for these brave souls, the re-entry can really stir up the pot.

50 ITS A CURE THINGVirginia hosts the sixth annual Powerboating for a Cure poker run.

Editorial: Speedboat Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All manuscripts, materials, pho-tographs and artwork submitted are at mailers 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 Performance Boats right to edit and comment editorially. All rights reserved. Reprinting in whole or part is expressly forbidden, except by written permission of the publisher.

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

Cover photo by Brett Bayne

04-05_TOC_0714-BB.indd 404-05_TOC_0714-BB.indd 4 7/18/14 11:09 PM7/18/14 11:09 PM

speedboat.com S P E E D B O A T | July/August 2014 5

Speedboat.com

To find your nearest location to purchase a copy of Speedboat Magazine go to:

www.WheresMyMagazine.com

Published by DCO Enterprises, LLC

Publishers Ray Lee [email protected]

Chris Davidson [email protected]

Editor Brett Bayne [email protected] Senior Tech Editors Jim Wilkes [email protected]

Alexi Sahagian [email protected]

Tech Editors Greg Shoemaker Jim Wilkes Valerie Collins

National Sales Kerri TrapaniDirector [email protected]

Art Director Gail Hada-Insley

Helicopter Services Fred Young [email protected] Photographers Todd Taylor, Paul Kemiel Randy Nuzzo, Kenny Dunlop, Stu Jones, Jeff Girardi

Operations Manager Michele Plummer [email protected]

Subscriptions [email protected]

Webmaster Craig Lathrop [email protected]

Web Design Element Media Design

Editorial Offices 9216 Bally Court Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 (888) 577-2628 (BOAT)

SPEEDBOAT MAGAZINE (ISSN#1941-9473) is published 6 times a year by DCO Enterprises LLC.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Domestic $30.00 for 6 issues, Canada $53.00 for 6 issues, International $67.00 for 6 issues. All prices are for one year and in US funds. For subscription info: call (888) 577-2628.

PRINTED IN USA These rates represent Speedboats standard subscrip-tion rate and should not be confused with any special rates or premiums otherwise advertised or offered.

BRETTS COVE60 WE LOVE YOU, ANNAJack Wellers backyard party continues to expand by leaps and bounds at Virginias rockingest lake.

66 UP TO SPEEDThe Outlaw Boat Racers have perfected their goal of indulging in no-frills, no-stress fun.

72 CHEROKEE PRIDEA vintage Biesemeyer gets some loving attention from Billy B of Krazy Kolors.

76 ROAR AT THE SHORENJBA competitors head to Camp Far West for a rip-roaring weekend of racing.

04-05_TOC_0714-BB.indd 504-05_TOC_0714-BB.indd 5 7/18/14 11:09 PM7/18/14 11:09 PM


chrisdavidson

If youre wondering why the maga-zine youre holding is no longer called Performance Boats, join the clubyoure in good company! Im here to explain why I decided to rechristen it.

We sold PerformanceBoats.com nearly two years ago to Vertical Scope of Toron-to, Canada. It was a difficult decision, but necessary for various reasons. Numerous industries were hurting in the dawn of 2007, marine-related business were being pummeled (and continue for some to this day). New sales of high-performance boats were the hardest to be hit. Com-paratively, used boat dealers flourished from 2009 to 2012 by selling low-hour boats at auctions for resale. This made it even more difficult for OEMs to remain competitive. Several manufacturers have weathered the storm, including Nordic, DCB, Shockwave and Eliminator. Our annual revenue fell by 90% compared to our glory daysannual ad revenues dur-ing our heyday with Larry Flynt Publica-tions were nearly $2 million the last full year we produced Hot Boat.

I launched Performance Boats in 2008 with less than $100,000 in ad revenue for that year. I thought it would just take a year or so to get back to the $2M annual benchmark that we had all enjoyed previ-ously, but that never happened. Ad reve-nue for last year hovered around $150,000 for the print version of PB.

PerformanceBoats.com was created for, and championed by, our loyal forum members and PB team members. That turned out to be a tough act to follow. Moreover, up until this month, each print issue of Performance Boats had the unin-tended effect of promoting what is essen-tially a competitive website for ad dollars and web surfers.

Our new brand, Speedboat Magazine, exists in part to promote our new website, Speedboat.com. Speedboat will be run by the same people who ran its predeces-sor, but with a slight change in editorial

instant suc-cess, with its up-close and per-sonal cov-erage and technologically advanced website. Software was created by Craig Lathrop, our webmaster, that didnt exist at the time it included a video player and online digital magazine, things that were unheard of in our industry, as well as many others. We have outlasted all the powerhouses, including Hot Boat, Extreme Boats and Powerboat magazines from 2008 to 2012.

This past year has been extraordinary, starting with the addition of Ray Lee. His enthusiasm and efforts have been invigo-rating for both us and our readership. Ray goes to many of the events and socializes with everyone. He has proven to be an indispensable contributor to the maga-zine, along with staff members Kenny Redneck Dunlop, Jim Wilkes and Todd Taylor, among others.

Editor Brett Bayne has continued to be the engine that drives the train. This year marks the 20th anniversary of our collaboration, and he has developed a loyal following with his Bretts Cove sec-tion. The comments that we get from his features are consistently positive and greatly appreciated by the hardcore boat-ers who work diligently to turn their hulls into sheer works of art. Brett delivers their creations to the masses. His section was expanded from 16 pages to 24 pages last month and will continue to grow. Every-one has noticed and offers great feedback.

The coming years will be interesting to witness, as a new generation of boaters takes to the lakes, and new designs and technology comes into play. The Parker Strip and Lake Havasu have changed, but dont expect the Hondos, Sangers and Coles to go anywhere. We look forward to enjoying the sound of their V8s roaring down the river for years to come.

focus. The expansion of Bretts Cove has already taken place; it will cover more jet boats and V-drive action from Billy Bs events to action on the Parker Strip and Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series. Ironically, the survival of the last traditionally printed, nationally distributed high-performance boat magazine depends on our ability to continue developing interest in this new website, Speedboat.com.

The demand for high-performance boating information and content will obviously continue to increase over the coming years. PowerboatNation.com, RiverDavesplace.com and Speedon-theWater.com, along with others, have blazed new paths for everyone to get more of what everybody wants.

The challenge we face for Speedboat Magazine is coming up with features that are not necessarily timely. Even with desktop publishing technology at its best, it still takes us six to eight weeks to pro-duce our productsometimes longer.

Our team has wrestled with the best way to present Speedboat to the public for over a year. As with any small cor-poration, having the ability to move fast is both a benefit and potential hazard. Without the necessity for lengthy board-room discussions, things can change without the appearance of being carefully considered or planned. This isnt the case with the Speedboat name change, even though the May issue transitioned from Performance Boats to Speedboat over-night after I made one late-night phone call to our editor.

Flashback to 2007: Speedboat Maga-zine and Speedboat.com was our original choice to title our new brand after we were uncerimoniously dismissed from Larry Flynt Publications. However, a few people attempted to put out some road-blocks in order to prevent us from launch-ing a new boating title. Our backup plan was created and we purchased Perfor-manceBoats.com. The magazine was an

Whats in a Name?Whats in a Name?

06_SB_CHRIS-CD.indd 606_SB_CHRIS-CD.indd 6 7/21/14 6:40 PM7/21/14 6:40 PM

9,13,15,21,23,25,27,39,81,84_0314_newADS.indd 99,13,15,21,23,25,27,39,81,84_0314_newADS.indd 9 3/24/14 10:59 PM3/24/14 10:59 PM


alexisahagian onthedynoature, the transmissions will fail, burn clutches, etc. I would guess that is 90% the issue in your boat. Once you start slipping a clutch on the 10-16 clutch drum (depending on the case and trans-mission you have), its like a disease in there. I am going to assume you have moderate power. Moreover, the hard immediate accelerations will put the icing on the cake once the disease starts.

If it were only one transmission, it is possible that it could be a bad part coming off the drum or planetary gear assembly then causing failure, but burnt oil is from seizure, slippage and basically any heat source, i.e., excess friction.

Sometimes sitting can cause issues with transmission pump pressures. But again, it is usually not a problem at the same time in two units. Change the clutches out and put FA type oil from Valvoline or Lucas and you will be a happy boater again.

