Mercury Through The Years...

**FUJIMO** · 12-31-2015, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

1967--1968??? Mrs. K lived in the first house--

Later, Freda maintained a home in Winter Haven, for the next 52 years, until her passing at age 95, on Febuary 11, 2005. She had had a stroke 4 years prior, which paralyzed her entire side. Her daughter Helen, who was a nurse, cared for Freda until the end. Helen passed away in 2012, of cancer. The natural Inlet to the Gulf, in the above photo, otherwise known as Midnight Pass, has not existed since about 1983. Nature filled it in. Tens of millions of dollars were wasted in an attempt to keep it open via dredging & pumping over the years, to no avail.

**Dave Strong** · 12-31-2015, 09:16 PM

Sad story but then again a very cool story. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

**bernie** · 01-01-2016, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by olboatman

Now thats a SHORT midsection!!! Does anyone know how well they worked out? Gary

They didn't work - first version didn't have enough hp to run it. Second version - too much prop drag on higher hp, like maybe Twister 1. I remember seeing a crapload of the version 2 in the scrap bin at Mercury one day in early 70's - Plant 12 Engineering used to bring their scrap over to our bins at Plant 4 for remelt - so we got to see what was going on. Think that was Doc Morgan project that went nowhere, like a bunch of other projects - I knew Morgan's draftsman/designer. After we retired he used to say nothing he ever put on paper ever made it to production! They did have a bunch of patents issued though.

**rock** · 01-01-2016, 11:58 AM

Awesome thread. Appreciate the effort.

R

**FUJIMO** · 01-01-2016, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...Get'n over the hump...in Texas...

..."King Of The Cowboys", Roy Rodgers owned half interest in the "Yellow Jacket Boat Company" in Denison, Texas, in the 50's. He raced his various brand race boats there as well. He had his home state race boats transported to as many multi-state boats races as his time would allow. The above photo actually was taken at a race in Walla Walla County, Washington...at the reservoir/Walla Walla Yacht Club area. But I could be mistaken.

Always promoting Kiekhaefer Mercury Outboards...

**FUJIMO** · 01-01-2016, 12:59 PM

Walla Walla Yacht Club, 1950's...

**FUJIMO** · 01-01-2016, 01:01 PM

**FUJIMO** · 01-01-2016, 01:02 PM

**FUJIMO** · 01-01-2016, 01:03 PM

...Race Day...

**FUJIMO** · 01-01-2016, 01:22 PM

...The next generation...

**bernie** · 01-01-2016, 01:34 PM

The short lived Merc museum for the 75th anniversary - maybe was open for 6 months - now everything is back in storage. Photo of me in Lil Red during the rigging after Mike Butler's restoration. Looking over the bow, you basically saw no boat - must have only seen water rushing past!