Help Needed! - ID This Old OB Race Boat

**Greg G** · 09-17-2015, 09:43 AM

Here is a bad picture of a boat a friend is trying to get some/any information on. Any of you folks recognize it? Looks like it has two old OB's on the back but not sure of the vintage.

Thanks in advance.

**Greg G** · 09-17-2015, 12:13 PM

At first I thought that the boat was Marina Seven II, but as I look closer, it actually looks like the race number is eleven and "11" is also on the side of the hull.

**2us70** · 09-17-2015, 03:13 PM

No helmets, basic Coast Guard life vests and a couple of Johnson V4s on the back. That must be a very old picture.

**Greg G** · 09-17-2015, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by 2us70

No helmets, basic Coast Guard life vests and a couple of Johnson V4s on the back. That must be a very old picture.

Agree. I wonder if there is any way to get a rough idea on the age based on the style of the life vests. Too bad you can't make out the insignia on the flag. That would be a clue as well.

**lilabner** · 09-17-2015, 08:58 PM

ask Brownie,,It looks like something Jerry Langer or Howard Weiler would have run

From the Fiberglassic Site, Squall King

In 1961, Howard Weiler and Jim Thornton placed fourth overall and first among outboards in the Miami-Nassau power boat race. Especially calm conditions enabled the previous record for an outboard boat to be broken by more than 10 hours. He drove a 19' Squall King specially designed with Mike Navalany, productioon manager for Squall King Boats. Power was two 75-HP Johnson outboard motors (May 29, 1961 Washington Reporter). Howard Weiler was president of Fibre Glass Evercoat Corp. of Florida which he started in September 1956, supplying fiberglass supplies to boat manufacturers including Squall King, Thunderbird, Scottie Craft, and American Marc (August 22, 1960, The Miami News).

Not saying this is the boat though, but it typical of what Jerry and Howard ran back then. The Nassau boat was named Wildcat, (from Searace)

**Greg G** · 09-17-2015, 09:38 PM

Interesting, but the boat that Jerry Langer and Davey Wilson custom rigged with the (3) OMC Outboards in Miami has a fair amount of documentation still surviving. That boat, which I believe is a 19 foot V, was raced in 1964 and 1965 with a lot of success. Thanks though, the boat in the photo is not the Langer/Wilson hull. I don't know anything about the Howard guy you mention.

**lilabner** · 09-17-2015, 10:00 PM

Ask Brownie..

**T2x** · 09-18-2015, 07:25 AM

The Donzi Brand didn't emerge until 1964.... so those are probably 90 horse Johnrudes on the back.....

**lilabner** · 09-18-2015, 10:24 AM

Brownie's answer..
"Dunno. Fred Darwick and I worked on this. Nothing. Might be my old “Donzi Daddy”, the first Hornet, rerigged."

It does appear to be a Donzi, going by the name on the back, and the motors look like 1966 100's.<o

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**GENE LANHAM** · 09-18-2015, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by 2us70

No helmets, basic Coast Guard life vests. That must be a very old picture.

Standard gear, Jim---Miami to Nassau---1965

**Greg G** · 09-18-2015, 11:28 AM

Interesting feedback all around. Thanks.

It looks like the "Marina Seven" race boat, based on the life vests and the V4 motors on the back, might be circa 1964 or 1965. It is hard to tell in the photo but the twin Johnson V4's do not look to have a gold stripe on top of the cowls. I thought that the 1964 "Golden Meteor" 90hp motors did have that stripe when they were introduced new to the public that year.

**GENE LANHAM** · 09-18-2015, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Greg G

. I don't know anything about the Howard guy you mention.

Howard Weiler: Finished the '500' in this 27' Magnum---1970

**Bob V** · 09-18-2015, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

Howard Weiler: Finished the '500' in this 27' Magnum---1970

Hi Gene - The name on that one sounds like a play on the old Tareyton cigarette logo: "I'd rather fight than switch."

In never knew that anyone took on the task of running one of each. Thanks for posting.

**lilabner** · 09-18-2015, 01:50 PM

The only people running Johnrudes back then in the Ocean Races, that i can recall, were Howard and Jerry, and they were pals. And yes, Howard was quite a character..I met him around 1958..
The picture is bad, but to me they look like 100's. But if Gene, Freddie and Brownie don't know the boat, it must not be from around here. I was at war from 64-68 so I have no pictures.

Gene, that looks like one of my old CIA boats..