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I am pretty sure the picture is not in the stadium, but out in Biscane Bay. There were no houses with seawalls that close to the stadium.Quote:
Originally Posted by GrewuponLakeX
I remember your dad. He was in a lot of the races in the Miami area back then. He was one of the top Mercury lake X drivers!
Hi Tim - Good to have you back onboard. I think I see a "Boomer" periscope in the background of that headon shot of your dad. I think that is the first Molinari that I ever saw when he tested it at Lake X prior to Goldcoast Marathon, and I shall never forget seeing that same, looking straight down the tunnel, view as he ran toward the tower with many of us standing there in awe. It was one of those moments in life when one realized that everything had suddenly changed. As so many of us knew your Dad as one of the best, nicest and well liked guys in boating back in the day, we would love to meet you and your Uncle Bobby at OFF2009 in October. Please consider this as a personal invitation from all of us. Best Regards - Steve Sirois
Where are the stories promised???? have you and Doug finished the many stories you where workng on??? We are in suspence waiting.....Oops, which holidays?????????????????? Six weeks - Till OFF???????Quote:
Originally Posted by seeroy
BobbyR
Bobby - Thanks for the prompt. I got an e-mail from Alice Janisch today. As a result of a telephone conversion with Doug awhile back, I had rewritten the Gulf storm story and sent it to Doug for his approval. Alice told me to tell you that "They are on it" and that Doug has written another story which I should have soon. MORE IMPORTANTLY..she told me that she and Doug will be at OFF2009. We have gotten positive responses from many people that we will all remember and, for those in the know, Doug Janisch rates right up there at the top of the pyramid. Thanks again and looking forward to seeing you there. - Steve
OFF2009 Capsule as of 21 September 2009<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Who….? <O:p</O:p
All types of boat racers and/or anyone remotely associated, to include families. Those who just want to meet and greet some of the legends of boat racing are also welcome. We could not possibly send out personal invitations to everyone. Since we do not have, and do not intend to have, a budget, we will count on forums and word of mouth from you to non-interneters, to spread the word.<O:p</O:p
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What…?<O:p</O:p
“Old Farts Forever”, OFF2009 in Abacoa/Jupiter Florida, 23-25 October 2009. This is a gathering of old boat racers and their associates from “Back In The Day” to socialize and have a little fun. All events will be very informal. There are no registration fees and no fees to attend any of the scheduled events. All costs (lodging, food, drinks, entertainment, golf, fishing, etc.) will be the responsibility of each individual. This concept has allowed OFF to go ON, regardless of the economy.<O:p</O:p
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When…? Where…?<O:p</O:p
Friday, 23 October 2009 – 4:00PM-until at JJ Muggs Stadium Grill, 1203 Town Center Drive, Jupiter Florida. Cash bar and food. We will have several old and new race boats on display in the street and in the park across the street.<O:p</O:p
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Saturday 24 October 2009 – 11:AM-1:00PM Open House at Geico Race Shop, Bldg A, 7555 Garden Road, Riviera Beach Florida.<O:p</O:p
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Saturday 24 October 2009 – 4:00PM-until at Brix Italian Fishery, 1000 North US Hwy 1, Jupiter Florida. Cash bar and food. Race boats on display. Tribute to all old boat racers who are no longer with us.<O:p</O:p
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Sunday 25 October 2009 – Golf, Fishing, Shopping, whatever floats your boat.<O:p</O:p
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Why…? Because!!!!<O:p</O:p
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Contact… [email protected] <O:p</O:p
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Hotels…
<O:p</O:p
LaQuinta Inn
34 Fishermans Wharf
Jupiter , FL 33477
(561)575-7201 ask for Theresa and mention OFF for $59 rate
Best Western Intercoastal Inn
810 South US Highway 1
Jupiter, FL 33477
(561)575-2936 mention OFF or Historic race boats for $79 rate
Jupiter Waterfront Inn
18903 SE Federal Hwy
Tequesta, FL 33469
(561) 747-9085 mention OFF or Historic race boats for $99 rate<O:p</O:p
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Homewood Suites by Hilton
4700 Donald Ross Road
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 622-7799 Ask for Andrew for $145 rate<O:p</O:p
I just received the following message from John "Cadillac" McDaniel reference OFF2009 with his very kind offer for anyone who would like to get their boat wet and or store it. - Steve Sirois
Hola, I have five acres in Stuart just north of the event and want to
make it available to anyone who might want to come with a camper or
need a spot to store a boat or anything for the event. Safe and no
worries about theft. 8 mile west of I-95 at exit 101 "Stuart /
Indiantown" 8625 SW Kanner Hwy, Indiantown, FL 34956 (772) 285-2266 [email protected]
I also have a freshwater ramp where any of the boats can run if they'd
like to on the Ockeechobee Waterway.