I hope my simple suggestion fixes your ongoing problem.

Engine On/Off MysteryDear Alexi:I have a twin supercharged twin-engine boat in Florida. The engines are 540-cubic-inchers with quad rotor Whipples and a MEFI computer system, HEI distributor and basic electronics. I really like the way the engines run, but

every once in a while, my rpms drop then spike back up at idle. It seems to happen

Transmission SlipDear Alexi:I have a need for your expertise. The engines in my boat are great, but I am experiencing transmission troubles. It is a twin engine cat equipped with BAM transmissions. My problem is that every time I get to approximately three hours of run time, my oil smells burnt, and the boat often slips coming on plane or when I do a quick acceleration when on plane. The mechanic keeps changing the clutches in the trans, but has no idea why

on my port engine more so than the starboard. I have had it checked out by all the best in the area and they keep telling me it is a short in the boat. I have isolated the dash and it still does it. Any ideas?Ryan FloresCape Coral Florida

If your problem is intermittent, it may be some type of short in the harness, electrical system, etc. These types of issues can be a bear to find. It really takes dedication and concentration, as well as a good order of operation, to attack the source of this problem. Of course, without seeing the boat, I can only sug-gest a few typical things we see here at Boostpower Marine.

I would start by checking all of the grounds, a 10 pin connector at the engine and, of course, the key or kill switch, as a basic check. Believe it or not, we often see these being the culprits. Always review the absolute basics first, as they are not so time consuming and you can keep your thoughts clear as you dig deeper.

If you have access to a scan tool for a MEFI/Mercury ECU, use it and see if there is any obvious history present in the codes, etc. After all of this, you will likely find that the GM-type distributor module in your distributor is bad. They can run erratic, stall, misfire, and just do a ton of weird things. It is a simple swap and review the trigger mechanism in the distributor while you are in there. At times, rust builds up on them and they get a dirty signal to the module/ECM, etc., causing issues. We see this as the focal point of your problem once all the basics are reviewed. If you find a bad ground, dont think it could be the only thing wrong. Bad grounds, low battery voltage and battery spikes from chargers all cause sensitive electronic items to go bad. It is recommended to

its happening. The boat sits for a long time in between when I use it; however, the shop that keeps looking at it says that they cant figure it out. I need your help!Roman WattMiami, FL

For starters, the transmissions that BAM makes are very good and tough for all applications of boating. I see that you have about a three-hour drive time before your transmissions smell burnt. I would say that your mechanic is straight out using standard trans-mission oil in the transmission and not type F/FA specific oil. The BAM Velvet drive and several high perfor-mance transmissions require type FA oil. If you fail to install the proper oil at the proper level and check the level while warm at operating temper-

08,82_SB_Alexi_0714-RL.indd 808,82_SB_Alexi_0714-RL.indd 8 7/21/14 5:11 PM7/21/14 5:11 PM

02,07,09,11,21,31,41-Brett,51,81_0514_newADS.indd 1102,07,09,11,21,31,41-Brett,51,81_0514_newADS.indd 11 6/11/14 10:13 PM6/11/14 10:13 PM

As this issue went to press, the 28th Annual Augusta Southern Nationals drag-boat race, presented by Lucas Oil, had just wrapped up competition. During the race, driver Dwayne Perry hooked to the right and rolled over in Jack Wellers Popsicle, a Tom Papp-built Cheyenne that features an experimental hull built prior to his Stealth line. Perry suffered only minor injuries from the crash.

Coincidentally, Wellers boat had already been photographed for our Lake Anna feature (see Page 60), where it appears in pristine condition only a few weeks before the accident. The 19-foot boats bottom had recently been redone by Irving Capps, bringing it up to todays specs. In addition, the drivetrain had been overhauled and upgraded from 2,400 to 3,000 horses.

RIP, RIP, PopsiclePopsicle

PhotographersAction photos: R. Michelle Percival

Pre-crash photos: Kelly BladenPost-crash photos: George Franklin

KELL

Y BL

ADEN

KELL

Y BL

ADEN

R. M

ICHE

LLE

PERC

IVAL

R. M

ICHE

LLE

PERC

IVAL

GEOR

GE F

RANK

LIN

GEOR

GE F

RANK

LIN

speedboat.com10 S P E E D B O A T | July/August 2014

industrynews

10_PB_IndustryNEWS.indd 1010_PB_IndustryNEWS.indd 10 7/21/14 6:42 PM7/21/14 6:42 PM

LEGENDSThe Texas Outlaw Challenge once again proves that they do everythingbigger n better there. Photography by Jay Nichols and Jamie Russell

LONE


All poker runs feature their subtle differences, schedules and charities...but only in Texas can you walk away with a gun.

Thats what 100 attendees took away from the Texas Outlaw Challenge, a sprawling four-day event that takes its Outlaw moniker very seriously: Organizer Paul Robinson hands out 100 guns, continuing a tradition he began when creating the run seven years ago. They are non-firing guns, he explains. They feel, look and cock like real guns, but you cant fire them. Every year I change the styleIve had Custer, John Wayneyou name the outlaw, Ive had their guns.

This year, as part of the Thursday kickoff, Robinson

arranged to convert a local bread and breakfast into Miss Charitys Big Gun Saloon, complete with a realistic sign out front saying: Where Only the Whiskey and Beer Are Free, fol-lowed by Gunslingers Only. At 10 p.m., Miss Charitys opened its doors to gunslingers (patrons) who donated between $250 and $2,500 to seven different charities; depending on the level of their gift, they came away with a shotgun set, der-ringer, single gun, etc., including holsters.

But the firepower is just one of the many ways that this event distinguishes itself. At the Texas Outlaw Challenge, the watch-word is hospitality. Robinson describes it as an East-meets-

12-21_SB_LLegends_0714_r1 1-RL_rg.indd 1212-21_SB_LLegends_0714_r1 1-RL_rg.indd 12 7/19/14 10:57 PM7/19/14 10:57 PM

The pool party at Kenny Armstrongs house was a blowout theyll be talking about for years.Below: Tim Johnson of Montgomery, TX, in his 51' Outerlimits, powered by 1,200-hp engines.


West bash where Eliminators and DCBs mingle with MTIs and Outerlimits, and virtually everything in betweenquad-outboard center-console rockets, runabouts, and more than a few Nor-Techs. Theres a real hospitality people feel when they come here, he says. They dont just come to an eventthey come to peoples homes and build relationships. You got to meet new people and share time with our coast-to-coast neighbors.

Indeed, the poker run segment of the weekend has stops at private homeshuge resorts capable of many amenities because theyre huge, Texas-style houses that can dock numer-ous boats. Robinsons neighbor, Kenny Armstrong, threw a lav-

ish, first-stop pool party on Friday afternoon that has already become legendary among those who attendedat least 120 boats were tied up in his backyard, 100 cars parked in his drive-way, and three helicopters landed in his expansive yard. In addition, Armstrong paid the food and catering tab. It may be a clich, but its true: Everything really is done bigger in Texas.

For 2014, Robinson changed the main location of the run, employing more of the Kemah Boardwalk (a 60-acre enter-tainment destination in Kemah, TX, located about 30 miles southeast of Houston). It was a home run and exceeded our expectations, he says. It really raised the bar on our dining


Britt Hawkins pilots his Cigarette Tiger.

Below: Boats line up at the Street Party.

experiences and the variety of the menu items and locations. All told, the event drew 180 boats and 1,000 registered guestsboth qualifying as new records. A Street Party was added to the festivi-ties this year, with MTI, Cigarette and Nor-Tech among the boats featured. In addition, the Challenge managed to double its charity donations.

Gary Smith, the Predator owner from Tuscon, AZ, whose 170-mph run nabbed him King of the Desert honors at this years Desert Storm Shootout, upped the ante with a record-setting 176-mph speed at the Texas versiondriving his 1991 40' Skater alongside Vern Gilbert. We doubled our safety teamdouble the divers, ambulancesbecause we knew some big numbers would be run, Robinson says. But it went flawlessly.

For next year, Robinson is mulling the suggestion from numerous guests that an extra day be added to the Challenge on the front side for extra travel time, which would make it June 17-21. Also, he says a water taxi will likely be added so people dont have to fight traffic and parking.


lonestarlegends


Justin DiGiovannio in his 29 E-Ticket, powered by twin Mercury outboards.

