Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

**FUJIMO** · 09-09-2019, 11:20 AM

...He stands just like & has the posture & build of Victor, his son. His other son Curtis(Curt) are both excellent carpenters & plug builders in their own right. Them and there dad have built more mold plugs that boats during their lives than anything. And really, really fast at it. They are unbelievable to watch.

**FUJIMO** · 09-09-2019, 11:21 AM

**FUJIMO** · 09-09-2019, 11:22 AM

**jackiewilson** · 09-09-2019, 11:31 AM

Anyone know of A 47’ APACHE called—- Kimosabe—-
Looks to have multiple motors—- I’d say it was a Poker Run Boat.
Only ever saw it once and it was full of “good time boys and girls” without life jackets or helmets ?

**FUJIMO** · 09-09-2019, 11:36 AM

Gene , the Chapman's never built the molds themselves. They, rightfully so, hated to mess with the fiberglas aspect of making a mold. They made all the "plugs" for the molds on 188th Street & everyone else off 188th. Hull plugs, deck plugs, console plugs, seating plugs, cabin liner plugs, etc. These were all big jobs, and rarely even had a helper or apprentice. They did all the work themselves and really, really fast at it. They were unbelievable. The reason they knocked them out quickly, was they made incredable money for each job, and they always had two or more other big jobs($) that people were screaming for, to make even more big money. All this, because the money was really flowing back then in the boat business in south florida. I've seen "one" of them, by themselves, and I know all of them, build a 38 hull plug, in one week.

**FUJIMO** · 09-09-2019, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Anyone know of A 47’ APACHE called—- Kimosabe—-
Looks to have multiple motors—- I’d say it was a Poker Run Boat.
Only ever saw it once and it was full of “good time boys and girls” without life jackets or helmets ?

Yes, What of it?

**FUJIMO** · 09-09-2019, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

He built the 45' Cigartte mold--it was so big Aronow used it as a shed---

Back in those days, Don had quite a few of the empty lots there on 188th, so he would just put them on a lot & use the bigger ones for things like that. That and he had good money into them & would sometimes reuse them for tooling a new shorter or longer version. They were off the books & could also be used for the next boat company he would dream up...

Don also had other new boat molds, stored in a warehouse, away from 188th Street, for future use.

**FUJIMO** · 09-09-2019, 12:06 PM

If anyone of you have visited "offshore alley" in recent years, that know what it used to look like, you would not believe where you were. Every inch of it is gone, completely redeveloped.

**GENE LANHAM** · 09-09-2019, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

Gene , the Chapman's never built the molds themselves. They, rightfully so, hated to mess with the fiberglas aspect of making a mold. They made all the "plugs" for the molds on 188th Street & everyone else off 188th. Hull plugs, deck plugs, console plugs, seating plugs, cabin liner plugs, etc. These were all big jobs, and rarely even had a helper or apprentice. They did all the work themselves and really, really fast at it. They were unbelievable. The reason they knocked them out quickly, was they made incredable money for each job, and they always had two or more other big jobs($) that people were screaming for, to make even more big money. All this, because the money was really flowing back then in the boat business in south florida. I've seen "one" of them, by themselves, and I know all of them, build a 38 hull plug, in one week.

Fuji--I'm sure it is an 'age related' thing. I USED the word 'MOLD' for 'Plug'

Paul H ha the shop next to mine---

Nicky --working alone --built the PLUG for the GARA---in three weeks----

Amazing to watch him--

The Plug was used as a RACEBOAT

The 'Copper Kettle' sunk the first time it raced---

**jackiewilson** · 09-09-2019, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

Yes, What of it?

WHAT OF IT .??—-Thats a bloody silly question !!! Would estimate that boat could run 120+ ——- didn’t anyone ever tell you Fuji—— that is hurt speed !
To my mind—- they should all be wearing life jackets—— but hey—— maybe they think they’re immortal ?

**FUJIMO** · 09-09-2019, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by jackiewilson

WHAT OF IT .??—-Thats a bloody silly question !!! Would estimate that boat could run 120+ ——- didn’t anyone ever tell you Fuji—— that is hurt speed !
To my mind—- they should all be wearing life jackets—— but hey—— maybe they think they’re immortal ?

...I was always a "Lucky Strike" kinda guy... This 47 Apache triple did everything it was supposed to do. Phil Meshinsky was the owner/racer. Look it up on YouTube.

**jackiewilson** · 09-10-2019, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...I was always a "Lucky Strike" kinda guy... This 47 Apache triple did everything it was supposed to do. Phil Meshinsky was the owner/racer. Look it up on YouTube.

Ok, Fuji, I’m afraid you’re going to have to explain what the hell you being a “LUCKY STRIKE” kinda guy has to do with the occupants of a 47’ Triple engined APACHE not wearing life jackets—— if the boat Quote: Did Everything it was supposed do ?? Then I presume it was quite rapid ? — in which case my estimate of 120+ mph seems to be justified—— ..??
Believe me Fuji, if an accident occurred at that sort of speed and you were in a tee shirt and shorts or a bikini with a thong, being a “LUCKY STRIKE KINDA GUY” without a L/J wouldn’t help a lot.
What I really wanted to point out was—— how very similar the Boat was to Betty Cooks !