Peace, Cadillac McDaniel
Hello race fans!! There is a name that I had misplaced in this computer of mine ( up stairs) - Bobby Moore - I had his phone number but have misplaced it ( along with most everything else). Not from the Lake but a bigggg part of off shore racing history. He hated small boats and after a ride with me in a 16' Donzi ( that was ready to be loaded on the truck for a boat show) he disliked them more. I wrecked the boat and Bobby lost his wallet.....another story..... what I started out to say is maybe someone might have his info and let him know about this. He still lives in Hollwood I think. How bout it Brownie?????????????
Steve, your thread is awfully quite to be soo close to the OFF... Can you wake up all these ole people long enough for the event???? Are all the activities from noon till three???? See you there.....
BobbyR
You can get a hold of my old friend Bobby Moore, and his son Billy, who's following close in his dad's footsteps, at their new shop in Stonewall, North Carolina. They started set'n it up back in 2003, and now have a nice building to work out of, for anything anyone might need, thats offshore powerboat related. His phone numbers are: 252-229-9195 and/or 252-229-1456. He also has a new website. Give them a shout at www.BobbyMooresMarine.com :thumbsup:
For prospective attendees to OFF2009. Most of you know that Ken Warby is the World Waterspeed Record holder at 317.60mph. As we have stated in the past, OFF2009 is open to boatracers of all types, their compatriots and families, anyone interested in boatracing, and regardless of level of success. However, there will indeed be boatracers like Ken Warby present that are "Legendary". If names like Ken Warby, Odell Lewis, Bill Seebold, John Bakos, Brownie, Mel Riggs, Charlie McCarthy, Carl Moesly, Kenny Kitson, Rich Luhrs, Jackie Wilson and many others mean something to you, please come meet them. Also, if boats like Switzercraft Wing, Bertram Moppie, Raveau, Geico, 7 liter hydro, Speed Skiff, D hydro, and others mean something to you, come see them. AND, to those bringing boats to display, I have a pretty good idea who most of you are, but it would be helpful if you would send confirmation of your name, boat, e-mail, and cell phone number to me at [email protected] I will rsepond with my cell phone number so you can contact me upon your arrival. I will also supply the times that you will be able to park your boats at JJ Muggs and BRIX as well as safe night time storage location. Bobby Ridgell and I will be there to help you with those arrangements. Best Regards to All and we are looking forward to seeing You and Yours - :thumbsup: Steve Sirois and Jim Hauser <!-- / message -->
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8 Days and Counting!
Got 2 very cool e-mails yesterday.
#1-Mike Mullins will display his twin Evinrude Molinari in race ready condition.
This is the wooden Moli that Cesare Scotti won the 1969 Havasu World Outboard Championship in.
#2-Dave Switzer may attend on Saturday.
Dave designed the Switzercraft Wing that won many races “back in the day”
Rich Luhrs will display his Switzercraft Wing on both days.
Kenny Kitson will be at OFF. Kenny won the 1968 Havasu World Outboard Championship in his Switzercraft Wing “El Diablo”.
Bring us pictures of the people and boats ... or else!!! :reddevil:
guess ill be a week or so late on having my boat done ....wanted to bring it down to show and tell. haha.
hopefully i will be there sat.
