Picts of Hustler wildcats?

[HPjunkie]

Anybody have any photos of those boats? I have one located but dont know what to think. Value ,power, handling, top end etc. Its a junker but could be resurected. Any help would be good. Greg:confused:

[WARLOCK]

You can still contact Jim Umbarger Sr. or Jimmy Jr at Hustler Sport Center in Mchenry Il. 815-385-4848. I know he has a lot of pictures. Later, Dave

[WARLOCK]

Greg, you can also go to hustlersport.com and Jim has pictures of all the boats he built. Later, Dave

[kim cleckler]

My Dad Was A Hustler Dealer Back In 1970 He Ran A 15 Wild Cat Orange With A X-115 On It It Was So Thin He Call It Paper Shell Lol .. I Remeber As A Kid He Went And Got The Fist Load Was Neat Looking Boat 1 Was Purple Metal Flake And Brown And An Gold One... He Has Alot Of Pics Of The Racing One I Will Try To Find And Scan Some And Post.. He Has Several Stories About Going Up To The Plant And Running A Twin Engine With Chryslers On Them And In The Cold Weather And Running Out Of Gas Comming Home And Having To Walk Lol ..

I Will Try To Find And Post In The Next Several Weeks..

[LakeRacer99]

Here is the page with pics that Warlock posted above.

http://www.hustlersport.com/Page%20hustler%20boats.htm

here is a 13' Wildcat

[specboatops]

Man those 15' and 16' tunnels look bad a$$, the orange one thats on there I remember seeing for sale on here it had a 135ss think it went for around $3000.00, I tried to buy it but was to late, still would like to get my hands on one !!!

Chris

[brichter]

....were very good boats for their time. The tunnels were narrow and shallow but a good ride. The Umbargers still have a service shop right down the road from where I work.
My dad ran a 15' Hustler in UI class in the 70s. This particular one had wooden running pads that Harold Nauss added while Duane Timm was running it.
I would love to locate one, especially this one, for restoration. Any leads appreciated.

[Umbarger]

Here is the location of some Hustler Boats
http://www.hustlersport.com/Page%20hustler%20boats.htm

Jim

[Ron V]

My uncle is the owner and driver in the two pictures of the 19' Wildcat with the V-4 on that page. He is in a nursing home now but the boat was sold with his estate and is still in service.

Jim, do you know offhand how many of the 19' models you guys made? I thought my uncle said there was just his and a couple of others, the one with the twin Chyrslers and another one which had an inboard/Berkeley jet configuration? How about the 15' boats? My father has talked about the 15' boats many times, about how great they were in rough water and how good the ride was. We've often wondered how many were built.

We have 8mm silent home movies shot with my grandma's camera back in the day that was transferred to 8mm videocassette a few years ago. Among other footage from the late 60s and early 70s of various boats on Bangs Lake, we have numerous shots of Hustlers. We were just watching the movies the other night in fact. One of the shots is of Danny driving a Wildcat at the races at Cook's Grove.

[kim cleckler]

Thereis One On Ebay Now .. Under Tunnel Boats.. I Dont Have The Item # 12/3/2007

[brichter]

The item # is 250194500026.....
This is the pleasure version of the hustler, it is quite different from the competition one. I have seen this boat around a few times over the years, still in the area.

[Michael J Giesler]

Hi my dad has a 1971 compition hustler there is a picture of it at upcoming events that john dorn posted from kosh

[MN4V]

Here's a photo of one of the tunnel boats. Rear view of the sponson shape.
Mark N

[Hippie459MN]

I dont mean to dig up an old thread but thankyou everyone for the link. We had a Hustler, Not sure of the model off hand, when I was a kid and it had an 85 hp merc and was a center steer. My dad bought it from a guy that raced it in the the very very early 70's when my dad got it he made it a 2 seater. All I remember is that it was fast, handled incredible and was smooth as ever on the roughest waters. We later sold it to my cousin in the mid 80's and they had it for many many years and took exelent care of it then later sold it to one of there neighbors and have not seen it since and I really miss it. I have some good old home movies around here that I will see if I can dig up of it.

