old tunnel hull

[inspectorlance]

I saw an ad in the paper for a 16' tunnel hull. The guy didnt know the mfg. or anything. So I had to go take a look. I think It may be a Speedliner. Kinda cool looking, and not too bad of shape. What can ya tell me about these boats ?

[inspectorlance]

pict

[PARKER RABE]

thats a rabco hustler , i built it ......be careful , that thing is a blow over machine , i quit building them in the late 80 b/c so many people were geeting hurt in them ....my dad bought the molds from don aranow in the early 70s

[Raceman]

"thats a rabco hustler , i built it "

What, were you like 12 then Parker???:D

[H2OPERF]

Could be an original magnum also, I had one that would run in the 90s with a johnny on the back.They were a bit flighty but but run good with the motor on the transon no set back,i had a jack plate on mine and took it off.Take a good look at the center floor area if you do decide to buy, that big flat tunnel floor didnt have much support and would often start cracking down the center.That one in the picture actually looks like mine, it had a blue topdeck and white bottom. Dave

[PARKER RABE]

race man i was 7 ...get it right :eek: :eek: :eek: i could spray gel so good at that age :D :cool:

[inspectorlance]

The original paint looks like it was baby blue on the top deck. The boat mesures about 16' and has no # stamped in the hull. This boat made it a long way, its in Seattle Wa. now. I am not that interested in buying it, just wondered what it was. I figued it would blow over pretty easy.

[Scream And Fly]

Looked like a Magnum Missile to me.

Very dangerous boat.

Greg

[inspectorlance]

Maybe this pict will help decide what it is ? The front deck is very thin and has a few holes, you can see in the pict. This area of the deck is inset, like plate or something was set into it. If you setped on the deck your foot would go right through. where the windshield would go the deck is rounded, not flat like a speedliner.

[AnthonySS]

...made in Canada by Mike and Ken...basically a Magnum

[AnthonySS]

Watched this Boat blo-over rite in front of me one day on the river

[PARKER RABE]

we used to put a teak insert , that went down the deck , i have tons of pictures of them here in prints and slides , but no scanner . we used to rig the up with twister2s , then when the v6 came out , we would put 150 s and 200 s on them , alot of people have been killed in those boats , i cut up the molds in 1988

[PARKER RABE]

cant belive that thing made it all the way to seattle !:eek:

[Scream And Fly]

"...then when the v6 came out , we would put 150 s and 200 s on them"


Parker,

According to your profile, you were born in 1973, so you were rigging V6 Mercury engines at 3 years old?

Greg :D

[AnthonySS]

I love the throttle on the deck of the boat....pretty safe:eek:

[PARKER RABE]

just about my friend , my dad had rabco marine here scince 1965 building 17 different models of boats , i grew up in the shop as a kid watching everything that went on....it wasnt till i was about 10 that i got to do hands on ! man i thought i was the coolest kid in town ,when i bolted my first 200 up to a boat , at 13 i had a 90mph flat bottom , when i was 7 i had a kneel down with a 40 , got a seebold at 18 that ran 110 , had my mirage for 5 years now , ready for something new again , including a new chick !:eek:

[Raceman]

Now we know what happened to you Parker......... breathed too much fiberglass fumes when you were a kid.:eek:

My friend who worked for Merc had a Magnum with a Twister 1 on it when I first met him. His brother and first cousin had Magnums also, both with 1500's on em. The cousin blew his over in Florida and it killed him. These boats will go over with an inline. A V6 on one borders on insanity.

[PARKER RABE]

1

[H2OPERF]

And a 400 lb paper thin stv at 130+ doesnt border on insanity.Dave

[inspectorlance]

Yep thats the boat. So the Magnum missle and the Rabco are from the same molds ? right ? I will let the guy know that is selling it the history and hopfully he will pass it on to a future buyer.Death trap !!

Lance

[2us70]

There is a picture of Guy Radiano blowing one of those things over with twin 1250 Mercs circulating around the forums. I posted it once myself. The picture was taken in 68 and was used for the cover of the 69 Nationals program. I will post it again if I can get the size right.

[Brian]

I had one of these for about 8 years, 4 with an XS on it and 4 with a 200 on it. It was a 69 Magnum Missile. It ran 90+ with the 200. I never had any problems running the boat even into stiff winds. You just have to know how to run the boat. I'd still have it and restored it if I didn't want the XR2001 that I have now so bad. The Missile was a fun boat, you just have to watch what you are doing.