Sam - I only wish you would be there. But...Yes, I will definately bring pictures of people and boats to the Forums. Best Regards - Steve
No sooner said than done. The following story is a corrected version (by Doug Janisch) of one that I wrote a couple of years ago. Doug Janisch will be at OFF2009. I have always been a fan of factual survival stories. The following is one that is as real as it gets. Sooooooo...Here it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by seeroy
In 1967 Thunderbird President, Dick Genth, and Kiekhaefer Corporation’s Carl Kiekhaefer entered into a joint venture to publicize the Driftercruise Houseboats built by Thunderbird and Mercruiser 160 sterndrive units. They squeezed four (4) Mercruiser 160s into the engine compartment of one of the 40’ houseboats with the intention of entering this rather ungainly craft in the Bahama 500 Offshore Powerboat Race. Furthermore, the boat was to be driven by none other than the popular Miami Herald boating writer, Jim Martenhoff. This was to be the inaugural of this longest of all offshore events staged by the inimitable Red Crise. The race would start in front of the Lucayan Villas near Freeport on Grand Bahama Island and run for 500 nautical miles through the Bahamas and finish back at the point of origination. The boat was aptly named “The Tortoise” since it would be racing against 62 of the fastest offshore powerboats in the world. The man that would ride with Martenhoff in order to keep the Mercruiser metal running was Ace Mechanic Doug Janisch. This was only the beginning of Doug’s adventures with “The Tortoise” later to be renamed “Miss Sunshine”. The wonderful story of the Bahama 500 in the “Turtle” will be addressed at a later time. Somewhere along the way, following the Bahama 500, someone came up with the brilliant idea for a trek from Florida to end up at the Montreal World’s Fair (Expo ‘67)…..while pulling a bevy of vivacious water skiers behind the Sunny Lady. Red lips painted on her bow, “Miss Sunshine” cast off with her ladies (and Doug) to attempt the longest water ski marathon in history. At least two skiers would always be in tow. Beginning in St. Petersburg, the course went South to Ft. Meyers, then headed across Lake Okeechobee to the East Coast. Then an unbelievable course up the inland waterway which included “The Dismal Swamp” and went outside, YES- OFFSHORE –TWICE (with girls in tow)!! Safely back in at Ocean City, it was on to the Statue of Liberty, across Lake Champlain, to be welcomed at Expo ’67 in Montreal by hundreds of boats in the harbor. “Miss Sunshine” and crew got to rest briefly, then it was off to the command performance issued by Mr. Kiekhaefer . Now Doug had to prepare “Miss Sunshine” for yet another seemingly impossible journey from Canada to Oshkosh, Wis. Mr K. would have the skiers perform at Mercury’s annual press conference on Lake Winnebago. 4000 miles-so far!
That trip, as well as the amazing journey down the mighty Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico also provided fodder for many incredible stories which will be addressed in the future. But for now, we shall turn to one very specific adventure and near catastrophe of the “Miss Sunshine”.
Following the earlier adventures of 1967, “Miss Sunshine” found herself idling smoothly out of Panama City Florida into the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Onboard that evening was a crew of four men. Doug Janisch, the Ace Kiekhaefer Mercury mechanic who had held the old girl together against nearly impossible odds from her inception, was clearly the brains of the outfit. Cotton Simms, another long time Mercury man, had been appointed to the crew by Mr. Kiekhaefer. Larry Smith was a photographer sent along to record the ski journey. It is significant to know that Larry Smith had a plaster cast on one ankle as a result of an earlier incident that had occurred while traversing Lake Erie. Also, please note that this is not the same Larry Smith that is the famed boat racer. Also onboard was a Thunderbird hull repairman that had joined the crew during the trip down the Mississippi when the hull was broken wide open during a crash on the river.
Prior to departing for the nighttime run from Panama City to St Pete Florida, the crew had checked the marine weather forecast for the crossing with local experts as well as the US Coast Guard. They had been assured that the weather would be perfect. Sooooo, they launched into the night. Trimmed out and running about 40 mph, the four Mercruisers had been singing their song nicely for a couple of hours.
Deep in the middle of the Gulf, things suddenly deteriorated as our intrepid mariners encountered a dreaded “whiteout” storm. Without warning, the squall line produced massive waves which were not favorable to a 40’ houseboat that was really meant for leisurely weekend cruising in calm waters. While Doug and Cotton manned the helm, Larry and the Tbird guy had retired to the back of the cabin. Finally the old girl slammed into a wall of water so hard that the front window bowed in and the steering console was pushed backwards several inches. The bow opened up like a big fish mouth and immediately scooped up enough water to fill a swimming pool. All 4 engines flooded and shut down. In very short order the decks were awash. “Miss Submarineshine” was headed for Davey Jones’ Locker. Doug knew that when it came to “sink or swim”, he would sink, since he could not swim and he was afflicted with negative buoyancy. He had once nearly drowned in a swimming pool at Bob Donahue’s house and this was considerably bigger that that pool. Meanwhile, they get the life rafts out and pull the ripcords. Nothing significant happens other that 2 rather flaccid would-be vessels are now only in the way. This is a Lake X lesson that we all learned eventually. If you really expect a life raft to inflate when you need it, it had better have been inspected and maintained on a regular basis. As Doug began to see his life flash before his eyes, a miracle occurred. “Miss Floatshine” refused to sink any further. During her infancy, 2 massive 250 gallon aluminum fuel tanks had been installed in her innards so that she might traverse the first half of the Bahama 500 without a fuel stop. The fact those particular tanks were nearly empty provided a huge trapped air bubble in the old girl to maintain a moderate degree of buoyancy. Sometime in the midst of the calamity, Doug heard a loud slam in the back of the boat and thought it prudent to go check on Larry and TBird guy. Much to his horror, he discovered that Larry was GONE, VAMOOSE, AWOL, MIA, NOT THERE, and NOWHERE TO BE SEEN!
