Mercury Dealership Treasures

**gofish7070** · 10-16-2007, 02:37 PM

Thanks for reminding me of the famous Hovercraft episode,,,,,,,,,,,Unofficial speed,,60-70 MPH on ice,( Thats a Frozen Lake to my friends in the South) Unoffical speed when Hovercraft hits ressistance of loose snow,,1 MPH, Occupant ejection time, Immediate,, Still recall looking at the execs who were standing on the ice checking this project out,,,, Looked liked Russian Bears from Siberia,,,,,,,,, As I flew past trying to figure out how to slow the thing down,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

**warrior74z** · 10-16-2007, 09:43 PM

2004...The In a Hurry hydro that ran an 8.06 at Oak Ridge Tennessee ADBA race in 1984. This win convinced boat owner Don Stegall to have "The Toy" built for the '85 season. "In a Hurry was a 1968 boat with "Race Craft" boats written on it. I think it came from Texas. Anyone ever hear of Race Craft? In 1976 it was converted from a kneel down canvas covered round bow to this configuration. Some of round track guys on here could tell us maybe what class this would have ran in its original form. It's really amazing that this boat won over the current and previous record holders at the time. It was pretty ratty then, but as you can see, it was not saved, and another one bites the dust.

**warrior74z** · 10-16-2007, 09:44 PM

"In a Hurry" 1984

**tminnigan** · 10-19-2007, 08:36 PM

Tom Parks of the AOMC brings his Commando to Mays Landing meet. Has a 75hp Evinrude on it.

**warrior74z** · 10-19-2007, 09:26 PM

Found another photo of the two hole Seebold, at the Merc dealer meeting in the late '70s. Anyone know of any other race tunnels with two holes? Anyone see or ride in this one?
How do you like the 50 MPH impact vest being put on the next rider?

**Raceman** · 10-19-2007, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by warrior74z

Anyone know of any other race tunnels with two holes?

I know of at least 2 more. One has been at LakeX, (and now at X-Site) for years. I tried to buy it in the 90's. It is a passenger behind driver capsule boat. The other one is a side by side capsule, but I haven't seen it in years. I believe that Seebold built all three. These were not REALLY race tunnels per se', but rather boats commissioned by Merc for PR purposes. It may be that the two front/rear seat ones were converted from old F1 or Mod U boats, but I'd think the side by side was purpose built from the beginning.

**gstorr** · 10-20-2007, 07:59 PM

**RabidGatorFan** · 10-20-2007, 08:28 PM

Norris, the side-by-side tunnel is in the "speed machines" video somewhere on this board. I remember the passenger screaming like a little girl in the video. Bill Seebold was driving. haha.

**Mark75H** · 10-20-2007, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by warrior74z

"In a Hurry was a 1968 boat with "Race Craft" boats written on it. I think it came from Texas. Anyone ever hear of Race Craft?

I'll ask some of my Texas contacts. As a guess I'd say a kneel down that big, that late was probably an "R" class boat

**warrior74z** · 10-20-2007, 08:48 PM

When I just read Mark 75H's comment, it hit me. I think it said SPEED CRAFT on the In A Hurry hydro. Maybe this rings a bell with someone.
Barron

**boatless** · 10-23-2007, 11:09 AM

Great thread guys. I love all the pictures and the info. Keep it coming!!

**2us70** · 10-24-2007, 09:54 AM

Could have been a converted F Outboard Hydro. F Hydros were running 100+ with 60ci motors a long time before drag boats.

**Mark75H** · 10-24-2007, 05:23 PM

I think it is way too big for an F Outboard Hydro. I've never seen one over 13 feet and the construction is usually much lighter, since there is no weight restriction

**warrior74z** · 10-25-2007, 07:25 AM

1979...A couple of new V-Kings sit on the lot. Look at those nice solid virgin transoms.
So here's the product line up after thirty five years.

Mercury, Mercruiser, Homelite, Force, Volvo, OMC, Larson, Starcraft, Lone Star, Boston Whaler, Glastron, Owens, Hydrodyne, Crosby, Richline, Ouachita, Lowes, Riviera Cruiser, Glasstream, Bayliner, Viking Deck boats, Kayot, Correct Craft, Hammond, Nitro, Skeeter, Cutter, Skippercraft, Fabuglas, Silverline, Smoker Craft, HYDROSTEAM, Supra, Feathercraft, Borum, Sea Doo, Wellcraft, Thunderbird, Formula, Aristocraft, Duracraft, Bomber, Stamas, Challenger, Delquay, Scatcraft, Yellow Jacket, Sportmaster, STERLING, Duo, Cacci craft, Cajun, Eldocraft, Aloha, Mark Twain, Tom Sawer, Mackie, Monarch, Cubcraft, Mono go carts, Poulan chain saws, Sachs mo peds, Apache campers, ALLISON CRAFT, Appleby, Imperial, Barretta, Success, GLASTRON CARLSON, Supercraft, Pelican, Sun Dopphin, Lund, Alumacraft, Sunbird, Renken, Cobia, Duraglass, Basshawk, Mckee, Reinell, Rhyancraft, Drifter, Cathedral, Phantom, Manatee, Citation Lucraft.

Probably a dozen or more independent brands of trailers, and who knows what else. My Dad had compiled this list after his retirement in 1994.
Barron

**runwhatchabrung** · 10-25-2007, 02:21 PM

I was a lucky one to ride that boat at the show. My Dad, Joe Vernelson, started our dealership in 1972, was a dealer congress member the first year in business, I wear his ruby ring with all the diamonds to this day. This is a great thread and I know all the old dealers love it.

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Speed trials from 1953

Awesome thread

Seebold two seater

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