Powerboat races all year round somewhere in the world——— Tavares is just Once a year—— don’t procrastinate Pilgrim—— some of those that make it this year, wont be there next year! ,Quote:
Originally Posted by powerabout
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Powerboat races all year round somewhere in the world——— Tavares is just Once a year—— don’t procrastinate Pilgrim—— some of those that make it this year, wont be there next year! ,Quote:
Originally Posted by powerabout
Attachment 422256
I ask you, in all honesty——- what the hells wrong with that ?
Her Majesty claims it’s not “TRADITIONAL” ——- so what ? It’ll outlast the widow woman!—— never go rotten like the old one—- keep the birdie fodder dry—— what more can a man do——— AND FOR FREE , FECKIN bear is eating me again!
Had to remove the lid—— Madame is not a happy bunny—— I’m not a happy chappie—- bit of an impasse really———— she threw Her dollies and I refused to pick ‘ em up !
So, the old lady has a bird table instead of a house—— big deal——- get over it girlie—— I’m fresh out of ideas and patience—— FECKIN sparrows will never know the difference, and they’ll still crap at the table.
John - Lake X gates open Friday, 16 November ay 1:00PM and close at 5:PM. As far as I know, the only requirement is that you profess membership to OFF. Remember that OFF does not have membership list......YOU ARE AN OFF MEMBER!!!!. Following Lake X, the party moves to Tavares where there will be a dinner (order from menu and pay for yourself). Sorry, but I do not know name and time of restaurant/dinner. However, I am going to go with the flow. Rich Luhrs has details.Looking forward to seeing you and others - Steve Sirois
Jackie, exactly the point "some won't be there next year". A great part of OFF is to remember those that have moved on to the next adventure. Steve SiroisQuote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
OFF 2018 dinner detailsOFF update....
The annual OFF Dinner will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday November 16th at Puddle Jumpers Bar and Grill in Tavares, FL after our Lake X visit. We will be using the private dining room upstairs. Attendees will simply order off the menu....But...I need a head count at least 10 days prior. Please PM me with your intent to participate and the number of folks in your party ASAP.
Thanks and I look forward to seeing you there.https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...709810&thumb=1
Rich, I will be there for dinner with Iris. Also I expect that Vida Sirois, Vicki and Ed Young will also attend both events. - Steve Sirois
I'm too young to be OFF, never drove a direct reverser or worked on oneQuote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Absolutely stunning contemporary design...https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...6&d=1541064831
What a load of old bollocks Pilgrim——if your out of diapers but not back in them yet—— you’re eligible!Quote:
Originally Posted by powerabout
My son and grandson are members—— Tim Seebold —— Alan Garbrecht—— there’s some elite members in the OFF group——- But we treat them all the same !
Ok , so I started out with a direct drive——- but that doesn’t mean I’m a catholic—— or A diagnostic!
Cant think of anybody who’s been brave enough to turn down an old fart membership——- shudder to think what the consequences might amount to !
CWont stop the little buggers crapping on the floor.Quote:
Originally Posted by FUJIMO
Came out of necessity and availability Fuji—— didn’t have any cheapo pallet timber or box ply—— and the widow woman wasn’t of the kind I would try to impress—— so, she got what I had, although her Royal highness insisted I did a pitched roof.
So I straightened the stainless Dutch barn roof——- cut it in half—— stitched it to some alloy angle—— Voila !!!—— a forty five pitched roof . “There”, she said—— “That wasn’t too difficult was it”?
Swear to God I never touched her !
Hospital visit this morning to get the deaf aid a winter service—— damn thing whistle’s and squeaks every time I wear specs or a cap, which is most of the time these days.
Would appear the P1 series is kicking off in a number of countries w/W—— Malaysia, India, China—- Asif—- the promotor has been busy flogging the product.
With a V8 and a safety cell—— eighty plus miles an hour—- and a much improved hull—— there’s every chance it could all go well——- good luck anyway.