…..Zoom to the mind of Larry Smith. Suddenly you are overboard in the aformentioned conditions with only an inadequate life preserver and that is it. The lights of the boat quickly disappear and now you are alone. The cast on your leg is now water logged and is making it very difficult to stay above the water, and getting worse with time. Larry is one of those guys that is a born survivor. This is the real thing. Many people would have just given up and taken the big gulp. Not Larry. He remembers that he has a motel key in his pocket with a large metal tag on it. He very carefully extracts it and taking big breaths, ducks under and starts to saw away at the cast with the key tag. Good God Larry, don't drop the key! After some time and Hurculean effort he manages to cut the cast away and is now more buoyant. But he is still up a creek without a paddle. Barely floating and alone in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, dark night, raging storm……Meanwhile, back onboard , fortunately the radio is still alive and Doug is calling, “Mayday, Mayday. This is the Miss Deadshine, we are sinking” to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is working two other boats in distress far to the South and it takes them awhile to answer Doug. Finally the Coast Guard responds and as night morphs into morning and the weather is now calm, a Coast Guard amphibian is in the air searching and asking for long counts on the radio in order to accomplish a DF steer which is successful. Soon the Amphibian is overhead and drops pumps. Half of the pumps do not work, but the ones that do work do the job. Now Doug is in the engine compartment changing points, distributors and any other ignition spares he has that are dry. Miraculously, he got 3 of 4 engines running just about the time that the Coast Guard locates Larry in the water about a mile away from the “Miss Phoenix Rising Shine”. They vector the wet and weary mariners to Larry and they fetch one very fortunate photographer from the clutches of Davey Jones. Shortly thereafter a Coast Guard Sikorsky Helicopter appears overhead and lowers a basket to the deck. Doug and Cotton manage to roll Larry into the basket, face down, and he is hoisted aboard the Sikorsky for the ride to dry land. Then a Coast Guard Cutter arrives on scene. Earlier in the fog of catastrophe, our crew had jettisoned a sliding door that had broken loose and was beating them up. It was now barely submerged but still lurking just below the surface. While circling the recovering crew and vessel, the Cutter found said sliding door. Unfortunately, it was actually one of the Cutter’s propellers that actually found it. Having sustained a significant “ding” to one prop, the Cutter was now vibrating badly. Realizing that they were now also in some degree of peril, the Cutter Captain announced that the “Missfortunate Shine” would have to follow them into Clearwater. Otherwise, they would have to sink the girl on the spot. Having made sufficient repairs to maintain good headway, our intrepid mariners managed to do so and arrived in Clearwater where Don Pruett was waiting for them. Time for a bit of rest you ask! Hell No! You are expected to arrive at Port-O-Call tomorrow morning at the APBA Annual Conference where you will appear as if nothing unusual had happened. Doug, Cotton, and Don work through the night to make the “Miss Cosmetic Shine” look and act like a frisky teenager instead of the rundown hag that she now was. Believe it or not, that is exactly what they did. The next morning the incredible “Miss Sunshine” arrived at Port-O-Call amidst much fanfare and was presented much like a Debutante at her coming out ball. A 6,600 mile odyssey.
Wow!
simply
Wow!
Great read...... I have been in some bad weather situations in my life but none could compare to that. Good stuff....keep'em coming...There are more stories out there with this group -I know because I've heard the stories at the bars in a time long gone. Shake the cobwebs and write the stories...
Doug - Steve great job.....Never knew that that happened.....
BobbyR
<HR style="COLOR: #72a5d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #72a5d8" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->Things are starting to happen fast. While the parties have been our focus from the beginning (Jim Hauser tells me every day, "We started out with a 6 pack of beer and a bag of potato chips, and now look what is happening."), we now believe we may have 20-25 old and not so old boat on display. During the last 24 hours, Rich Luhrs ran into a little glitch in transporting his Switzer Wing, but he immediately contacted Kenny Kitson, who said, "No problem. I will bring my Switzer Wing "El Diablo". So now it is possible we will have 2 Wings there.
Additionally, I have had contact from both Dave and Bob Switzer. It is entirely possible that both Switzer brothers will be there.
To add to the festivities, Bob Walwork (Builder of Raveau boats since the 1950s) will be there with his DU Raveau.
Things just keep getting better :cool: - Steve
Steve....That is an incredible adventure or should I say "near disaster." You, like Willabee, have a gift with your words. I can almost see this all unfolding in front of me. Your writing is in such good detail that you actually paint pictures with your words. Thank you for sharing.