Above: Boats raft up during a poker-run lunch stop. Below: Gino Gargiulos state-of-the-art 48' MTI.


lonestarlegends


02,07,09,11,21,31,41-Brett,51,81_0514_newADS.indd 3102,07,09,11,21,31,41-Brett,51,81_0514_newADS.indd 31 6/11/14 10:13 PM6/11/14 10:13 PM

Above: Another view of Kenny Armstrongs pool party. Below: Johnny Ballards 2005 43V Nor-Tech, based out of Rio Villa, TX.

Above: Ken Milsteads 36' Skater, Category 4. Below: The drivers meeting at Crazy Alans Swamp Shack Cajun and Creole restaurant.


lonestarlegends


03,07,09,13,17,27,31,35,39,45,47,83,84_0113newADS.indd 8403,07,09,13,17,27,31,35,39,45,47,83,84_0113newADS.indd 84 2/4/13 1:26 PM2/4/13 1:26 PM

An unitentified Fountain carves a wave.

Gary Smiths 40' Skater, the Predator I, won the Shootoutwith a speed of 176 mph, teaming with Vern Gilbert.


lonestarlegends


Cass Shewbart in his 38' Cigarette Top Gun, Liquid Prozac.



XMarks the Spot

Photos by Brett Bayne

Speedboat pays a visit to Jason Venturas South Florida one-stop power shop.


22-29_SB_X_0714-RL.indd 2222-29_SB_X_0714-RL.indd 22 7/18/14 11:22 PM7/18/14 11:22 PM


At 45, Jason Ventura is living a dream he could scarcely have fathomed as a young truck mechanic from southern Massachusetts. After buying a 26-foot Checkmate, he educated himself on virtually every aspect of marine power, eventually landing a gig with Bristol, RI-based Outerlimits Powerboats. After his tenure there, he went into business for himself, traveling the country to rig offshore muscleboats. Eventually, he launched a complete rigging shop called Brand X Hi-Performance Marine in Pompano Beach, FL, expanding his repertoire to include storage, installations, upgrades and a concierge service catering to the poker-run crowd. Ventura decided to name his company Brand X as a way of proclaiming that he would not identify himself with a single brand of boat or service: Were not going to settle on optimizing to just one thing, he says.

The staff of Speedboat recently visited the shop, which is positively jam-packed with his clients boats: Bill Pyburns famous 388 Skater, Chris Bradleys 40' Nor-Tech cat, Rainmaker, and Montreal-based Patrick Bedards 43' Outerlimits, Go Fast, named after the energy drink he distributes, to name a few. In addition, Ventura recently finished working on Risky Business,



xmarksthespot

a blue 388 Skater. We sat down with Jason to discuss his background, and how he has navigated Brand X to a thriv-ing and expanding venture.

Speedboat: Youre originally from Fall River, MA, a small industrial city near the Massachusetts/Rhode Island border. Tell us about your days in the Northeast, and your early experiences in boats.

Jason Ventura: I had bought myself a 26' Checkmate without power. I was like every other boat ownerI thought I could do everything cheaper and better by myself. But I was a truck mechanic, not a boat mechanic, and I needed to learn the peculiarities of boat engines. So I went through my entry-level of

bangs and bruises of blowing up motors because I didnt have the right com-bination. Then I met a local guy at Carritas Racing Engines who built my drag-car motors; he built me a boat motor. Also, in my 20s, I met Dean Nickerson (of Nickerson Performance Competition Carburetors). He helped me out and got me going. Back then, 70 mph was considered fast.

Carritas built me a long block, and Nickerson sold me a B&M 250 with a set of carbs on it. I was running in the 80s. Meanwhile, my friend Billy Hill, a mentor of mine, had just taken deliv-ery of one of the new 42' step-bottom Fountains with triple HP500EFIs. Going 90 in that boat was pure adrenaline. I was hooked! I got out of drag racing and

switched over to boats at local poker running. Thats how I met Michael (Fiore), and how I went from being a truck mechanic to being a service guy at Outerlimits, and then a service manager and beyond.

SB: Bill Pyburn was an early client of yours, and he is still with you today. What were your first jobs after working at Outerlimits?

JV: My first rigging job was a 42' Outerlimits Legacy belonging to a cli-ent up in Washington State. Bob Russell had sold him a set of 1550 Sterlings; I installed them and we ran the boat 152 mph right out of the garage door. We tested it on Puget Sound. Then there


2,3,5,11,13,17,21,31,33,35,39,51,55,65,81,IBC,BC_ADS_0512.indd 132,3,5,11,13,17,21,31,33,35,39,51,55,65,81,IBC,BC_ADS_0512.indd 13 3/27/12 11:44 PM3/27/12 11:44 PM

The Brand X showroom is home to this 24' Skater owned by Mike Mears of Fineline Marine Interiors of Hallandale, FL.


xmarksthespot

was Pure PlatinumI was involved in the build of that boat at Skater.

SB: This was before you had a shop.

JV: I would put ship my tools in peli-can boxes, then fly to a remote loca-tion and rig a boat on location. I did a boat for Bob Russell that way. Thats how it went in the early daysI would travel everywhere. If there was a poker run happening, I would get on a plane with my team and wed go there, pick up boats, do all of the driving, hauling, cleaning and preparation so the cus-tomer could have a great experience.

SB: How did your business evolve from there?

JV: As the economy changed, we had

to change. Thats why we landed in a fixed location, driven by winter storage, maintenance and a more localized con-cierge service. Fortunately, theres more poker-running going on in the state of Florida than anywhere else in the coun-try. When I started Brand X in 2008, I had a select, high-end clientele, but it got to the point where it needed roots. I ended up in Florida, where the weather is far more ideal than the Northeast, where we get about eight good weeks.

So I moved everything to Florida and tested the waters there, first rent-ing space from the FastBoats Marine Group, and then at a 3,500-square-foot space from Chief Performance, which we quickly outgrew. We moved up to a 9,000-square-foot facility, maintained that for a while, and now were in three

buildings with a total of 22,000 square feet.

SB: What are the typical kinds of boats you see here at the shop?

JV: Were a Mercury certified com-pany that specializes in the higher-end stuff, although we actually do a lot of work with center-consoles with Verados. As the founder of the company, I tend to work on Mercury 1075s and 1350s, Chief 1700s, Sterling 1550sthats more my realm. Andrew, who works for me, focuses on the center consoles.

The company was founded on high-quality concierge service, and we still offer that today. We pick the boat up, fuel it, wash it, clean it, drop it off at the hotel for you, stock it with drinks and



xmarksthespot

ice, have it completely ready to go. We can arrange to have your boat return-delivered to the destination of your choiceincluding at our facility in Pompano Beach. We also have a 39-foot toter home as a support vehicle now, which is loaded with parts, from #6 drives down to the nuts and bolts.

SB: How do you envision the future of Brand X?

JV: Were going to venture more into bigger on the maintenance side, offer more in-house services, and continue to grow. We already do our own drives, and I want to offer more major glass repairs, possibly in a building dedicat-ed to glass repairs. Basically, we want to be able to control all aspects of a jobwhen its out of our hands, its out of our control. I dont want to wait for the paint guy. I want to do everything in house.

Id also like to mention that we do complete truck and trailer service. We are AVI certified inspectors with over 18 years of experience in the heavy duty truck industry.

For more info, visit bxpmarine.com.

MISSION STATEMENTAt the time of our photo shoot, Brand X was taking care of this beautiful Statementthe companys second-ever catamaran hull, according to Ventura (top left). It has everything, he says of the 50-footer. Porcelin toilet, stone countertops and sink, 42" TV in the stateroom. Its a real luxury powerboat. The boat, called Stray Cat, is owned by Dave Abrams and Chris Federline of New Jersey. Special thanks to Tancy Marie, our gorgeous swimsuit model.


Above: An aerial view of the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Below: Don and Alice Lightfoots 52' Nor-Tech, Loose Foot Too, powered by a pair of 700-hp Chief engines.