A week on Monday and I’m on the Norwegian Air flight to Orlando—— beginning to look forward to the trip——— a fair few adventures coming my way!
Weekend almost here—— everyone took to the hills—— I might just join them tomorrow!
No doubt about it —— I’ve got “FLORISOMNIA”—— Rare ailment that attack’s the sleep genes if you’re contemplating a visit to the southern half of the USA.
Used to take all these trips in my stride—— nowadays, even a trip to the bog for a whizz is quite an adventure!
Her majesty has my suitcase packed and issued orders that any of my concepts I’m taking be wrapped in swathing bands or bath towels, so as not to tear my clothes to shreds.
Saturday and the scrapyard and boot sale are calling——- a cry that cannot Be ignored!
Hey Mike Butler—— talked to Parkinson earlier in the week——- Rick Mackie called him, asked him to fill in some details about the FONDA years !
He shoulda come to the horses mouth Mikey—— I have copies of all the FONDA newsletters ( all five of them )———— has invaluable information on the start up——- the venues——-racers involved—— prices of race engines—— Mercury involvement ? Had one with M. Butler written on the front, in my own fair hand ? But I guess it’ll just go to waste if you’re not going to Lake X!
Had a quiet productive day in the shop on Saturday——— done another rear end of a Vee bottom with a pair of stern drives and all the trimmings.
Even Thought about making it three drives——don’t think many of those were built—— would make a great paperweight.
Have all day Sunday to myself——- no visitors—— not going anywhere——- should be able to crack on nicely——- have fathomed out how to do a triple tie bar with a dropped middle unit ! Beginning to get quite good with the logistics of concept construction!
Taking two or three pieces to Tavares——- got an empty suitcase——- allowed twenty kilos—- might as well fill the damn thing up.
Ah well, Cant lay here all day——- I’ll get bed sores if I stay—— might get a progress piccy if you behave——- then again, you might not!
Attachment 422468Attachment 422469
Just about half way through the project—— rough cut most of the bits—- except the hydraulics—— But I’ll cross that bridge !!!! ,
Can you imagine Beethovens fifth coming out of those pipes?
Keikhaefer V maybe———- what do you mean, there’s no such animal ! ——- maybe not in your world. —- I can cobble anything I want in my world !
One of those pipes has fallen off.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
Of all the pipes, on all the boats, in all the world——- you have to notice mine——- eight was fine when there was only two drives———— then—— like a Pratt——- I decided to add a third——- looked a tad off course with eight ! Problem was——- there’s only room for three more——— NOBODY WILL NOTICE——— who the hell will ever bothers to count them ? THEN TECH TEAM TURNED UP !Quote:
Originally Posted by techteam
Use your imagination peeps ——- three into one on the centre leg !
Ah well, Monday’s kicked off well—— wonder if that’s indicative of the rest of the week?
Guy Fawkes weekend went off well——- million’s went up in smoke, in the form of rockets, bangers and sparklers.
Murphy and Indy stayed in doors, so it never affected them.
Last week to earn a shilling before the trip.
Well your so rough on Rotary John's and my first love you deserve to be pulled up once in a while. Fly safe and enjoy Merica.Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
It paid off though——- John Sheldon and me are now really good friends—— in spite of threatening to punch each other’s lights out, and that was before we’d even met.Quote:
Originally Posted by techteam
What was it Mark Twain said ?——- it takes a fight to make good friends.!
Had a stellar morning——— finished the trims——- polished up the three drives——- had to leave to visit the surgery.
Only to give bloods——— apparently, the world will grind to a halt should I ever miss an appointment!
Her ladyship has started packing my case——- all I have to do is sneak a couple of concepts in while she’s not looking!
Its all a bit clinical looking at the mo, needs a bit of color !
