Life at Lake X in the '60s

1960 PowerCat, The Motors Merc never made?





<HR style="COLOR: #72a5d8" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->We knew almost immediatly (2 years ago) that the 700's didn't have the beans, SSM's are a pain in the A$$ ( I'm not going to fight (bidding wars) or guess about props) so a buddy in Fon Du Lac contacted me about a pair of (then) Super Secret 62 Merc 1000 XS's that never made it to Winabago or Havasu. (they were in locked away in a vault at Lake X He said they were solid mounts, Low water pickup, (Jacking them up to the moon was no problem, so we did) and spun a hot new prop that was to come out years later called a "Chopper"This whole thing was sounding like "Back to the Future" Period correct is important (they have to have points and condensers), so all of that fits the bill.. After ALLOT of negotiating and hard work we got them shipped in, cleaned up, and mounted.. They run like the wind and the boat is a total handfull, I love it.. We still need to get the boat to calm down when I Mash the throttles but we'll get it sorted out..I think they look Awesome..So here they are, the long lost 1962 Merc 1000 XS's..
A Million Thanks goes out to my Buddy Dick Davis for all of his help and support. Without his help, this never would have happened..
Now this was a fun project.. Sanding SUCKS!!

Jeff - I guess its time for a new Avatar ..:)

Holy Crap - I had forgotten about "THE VAULT"! Sometime back I wrote about setting up the Museum on the second floor of the new building at Lake X. "THE VAULT" was adjacent to the parts room which was across from the old shop. The "one each" motors that we moved into the Museum came from "THE VAULT". "THE VAULT" was one of those Kiekhaefer mystical places that absolutely did exist, and I absolutely had the magical experience of having been in it. I don't remember if I wrote about setting up the Museum in this thread or in Barron Cooly's "Mercury Dealership Treasures" thread. ANYWAY, reading through some of the threads at S&F and OSO bring some of the old grey matter back to life. Thank You Jeff and Best Regards - Steve Sirois

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Originally Posted by seeroy

1960 PowerCat, The Motors Merc never made?
Holy Crap - I had forgotten about "THE VAULT"! Sometime back I wrote about setting up the Museum on the second floor of the new building at Lake X. "THE VAULT" was adjacent to the parts room which was across from the old shop. The "one each" motors that we moved into the Museum came from "THE VAULT". "THE VAULT" was one of those Kiekhaefer mystical places that absolutely did exist, and I absolutely had the magical experience of having been in it. I don't remember if I wrote about setting up the Museum in this thread or in Barron Cooly's "Mercury Dealership Treasures" thread. ANYWAY, reading through some of the threads at S&F and OSO bring some of the old grey matter back to life. Thank You Jeff and Best Regards - Steve Sirois

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Somewhere on here I also wrote about the Vault at Lake X. When we were setting up the boat pictured below for Offshore Modified class, the rules clearly stated that one engine had to be capable of forward and reverse operation......So......... Schwebbie sent us up to break into the vault and "borrow" (steal) a DR starter motor from a Merc 800 that was one of the dozens of vintage motors upstairs in the museum. Mark Baier, worked a trick switch that reversed the computerized ignition on one of the Champ motors, but the only starter on earth that would run both ways needed a DR bendix drive.

Sadly, the engine caught fire in its 3rd race in New Orleans, after a well known T-man (not me) started the engine backwards while planing, and kept throttling harder when the boat seemed "sluggish"...... while scores of us screamed from shore. Bottom line everything on that motor was torched and the cowl melted to create a perfectly form fitted "glove".