Ab A i l i f th hi t i R i Vi R t B l D d


30-37_SB_Trek2Tampa_0714-RL.indd 3030-37_SB_Trek2Tampa_0714-RL.indd 30 7/21/14 3:42 PM7/21/14 3:42 PM

Trek to TampaPhotos by Stu Jones

Stu Jones takes his Florida Powerboat Club on a memorablepoker run to a luxury-drenched Tampa / Saint Pete destination.


Of the numerous Florida Powerboat Club poker runs through-out the year, the Tampa Bay event is unique in that the entire weekend is based out of a single waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, where participants enjoy the luxury of the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort. And the vibrant St. Pete waterfront district provides the quintessential shopping, dining and club experience. With a Friday fun run and a comparatively shorter Saturday poker run, participants have more time to relax and enjoy the destination.

This year, more than 40 registered teams and a wide variety of boats (including a healthy international roster of attendees) helped to make the 2014 run one of the best in recent memory.

As always, there was an eclectic mix of performance, power

and bling. Two brand-new cats made this their maiden poker run: Don Lightfoot in his 52' Nor-Tech made a big splash, and Kelly Sills new Skater 388 with 1100s was also in attendance. FPC President Stu Jones took his first ride on a 50-foot Mystic with builder John Cosker: It was like sitting in your living room at 135 mph! he says.

The really fantastic spring weather made it the perfect weekend, Jones added. After four years, we have hand-picked all the best stops, and the course is excellent in protected Tampa Bay waters, so its ideal for any size boat. The Saturday night party found a new venue at SIP nightclub, which was fan-tastic because owners did a nice dinner for us then converted the venue to a trendy club with a great vibe, so it was a big fin-ish to a great poker run.


Oystein Tenold and crew pilot their 36' Nor-Tech.

Jeffrey Bognolo runs his38' Donzi alongside theRoyal Caribbean Brillianceof the Seas cruise ship.


trektotampa


L

XL

2XL

3XL

4XL

QTY

L

XL

2XL

3XL

4XL

QTY

Subscribe & Save!Its the fastest way to get your

go-fast fix! 1 year, 6 issues for

$24 delivered to your door.

*Current subscribers please call 1-888-577-2628 to renew.

speedboat.com and subscribe today!*C

spespGo to

Use Credit Card security through www.speedboat.comFor orders by mail, check or money order to:7121 W. Craig Rd., Ste. 113, Las Vegas, NV 89129Attn: Subscriptions

Call us direct at: 888-577-BOAT (2628)Med-XL $14.95

XXL $16.95

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

1-year $30.00 6 issues Canadian rate: $53.00, International rate $67.00 (U.S. Funds)

NAME AGE

ADDRESS

CITY/STATE/ZIP

PHONE NUMBER

EMAIL

FRONT: LEFT CHEST

BACK

BACK

FRONT: LEFT CHEST

_SB_merch-subad_0714.indd 33_SB_merch-subad_0714.indd 33 7/21/14 7:21 PM7/21/14 7:21 PM

caption

Gino Gargiulos Lamborghini-themed 48' MTI, Raging Bull (above and top right) and Don Lightfoots 52' Nor-Tech (below) tied for the Best Catamaran award. Above: the teams accept their shared award.Gi G i i i 8 i ( i ) D Li h f 52' N T h (b l ) i d f h B


trektotampa


Above: Randy Carver, owner of the 51' Nor-Tech No Compromise (below) accepts the award for Best Vee Bottom.


Below right: Red Reynolds gorgeous 80 Nor-Tech Roadster, Lady Lisa.

Simon Williams in his 42' Cigarette Tiger, powered by a MerCruiser 575 SCi.

i 80 i


trektotampa


Various beautiful views from the thrilling Tampa Bay Poker Run, both human and mechanical. Below: Kentucky resident Glenn Salyer in his 50-foot Outerlimits, known as Loose Foot Too. Its powered by 700-hp Chief engines.



Who better to update a 1986 Velocity than Jim Bakatselos of Electronics Unlimited?by Brett Bayne

VELOCI-RAPTURE


Jim Bakatselos is a longtime fan of Velocity Powerboats. Growing up, Ive always had Velocity boats, he says. So it was a bit bittersweet when the time came for him to sell his personal Velocity as he prepared to graduate from college, get married and start a family.

Sometimes, the story ends right there. But not for Jim. Fast-forward 15 years later: Bakatselos, now the co-founder of South Floridas popular Electronics Unlimited dealership, gets a call from his partner Ron Muller, who has stumbled upon what looks like an amazing find on

the online boat classified ads. I found a great boat, Muller exclaims excitedly. It looks like its an old Velocity! Muller peers at the listing on his computer. He cant see much of the boat, as its a terribly cropped, low-resolution image. But he suggests that Bakatselos give the seller a call.

I was taking my daughter to the University of South Florida in Jacksonville, Bakatselos recalls. So I called the guy up asked if I could stop by and look at it on the way back home. He said yes, so I went to his lake house.

He found the boat sitting in a barn surrounded by a Porsche and a Ferrari. Pulling the tarp off, there sat a pristine black and blue Velocity that hadnt been run for probably 10 years. Bakatselos made an offer and took out his checkbook. As long as you help me dig it out, you can go home with it, said the seller, whom Bakatselos describes as a good old country guy.

At the time, the boats power was an old Johnson outboard. Aside from rebuilding the carbs, Bakatselos made few other changes before putting it

38-43_SB_Veloci-Rapture_0714-BB.indd 3838-43_SB_Veloci-Rapture_0714-BB.indd 38 7/18/14 11:24 PM7/18/14 11:24 PM

The Velocitys original Johnson outboard.

Inspection of the fuel tank and stripping all the carpeting and glue was the next step before painting the boat.

The boat sat atop a single-axle trailerimmediately replaced by a new dual-axle model.


into the water. Everything was in good shape, he says. It was a virginthe original owner bought it brand new in 1986 from Steve Stepp at Velocity and had it rigged at the factory during the last year he produced them. It ran fine.

Naturally, Bakatselos was never going to be satisfied with fine. Thus, his eventual upgrades included replacing all of the fuel lines, adding a stereo and giv-ing the Velocity a few visual makeovers. After using the boat for a summeryou guessed ithe gutted the boat, remov-ing the engine and getting rid of most of the interior components. He then set about redoing the dash and the floor, replacing the engine, and gradu-ally importing some newer technology into the helm. (It didnt hurt to have a slew of professional connections.)

Youll notice there are no switches to turn things on and off, Bakatselos says of his trick equipment. Its all done through an electronics system called C-Zone. There are two navigation dis-plays: one is a Mercury Vessel V-7, while the other is a Navco NSF-7. With that, you can switch all the lights on and off from each of the displays. It has a wire-less fob, so you can walk up to the boat,


The iconic Velocity logo ruled the Florida waters in the 1980s. After three coats of white Awlgrip, the project gained momentum.

With the addition of a new new polished stainless engine plate, Mercury K-planes were installed for those choppy summer days.

APBA Outboard Class World Champion Tom Russell makes sure the positioning on the 300XS is optimal for speed.


veloci-rapture

like many of the new cars, and as long as you have the fob in your pocket, you simply push the blue start button and it turns on. Thats kind of cool for a boat.

The upgrades combine the rigs retro 1980s look with a modern flair. Then theres the new power: the boat now has a Mercury 300XS. But did swap-ping the engine make a difference in the Velocitys performance? It handles much better now that I have the big tabs, Bakatselos confides. Before, we had the Bennett trim tabs, and now it has the Kiekhaefer tabs. We also stepped up from dual cable steering to SeaStar

hydraulic power steering, which made a big difference.When he purchased the Velocity, the outboard was controlled by a Bobs Machine Shop PowerLift hydraulic jackplateone of the models that was truly coveted back in the day. I looked at a couple of new ones, but everyone I spoke to said they just didnt build them like that anymore, he says. So I took it apart, had it powder coated, changed all the bushings and rebuilt the whole jackplate, because it was like an old tank.The entire interior was done by Fineline Marine Interiors (Hallandale Beach, FL, 305-323-3697), which came

up with the unique design. Youll notice that the whole dash is padded like a modern-day vehicleits similar to a Corvette-style dash. Not just a vinyl-padded dash; its that blue carbon fiber from Innotech Products.Now that hes got the Velocity just right, Bakatselos says he plans to enjoy it as much as pos-sible, particularly in the Florida Keys. Its the perfect boat for going down to the sandbar or pulling a tube, he says. Its also fun to hit 80+ mph. I like to take my wife and kids down with a group a people with the same type of boat and go cruising down in the Keys.