[baja200merk]

they are soo simple!

i love how they look

too bad so many people died in them:(


kevin:D

[Brian]

Here is a buddy of mines Rabco Hustler that he bought new in 79 after he was sorry that he sold the Magnum that he had earlier.

[arcticracer]

I have been looking for information on my boat, and a little history maybe. This thread helps. My Barracuda looks a lot like the Rabco Hustler and Maltese Missile, from the seam down. The deck is different. I read with interest all the horror stories about them, I admit to wondering if I had overpowered it! It has a warmed over 1979 Merc 150. I have been sensible about opening it up, that is I don't do it. The little voice inside always tells me to keep the speed down.

So I wonder if Barracuda copied the Missile/Hustler, or what. Here are a couple pics, what does the audience think? By the way, I have decided to take the 150 off and find a Yamaha 90 or something in that range. I have a bunch of pics at www.arcticflash.com/boat

Thanks-Arcticracer

[inspectorlance]

Hay ArcticRacer;

Your last post mentioned that you wanted some more history on the Barracuda Tunnel. There is a guy selling one in the boat trader. He claims to be the original owner from 1972. Im sure this guy could give you some good info. The guy is in Oregon. Its only in the mag. not online. He must really love this boat asking price is 16 k. his # is 503-246-1098

Hope this helps ya.

Lance

[300x Stoker]

That's about the only tunnel boat that was around here back in the day. I think they must have made some of them kind of heavy. One guy had one with a 200 and said he never could get it to go very well.

They must have been built pretty solid because I still see a few of them around.

I'll have to look at that one in the Trader. For 16K you could get that HST that's on here. What a joke.

One guy ran his around in circles at full throttle with an inline 6 if front of our beach one day. Some of the beach members started to get pissed off untill I pointed out that he wasn't making any wake at all. I'd never seen anything like it. No wake. Look at that.

I think it was the same guy that would go full throttle and then crank the wheel as hard as he could and make a Bat Turn. I thought he would flip, but the boat would come right around. Surprised again.

Wasn't it supposed to be some sort of a Molinari copy?

Those Outboard and Racing History guys would know.

,,,,, ;)

[Mark75H]

Based on Arronow's Magnum Maltese Missle, not Molinari :)

[sevenspeed]

I just bought a Missile two days ago. Reading this post from top to bottom has my slightly scared about blowover. The previous owner was making 100+ runs with the boat, but I was very uncomfortable at 85. Anyone with personal experience handling one? Mine is equipped with a 235 Evinrude that has been heavily ported, with race heads, pistons, rods, bored carbs, etc, etc. Maybe it was a blessing that the lower unit failed yesterday.....


AnthonySS: saw you are from Ajax. I will be heading to Peterborough with this boat 2nd week of July. Can I check out your toys?

[sevenspeed]

Opps... forgot the attachment:

[Ilovespeed]

not to hijack this thread but i live in ptbo what you headed here for? cottage? i have a cottage on stoney...
Tyler

[inspectorlance]

Seven speed, That sure is a good looking Missile !!

Your boat is way over powered !!
I hope Parker or somebody will tell some Blow Over horror storys, so that you dont become one of them.
If they blow over with a 150 you are playing with fire with a Hot 235.

Oh yah, Welcome to Scream Anf Fly !!

Lance

[sevenspeed]

I think I owe everyone a thank you in advance for the stories that are already posted here. I am nervous even now thinking of my adventures with it a couple of days ago. Does anyone have any specific experience with the boat with regards to instability or blowover? Maximum safe speed with smooth conditions and no wind? Any other related advice?

Tyler: Ironically, my cottage is on Stoney too! I am right at the mouth of Gilchrist Bay. I'm a 4th generation stoney laker (ever hear of Dodworth Island?) I'll be up July 7-14, and likely again later in the season. PM me so we can exchange numbers!

I'll sneak in another picture...

[neveredge]

I know a guy who has a CCC on the back of one. Too bad its rotting away sitting in the weeds. I would love to buy it for the motor.

[arcticracer]

The Barracuda was sold yesterday for $2000 cash. I am going to miss that boat, it was a labor of love but I also think it was built over indian burial grounds. The kid that bought it did not take the motor (Merc 150) which is a good thing, he is going to put something in the 70HP range which will be good for safety.

Now for the next project, I am going to build a new Tunnel!!! Something along the lines of an STV but designed for lower speeds as there are not many places around here for big numbers anyway.

[AnthonySS]

NICE BOAT Sevenspeed...

Looks very Nice but as you know ...be careful.