And here the the internet was getting my no where and then I find this site and then this thread and man, I was starting to loose all hope. Thanks. :)

Edit:
Here is the link to the only video that we have of the old boat - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgSWdPfVLOo

I sure miss that and watching that brings back all kinds of fun memories of the many years of pride my dad took in that boat. He would have traded us kids for it at one time. :D

[Michael J Giesler]

do you remember who raced it nice hustler

[Hippie459MN]

Off hand I dont. I am going to try and track down the boat and see if I cant find it and also as my father if he remembers who the guy was he bought it from that raced it. All I know is the guy was from Minnesota but that all I know right now. They sure dont make boats like they used to. ;)

[Hippie459MN]

I just got off the phone with my father and he said he bought it from a guy in 1970-1971 and he lived in Brooklyn Park MN and that also, my cousin might have the boat up north just sitting so a phone call will be made tomorrow and hopefully I get some good news if not a few leads towards finding it. Will keep everyone posted. :D

Man I am getting kind of excited now. :D

If I do find this boat my own thread will be made and sorry for hijacking this one. :)

[Hippie459MN]

Well, got some sad news today on the boat. My cousin did still have the boat after all these years but in the mid 90's it sunk in the Snake River about 130 miles north of Minneapolis MN, About 50 miles from my place, and was never retrieved so its still at the bottom of the river. Make me want to cry. :(

And it was a very well kept and cared for boat untill the last 2 or 3 years of its life. What a shame.

Im guessing the way my cousin used to drive it it would have happened eventually. Thats 3 boats he has wrecked. Think he would have learned after the first one.

Oh well... Anyone know where I can find a 13' Hustler Wildcat that not in need of to much repair? :)

[Michael J Giesler]

call jim at hustler in mchenry il I think he has one.

[jay1]

theres a couple old hustlers sitting in there lot in spring grove il .... jimmy would know what they are...mchenry store.815.385.4848.. storage lot...815.675.2733

[Hippie459MN]

Thanks for the info guys. I will def give them a call next week. :D

[MN4V]

A couple of Hustlers from 1973.
Mark N
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/UIClass1973.jpg

[MN4V]

One more!
Mark N
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/UIClass1973-2.jpg

[Mark75H]

Mark, those are awesome!

[MN4V]

Looks like a Mercury BP is on the inside!
Mark N
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/UIClass1973-3.jpg

[Michael J Giesler]

mn4v my dad says thanks for posting those pic's he is glad he kept his all these years he can't remember there was one purple one called plum crazy and a black one called black widow

[MN4V]

Did your dad know the Nardi's? Two brothers I think. Both had the 1000 BP's on Hustlers I think.
I have some photos of them too.
Mark N

[MN4V]

Here is a photo. One of the Nardi's on the left, Bill Richter in the middle and to right is another Nardi in I think a Kitson.
Mark N
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/Nardi.jpg

[Michael J Giesler]

I will see him tomorrow I remember him telling me Jim only made 8 15' comp v-bottoms and less of the tunnels post more pic's if you have them it makes my dad happy to see all those Hustlers thanks.

[Catfish102]

Just picked this one up the other day from the estate sale of a neighbor. She seems to be in pretty good condition and is in the shop now getting some TLC. Will post new photos after she is done. It is a one owner purchased new in August 1970-boat $1300, engine $1600 and trailer $250!

[PropHydro]

Go to some vintage photos in this forum for some Hustler photos tunnel and vees.

[pacman809]

My Add: In college a friend and I bought what was called a 16' and a brand new Merc 125. We proceeded to do some minor Mods but found a Super SpeedMaster bullet(twin drive shaft) that we could mount on. Later upgraded toa stock 150. Lots of fun running around the Chesapeake at 75mph. Hull needed a Pad in the worse way but we moved onto Allison's for that reason. Hopefully some of these old photos will post. Pacman
http://www.screamandfly.com/webkit-fake-url://383F11A2-DCF5-4BCA-B3A4-97E9379773FE/image.tiffhttp://www.screamandfly.com/webkit-fake-url://9BECC3B3-0AD7-4E8C-A92A-F9972D8AA576/image.tiffhttp://www.screamandfly.com/webkit-fake-url://79A52A1E-B9C8-4ADF-A902-7DB058A69CFB/image.tiff