The original seats were in good condition but heavy and dated. Finelines custom seats were much lighter and modern-looking.

Mike at Fineline used the finest in materials and marine fabrics.

Before installing the rear seat, all wiring needed to be completed. To achieve the clean switchess dash, C-Zone switching was added. For tunes, a Simrad sonic hub coupled to a JL amp was installed.

The frame has been test fitted and is ready for fabric and cushions.

The seats are installed, and Bakatselos begins to actually see what he had been envisioning for many months.



MODERNIZING THE DASH

The interior as it was upgraded for its first summers use. The steering was removed to make room for a SeaStar tilt helm.

The dash was stripped and all holes were glassed in.

With the panels back from Innotech, Mike at Fineline was ready to inlay them into the padded dash.

Blue carbon fiber panels were made for the new padded dash.

The new state-of-the-art dash as it appears in the 1986 Velocity!


veloci-rapture


STUNNINGSTUNNINGSPASHDOWNSSPASHDOWNS

Photos by Randy Nuzzo

What goes up must come downand for these brave souls, the re-entry can really stir up the pot.


44-49_SB_stunningsplashdowns_0714-BB.indd 4444-49_SB_stunningsplashdowns_0714-BB.indd 44 7/18/14 11:25 PM7/18/14 11:25 PM

Jeff and Laura Gosnell are ownersof Bay Drivin, a 41' Velocity

with twin 572 Chevy block engines(700 hp apiece) and Mercury outdrives.



Brad and Erica Crowder put on a show for thehelicopter aboveand the fish below. Their27' Fountain Fever is pushed by a Mercury 502.


stunningsplashdowns


caption

RumBlurrr, a 35' Donzi ZR owned and driven by Brian DeMaris, is undaunted by four- and five-foot rollers. The boat is powered by twin 496HOs


stunningsplashdowns


ITS ACURETHING

Virginia hosts the sixth annualPowerboating for a Cure poker run.

by Bob Veith


50-55_SB_CURETHING_0714-RL.indd 5050-55_SB_CURETHING_0714-RL.indd 50 7/21/14 5:52 PM7/21/14 5:52 PM

Photos by David Swede Andrews

Top left: Waterside Marina in Norfolk, VA, headquarters of the poker run. Above: the second group gets under way. Below: Jon and Cheryl Bucenell in Blue Smoke, their Cigarette 39' Top Gun.


Boaters from Buffalo, NY, to Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, the Carolinas and Jacksonville, FL, converged at Waterside Marina at Intercostal Waterway Marker 1 in Norfolk, VA, for the Sixth Annual PowerBoating For A Cure Poker Runa full weekend of powerboating, fun in the sun, great food, and a host of poker-run weekend activities.

Produced by the Mid-Atlantic Powerboating Association, this years event kicked off with a Fun Run organized by Mark Tuck, Jon Bucenel and Craig Mytelka. It was hosted at Mark and Nancy Tucks beautiful home in Smithfield, VA, located on the Pagan River. It was a gorgeous 88-degree sunny day, with about 150 poker runners in 50 boats milling outside Waterside for the 11 a.m. start time to travel about 30 miles away to to the Tuck household for an old-fashioned barbecue, fun conver-sations and good cheer. The group then reorganized and returned to Waterside at about 3 p.m. to get ready for the next set of festivities.

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., attendees were treated to an open buffet of steamed shrimp, pasta salad and buffalo wings, compli-ments of Hooters at Waterside. The waitresses were clad in appropriate attirenamely, tight pink poker-run T-shirts. Smiling ear to ear, the crowd returned to Omars at Waterside, sharing stories about the afternoon at the Fun Run.


Below: Chuck Guthrie pilots Lynnhaven Marine, his 35' Formula FasTech. Below right: one of the bikini contest runners-up.


itsacurething

At 7:30, the lovely ladies from the International Bikini Team took to the stage, each hoping to be crowned Miss PowerBoating for a Cure and winning her share of the $1,000 prize money.

With low humidity, a beautiful sky, and a temperature in the 70-degree range, the crew headed outside for the Dock Party, where stereos blasted and stories of who was faster than whom spread through the air like wildfire. Even after midnight, no one seemed particularly concerned that breakfast was at 8 a.m. the following morning, fol-lowed by the Captains Meeting.

After breakfast, 70 captains gathered for the drivers meeting to bone up on safety issues and to review the course and the five stops along the way.

By 10 a.m., the 350 participants were on board their boats, waiting for the helicopter to fly over to signal the first start (30 boats, all of which cruise over 75 mph). Mark Tuck, in his 44SL Outerlimits, led the pack. Scarcely 15 minutes later, it was Chuck Guthrie in his 35' Formula Fas3Tech lead-

ing the next wave of 45 boats charg-ing down the Elizabeth River. Among the boats represented in this group: Craig Mytelka in his 34' CCX Sunsation, Steve Ballard in his new 42' Cigarette Huntress (painted Ferrari Blue with four 300-hp Mercury Verados), and a bevy of Fountains, Cigarettes, Outerlimits, Nordics, Active Thunders, Concepts, Scarabs and Sonicsmost of the go-fast manufacturers were well represented.

Also on hand was Dave Andrews, taking photos from the helicopter, and Nathan Epstein, weekend sports anchor for NBC affiliate WAVY TV-10 shooting video on the water.

On to the card stops. About 5 to 7 miles down the Elizabeth River (past the U.S. Navy Battleship/Carrier fleet), the James River, Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay all converge together. This year, with 15-20 mph winds out of the Northeast, the mostly calm water of the River slowly turned into 3 to 4 foot rollers. It was on to Blue Water Yachts in Hampton, and then through 15 miles

(Text Continues on Page 58)


Above: Lunch stop at Marina Shores in Virginia Beach. Below: Harvey Taylors 38' Cigarette Top Gun.



caption

Will and Lori Dillon in Misdirected Hostility,their 388 Hustler.

Patrick Dolans 39' CigaretteTop Gun, called Spicy.


itsacurething

50-55,58_SB_CURETHING_0714-RL.indd 5450-55,58_SB_CURETHING_0714-RL.indd 54 7/24/14 12:36 PM7/24/14 12:36 PM

Michael Nix in his 35' Sonic, On the Rocks.



42' FountainSteven Chen, Stockton, CA

18' LaserJeff and Suzette Georges, Atlanta, GA

by Brett Bayne

Chens 42' Fountain is no stranger to the Texas Outlaw Challenge (see Page 10), as well as other poker runs, including the Thunder on the Bay Poker Run. Originally from Taiwan, Chen calls his boat Asian Persuasion. He hopes to eventually upgrade to a Nor-Tech 3600. Chen enjoys giving rides to his son, Koston.

b

Reader RidesReader Rides

The Georges 1988 Laser LTV is powered by a 225 Johnson, which was re-built a few years ago. It was ported, big bore carbs added and heads milled to .125". In addition, a CDI high-performance ignition system was added, as well as dry exhaust and Holley fuel pump. Last winter, Georges re-rigged the boat with new gauges, yellow bezels and a cus-tom-made switch panel with Contura VI switches. The stereo is a Jensen with

db t

Dual amp and 10" Infinity subwoofer. The Georges use the boat on Lake Allatoona, where their top speed (with the current prop) is 90.2 mph. The boat cruises at 73.2 mph with four people, full tank and cooler. Jeff was a boat rigger at Powerplay.

SB_56-57_ReaderRides_0714.indd 56SB_56-57_ReaderRides_0714.indd 56 7/19/14 10:50 PM7/19/14 10:50 PM

19' HaskellJordan Endler, Santa Ynez, CA

Endler started building his ride from a bare hull when he was 19 and completed it by the time he was 21. Its a 1983 Haskell runner bottom that he bought brand new locally; at the time, it was very lightly rigged. Endler buffed out the original gelcoat and floors and began to rig the boat in earnest. The hull was a takeoff of a Pro Stock-style boat mold, he explains. Its a medium layup, probably around 550 pounds. The Haskell is powered by a 500-c.i. big-block Chevy (15% overdrive) with a Casale 10% V-drive. Endler redid all the rigging himself, fabricating a fair amount of the parts in his garage. The V-drive was completely rusted inside from sitting in the rain, so I had it rebuilt by Casale and I never had a problem with it since, he says. The boat ran well for an obscure and unproven hull, according to Endler. He recently sold it to buy a but I sold it in order to buy a 1978 Cole TR2 flatbottom, which will be featured in an upcoming issue of Speedboat. The Cole will employ the same powerplant as the Haskell, he says.