I agreeQuote:
Originally Posted by Bob V
Imagine that, with all that trucking and transportation business background? Go figure.:o To see Kenny's Switzer will be very cool indeed...rigged period correct as well.:thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by seeroy
Get a life.Quote:
Originally Posted by AirRide
Rich has been one of our strongest supporters from the very beginning of this OFF2009 effort and we truly appreciate that - Steve Sirois & Jim HauserQuote:
Originally Posted by T2x
Steve- In 1967 I was a 12 year old boy on a Pee-wee box lacrosse team out of Vancouver, British Columbia. That summer we journeyed to Montreal, Quebec for the Canadian Championships. We were the first kids team to travel across Canada in any sport. Anyways, while we were in Montreal we attended the Expo '67 Worlds Fair. One of the highlights of the Fair was the Marine Show on a man-made Lake in the middle of the Exposition. I remember watching "Miss Sunshine" & the 40 bathing beauties doing there thing on the lake. I also remember an over-powered deep-V with 3 or 4 big Evinrudes (X-115's) on the transom doing awesome wheel-stands across the lake in front of thousands upon thousands of Fair-goes! To make a long story short- I filmed "Miss Sunshine" & the "X-115" with the Super 8 movie camera I used to film at Havasu & Parker in the early to mid '70's. I will open the vault & blow off the dust to see if I can produce some kind of short video & slide-show of that historic event as part of the infamous history of "Miss Sunshine!" to go with your stories. Have fun at OFF 2009 & give my regards to the guys. Mark E-mail [email protected]:cheers:
Great buddy.. JP Love:thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by mark benson
This is one of the Thunderbirds that was at the dealer conference in Oshkosh in 1967. Note the "red lips painted on her bow".....this has got to be the now infamous Miss Sunshine. Really enjoyed reading her story. :thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by seeroy
What is the significance of St. Pete. Florida on the side of the boat?
The trucks with the raised roof were referred to as the "Organ Trucks". They were supplied by Kiekhaefer for the Tommy Bartlett Ski Shows. When the trucks were in Florida at the boat races Johnny Young was the organist.
The trucks were not to be driven on the highway at speeds over 45MPH as ordered by E.C.Kiekhaefer. The trucks were quite top heavy and not much fun to drive. When they were on site the roofs were unlatched and the roof and the platform below with the organ attached were raised
approximately another 6' above the truck.
I remember back in 1960 when one of the trucks was used at a Mercury dealer meeting in Chatanooga, TN. A local musician was hired to play for the meeting. Not realizing that Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer hated his first name, the organist decided to play a popular tune of the day called "Elmer's Tune". Needless to say when Carl heard that the organist was immediately dismissed!
Another interesting story could come from Odell Lewis who drove one of the trucks to Sarasota from Lake X. Seems Odell was in a hurry to get home and lost the roof somewhere between Lake X and Sarasota. I never heard how he explained that one.
Hello Bill - Indeed that picture is the "Miss Sunshine" as she arrived at the APBA Conference in St Pete - SteveQuote:
Originally Posted by willabee
OFF2009 went ON this last weekend with great success. We are currently posting follow up and photos on that thread..see link below
http://forums.screamandfly.com/forum...=183058&page=7
These eight have at least driven a Switzer Wing, five have actually raced one. Photo taken at OFF2009
Left to right: Bobby Ridgell, Odell Lewis, Gene Lanham, Rich Luhrs, Steve Sirois, Kenny Kitson, John Bakos, Bob Switzer
http://i34.tinypic.com/33fgj9d.jpg
Just got this from Brownie..WOW!!
http://discaircraft.greyfalcon.us/LI...20RESEARCH.htm
If Hitler had been a patient man I shudder to think of the outcome of World War 2. On the other hand, had he been more patient, he might never have ascended to power.Quote:
Originally Posted by lilabner
Old adage...."Nothing is ever accomplished by reasonable men."
T2x
My brother hand built a fully functional 1/12 scale RC version of the X-112. I don't know if he still has it.
It's hard to believe he took time out to design this for Kiekhaefer
http://i45.tinypic.com/12527o9.jpg
Did you fly that in Viet Nam?Quote:
Originally Posted by seeroy
Just because it's so darn beautiful!
http://i45.tinypic.com/kd2v4h.jpg
Only a couple of regrets with OFF 2009.......
But I had given the photo of the 7000 Switzer Wing to have put on the sign in board, with instructions to make sure that boat was on the sign in boad,,,,
Obviously with the high priced help I hired, it didn"t make it , But that has always been one of my favorite photos,,,,,,,,
Oh well, you get what you pay for????????