P.S. STeve you probably recognize Linwood Lupo in the picture inside the Lake X shop. That's me in the black hat....... I had great legs in my youth:D

T2x

Rich - I did see the post and pictures you refer to. Not too sure about those legs of yours though :D . The "vault" that you refer too upstairs was actually the museum. Although it may have been known as the vault in later years. However, the original vault was across from the original shop and adjacent to the old parts room. Also, in the area of the original vault was an old conference table where we watched 16mm movies that Mabry Edwards took of the entire Bahamas 5oo course. During prep for the 1st 500, anyone could go over there and run those movies to familiarize themselves with the course. Also, several of the top racers got to take a yacht cruise around the course prior to the race. Some of the movies were made from the air and some of them were made from the yacht cruise. The preparation that was provided by Mr Kiekhaefer was phenomenol for those days. I'm looking forward to Aronow race next month. I am arriving on Thursday and leaving Saturday AM. Hope to get a chance to talk to you. Best Regards - Steve

From the past -Sarasota High 1959 -Siesta Key 1959-1960 -Lake X 1960 -1990 - Placida 2002 Total 43 years with Mercury Marine Still on the green side Steve. Talked to O"Dell Lewis two weeks ago. Keep in touch Best Reguards - Bill Marschall

Bill - What a great surprise to see you here. I am at my 1st boat race in many many years in Miami. Phil Schenk is with me here, and tomorrow we are going out on a Rampage 45' with Jim Hauser to act as a turn boat for the Don Aronow Memorial race. Odell is supposed to be here for an old farts get together tomorrow after the race. Also Mel Riggs and John Bakos might be here. Best Regards :cheers: - Steve

All - Today in Miami was magnificant. Don Aronow Memorial race and Old Farts party at Jimbos. Alot of faces I had not seen in 40+ years, alot of faces to place with names that I had heard of for years but never actually met, and alot of new names and faces. Charlie McCarthy, Brownie, and many others deserve a huge round of applause. I am humble in the presence of giants. I have some ammo for new stories and much clarification for stories previously told. It may take a little while, but new stories will come. Too tired to write......Good Night and Best Regards - Steve Sirois

Excellent, Steve! We'll be looking forward to that stuff! :)

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Originally Posted by seeroy

All - Today in Miami was magnificant. Don Aronow Memorial race and Old Farts party at Jimbos. Alot of faces I had not seen in 40+ years, alot of faces to place with names that I had heard of for years but never actually met, and alot of new names and faces. Charlie McCarthy, Brownie, and many others deserve a huge round of applause. I am humble in the presence of giants. I have some ammo for new stories and much clarification for stories previously told. It may take a little while, but new stories will come. Too tired to write......Good Night and Best Regards - Steve Sirois

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It was great to see you there along with all the others.
Most were offshore guys and I only did a little of that compared to the OPC stuff. All the Lake X guys got to do both.
PS, don't tell anyone about the show the girls from the Sea Ray put on!

It was a great time and a fitting tribute to Dave Gilmore and all the others who have gone on to the bigger race course in the sky....

Steve it was great to meet you and see all of the other old friends who really made it happen...Odell Lewis, Brownie, Richie Powers, Bobby Moore, Tom Akoury, Bobby Saccenti, Keith Sparks, Butch Stokes, Gene Lanham, and a plethora of others......

And let me add on a personal note....... Dave Craig....wow!!!!!!!

T2x

Rich - Let me add a few more names that were at Jimbos on Friday, although far from a complete list....You (Rich Luhrs), Charlie and Mary Pat and Charlie Jr McCarthy, Charlie and David Wolff, Sammy and Patty James, Carl and Jeanne and Carla Moesly, Gordon and Vida Houser, Phil Schenk, John Conner, Dale Thayer and Son, Doug Janisch and Son, Willie Meyer, George Peroni and Wife (sorry I didn't catch her name, but she herself once won Cowes Torquay), Gale Jacoby, Bill Rosensteel, John and Bobbye Kenyon, Dale Irwin, Jim Bolger, Butch and Treasure Stokes, Fred Darwick, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY....Michael Aronow. I was honored to spend the day Friday aboard the #1 turn boat, 45' Rampage, with Sunpower Marine Owner Jay Davis (Father of a brand new 6 week old girl), Sunpower Yachts President Chuck Pickover, and former owner of Sunpower Yachts Jim Hauser along with Gail hauser. As Always, Best Regards - Steve Sirois

