vintage ski/raceboat show?

[BroadHopper]

One of the most beautiful boats ever made!

[sloboat]

I have to agree. but its hard not to like the old allisons, checkmates,sutphens, chris's, ..............

[mowtorman]

I showed the transom ripped out earlier in the post. Basically rebuilt to new now, almost identical to a Magnum. Picture from Mercury catalog. Just got power and steering straightened out, a 150 with hydraulic steering. Looks like the boat will make it. Love that black/grey Magnum, saw it headed for the back bay in Wolfeboro, very nice indeed. Working on a gathering at Opechee mid August on a Saturday. Pros - calm lake, world water ski championships were held there, good launch, park and anchor/beaching potential. Cons - Can't "let 'em rip" or actually have a race demo which might be possible on Winnisquam (Winnisquam Laconia would have to close Bartlett Beach for the day which is not generally done). Weirs Bay is too rough for these small boats on any given Saturday after about 10 am.
No idea how many boats might come (I'll bring 2) so maybe for a first event it's best to think small. Would love to see any boats that were in the ski races and anyone who participated in them. Would appreciate any feedback and suggestions on the best place to stage this event, it's time to make concrete plans. Thanks. MM

[mowtorman]

Mr. Davidson on Long Pt. of Braun Bay had one of these in the early 70's. It was light blue, I saw it up close once at the Meredith docks. It knocked my socks off. Twin 440 inboards when gas was affordable. Luxury, speed, style.
Made I believe in the Magnum factory. Very hard to find, wonder whatever happened to Mr. Davidson's?

[Greene's Basin Girl]

We had a Century inboard in the 1970,s. My parents purchased it from Channel Marine. I sure wish we still had that boat. During that time it was one of the fastest boats on the lake.

[mowtorman]

Friend of mine picked this up in Gilford a few weeks ago, look for it around Center Harbor this summer.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

A very nice boat!!! It reminds me of those lazy ,hazy, crazy days of summer out in the Century.

[mowtorman]

330 hp in a 17' boat. One of these called the Weirs side of Bear Island home for years. There was also a blue one in Krainewood with a Black Max 150, very nice boat. Manufactured in New Jersey. Only issue these days is you can almost watch the gas gauge go down as you go. All we need is a low emission gasoline substitute and we'll be back in business.

[mowtorman]

Check this out. Some people are still living on the edge.....we had this in our own backyard 40 years ago. The last of the eastern cowbuoys!

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

[NoRegrets]

All I can say is WOW!

[BroadHopper]

Remind me of the water ski races in the mid 70's when we had the unlimited class. The Maharaja long boards, the Catalina harnesses and sweet 100 mph runs were common. Of course the Winnipesaukee rough water kept the speed way down for the majority of the race.

Winnisquam races created faster runs as the water was much calmer.

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by mowtorman

Check this out. Some people are still living on the edge.....we had this in our own backyard 40 years ago. The last of the eastern cowbuoys!

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

I would like to have me one of those beauties and one of the boats wouldn't be bad either.


Brave men! I like how those boats pop the skiers out of the water. Not like a deep water start behind an 33HP.

[mowtorman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF2-KZtEe1U

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by mowtorman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF2-KZtEe1U

I think some of the skiers has a screw loose! I guess they didn't have have the 150' law.

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by gtxrider

I think some of the skiers has a screw loose! I guess they didn't have have the 150' law.

Or the liability issues we now seem to have. Can you imagine trying some of that stuff now?

[sloboat]

Found some old pictures. Remember the picklefork?

[mowtorman]

I saw a pickleboat coming out of the channel one time, maybe it was the same boat. I would have said the boat I saw was wood. Any idea of speed on that boat? I had the same white Magnum with a 115 in the mid 80's I bought at the time at Glendale Marine who also had one with a 175 at the same time. It had the side slots for the ski pole but no pole, makes me wonder if that's the same boat in your picture. I sold it to a guy on a little island east of Sandy Island in 1988. There was one for years in the no wake channel leading back into Krainewood on the right, it was either white or green. There's someone in Laconia that has 2 of them now that he plans to restore. He does fabrication and fiberglass repair but that's all I know. Any ideas on the jet boat?

[SIKSUKR]

Love that tufted upholstery.

[mowtorman]

nh cl. 460 bb jet. Has issues but appears fairly nice. Definitely use some gas. Lots of Carlson's on the lakes over time. Clearcoat on the metalflake
usually flakes off, not an easy fix. Happy Easter/holiday! Stay safe/warm if you venture out!

[bigpatsfan]

Originally Posted by mowtorman

Check this out. Some people are still living on the edge.....we had this in our own backyard 40 years ago. The last of the eastern cowbuoys!

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

Great Video

[BroadHopper]

There were great times back in the days. Too bad our children and grandchildren could not enjoy what we did.

[Just Sold]

Originally Posted by mowtorman

Friend of mine picked this up in Gilford a few weeks ago, look for it around Center Harbor this summer.

This one looks very similar to your friends Coronado. Appears this one just came out of Fay's restoration shop. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...hp?photo=18588

Saw these today as wel at Fay's

[NHBUOY]

Hey MM..Are boats from 1985 considered "vintage".?. I got 2 Linder V-bottoms, a V-8 outboard AND a rare (one-of-one) BigBlock I/O version..One (OB) is Race-Worn-out, the other (I/O) is like new..they both haul the mail..pretty sweet boats..please advise..

[mowtorman]

Linder another early legend, what's not to like? Yours is probably late vintage as opposed to early vintage?

[mowtorman]

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.

[mowtorman]

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

[mowtorman]

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.

[sloboat]

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?

[gtxrider]

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

[BroadHopper]

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.

[BroadHopper]

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

[sloboat]

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.