[PropHydro]

Top pics are Jim Umbarger Sr. in a 15 Tunnel, and my Dad in his 15 Vee with a B.P.
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx283/TBuck2003/Oldies%20Boats/Oldies3.jpg

[PropHydro]

My Dad in his 15 Hustler with 1250 Stacker at the start...
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx283/TBuck2003/Oldies%20Boats/Oldies4.jpg

[PropHydro]

Next pics are after the start, reeling in Kenny Stevenson, and then way out in front. Pics are reversed. Bottom pic is at Ford lake in Ypsilanti, Mich the day that both my Dad and Kenny blew over simultaneously...
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx283/TBuck2003/Oldies%20Boats/Oldies2.jpg

[Michael J Giesler]

my dad looked at the pics and wanted to know if your 15' hustler v-bottom was a comp there were only 8 ' comps made and my dad knew 1 went to ohio your dads might be the 1 my dad still has his

[Hippie459MN]

Here is my dads Hustler Wildcat. This picture was taken in the mid 80's. He sold the boat to my cousin in 1988 I think it was. It was a late 60's factory comp boat. Had the center steer and all. My dad put 2 seats in it though so when you were driving you sat offset to the steering wheel a bit but he said it was easy to drive. He did that cause my mom complained there was only 1 seat in the boat and she didnt like sitting on the floor. HaHa

It had a late 60's 850 on it and it ran like a champ until my cousin sold in in the early 90s and that when we lost track of it. I really miss that boat. I grew up riding around in that thing with my dad. I was 14 or 15 when he sold it.

Oh yeah, That old Larson was my grandpas and as luck would have it, About 5 years ago I found out its sitting about a mile from my moms house.

[PropHydro]

my dad looked at the pics and wanted to know if your 15' hustler v-bottom was a comp there were only 8 ' comps made and my dad knew 1 went to ohio your dads might be the 1 my dad still has his

Yes Mike it was a comp. The 1250 B.P. on that boat ran good, then he put the stacker kit on it, and ran awesome. That same motor is what he put on the Hustler tunnel. It was just the Vee Bottom tunneled out. Made for a fast but scary ride... Lots of lift and compression in that hull. His was a pretty boat Black/ Gold metalflake...

[WILLSKI10]

257900Here is a 1974 15footer that i still own, has dual quad small block Chevy and Berkley pump. I know who owned it in the late 70s till the time that i bought it in the mid 80s.

[Hippie459MN]

I didnt think hustler ever made a jet boat or one with a windshield like that. That doesnt look like a Hustler Wildcat at all unless someone custom build it that way later on.

http://www.hustlersport.com/Page%20hustler%20boats.htm

Cool looking boat for sure though.

[redstrat]

Hey, this is my first post to this forum. Three weeks ago I purchased a 1973 Hustler Wildcat tunnel boat. I had my eye on this boat sitting outside, uncovered near my home for the past two years. Just finishing a restoration of a 1973 Checkmate MX-16 I made the guy an offer and purchased it for $300. I won't be starting the restoration for a while, (honey do list) but I'm doing as much research as I can. I had a conversation with Jim Umbarger Jr. this week. At 80 years old he still has a lot of passion for these boats. He told me that what I have is called a family model. The deck was raised about 4" higher that the race model. Being a tunnel it is very rare. The steel truss for the transom is not original. I'm planning a restoration with modifications for strength and aesthetics. This boat is so lightly constructed you can see sunlight through the bow. Anyone with any first hand knowledge of these boats, please chime in. Thanks, Here are a couple of pics and one of my MX-16.286564286563286562286561286565

[DanUmbarger]

Hi Redstrat, Did you ever finish restoring the Hustler tunnel? Would love to see pics of it now. I'm Jim's oldest son and am also part of the family business. I'm actually in the process of restoring a 16' Victor so I know how long the process can take. Did the boat come with the full length seat? When I get done with the glass part of my project I'll be looking for seats. Don't know what happened to all the seat molds we had but I'll figure out something. Post pics if you have any of your progress....Dan