56-57_ReaderRides_0714.indd 5756-57_ReaderRides_0714.indd 57 7/21/14 6:46 PM7/21/14 6:46 PM

of churning Chesapeake Bay to get to Marina Shores on the Lynnhaven River. Attrition took its toll: At lunch, we had planned on 75 boats and 350 people at the Surf Rider for a catered lunch and a dip in their Olympic Pool. We were short about 20 Boats and 100 people, who exercised caution by returning to

Waterside after Hampton and relaxing in the Sheraton-Waterside pool, the Host Hotel.

After lunch, the helicopter took flight, and everyone made their way to Pelicans Nest Marina in Little Creek about 10 miles away, followed by 20-25 miles of trailing seas. Unfortunately, the Virginia

Beach oceanfront leg of the run had to be cancelled, as the ocean was churning up 5-7 footers, and safety would have been compromised.

As the gang returned to Waterside, the staff at Outback Steakhouse greet-ed the attendees with platters of ahi tuna, steamed shrimp and lamb chops. Sunsation President Joe Schaldenbrand said, This is one of my favorite parts of your run, being served tuna, shrimp and lamb chops at the dock.

After the crews got showered and cleaned up, it was time for dinner and the awards ceremony. Once again, it was a mouth-watering buffet hosted by Outback Steakhouse, with a menu that included steak filets, barbecued chicken, Caesar salad, mashed potatoes and all the fixings.

At 8 p.m., the silent auction com-menced. It had been running for two days closed, and the lucky bidders pur-chased $30,000 worth of donated prizes for $10,000. This was followed by the awards ceremony.

The hat was passed to raise money for Grayson Kirby, a young man who has attended our Poker Run in the past, and who was recently injured severe-ly in a motor vehicle accident. The attendees raised $5,700 to help aid in his recovery. It was an emotional and heartfelt moment, made all the more emotional by the fact that his brother was in attendance.

(Cont. from pg 52)

Poker run and other award winners included:

1st PrizeKGS Development ($1,500)

2nd PrizeJoby Kifus ($1,000)

3rd PrizeMike Shugart ($500)

Worst HandPhil Armitage ($99)

Longest TowBarry Peters of Jacksonville, FL (Free 2015 Registration)

Best-Looking BoatMark Tucks 44SL Outerlimits.


itsacurething


Bretts

Billy B Transformation

CHEROKEE

PRIDE NJBA Racers Clash at CAMP FAR WEST

BACK 2JACKS

LAKE ANNASPERFECT PARTY

GETS EVEN BIGGER

59_insidecvr_0714-BB.indd 5959_insidecvr_0714-BB.indd 59 7/18/14 11:26 PM7/18/14 11:26 PM

Photos by Kelly Mancini Bladen

Dave Meisterlings 18' Rogers Bonnevilleis powered by a 468 Chevy with 11:1 compression, 950 Holley and Berkeleyjet spinning a B impeller. It runs in themid 90s with little effort.


If youve never had 2,000 people in your backyard, chances are excellent that you dont go by the name Jack Weller. For clos-ing in on 20 years, the resident of Lake Anna, VA, has been opening his home to speedboat owners from all over the East Coast for a weekend blowout that has been getting steadily larger with each passing year. The 2014 edition of the Party at Jacks Place was the biggest yet, with 230 boat and more than 2,000 attendees. In fact, the free event has grown so popular

that county officials attend and even take a booth to hand out tourism literature.

According to Weller, his backyard party has remained manageable thanks to the help of several neighbors, who have gradually opened up their backyard property to accom-modate the throngs of participants. They include members of the generous Perry family, who not only let boaters use their land for the party but also do all of the cooking. (Son

60-65_SB_ANNA_0714 1-RL.indd 6060-65_SB_ANNA_0714 1-RL.indd 60 7/18/14 11:26 PM7/18/14 11:26 PM

WE LOVE YOU,

ANNAJack Wellers backyard party continues to expand by leaps and bounds at Virginias rockingest lake.


Dwayne also drives Wellers boat during the party.) Weller gives special props to the Lake Anna Rescue Squad,

which attends the event year after year to keep everybody safe. In addition to the respect, he gets attendees to donate money for the squad$2,000 was raised for them this year. Also helping to keep order is the Louisa County Sheriffs Office, which sends out an officer every year.

Among the frequent guests at this massive gathering are

Henry Morris, who brought his turbine engine-powered boat. It attracts at least as much attention as Wellers own boat, an original experimental hull built by the late Tom Papp. The boats power has been overhauled from 2,400 hp to 3,000 hp, with numerous changes to the drivetrain. He gives thanks to Miller Roll Grinding & Manufacturing (Mechanicsville, VA) for building the boats numerous trick parts. They treat me very well, Weller says.

Weller, who is retired, looks forward to next years shindig.


Above: Nelson Grimes, who famously painted race cars from the 1960s onward, brought his beautiful vintage Glastron, a boat he got at a junkyard. Below: Jack Wellers Tom Papp-built Cheyenne, called Popsicle. The engine delivers 3,000 hp.


weloveyouanna


Above: Party lovers enjoy the festivities and go-fast action on Lake Anna. Below: Charlie Turners 1986 19' tunnel hull features a heavy lake layup, Autometer gauges and a bottom updated by Irvin Capps. The engine sports a 540 Dart B block, Brodix 2X heads, 871 TBS blower (producing 10 pounds of boost) and Superchiller intercooler. The 850-cfm Holley carbs were prepped by Nickerson Performance.



caption

Deanna is delighted by John Bufords 1978 20' Schiada twin turbo V-drive. Buford is from Orange, CA.

Above: George Franklins 1979 Sterling has a 509 roller motor with Dominator carb that the owner built in his own garage. Below: Donnie Esteps 1995 21' Firehawk, Freak of Nature, has a 548-c.i. big-block Chevy with 10.5-to-1 compression, AFR 315-cc heads, Chris Straub cam, Bassett headers, AT309 pump and stainless AMT A impeller.


weloveyouanna


Jack Neidert sold his 18 Sunkisst in 2009, and later bought it back from the man he sold it to. It has a 540 Merlin III

10.2 block with Eagle crankshaft, SRP forged pistons, AFR 305 V2 aluminum heads and Holley 8082 Dominator.

caption

Below: Mike Janssons 1984 Eliminator Daytona sports anall-original gelcoat and is powered by a rebuilt 454 engine and jet drive. He and wife Stephanie run the boat on nitrous.

speedboat.com S P E E D B O A T | May/June 2014 65


Outlaw Boat Racer Mike Holder in his 120-mph 18' Cheyenne. Below: Barry Helms in his Scott Performance hull.Most of the boats shown here run with nitrous.


Most jetboaters know Larry Helms simply as Chop, a nick-name that can be traced to his boyhood, when his fellow school children called him Porkchop. The monicker may have stuck, but no longer is he a chubby, unappreciated kidhes practically a guru to throngs of jetboat fanatics who come to him for technical advice and savvy. An industrial maintenance supervisor for the military, Helms has his Chop Shop in Hayworth, OK, where he restores and works on boats and pumps, but its merely a part-time pas-sion. Its not a businessIm not a full-time boat riggerbut Ive done a lot of boat work on the side for 30 years and have

helped a lot of boaters out, he grins, adding that mostly its an exchange of words and thoughts. Pieces that he physically handles get a Pumps by Chop sticker with his phone number. Chop, who also has a home in Texas, is one of the founders and continued driving forces behind a group of passionate driv-ers known as the Outlaw Boat Racers, a network of enthusiasts he describes proudly as unorganized and unofficial. Were just a little group that enjoys social gathering, he explains. Some of us dont even own a boat, and nobodys really in charge. This more-or-less unofficial association began to take roots back in the 1990s, when Chop and his buddy Larry Welch

66-69_SB_UptoSpeed_0714-RL.indd 6666-69_SB_UptoSpeed_0714-RL.indd 66 7/18/14 11:30 PM7/18/14 11:30 PM

Photos by Alesha Helms

The Outlaw Boat Racers have perfected their goal of indulging in no-frills, no-stress fun.