Nothing but smiling faces on board,,,,,,Rampage 45 it was just to special,,,,,,,,,,,, Thanks to all my old and new friends,not a day goes by when I won"t think of standing next to so many friends and icons,,,,,,,,, To all the racers, next year run by the turn 1 boat,,,,,,,,Had plenty of food and beverages on board, Hell even the cheesecake was great,,,,,,,, You all put on a great show,and we totally enjoyed it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:cheers:

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Originally Posted by seeroy

All - Today in Miami was magnificant. Don Aronow Memorial race and Old Farts party at Jimbos. Alot of faces I had not seen in 40+ years, alot of faces to place with names that I had heard of for years but never actually met, and alot of new names and faces. Charlie McCarthy, Brownie, and many others deserve a huge round of applause. I am humble in the presence of giants. I have some ammo for new stories and much clarification for stories previously told. It may take a little while, but new stories will come. Too tired to write......Good Night and Best Regards - Steve Sirois

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It was a BLAST!!!! We all left there knowing that was an event that no one should have missed!! And S&F was well represented---T2x, Seeroy, 2US70, Little Abner, Velox, Ritchie Powers, myself,---- but no one got as much attention as the young lady from the Sea Ray----

Gene

Many thanks to Butch Stokes for the PM about the party last Fri. It has been a long time since I was in the presence of this much racing talent. Many of those people were my heros back in the day and still are today.

Hello everyone,
Started reading this yesterday and couldn't stop. I would like to be a contributor of sorts - I am the keeper of most of the photographic history of the lake (and the company). It might take me a few tries to get it right, but I would like to post a photo now and then to see if anyone can give any history. There are so many images that do not have any explanation behind them.
Anyway, here is the first. Hope it works.

jeff

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Originally Posted by digital_jeff

Hello everyone,
Started reading this yesterday and couldn't stop. I would like to be a contributor of sorts - I am the keeper of most of the photographic history of the lake (and the company). It might take me a few tries to get it right, but I would like to post a photo now and then to see if anyone can give any history. There are so many images that do not have any explanation behind them.
Anyway, here is the first. Hope it works.

jeff

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"I am the keeper of most of the photographic history of the lake (and the company)."

Whoa boy...

I feel another wave of this coming on! BRING IT ON!!!!

I STILL think if this thread were compiled by somebody with some literary talent it would make a great book. ILLUSTRATED!

Hi oldskier,
I'll do my best to keep it interesting. My aim is one picture/day.

jeff

Man just started readin this a lil while ago. Haven't even made it through the first few pages but some very, very good readin. Looks like I might be stayin up late the next few nights to catch up.:thumbsup:

David

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Originally Posted by digital_jeff

Hello everyone,
Started reading this yesterday and couldn't stop. I would like to be a contributor of sorts - I am the keeper of most of the photographic history of the lake (and the company). It might take me a few tries to get it right, but I would like to post a photo now and then to see if anyone can give any history. There are so many images that do not have any explanation behind them.
Anyway, here is the first. Hope it works.

jeff

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Jeff: Looks like Billy Martin and the 27' Magnum he bought from Aronow; Jim Emerson working on the single 482 Mercruiser, about 1970? Keep them coming!

Gene

Pretty close on the date Gene, the file is dated 1969.

jeff

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Originally Posted by digital_jeff

Hello everyone,
Started reading this yesterday and couldn't stop. I would like to be a contributor of sorts - I am the keeper of most of the photographic history of the lake (and the company). It might take me a few tries to get it right, but I would like to post a photo now and then to see if anyone can give any history. There are so many images that do not have any explanation behind them.
Anyway, here is the first. Hope it works.

jeff

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Please keep the photo's coming :thumbsup:

I love this site...........