Attachment 422558Attachment 422559Attachment 422560
Ok, so it never happened—— who gives a flying fart—— it’s a bloody concept—- a bit of fun.
i guarantee you will never ever find another one ——-
Its going to Tavares next week, it may tickle some impecunious enthusiasts fancy!
Attachment 422578
A little over fifty fifty years ago down in the south of France—— Juan Le Pins to be exact—- A race was held that attracted lots of boat racers from all over Europe.
Among those present were Cees Velden—-Dieter Koenig—- Dieter Schultze—— Van Neep—- Arie De Boom—- and a bunch of Italians!
I won just about everything—— indice De Performance—- overall winner—- class winner—— Among the prizes was this silver plaque “ Challenge Of America”.
Apparently, you had to win it three years on the trot before you were eligible for untold delights!
I did manage to win it two years running—— but never did return.
The Motor Yacht Club Cote De Azur held a series of races over two weeks——- Cannes— Nice— Antibes—- Monte Carlo—-ille Dez Embiez.
I used to load up the camper van —- throw the kids in and hook the boat up—— and we would take off for three weeks annual vacation.
each year they got lucky with calm water I guess?
Definitely not the case Pilgrim ——- most of the guys were set up for calm water—— I wasn’t—— that stood me in good stead.Quote:
Originally Posted by powerabout
In twelve days I won 22 trophies—— enough money to feed us all —— and enough gasoline ( which was free) to get back home.
Made some lifelong friends, and tasted my first Beluga caviar!
Was frogmarched backwards out of the Casino at Juan La Pins for not wearing a tie—— until Johnny Bloch told them I had one all the trophies——- then the Matre De found me a jacket and a tie.
All you have to do is win in France and you’re a celebrity!
I could even park the camper on the casino lawn with four kids asleep in it !
One time, further down the coast in Marbella ( when it was a tiny fishing village) George Kragge sank Koenigs boat during the race——— Dieter made him dive down —— tie a rope on it —- dry it out in time for the next day’s racing.
It really was very lumpy water for most of the races .
Attachment 422609
Custom cobbled bird table for the widow woman—— she’s happy—— that’s all that matters!
Decided to sell the wood lathe—— I haven’t even fired it up once in the last three years—— time for it to travel.
Hopefully this will give me enough room to benchmount the bender and the wire wheel as well as getting rid of all the things I’ve hoarded away in the last two years.
Walked out of the shop lunch time but couldn’t face the carnage this afternoon—- all projects are shelved until after the USA trip. It’s clean up and throw out time.
scrap bag has two drills,——Two sanders,——two angle grinders,—- two bench grinders—- one pillar drill —— one band saw—— a dozen spokeshaves ——- a Tormek system for sharpening——— and that’s after just one morning!Attachment 422621
Cannot Believe That Nobody passed comment on “ KIEKHAEFER” unless I’ve been —-?????
Mark and Craig are heading out to Key West——- they usually set up stall in the village.
A lot of carbon on display this year—— chairs, tables, lockers, all that sort of thing—— maybe a safety cell !
Ill try and get the shop cleared today——- Tomorrow, the guy who bought the wood lathe and various other tools and machines is coming to collect them——— should have some semblance of order restored soon.
Sold all the things I had accumulated but never needed over the years including the wood lathe.
Was kind of sad to see the lathe go——- but I did get a nice bag of gold for all the bits of hand and bench machines.
Oh to be in florida now November’s here—— Key West, Tavares, A whole lot of loving going on.
Affectionados of the beloved sport are spoilt for choice——- Key West—— the ancestral home of Offshore Powerboating——- Lake Dora and Tavares—— the annual meeting place of the old farts—- the heroes of yesteryear.
But, if you want to reminisce—- with some of the most knowledgeable characters in Powerboat Racing history—— get yourself down to Tavares and chat with some of the living legends while you still can.
Still gobsmacked by the number of old boat racers who think they’re still too young to be an old fart—- Bollocks—- you’re older than you think—- just accept the fact you were good yesterday but today’s today today!