[redstrat]

Hi Redstrat, Did you ever finish restoring the Hustler tunnel? Would love to see pics of it now. I'm Jim's oldest son and am also part of the family business. I'm actually in the process of restoring a 16' Victor so I know how long the process can take. Did the boat come with the full length seat? When I get done with the glass part of my project I'll be looking for seats. Don't know what happened to all the seat molds we had but I'll figure out something. Post pics if you have any of your progress....Dan

Dan, My Hustler sits behind my barn fully covered awaiting my attention. I am a full time public school teacher and run a small auto and marine trim business on the side. I am six years from retiring and the Hustler will be on the top of my bucket list. I do have the double wide seat that came with the boat. I would be glad to send pictures, it would be easy to reproduce. If you are documenting your restoration and have posted it here, please point me in the direction. I would love to follow along. I called your shop a few years back and had a great conversation with your father. Best of luck and please stay in touch. Mark

[DanUmbarger]

Hi Mark, I understand your situation....the real reason I'm tackling my boat is I have the expertise because I actually did the glassing in the years before we quit building. Also my dad is 83 and I would like to get him back in a Victor since it was the first model he designed and built and that is the model he raced in the early 60's and was the national high points champion in '67, also being voted into the Gulf Hall of Fame. Lots of incentives to get it done. I wish you were closer to me because I would have asked to borrow the seat to splash a quick mold but shipping would make it too expensive. I'll figure out something. I will post my restoration within a couple of days...at least make it up to date to this point....probably under something like " Restoration of a Hustler 16' Victor" or something like that....I'll let you know. Dan

[Michael J Giesler]

The 356 boat is in Rockford Illinois was found at a estate auction a couple of years ago my dad still has his 1971 15' competition v bottom wildcat

[Michael J Giesler]

And the tunnel version twin to my dad's

[mbd29]

I purchased this boat from Jim, I believe in 1971, and ran it around the lakes in Madison, WI that year and then raced it in 1972. I had it "re-decked" in the fall of 72 but sold it after I purchased a Sid from Tim Briggs. I believe the guy I sold it to blew it over on Lake Winnebago and it is still on the bottom of the lake. I sold it with a 1000BP.

[T2x]

Baby face.... you'got the cutest little baby face.....
:)

[DanUmbarger]

mbd29, Great pic, that's my dads old boat...he had a couple of tunnels, one with a Johnson and one with an Evinrude...yours was the one with the Johnson. I think he may have sold you this boat and built another for the Evinrude which I believe he blew over. Too bad it's still on the bottom of the lake :( 362540362541362542

[mbd29]

Gee Rich I didn't know you cared!!!!!!:icon_bs:

[T2x]

I remember meeting you the following year when you were the "new guy" at Mercury......

Merry Christmas.... Youngster...

[mbd29]

Right back at you.��

[DanUmbarger]

Mark, I just started a restoration post for my 16' Victor.....if you want to follow along it's in the General Discussion part under Restoration of my Hustler 16' Victor. Take a look and let me know what you think....Dan....BTW, I really like your orange and white Checkmate restore...looks great!

[Liqui-Fly]

Hey, this is my first post to this forum. Three weeks ago I purchased a 1973 Hustler Wildcat tunnel boat. I had my eye on this boat sitting outside, uncovered near my home for the past two years. Just finishing a restoration of a 1973 Checkmate MX-16 I made the guy an offer and purchased it for $300. I won't be starting the restoration for a while, (honey do list) but I'm doing as much research as I can. I had a conversation with Jim Umbarger Jr. this week. At 80 years old he still has a lot of passion for these boats. He told me that what I have is called a family model. The deck was raised about 4" higher that the race model. Being a tunnel it is very rare. The steel truss for the transom is not original. I'm planning a restoration with modifications for strength and aesthetics. This boat is so lightly constructed you can see sunlight through the bow. Anyone with any first hand knowledge of these boats, please chime in. Thanks, Here are a couple of pics and one of my MX-16.286564286563286562286561286565


My brother owned this boat in the 80's. What a hoot. do you still own it?