T2x

Ditto

me too, especially with threads like this. thanks guys,

fish

Good Morning,
Here is your daily dose,

jeff

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Originally Posted by digital_jeff

Good Morning,
Here is your daily dose,

jeff

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Thank you sir

May I have another :D

Digital Jeff - Gotta tell you how much I appreciate these pics of late. Makes me feel like I'm back home at the Lake. Best Regards to you and all those that have kept this thread alive - Steve Sirois

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Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

Jeff: Looks like Billy Martin and the 27' Magnum he bought from Aronow; Jim Emerson working on the single 482 Mercruiser, about 1970? Keep them coming!

Gene

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Hi Gene - Sure was good to see you in Miami....I don't think that is Jim Emerson working on the motor. Jim always had a crew cut. Looks more like Mike Ramsey to me. - Steve

Hey SEEROY was reading through all the posts today and came across one in which you spoke of Doug Jannish, well he's my uncle, related to him through Crazy Alice... Wondering if you had any more dirt on him so i could ruffle his feathers next time i see him:D

Digital Jeff,
Your photos of Lake X make this mysterious place just so much more real to those of us who weren't there and sure has to be great memories to those who were there. Please keep them coming. All of the test sites in Florida and the yellow test boats are of interest to me too since they used to pass me on the intracoastal over the years.
Gary Larson

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Originally Posted by airide18

Hey SEEROY was reading through all the posts today and came across one in which you spoke of Doug Jannish, well he's my uncle, related to him through Crazy Alice... Wondering if you had any more dirt on him so i could ruffle his feathers next time i see him:D

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Airide - As a matter of fact I sat and talked at length with your Uncle Doug last month in Miami. I had not seen him for many years. As you may know Doug and my brother Bill were in business together in Ft Lauderdale and I even worked with them for a short while. I have always had the greatest respect for Doug and you will find that many on this thread feel the same. During our talk last month, he filled in and corrected many details about a story I told in this thread about the ski trip on which he an Alice met. I don't remember what post # it is, but it is an incredible survival story. I will call him sometime soon to capture the corrected details of that story and post them here. Best Regards to you and tell Alice that Iris and I say hello to her - Steve Sirois

Hi Steve,
It's my pleasure to help out here. It is very exciting to see so much interest in these old photos. Like I said, i'll try to keep it interesting. Some of the photos seem very ho-hum to me, but i'm sure many of you out there will recognize faces and places. Most photos have a year associated with them, but any help from you readers/contributers will be greatly appreciated on my end.
More tomorrow.
jeff

Good morning,
Being friday, maybe i'll post enough today to get through the weekend. Here's one for now.

jeff

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Originally Posted by digital_jeff

Good Morning,
Here is your daily dose,

jeff

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Jeff - I have annotated your aerial photo from post #345. Hopefully this adds something to that incredible 1967 photo. Wish I knew how to make it bigger. Perhaps Greg can help me. Best Regards - Steve Sirois

Here are a couple more for the weekend.

jeff

Headlight change loooks like Wayne Meyer stretched out on the deck. - Steve

He sure was dressed nice for such a job...

Now that I think about it, EC would have wanted for his guys to look good. Speaking of which, someday i'll post a few shots from the stock car days with the best dressed pit crew for that time period.

jeff

Jeff - Last year I met and talked at length with a 92 year old gentleman who had been a crewchief on an opposing team to the Mercury team during the Mexican Road Race days. Very interesting, although he did not have a very high recollection/opinion of Mr Kiekhaefer. Competition sometimes causes that. - Steve

Jeff - Do you know if "Jocko Flocko" the monkey rode with Tim Flock in the "Mercury" cars? - Steve

Excellent stuff Digital Jeff,,,,,,,,,, Glad to see this thread fire up again,,,,,, Like you said am sure some of the photos are ho-hum by todays standards,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, But are truly special, to the people who performed them,,,, Can you imagine spreading out changing a light sans life jacket in todays world??????????? Goooood Stuff:cheers: