Next Project- 1972 Vampire FJ boat restoration thread.....

**Tom Smyth** · 06-29-2024, 03:43 PM

thanks again Fuji photo master

**Tom Smyth** · 07-13-2024, 04:36 PM

Vampire supporting the Vintage regatta this weekend at New Martinsville WV. Did I mention it was hot up here ?

**FUJIMO** · 07-13-2024, 09:08 PM

**Instigator** · 07-14-2024, 04:05 PM

I was there!

Got to meet Tom, see his gorgeous boat/rig, hear the Vampire history annnnddddd, watch a day of racing!

Was hot as sweaty balls but me and the Mrs found a place under a tree for shade, on a bluff overlooking the exit of turn two, w/a breeze……., and had an absolute blast!

Some gorgeous, period correct A Botes and motors.

Also go to meet Dagodiver.

Had a huge inboard contingency too.

Best part was, while watching the OBs run, Cheryl asks me, “honey, is this a type of boat you would like to race?”

I said, “Y yes it is.”

She says, “I think we should do it!”

I said, “I’ll need you to send me a text stating that.”
(A trick I learned w/a boat I bought yrs ago)

She sent the text!

For those of you looking for an event to attend, this town rolled out the red carpet for these guys!

They even had a full size billboard on the main drag w/the race flyer on it!

20 lbs ago when I raced kneel downs, my favorite races were on the Ohio River.

These lil river towns roll out the red carpet for these guys in way cool to see.

We are going to Huntington if schedule allows.

**1954bmw** · 07-14-2024, 08:14 PM

Where do you find dates and locations for these types of races???

**Tom Smyth** · 07-15-2024, 02:35 PM

Vampire running good this past weekend !

**Tom Smyth** · 07-16-2024, 03:33 AM

Great to meet you Instigator. Hope you join us soon in the vintage arena.

**Instigator** · 07-16-2024, 06:14 AM

In my experience, it kinda sucks.

The vintage division is run through the APBA (APBA.org) but their website is about as good as our government run sites.

Dagodiver told me about this race coming up and the had a sign at last weekend’s.

Originally Posted by 1954bmw

Where do you find dates and locations for these types of races???

Oops.

Forgot this.

**Instigator** · 07-16-2024, 06:29 AM

I have a V-8 Evinrude project that is looking for a hull to call it’s own!

I’m a motor guy and most projects revolve around the motors and the hull is secondary but after last weekend……., I think a 21’ Checkmate Starflite might fit the vintage role well.

I realize it’s on the large size to be considered OPC but I think it would work.

I think I can get one into the low/mid 90’s.

Interestingly, I sold them in ‘1989 and our dealer had a Starliner (open bow version of above) w/an 8 and I got the dealer to let me take to the kneel down races in Dayton to market it and volunteered it for turn boat boat duty.

During a break, between heats, I lit it up around the 1 1/4 (I think) coarse and had an absolute blast!
Until getting chewed out on the radio by the race directory!

Anyhow, point being, for being a box ass stock “ski boat” it ran/handled very well.

Was showing 80 on the meter.

I ran it by Mike (I just missed Chris Fairchild) and he figured they run me w/the tunnels.

First thought was, my wake for them to handle??

I figure I’ll be behind them anyhow, and on the pad there won’t be much wake and the turns get tore enough w/regular traffic that hopefully it won’t be too bad.

I can see it being BIGGG fun chasing them!

W/a the torque of the 8, if I can exit the turns beside them, I bet I can scare them for the first 100 yds!

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

Great to meet you Instigator. Hope you join us soon in the vintage arena.

PS, pretty sure if given permission from your wife, to buy a race boat, and you don’t…, pretty sure your Man Card is immediately revoked!

**Tom Smyth** · 09-22-2024, 07:33 PM

Nice looking rear end………

**Tom Smyth** · 02-07-2025, 03:43 PM

But will it break 60,000 ???

**Tom Smyth** · 02-07-2025, 03:43 PM

Will be running in a couple weeks at the Bradenton Area Riverfest Feb 22.

**FUJIMO** · 02-14-2025, 09:51 PM

**Tom Smyth** · 02-23-2025, 04:28 PM

Well things dont always go according to plan. this past weekend at the Bradenton regatta i got blind sided by an IDIOT driving another boat. we were just coming up on a plane to start our first vintage heat and he ran right over the back of my boat. Said he didnt see me. Mother Frucking scumbag idiot. 5 more feet and i wouldn't be typing this post. Boat can be repaired but stupid can not be fixed. Note the prop marks ON TOP OF MY BOAT. And thenhe said well he though i was behind him ??? WTF ? i guess i backed my boat up under his ?

Ignorance can be fixed but Fruckin STUPID is forever......