UP TO

Outlaw Boat Racer Ken Smith in his Youngblood TX-19.


approached the local Corps of Engineers about holding a gath-ering on their local lakes. We were told to start a group in order to secure a permit, so we did. Soon afterwards, our request was approved. Although the group has more members now, their unsanc-tioned run-what-ya-brung events havent changed much. We used to have a floating street light, and when the light turned green, we raced to the finish line, Chop recalls. Now we dont even have that. Somebody just blows a horn. The group often meets every weekend at lakes across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas (see sidebar, Page 70). The photos from

this spread are from a Memorial Day trip to Broken Bow Lake in Oklahoma, Folks come from as far as five hours away to hang out with us for the weekend, Helms says. We set up buoys, line up side by side, and race 800 feet to the finish line. We like to keep things as safe as possible, so the Fire Department comes down to provide rescue services, and local law enforcement gets involved. Just as long as we have our life jackets and the proper safety equipment, theyre satisfied. For more information and photos, visit the groups website: youngbloodjetboats.com.


Eric Perry in his Taylor SJ boat.

Jason Weaver drives owner Mike Holders 18' Earl Smith hull.

Mike Rowland in his 105-mph Eliminator Daytona (foreground) races Bruce Ballew,

driving his red Centurion hull.


uptospeed


Outlaw Boat Racers founder Chop Helms throws a hell of a rooster tail (above) and goes neck-and-neck with Barry Helm (below, no relation).



Outlaw Boat Racer Dustin Young carves a wave in his Youngblood TX-18.

Pete Hubbell of the Byuboyz racers in his STV outboard-powered rocket.

Larry Chop Helms in his 100-mph #911TX-19 Youngblood.


uptospeed

70-71_SB_AKcorral_0714-RL.indd 7070-71_SB_AKcorral_0714-RL.indd 70 7/18/14 11:31 PM7/18/14 11:31 PM

Outlaw Boat Racer Heath Glass in his Kustom Kraft TX-19.

Outlaw Boat Racer Josh Phillip in his Rouse TX-19.


ROUNDUP AT THE AK CORRALOne of the Outlaw Boat Racers annual events that has been growing in popularity in recent years has been a Fathers Day meet at Lake Greeson, located near Kirby and Murfreesboro, AK. The event draws boaters from numerous local groups, including the OBR members, as well as the Taylor Boat Club and the Byuboyz Racers. Its a true run what ya brung festival, with sun, fun and refreshments galore. The lake itself offers 45 miles of walking, nature and cycling trails for public use. Theres also the Parker Creek Recreational Area, a nature walk trail that lets you experience the nature and beauty around an old Cinnabar Mine, a popular mine during the 1930s and 1940s before the lake was made in 1950. Famous for its scenery and rec-reation, the lake is surrounded by 15 parks with plenty of camping, fishing, biking, swimming and, of course, boating.

70-71_SB_AKcorral_0714-RL.indd 7170-71_SB_AKcorral_0714-RL.indd 71 7/18/14 11:31 PM7/18/14 11:31 PM


Originally owned by Russ Clevenger, this spectacular 1980 Biesemeyer was driven by Jamie Jamison (who also painted the boat) and campaigned in Pro Comp class, now known as Pro Stock. The boat is now owned by Mike Fairchild, who brought it to Billy Berkenheger, owner of Krazy Kolors in Upland, CA, for a new paint job and other upgrades. Billy reports: When they brought it to me, it was in pretty poor shape. The deck was collapsingif you went to wash the boat, the water would puddle in the center of the deck. The floors had to be redone, and glass had to be added to help the struc-

tural strength the boat. In addition, we had to put all-new supports under the deck. We actually rotated the boat over and laid glass to strengthen the whole top part of the deck, from the drivers and passengers seat forward. I also re-blueprinted the bottom. Most of the installation is original; I just added to it. I had everything re-anodized and installed all-new gauges. I replaced everything except the original installation.

On repainting the hull: I stripped all of the old paint off, completely re-metalflaked it silver metal flake, and then did

72-75_SB_Cherokee_0714-RL.indd 7272-75_SB_Cherokee_0714-RL.indd 72 7/21/14 6:27 PM7/21/14 6:27 PM

PRIDE

Photos by Brett Bayne

A vintage Biesemeyer gets some lovingattention from Billy B of Krazy Kolors.

Cherokee




cherokeepride

The Cherokee maiden mural was modeled after a lei-clad Hawaiian girl on a postcard that Mark Fairchild had sent to his dad. The lei was removed and feathers added.



the whole thing in candy tangerine with the lime gold fade. Its got candy red, tangerine, yellow, etc. It looks good in photos, but in person, it really pops. I changed the layout somewhat, just to modernize it. I stuck with the theme that Jamie had done, but put a different twist on it. The original mural was of a Cherokee maiden. Mikes brother Mark was on his honeymoon in Hawaii and he sent their father Lamar a postcard featuring a Hawaiian gal with a flow-ered lei around her neck. The day after Lamar received the postcard, Mark suf-fered a heart attack and passed away. As a memorial to Mark, we took that post-card, removed the lei and painted her as a Cherokee. We retained the name of the boat as well. It has been on the show circuit for about three and has won damn near every place it has gone to.

On the boats power: The engine is a single carbureted 510-c.i. Chervolet running on methanol. Its got 22 gears and a 10-degree Casale box spinning a Menkens 11 1/4 x 15 two-blade prop by Phil Bergeron. Other components include Mike Leach headers, Dominator carburetor and a really trick leather seat that can get wet. All of the upholstery was done by Elegance Auto Interiors.

On the boats performance: Its very impressive. It handles very well. Its a very light boat, and when it the carb issues are worked out, its going to be a very quick piece. This boat is no longer going to be raced on the circuit; its an NRKA (Needles River K Association) river boat. Im the only person who has driven it since its been done, so I havent gotten any top speeds yet. Its definitely a show piece, but you could run it hard if you wanted toIt just depends on how much you want to take care of it.

Owner Mike Fairchild has put the boat up for sale; if youre interested, call Billy B at (909) 982-8555.


Tony Scarlata drives in Pro Gas Flat class here with a different flat, but naming it the Bling Bling and using the same numbers. He ended up in the runner-up spot for the weekend.

Above: Flat Hammered owner/driver Jeff Steward came to test in the exhibition, non-com-petitive class. Hes had handling problems in the Top Alcohol Flat machine lately.


76-81_SB_RoarattheShore_0714-RL.indd 7676-81_SB_RoarattheShore_0714-RL.indd 76 7/18/14 11:34 PM7/18/14 11:34 PM

SHORE

Photos by Mark McLaughlin

NJBA competitors head to Camp Far Westfor a rip-roaring weekend of racing.

ROARATTHE


Held at Camp Far West, the National Jet Boat Association (NJBA) Roar at the Shore race served as the anchor for Big Wake Weekend, a four-day picnic and party event featuring culture, sports and entertainment. Racers gave spectators a thrilling show at the venues Quarter Mile Cove, with numerous classes battling for the checkered flag, including Stock Eliminators, Pro Gas Flats, Top Alcohols and a variety of bracket classes. Sunny weather and few wind issues helped make it a weekend to remem-ber, with live bands playing every day and vendors surrounding a large stage and dance area. Joe Shelfos Sucker Punch competitor (shown above) had plenty of punch with the five-speed transmission helping power his Comp Hydro machine. Shelfo went uncontested in the Comp Hydro class for the win and was runner-up in the 6.00 second class as well. All classes ran the 1,000-foot course all weekend.


Tyler Souza, driving in his first official drag boat race, not only qualified wellthe number 2 position in the 10.00 second bracket class but he went on to win and receive his first trophy as well. Congratulations to the Souza family.

Two Top Alcohol Hydros came out to play in the NJBA Camp Far West inaugural race, with Joe Mierkey taking the win in his beautifully painted Aces & Eights machine over Joe Blattlers Pure Nasty competitor.

