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Hey Jim----it would take another old firefighter to remind me of that!! The 1000 cu. in. Hall Scott 'Invader', 2300 RPM, pumping 1500 GPM, for a few hours---and then there were the 'screaming' 2 stroke Detroits---they eventually provided us with those 'mickey mouse' ear muffs----GeneQuote:
Originally Posted by 2us70
Gene what were average cruise speeds on the straights during a race in your wing ??
100. Dave and Bob should get all the credit---designing and building a boat that advanced, over forty five years ago!! Any of the 18's, with a decent setup; a pair of good 99 cu in engines, were comfortable and predictable, and capable of speeds over 100 mph----Quote:
Originally Posted by Old fiberglass
I can't tell who that is, pic is just too dark. But, speaking of Stoney, I have a great picture of him in the prop truck thanks to Molly's collection.Quote:
Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM
I don't know what it is about prop guys, but they all seemed to be such super nice people. Schwebs, Hetzel, Henrich and this man, Keith "Stoney" Hurst. When I started at Merc, Don Schwebs was the Foreman of the prop lab in Oshkosh and Bob Hetzel was his Leadman. Schwebs decided to transfer to Lake X to work with Offshore and Hetzel became the new Foreman, he hired Hurst.
A while after the Race Team was formed, Garbrecht converted the garage in the office building into a prop shop and arranged to have Hurst transferred to Racing. Just like the men before him, Keith was an immediate help to the racers and was very well liked. He tended to follow country & western music and wore cowboy boots and one day someone called him "Stoney" ..... the nickname stuck. I traveled with him to many races in the parts truck Day Tripper and it was always a good trip. :thumbsup:
I flew out to the Long Beach race in 71. After the event, Stoney told me that he didn't feel very good and asked if he could fly home instead of spending four days driving. That wasn't like him, so I told him that I'd get his truck home and that he was to go to a doctor to see what was wrong. It wasn't good news.....he had cancer. He got treatments, was told he was good to go, but it came back. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking that just about a year after he was at this race, working with and helping others, laughing at a good joke and definately enjoying those California girls in their little bikinis, he was gone.....very sad. :(
I like the little note Molly put on the picture....."the racers buddy". There's no doubt, Stoney was that all right. He'd try to help anyone that asked, always had time to listen and enjoyed talking about B&B's while having a cold beer. I'm glad our paths did cross, he was a good friend.
Agree with Willabee about 'super nice people'. I was privleged to know Keith and Don and was able to stay in touch with Don during his many years at the Lake.Quote:
Originally Posted by willabee
June 1970, GG took the Race Team to the 'Bahamas 500'. Keith was not too happy. He thought 'offshore' was a waste of effort and good equipment, "4 boats, 16 engines, 16 props, and all the spares!" And the race was a logistical nightmare. Crews, parts, fuel, at two locations, in a foreign country----
Everyone's efforts paid off, and an outboard won the '500' for the first (and only) time. Doug Silvera/John Stenbeck in the 32' Bertram with 4 'Super BP's'.
I'm sure Butch and Charlie will remember some other prop guys, 'super nice people', Arne---Knocky---Oliver---Jeff
I remember Oliver Land and got in touch with him not too long ago. I would go to his shop and hang until he would get out his top secret blade profiles and build me a "super prop"Quote:
Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM
He was the best OPC prop guy in S. Florida and was my best friend. Richie was the best at boat repairs and was also my best friend. Butch Stokes and Don Pearson were the best Mercury mechanics around and were also my "best friends". Are you starting to get the drift? HAHA Actually they were all great friends and all that are still alive are still best friends today.
Damn, I wish I could do it all again!
Me too James !!!!!!!!!! i always thought i was a nice guy, but never a prop man-----i always had Rolla to look after my interests.Quote:
Originally Posted by OLEGATOR
You have it right there Charlie-----the friends of then are still the friends of now----that's the problem--can't get rid of the buggers----they are there for life.Quote:
Originally Posted by velox
Rolla always thought Don H. was the other great prop guy [next to he himself] but the guy who got me out of deep poo-poo at Parker was Hetzel.!!!! long story for another day
[QUOTE=willabee;2091120]I like the little note Molly put on the picture....."the racers buddy". There's no doubt, Stoney was that all right. He'd try to help anyone that asked,QUOTE]
Looking closely at this picture from Molly, I see nothing but Mercury's three blade Speedmaster props, a few 'lefts' behind the drill press. Not a Record or Rolla in sight. There is a pair of these laying in my toolbox, I got them from Stoney at Parker, 1970.
http://i54.tinypic.com/28lyicg.jpg
Rolla only ever did the prototypes , then moved on. Betcha it wasn't mercury who came up with the first 3 blade
Remember the first 4 blade i ever saw-----Auronzo----up in the Dolomites,late 60's i think, Rolla lent it to Downard, [ who was Mercury flavour of the month at that time] he won all the races at a canter, Molinari was there and Scotti and Velden, but they all ran the 3 blades.
Just another little aside Gene-----WHATEVER MERCURY WANTED TO HIDE-----STAYED HIDDEN!!!!!!!
There could have been a dozen Rolla props in the truck and no one would ever know !!!!!!!!!!!
[QUOTE=GENE LANHAM;2093258]Hi Gene,I sent you a PM...Quote:
Originally Posted by willabee
[quote=gene lanham;2093258,quote]
Not a record or rolla in sight. There is a pair of these laying in my toolbox, i got them from stoney at parker, 1970.]
As the controversy rages on about Record, Rolla, and the entire Cleaver family, I dug out the 'plain vanilla' Mercury three blades; set them in a place of honor, next to the scrapbook I took to "OFF'' October past, and took a picture----
http://i55.tinypic.com/15oay5z.jpg
:thumbsup: Very good :thumbsup:.....Quote:
Originally Posted by gene lanham
I guess a person has to have a little seniority to play this game! :D:D:D
[QUOTE=GENE LANHAM;2093687]Call me crazy but I always thought that racing propellers are among the most beautiful pieces of sculpture on the planet.Quote:
Originally Posted by gene lanham;2093258,quote
JE CONCUR MON AMI---------- there has never ever been a more frustrating piece of kit known to man.
You get the best----you alter, nurture, test, test again and again -----polish and hide it from prying eyes, finally you win with this marvellous sculpture---then the damn manufacturers give you another 25 hp---the boat design changes------someone brings out a 7 blade or a different composite and the beautiful masterpiece gets hung up on a nail in the workshop and all you got are fond and very expensive memories !!!!!!!!!!!!! But hey-what the hell---would you have changed anything ?????
The first most beautiful thing I ever owned was an A Stock Hydro prop given to me by Bill Hutchins, built by Allan Smith..He said it was one of his best...some creep stole it out of my trailer..I had just turned 18...
Attachment 234641Attachment 234642Attachment 234643
Hello Powercat,
I hope this helps you in your quest for photos of Lou Cooley's motors. I have a couple. Let me try to put them up. EnjoyAttachment 234640
Welcome Cindy:Quote:
Originally Posted by Cindy Cooley
Nice Pictures........
Where was that race?
T2x
Cindy:
Thank you very much, those are awesome!
Thanks for reading this thread all the way back to Oct 08 also...
If you have more certainly would be welcome...
Danny Leger
Austin, Texas
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cindy Cooley
Thanks,
I am not sure about what races or what year, Lou Cooley is/was my Uncle. He passed away in 1987. I don't have that many pics of him racing, that was pretty much it. I have one of his racing cars, but that's all. I found you guys when I Googled my Uncle to see if anything was out there on him.
Cindy
Welcome Cindy:
Nice Pictures........
Where was that race?
T2x[/QUOTE]
Your welcome Danny,
Lou Cooley is/was my Uncle. He passed away in 1987. I have one more pic of one of his racing cars, but that is it. I wish I had more of him and his wife Dorothy racing. She passed 10 years after him, I don't know what happened to their photos. I found your post when I Googled my Uncle to see if there was anything out there on him. So I thought to myself, well I do have a couple decent pics of him w/his boats and motors, I'll join in and send them your way.