My cottage is on Rice Lake if you want too hook...I would be happy...maybe you could come to a PBCC Run on Lake of Bays on July 10...let me know:)

[LakeRacer99]

Hey Seven...Good looking boat there. Did you get it on eBay? I have seen it run through there a few times in the last year. One of the best looking one I have seen in some time.
Don't be to worried about your engine, just keep the speeds around 70-80 and the trim tucked in.
Have fun and be safe.

[Potroast]

Just drive the thing for a few weeks or so before you go bannanas. I have a short shaft 1500 and get around 75 or so. Just take the time to see how the boat reacts to different water conditions. I've gotten the bow fairly high in the air a couple times but luckily nothing near straight up. I'd post a few pictures but I can't seem to re-size them. Just use your head.

Later,
Chris:eek:

[sevenspeed]

It's alive again! I spent the last 5 days rebuilding the lower unit. I have another thread about that saga, but it is complete and I just had it in the water a couple of hours ago. I tried the stock prop just for fun -- a 21". I have never felt anything launch like that on the water, possibly not even on land. It topped out at 60-65, but what a rush getting there! Thanks for all of the advice... I hope I never get too comfortable, or I'll start doing stupid things.

AnthonySS: I'd love to check out your boat. I don't know if I can afford to lock from Stoney to Rice in this thing. I never knew something could drink this fast. PM me so we can exchange contact info. Tell me more about the event on the 10th, too!

[inspectorlance]

SevenSpeed if you go to meet AnthonySS dont try to pass his STV.

Look what happened to this guy !!

[arcticracer]

I have sold my 70 Barracuda locally for $2000. The kid that bought it is going to use a smaller engine than the tweaked Merc 150 that I had on it. Good thing. I enjoyed the thread, now to work on plans for the custom mini-STV like boat that I have in mind.

[Potroast]

Trying to re-size photos. Again!!

[sevenspeed]

Looks great! I really like it in red! How does it run with that 1500?

[Potroast]

It's actually orange but it definately looks red in the picture. Runs great gets upper 60's for sure maybe 70 on a good day. It's an ANTIQUE, which is great and next year i'll have the antique plates from the state for it. Just waiting to have the hull completely restored this winter. Mechanically it purrs new everything, electrical, steering, seating, bilges, trim pump, etc. etc. Hopefully the project will be complete by next spring.

Later,
Chris

[PARKER RABE]

man pretty , i wish i never destroyed the molds .:(

post some more pics:D

[Merc-Cruiser]

Anyone ever seen a pickle-fork version of the same hull? I had one in Michigan in the seventies. Sorry, don't have any pictures. At the time I bought it, the guy I bought it from said it was built for Mark Donahue, who was a famous race car driver back then. Anyone heard or seen such an animal? :confused: Thanks, M/C

[Fulltilt]

This is a picklefork but it didn't start out as one. Not a Magnum but a tunnel that's similar!:cool:

[STVRacing]

These boat are only as dangerous as the situation you put them in. I have a DUO tunnel. Its looks just like a Missle. The deck is alittle different. If anyone has any questions about these boats. I have years of experience with them. Feel free to give me a call. Steve 646-256-2844

[Tom Foley]

These photos bring back good memories and bad for me . As a kid growing up in Freeport , N.Y. , i used to see lots of the Magnums come out of Saltaire Marine in Freeport and they seemed to run great with stock inlines on them . However I lost a good friend in the Hustler at the barge canal in th early 90's , his name was Gil Antes . I raced outboard hydros with him in the 80's here in Fl . He was racing and pushing the envelope with a worked 2.4 . It happens . Be careful and dont overpower an air packing hull . Go Fast , have fun , Tom.

[Merc-Cruiser]

What is the full history on your DUO??? I remember that name from long ago. Thanks, M/C:)

[LakeRacer99]

Here is a Duo Mystery 170, I saw this on eBay I think...

[STVRacing]

Wow that ones ugly. Mine looks ALOT nicer then that. Ill get some pics later today.

[Ryan503]

What you end up doing with this boat

[Ryan503]

You still have this boat

[Ryan503]

Remember what color it was?

[Ryan503]

You have anymore pictures

[Ryan503]

Nice boat

[perfss]

We have the molds modified to a pickel fork.

286531

[perfss]

286534

[Ryan503]

How fast you running and what moter?

[perfss]

100 with 2.5 200 efi

[Ryan503]

What is your jack plate? I'm rebuilding my barracuda looking for what kind I should put on also how long is your transom