Paul Bauer took the #1 qualifying spot in the 8.00 second bracket all the way to the winners circle for the trophy.


roarattheshore


Chump Change, owned by Mark Peters, entered into the Pro Modified class with Josh Hayden behind the wheel. Josh took out the #1 qualifier, Vic Esposito, in round one en-route to the Pro Mod title on Sunday, but not before putting the boat on the beach. Both driver and boat were OK.

#2 qualifier Bill McGuinn, driving his No Clue 9.00-second hydro in the near lane, takes the win over Craig Lucas #11 qualifier in the far lane. Bill went on to win the class and trophy. Before the race began, he was overheard saying, I hate racing 1,000 feet. He loves it now. Way to go, Bill!

Only one of three Top Alcohol Flats entered into the class for the weekend, with Tony Costantino taking the win in Dave Fergusons Big Trouble flatty. The other flats were testing in the exhibition class.



Owned and operated by Mike Davis, War Child came down the highway a few miles to race in his own backyard. The home-court advantage must have worked, as he not only qualified #1 in the 6.00-second bracket class, but he took home the win as well. Blake Thurlow (far lane) was the #6 qualifier in the 10.00-second bracket.

Properly named Dago Red, owned and driven by Jason Crews, had the wine-country theme all over in his pits. He came outafter a lengthy hiatus and took the win over Tony Scarlata in the Pro Gas Flat class. Jason ran a 6.24 ET at over 128 mph for the trophy.

Past President of the National Jet Boat Association, Mike DeClark drives his F-Bomb Unblown Fuel Jet machine. He qualified #1 and took the win and the trophy in UBFJ.


roarattheshore


SALES & SERVICEMerCruiser, Volvo, OMC Stern Drives

V-DRIVE SPECIALISTCOMPLETE BOAT RESTORATION Wood Decks, Paint, New InstallationsIn-house Machine & Welding

Distributor For PHENIX AN/SS Plumbing & LUCAS Marine & Racing Products

601 E. Alton Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705 www.wilkesmarineparts.com

(714) 540-8908


speedboat.com 82 P E R F O R M A N C E B O A T S | July/August 2014

alexisahagian(Cont. from pg 8)

swap the less than $100 module and verify the timing when you are finished.

Every time I mention this to my 86-year-old dad, he laughs and says, Put points back in it! It is funny how some of the old carburetor technology and solid state elec-tronics were so good when they were main-tained. Anyway, hope this helps!

Starter Relay for High CompressionDear Alexi:I have a 24-foot boat with a large horsepower engine. I was wondering what starter slave solenoid you recommend for the engine. It is a high-compression engine and has a fairly older wiring harness in the boat. I keep burn-ing up the plastic ones after a short period of time. Any input would be appreciated.Samuel HartPlano, TX

If you have a high-compression engine, I would recommend a Cole Hersey rub-ber encapsulated starter solenoid and use large un-interrupted wires feeding it. We will assume you have a high torque-gear reduction starter for this engine. If not, it will overload the circuit and you will have this described problem forever. We usually use the Hitachi or the MSD high torque starters for high compression and use a Cole Hersey slave to give it raw un-disturbed amperage from the batteries direct and it works great. Check out your system and verify the wiring is stout going to the solenoid.

08,82_SB_Alexi_0714-RL.indd 8208,82_SB_Alexi_0714-RL.indd 82 7/21/14 6:41 PM7/21/14 6:41 PM

07,09,17,27,35,39,45,47,83_0113newADS.indd 8307,09,17,27,35,39,45,47,83_0113newADS.indd 83 2/2/13 8:35 PM2/2/13 8:35 PM


39952_SpeedboatJuly_00139952_SpeedboatJuly_00239952_SpeedboatJuly_00339952_SpeedboatJuly_00439952_SpeedboatJuly_00539952_SpeedboatJuly_00639952_SpeedboatJuly_00739952_SpeedboatJuly_00839952_SpeedboatJuly_00939952_SpeedboatJuly_01039952_SpeedboatJuly_01139952_SpeedboatJuly_01239952_SpeedboatJuly_01339952_SpeedboatJuly_01439952_SpeedboatJuly_01539952_SpeedboatJuly_01639952_SpeedboatJuly_01739952_SpeedboatJuly_01839952_SpeedboatJuly_01939952_SpeedboatJuly_02039952_SpeedboatJuly_02139952_SpeedboatJuly_02239952_SpeedboatJuly_02339952_SpeedboatJuly_02439952_SpeedboatJuly_02539952_SpeedboatJuly_02639952_SpeedboatJuly_02739952_SpeedboatJuly_02839952_SpeedboatJuly_02939952_SpeedboatJuly_03039952_SpeedboatJuly_03139952_SpeedboatJuly_03239952_SpeedboatJuly_03339952_SpeedboatJuly_03439952_SpeedboatJuly_03539952_SpeedboatJuly_03639952_SpeedboatJuly_03739952_SpeedboatJuly_03839952_SpeedboatJuly_03939952_SpeedboatJuly_04039952_SpeedboatJuly_04139952_SpeedboatJuly_04239952_SpeedboatJuly_04339952_SpeedboatJuly_04439952_SpeedboatJuly_04539952_SpeedboatJuly_04639952_SpeedboatJuly_04739952_SpeedboatJuly_04839952_SpeedboatJuly_04939952_SpeedboatJuly_05039952_SpeedboatJuly_05139952_SpeedboatJuly_05239952_SpeedboatJuly_05339952_SpeedboatJuly_05439952_SpeedboatJuly_05539952_SpeedboatJuly_05639952_SpeedboatJuly_05739952_SpeedboatJuly_05839952_SpeedboatJuly_05939952_SpeedboatJuly_06039952_SpeedboatJuly_06139952_SpeedboatJuly_06239952_SpeedboatJuly_06339952_SpeedboatJuly_06439952_SpeedboatJuly_06539952_SpeedboatJuly_06639952_SpeedboatJuly_06739952_SpeedboatJuly_06839952_SpeedboatJuly_06939952_SpeedboatJuly_07039952_SpeedboatJuly_07139952_SpeedboatJuly_07239952_SpeedboatJuly_07339952_SpeedboatJuly_07439952_SpeedboatJuly_07539952_SpeedboatJuly_07639952_SpeedboatJuly_07739952_SpeedboatJuly_07839952_SpeedboatJuly_07939952_SpeedboatJuly_08039952_SpeedboatJuly_08139952_SpeedboatJuly_08239952_SpeedboatJuly_08339952_SpeedboatJuly_084

/ColorImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorACSImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorImageDict > /AntiAliasGrayImages false /CropGrayImages true /GrayImageMinResolution 150 /GrayImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleGrayImages true /GrayImageDownsampleType /Average /GrayImageResolution 300 /GrayImageDepth -1 /GrayImageMinDownsampleDepth 2 /GrayImageDownsampleThreshold 1.50000 /EncodeGrayImages true /GrayImageFilter /DCTEncode /AutoFilterGrayImages false /GrayImageAutoFilterStrategy /JPEG /GrayACSImageDict > /GrayImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayACSImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayImageDict > /AntiAliasMonoImages false /CropMonoImages true /MonoImageMinResolution 1200 /MonoImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleMonoImages true /MonoImageDownsampleType /Average /MonoImageResolution 1200 /MonoImageDepth -1 /MonoImageDownsampleThreshold 1.50000 /EncodeMonoImages true /MonoImageFilter /CCITTFaxEncode /MonoImageDict > /AllowPSXObjects false /CheckCompliance [ /None ] /PDFX1aCheck false /PDFX3Check false /PDFXCompliantPDFOnly true /PDFXNoTrimBoxError false /PDFXTrimBoxToMediaBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXSetBleedBoxToMediaBox true /PDFXBleedBoxToTrimBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXOutputIntentProfile (None) /PDFXOutputConditionIdentifier () /PDFXOutputCondition () /PDFXRegistryName () /PDFXTrapped /False

/CreateJDFFile false /SyntheticBoldness 1.000000 /Description >>> setdistillerparams> setpagedevice







speedboat august 2014

Documents

speedboat magazine julyaugust

copy of speedboat magazine

boat speedboat magazine

t julyaugust

s p e e d b o

c o n t e n t scolumns

chris davidson

senior tech editors