Take care,
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Are you related to Wendy Cooley who set the Tennesse River record back in the 80s?
Thanks for sharing your pictures.
No, I don't believe so. She could be a distant cousin, (very distant) cousin.
I thought I'd put this notice on "Hot Multi's" because it's the birthday boys favorite thread.
Hear ye, hear ye.....the Honorable Mr. Gene Lanham has just celebrated his 80th birthday!!!!! Therefore, I am happy to announce that he is no longer considered "OLD" ..... he now qualifies as "Ancient" :D
Please join me in wishing the "Ancient One" a very Happy Birthday and here's wishing you have many, many more. :thumbsup:
The following is a list of all of Gene's accomplishments in his years of OPC racing:
1. Outboard World Championships, 1969 - led almost the entire first lap on Sunday
(sorry folks, that's it.....that's the complete list) :o
Here are a couple of shots showing what Gene mastered in his years as a Wing Boat Pilot.....he learned to sit very still (you might even say relaxed) while waiting for the starters gun and he developed a unique way of washing the boat before putting it back on the trailer. :reddevil:
:thumbsup:Happy bithday MR. Lanham...:thumbsup:Hope a good year good health again!!!! JP Love
Happy Birthday Gene.......
'Errrrrr' 'scuse-e-moi !!!!!!!! Is this an early greeting for Gene's next birthday----------' cos you sure as hell are ALL way behind on the birthday
You have to excuse them Gene------Just pat 'em on the head and toss 'em a biscuit--------and when you feel a bit benevolent -------- tell 'em when your birthday was.
If the CURMUDGEON puts me into the 'ANCIENT' category, swear to God i will strike him with a baguette or a croissant, or chuck a Ricard at him
Aren't you supposed to have "15 minutes of fame"?---I think I was cheated---Quote:
Originally Posted by willabee
Well, it was actually the middle of July. But is has taken over a month to recover from the party:)-----Quote:
Originally Posted by jackie wilson
Like I was telling Seeroy last week, his correct answer on the BP question put him in a tie with you for having answered one question correctly since you have begun babbling on S & F, and you are still at one!Quote:
Originally Posted by jackie wilson
Gene celebrated his B-day last month, but he's just now starting to feel good enough to talk about it.....didn't you get the memo?
In regards to the "ancient" category, I'm going to send a motion to the board members of OFF. It will include a recommendation that anyone that has reached eighty years of age can no longer be part of OFF.....those Ancient Mariners will fall into the new group called AOF (if you can't figure out what that stands for, just ask "Her Indoors" for a little help). As AOF members they should receive special parking places, the easiest seats to get in and out of at the bar (preferably near the cash register), a boat shaped hearing horn and a drool bib with your picture on it.
Maybe one of these..... :D
Hay Gene,,,,,,,, Maybe you could give me some advice''''
How the hell can I get to 80????????????????????
Best wishes see you @ OFF,,,,,, Will bring rocking chair for you,,,,,,,,
The way I hear it told, once you get to 80, nothing lasts longer than 15 seconds! :nonod:Quote:
Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM
That's only the short term memory:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by willabee
Hey Jim----good clean living---only drink nutritious beverages---if you believe that, I have some more---Quote:
Originally Posted by gofish7070
You wuz lied to---------we listen to you for longer than that.!!!!!!!!!!!!
:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by jackie wilson
Don't even think of blaming me for your memory and comprehension loss----------when you were contacted by the mysterious ' the way i heard it told brigade'----------you wuz lied to. May take 15 seconds or more to get there---------but boy when an 80 year old gets there he really makes it last-------[The voice of anticipated experience]Quote:
Originally Posted by willabee
Do not tangle with one of the original OFFs and NEVER EVER write him down as ancient !!!!!!! Try VENERABLE ??????
I've got it now Ol' Venerable One (you really think that sounds good?).....thanks for clearing that up, don't know why I couldn't figure what you were talking about. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by jackie wilson
Hey Welch-do you realise your getting over 200 hits a day on the "Hot Singles"------congrats. Should be at the quarter mill., round about OFF time.
The Venerable JW. !!!!!!!!!!!! i like it.!!!!!