Eliminator boats 50th Anniversary

[kellytheaker]

Just heard 50 th anniversary for Eliminator boats - Jan 26 .Free BQ and drinks - I am a proud owner of an old 80- 19 tunnel and I would state it' got it going on as far as build quality and gelcoat .Bob Leach I understand is retired but I consider him one of the leaders who pushed the envelope in performance - like a C Shelby , Roush , - so many out of the California west coast performance scene . I wish I were closer to attend - those in closer proximity are the lucky ones . Most in the go fast scene went from this old 80s stuff and have owned lots of em - modified tunnels GMTs, and have progressed to what you have today . I am satisfied just to enjoy this old 80 Kevlar tunnel but envy those who enjoyed growing up and bought these and showcased their build of the 80s and 90s . I tried to get a hold of a just retired Mercury rep- Steve Donahue of California who this boat was built for and owned but he was not answerng back. He and Bob Leach worked together on the Blackhawk drives for Eliminator and others I'm sure . All I can say is the build of this hull in Kevlar and the aluminum transom bracket with knee bracing is exceptional in build and quality . Was it because Steve Donahue was hanging around and had input and expecting nothing less and they wanted to go over and above? Not sure - I have viewed many pictures of quality rigging of this era v drives and such and they had it going on . Would have liked to get Bob' and Steve' autograph to tell you the truth.

[davemvegas]

I read that Eliminator Boats has filed. might be a farewell party.

[HydroSkreamin]

I read that Eliminator Boats has filed. might be a farewell party.

Um, they filed when Obama was in office years ago. It just went to auction and was purchased by one of the employees within an investment group.

It’s business as usual but now with Jake at the helm.

They have a lot of new builds going on, and I wish them success.

[kellytheaker]

I believe a better understanding would be- Eliminator Boats has Sold and Bob Leach has retired . I know he had some health issues just a short while ago and has improved but I am not a close friend to be in the know . I do know that i spoke to him last year and he was happy to take the call and chat . So Eliminator Boats continue and it' new owners are celebrating 50 YEARS - JAN 26 10- 4 BQ and drinks Mira Loma Cali

[kellytheaker]

Hydroscreamin is that a cougar on your title -every ime I read your posts that icon catches my eye -you have got to show it full screen- just beautiful . In reallity the thread should show off those Eliminators and Cougars - I thi k both these builders were borrowing from each other - the hulls 19 and 21 pretty similar stuff going on.

[HydroSkreamin]

It's an '87 Eliminator 23 Daytona that I bought 5 years ago and am just wrapping up a full restomod. I've been documenting it in a build thread on River Dave's Place. Link (I'll warn you, it's a book!) https://www.riverdavesplace.com/foru...aytona.155360/ Originally I was going to document it here, but at the time, 4-strokes were a dirty word around here, so I didn't.

Thanks for your interest and kind words. I'm looking forward to piloting it very soon. Finishing up wiring now.

Here's the cliff notes: transom, floor, core, and stringers rotten, all is built way stiffer than factory. Center pod notched 6" up and 62" forward, bottom is now blueprinted, tanks are dropped 5" and moved rearward 7", new custom interior by Checkmate, custom dash by myself and friends, getting a 400R converted to blue by self and friends.

Bob Leach helped me with a lot of my questions as well as parts, and was a pleasure to talk to and deal with.

Just after bringing it home and gutting it.

This is what I refer to as "the skeleton"

Bottom is literally smooth as glass

Doing some lighted dash endurance

Rear interior at Checkmate when I picked it up

Front interior when I picked it up at Checkmate

I'm quite happy with how this came out

[nitro_rat]

Nice job Hydro!

[kellytheaker]

Well - done ! Wow . Was it left out and got wet . Bob Leach was a gentleman to deal with for sure . I believe he needs to be recognized since it' his 50th . If it wasn' hard enough to get through the 80s . He was at the forefront and provided some beautifully finished hulls and gel was exceptional .

[Jay Smith]

Eliminator has been such a quailty hull for many years , several company’s have popped cheap copy’s off their great hull but NEVER matched their quality ...

Jay

[kellytheaker]

Hydroskreamin- just read the thread/short book and well done - you certainly had some good so.id friends on the project . Turned out beautifully and some great tech sessions - the bottom blueprinting was of great interest . Plenty of good hard work going on .

[JPEROG]

Wait to see the rigging. This guys attention to detail is at a level above the clouds. Makes the stuff that I like to put together look like a beginners package.

Joe

[kellytheaker]

I chuckled at that - Joe I've seen some of your rigs - . Nothing short of excellent . What I found with exceptional individuals /such as yourself , Bob Leach , Jay Smith - let' just say allot of members here is - they will answer the phone and try and assist or build a thread for further skills benefiting others in the sport . It' impressive . It' a TEAM of guys working on some pretty cool projects who have been there and done that a bunch without the ego and willing to share it.i know I benefit from these guys .

[HydroSkreamin]

Well - done ! Wow . Was it left out and got wet . Bob Leach was a gentleman to deal with for sure . I believe he needs to be recognized since it' his 50th . If it wasn' hard enough to get through the 80s . He was at the forefront and provided some beautifully finished hulls and gel was exceptional .

I believe it was either left out and filled and sat with water, or more likely, left sitting in the water for months and osmosis did its thing. Basically all of the wood except for the tops of the tunnels has been replaced.

The reason I bought it because the gel scheme really caught my eye, and it’s the original 30+ year old gel. I’m loving the way it’s turning out, but I’m ready to be done.

Thanks for your interest, if I wasn’t as far along as I am I’d start a build thread on here, but it’s kind of pointless now. Unless I do the cliff notes version and share the setup testing and outcome. If there’s interest I may do that.

[HydroSkreamin]

Wait to see the rigging. This guys attention to detail is at a level above the clouds. Makes the stuff that I like to put together look like a beginners package.

Joe

Joe, thanks for your vote of confidence, but I think you’re laying it on a bit thick. It’s always appreciated when people notice the detail in what we do. Maybe if I’d lay off on some of those details it would be done! Nah, too late to stop the momentum now. It’ll be wet soon.

There’s a lot more Eliminators on this site that deserve more attention than mine, like the gentleman from the Pacific NW with the 22 w/300’s. That’s one that stands out for me, and I’m sure I’m forgetting others.

[LakeFever]

Gorgeous boats! Congrats at 50 hope its a golden year!


I took a look at an 80's one not that long back, very nice and no doubt one of the finer looking traditional styled boats out there. One day...