Look familiar?
 

Sign is in very good shape, owned by a former ski racer. Little Checkmate pulled a skier at over 50 mph, not bad for an 85 Merc.

LR Waterski Boat Classic update
 

Here's the basics. Aug. 11th, 10-4 at Opechee Park. Basically a classic car rally but on the water, leaning towards the classic speed boats from the area ski races in the 60's and 70's. Would love to see old classic tow boats as well, resorters, super sports, correct crafts. The event is free. The plan is to have a boat parade past the launch and park areas at 1:00 A Laconia youth service organization and a local marina are actively involved. The intent is to provide free on the water experiences to the extent possible to those who attend, especially local youth. If you plan to bring a boat, please PM me as there are parking concerns with limited space at the boat launch. The landing area will be the point of Opechee Park. The park is alcohol free. We can either bring in a licensed local food vendor or bring grills and make our own food. If you have any interest in helping to pull this together please let me know. There is no rain date, best I can suggest is that maybe the sand bar at Winnisquam could be an informal Sunday gathering place.

Picture below is Mr. Ken Warby who currently holds the world record on water at 317 mph set in 1977. Remarkable man who had a childhood dream of setting the water speed record and did it. Remarkable video on youtube of him setting the record. Picture was taken at the vintage show in Wolfeboro in 2009, it was a privilege to actually meet him, hopefully he comes back to the area again. I think this will get you to the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezl8Yb8idyY

Lakes Region Waterski Boat Classic
 

The vintage boat gathering is on as scheduled for August 11th at Opechee Park in Meredith. Winnisquam Marine will have a tow boat on the water for the event which is free an open to the public. There is no rain date, if there is torrential rain cancellation notices will be put up early at the park and will be posted here as well. Should there be overflow of vehicles and trailers at the Messer St. ramp there is overflow parking behind the public works building barely up Messer St. on the same side as the launch towards Lakeport where there is plenty of room. Any old wooden skis, pictures or other vintage items that could be shown would be appreciated. Hopefully we will have some nice old fast boats show up.

Vintage Ski Boat Gathering
 

I hope to be there with at least one magnum missile. Just a correction though. Oppechee Park is in Laconia. The alton bay boat show is the same day. anyone else going to oppechee?

Now I am torn!
 

I guess it will be the Alton Bay boats in the AM and PM the Vintage Ski boats at Oppechee Park

Aug 11 Rally
 

It looks like the word is getting around. I had a call from an old member of WWSRA from Mass. inquiring if the rally is still on. Yes! He is bringing photos, some old trophies and water skis! Bring it on!

One of the organizers of WWSRA informed me that she will be spreading the word about this event to those she keeps in contact.

The date is coming up! MowTowman and I may need some help with event coordination. It looks like it will be quite the gathering. Let me know if you can help out.

Weirs Time
 

Check out the write up on page 32 in the July 26th Edition!

The brothers and I decided to bring a couple of magnums to Opechee on the 11th (assuming we dont break anything between now and then). Had a great ride last night. Nearly a full moon and no one on the lake.

Glastron 2+2
 

Anyone seen this boat? Supposedly uses a Magnum Missle hull.

Obviously pre-photoshop.:eek:Looks like some of my old cut and paste work.:laugh:

much bigger boat. it may have been their answer to a missile but beyond being a tunnel hull is very different

Aug 11 is coming up!
 

Someone expressed interest in bringing a couple of 21' Shadows from 1985. I am not sure if they are the tunnel hulls I remember or the fishing boats. It's going to be an interesting day!

Those of you that are going to the Ski races talk at the Winnipisaukee museum, please stop by after. The event may and can go beyond 4 PM.

I notice there is a lot of 'chatter' on this event on Facebook and Twitter.

Please spread the word!

is the Ski races talk at the Winnipisaukee museum the same day?