Cant see me making the trip again——- Gene is heading towards ninety—- Odelle, I have no idea, Bachus ,The Squirt Serra, , , Sirois, Seebold, Stickle, —— and a host of others who just might turn up!
Be there, or be Square and miss the chance of a lifetime tomix with live legends from the world of powerboating!
Well, that went down like a turd in a punchbowl——- think its best if I leave you to your own devices—— talk amongst yourselves, give me a shout when you’re done!
im off to OFF on Monday anyway——— probably won’t be bothering y’all in the next couple of weeks——- I’ll be far too busy
Typical, pester us with all sorts of dross day after day and then just as we start hanging on every word you cut us off ! Your worse than those You Tube jockeys....
Thought everyone had switched off looking at the dross——— no comments—— even the regulars have gone to the moon—— so why bother ?
I think that should read U TUBE——— I’m not a lover of the site myself, but, what the hell——- different strokes ????
Thought there would have been more action from key west——- !!!!
Jackie....If you have time between fighting and arguing with the locals, could you take some snaps of.....girls...boats....and cars, oh and girls.
I recall I did ask you the same last year but all that came back was blokes socks and shorts..........
You must have lost track of time Phill—— I was unable to visit Tavares last year.
I have no idea where you got the blokes—— shorts and socks from.
Taking one or two “CONCEPTS” over this year—— if there’s any room In the rucksack for the Leica—- you might strike lucky !
Weather has definitely turned colder and wetter—— colours would put New England to shame—- absolutely magnificent.
Workshop clean up and change around is not going at all well——- I have been merciless in clearing out everything I will not use again. Changing machines around—— trying to create more space—— almost impossible.
Think I have Florida on my mind!
Next to the Final Hospital visit before I leave——- this time it was the annual diabetic eye test——- all looks to be ok——— Monday morning —— doc wants to do a last minute check to see that all the plumbing is up and running.
Straight from there to the airport——— yeah, I know it’s cutting it a bit fine, but it’s none of my doing—— I put on 22 lbs since the last check up and they’re of the op it can’t all be blamed on the steroids!
Well it sure as hell is not high class living —— or, wild wild women—— or cigareets n Whusky?
An odd glass of the malt never hurt anyone———
Big day in Key West——— with the Final on Sunday for double points——— Mark picking me up from Orlando Monday evening, I’ll get all the details then!
Forgot to tell you—— after 8 years —— thousands of man hours—-Mark fired up the motors on his boat!——- if you’re going to Englewood after Tavares, .then you might get to see this wonderful creation
Craig just called from Keywest—— the stall is all set up——- there’s eight “CONCEPTS “ on display including the number six drive ( has a $500 price tag ) you never know——- some drunken enthusiast might take a fancy to it.
Saving myself for tomorrow for a final onslaught on the workshop——- it has to be finished and ready for action on my return. I don’t want to even think about the shop whilst I’m on vacation.
Jackie we have a lot in common;
- same last name
- we both like tunnel boat racing (special like for the early 70's)
- DIABETES :cheers:
Would really like to meet you one day, if not at OFF if I ever get there then in England when I come to visit my son in London !!
THE MALIBUSTANG AINT GOING TO BE READY—Quote:
Originally Posted by jackiewilson
So—today I booked tickets to—ORLANDO
Doug is picking me up on Thursday
How ‘bout that——- Gene Langham will be at lake X Friday the 16th ————- sounds like he’ll be a tad late, he’ll be touching dawn in Orlando about the time they open the gates at the lake. Let’s reassess that——- Gene is coming in on Thursday——- just read his note to me !
Sounds like it’s going to be a memorable occasion——— if you’re wondering whether you ought to make the effort or not——- let me remind you, lots of the old farts are over seventy, some are over eighty——— none of us are immortal——— make the most of us while we’re here !
AND we can lie better than anybody else in the world——- you should listen in to some of the conversations—— sometimes, even I believe them!