Yes at 11 am

Aug 11 Showing
 

1985 21' Shadows.. a 454 Mag/Alpha I/O, & an OMC V-8 OB version

Curious as to how many boats are going to show up.? Have you got an estimated head count.? I am hoping the weather will co-operate. :cool:

August 11
 

Count on 2 magnum missiles

The LR Classic Water Ski/raceboats Event
 

It looks the weather may not be that bad according to futurecast. It is like glass on Opechee. Great for screaming those boats across the pond.
I will be there along with Mowtowman.

Text me at 603.490.3336 for development. There will be refreshments available. The bathrooms will be open. The beach at Opechee Point is ours!

Winnisquam marine will be there with a pontoon boat for rides. The LR Boys and Girls club are invited. Former officers of the Winni Water Ski clubs will be there.

See you on the mini lake!

Opechee Event
 

The first Lakes Region Waterski Boat Classic is in the books. Thanks to Forum members for helping to make the day a success. Special thanks to Ryan and Winnisquam Marine for providing a beautiful new pontoon boat and free rides for the afternoon. A number of people had their first boat ride. Turnout was light and we had 2 Magnums, a Sidewinder and a Hydrostream on the water. No one was light on the throttle. Opechee was perfect with very little boat traffic on a Saturday. I don't think we upset anyone with our presence. Lots of old skis and some race trophies and lots of knowledge about area boating history. There were various drop ins throughout the day. Special thanks to the Magnums and their generosity in giving so many rides. The Magnum ride is so unique, I don't think there is another boat that brings you so close to the water surface. I think they are one of the best looking boats ever made, and to have 2 in one place at one time was a treat. Couple of other boats made it to the launch but not on the water. Look for an article in the Laconia Citizen. Hopefully some pics will follow, I didn't take any. Anyone interested in helping to plan next summer's event please let me know.

http://www.citizen.com/news/2012-08-...ays_back_.html

The water ski classic boats events was a success. Despite the overcast skies, it did not dampened our spirits. The folks who brought Magnum Missiles were gracious enough to give rides to those who dare. Special thanks to Winnisquam Marine to offer rides to the public in one of their new pontoon boat.

Many folks came to see the Missiles, Sidewinder, Hydrostream do laps across the lake. It was a perfect day for the boats. No wind or traffic to slow them down. Many remembered the hydroplane races back in the 90's.
I don't think anyone was offended, they enjoyed seeing the rooster tails and the sound of the sweet outboards.

My gf experienced her first ride on a tunnel boat. She was not scared at all taking corners at speed as Frank is one of the best drivers I know.
Until next year, thank you all for coming and making it a special day!

Too bad the weather seemed to keep many home! We were there for about an hour. We had hoped to see more boats/people, but were happy it wasn't cancelled all together. Next year should be advertised better. It would be great to see at least a dozen or more of these hot rods! I miss the 2 I used to own...

great event. Thanks to motorman and broadhopper for making this happen. i am already looking forward to next year and will try to help with the preparations. i spoke with some of the waterfront owners and did not get any negative feed back. even managed to get one out for a ride. Another magnum convert. good article in the citizen too.

Thanks !!!!!!

Thanks for the ride
 

First ride in a Magnum was different! Never rode in boat that turned like that. It stays "FLAT" in the turns like a hydroplane. Hope to make it again next year.

good deal
 

If you live in Las Vegas (on LV CL for $1500). Maybe this poor boat needs a home where it's appreciated?

Winnipesaukee Ski marathon
 

There is a small group that got together last year and this year for a ski marathon on the lake.

http://winniskiathon.com/

I will be in touch with them and see if we can all get together. It will be fun! :D

1980 resorter
 

Never as easy as you think it will be. Before and after. '91 coronado on right.

boats
 

I could be wrong, but I think the boat pulling the ski's was Jimmy Calvins who live in Reading Mass but had a cottage in the bay.

That is John Cooks Chris Craft that stayed at Sandy Point, at "The Penthouse". He was quite a man. WE called him MISTER Cook.

Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Museum
 

I stopped there yesterday. It is at the opposite end of the Funspot Parking lot past the Bingo hall. The museum is loaded with pictures and local artifacts. I was able to watch a movie produced by Johnson of the 1959 Lake Opechee national waterski championships, including jumping. There was a very large crowd at the park and competitors came from all over the country. Great shots of the early ski boats in action. The narrator described waterskiing as the "fastest growing recreational sport in the country" at the time. I also watched a video of old family movies of the early speedboats and lakers prior to WW II. The museum is only open a few more weeks with limited hours but I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

I wonder if any of Mr Cooke's pics & Movies are in there? I have ton's of old stuff from the Penthouse days....:)

tahiti
 

Looks like it just came out of the showroom. In the back is the legendary Green Wink, which is said to be somewhere local in disrepair. Who knows? High water for sure.

More old ski boat pictures
 

Unfortunately all the movies & most of the pictures were back in CT in John Cooke's den. The "charming" executrix of his will wouldn't let any of his friends near any of them. The only pics I found were posted in this thread. They were in among the boat owner's manuals in the Penthouse & I found them while cleaning out the place. What disturbed me was hearing that 4 dumpster loads of his belongings were disposed of from the house in CT. Too bad there was no family to save some of the memories.

Old movies & pic;
 

Hi Gail, Mr & Mrs Charmer, called me (6 0r 7 years ago) and I got all the slides an movies. I haven't gone threw them yet. I didn't have a slide or 8mm projector, but I do now! I'm gona try to get some of the old Crew together to go threw them with me. Will keep you posted. Sorry to hear about your wrist. :(

WARNING WARNING: Be careful with that 8mm projector. Depending on how Fragile the Film is, the "Tension Adjustment" on the projector could break the film up into many pieces. I had one projector that worked fine and ran the film just fine. A month later, I ran the film on ANOTHER projector..the film was destroyed. My film was from around 1945. :look: NB

Good news!
 

Glad to hear that you got the films & slides when you did. Both Mr. & Mrs. Charmer are now deceased. Who knows where John's pics would have wound up. The Gravels would probably be in a lot of the films too, and I'm sure there are a lot of great shots of Sandy Point from the 60's & 70's.

Magnum Missle for sale
 

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/boa/3254614181.html

Would love to restore one but I don't have the space to do so.

magnum
 

Maybe 1300 miles round trip, about 15 miles per gallon coming back towing (probably needs bearings and tires by the look of it). Say 90 gallons of gas, $360. Night in a hotel. Lot better than Las Vegas. I'll bet it ends up in New England.

From Findlocalweater.com:

The straight line distance between Laconia and Vermilion is approximately 572 miles or 920 kilometers

ohio Magnum Missile
 

The rest of the pictures of this one would make you cry. All thats remains is the funeral. R.I.P.

Magnum/Don Aronow
 

Off to the landfill? The final resting place of so many classic boats......

I didn't know about this book, sounds like an interesting read:

The greatest legend in the history of offshore powerboats, Don Aronow is brought to vivid life in this intimate account of his amazing life. Formula, Donzi, Magnum, Squadron XII, USA Racing Team, and the most famous name in the world of high-performance boating, Cigarette, were all Don Aronow originals. His unparalleled accomplishments in the world of powerboating are insightfully described by the one who was with him nearly every step of the way — his oldest son, Michael Aronow.

Parks Commission Meeting
 

Only about 5 months to ice out. The Lakes Region Waterski Boat Classic is on the Laconia Parks Commission agenda Monday December 17th. The plan is to have the event in August at Opechee Park again. If anyone is interested in helping to organize or share ideas please pm me. Thanks and have a good holiday.

PS. My Magnum on Halloween weekend in 1987. Owned by a hockey player on one of the islands near Glendale in the late 70's/early 80's. It might be at one of the islands east of Sandy Island and Long Island. That boat was fun to drive, especially headed into the wind with a little bit of chop. CVS scans and puts pics on a disc,worked quite well.