Life at Lake X in the '60s

[digital_jeff]

I found this interesting - only the outside port and starboard drives steer. The first image shows power steering on the outside drives. The second images shows the outside drives turned and the inside drives straight. Seems that the drives or props would come in contact in a hard turn.

[digital_jeff]

Anybody recognise this guy?

[digital_jeff]

Here are a few shots after the deck was installed. These show a few more faces. Not at the lake though.

[gofish7070]

Post 484 looks like Mike Ramsey to me,,,,,,,,,,, Remember the boat well,,

[digital_jeff]

gofish - Was this boat re-named 'Miss Sunshine' before the event?

[seeroy]

sorry, my computer farted - again

Jeff - Post #477 Looks like Odell Lewis
Glad to have you back - Steve

[seeroy]

lots of fuel

Post #480 is Jim Wagner behind the wheel - Steve

[seeroy]

I think this is John B. at the controls

Post #481 is definately Johnny Bakos at wheel and probably Odell Lewis with back to camera - Steve

[seeroy]

is the Carl at the controls?

Post #482 is ECK at the wheel with Jim Wagner standing behind him. - Steve

[seeroy]

Anybody recognise this guy?

Jim, you are correctomundo,...Post #484 is definately Mike Ramsey - Steve

[seeroy]

Jeff - Based on size of fuel tanks in Post #482 and Race Number 64 and name "Tortoise" in Post #485. I am thinking this is actually one of the Bahama 500 "Race" houseboats. The center picture in Post #485...from left to right is Unknown, Mr Kiekhaefer, Don Schwebbs, maybe Doug Janisch with back to camera, and lo and behold (hat on backwards) Izzy Lashmore! This is the first picture I have ever seen of Izzy. Izzy was the company pilot at Lake X with the Grumman Goose and Cessna 310. Do you have any pictures of the Goose? These are wonderful pictures Jeff. Once again, thank you for bribnging back incredible memories. Best Regards - Steve Sirois

[digital_jeff]

Hi Steve,
most of the shots of the goose are of it sitting on its little ramp next to the water, however, I did see a shot once - probably at Sebring - where cars were racing but there was an amphibian parked in the background.
I didn't realize that they raced a houseboat in the Bahamas 500 - WOW!
I thought that was Odell with John in #481.
Here is a shot of the goose in it's usual spot.
jeff

[digital_jeff]

I hope this shot keeps you busy for a little while - I tried to pick out a good one, i'll be on the road again next week - but i'll check in to see how things are going. I don't have much info on this one so any help will be appreciated (year, etc)

jeff

[blkmtrfan]

Jeff that last one is an awesome shot

Love the paint on Mercruiser II

[seeroy]

I hope this shot keeps you busy for a little while - I tried to pick out a good one, i'll be on the road again next week - but i'll check in to see how things are going. I don't have much info on this one so any help will be appreciated (year, etc)

jeff

Jeff - Thank you for the Goose pic. The Race Fleet picture in post #495 was taken just before departing Lake X for the 1st Bahama 500 in 1967. Somewhere in this or another thread I posted a similar picture in black & white. The #818 Maritime in the foreground was used as a team sweep boat. Note the blue beacon on the nose. Jim Wagner (crewcut) is at the helm. Boat #43 Seacraft is Wayne Vickers and Me. Boat #46 is Chet Strickland. The yellow boat partially visible above #46 is #47 Brother Bill and Ed Leslie. Boat #48 is Johnny Bakos and Phil Schenk. Boat #49 is Odell Lewis and (I think) Mel Riggs. Sorry I can't remember who was in every boat. I can't even tell you how exciting it was to leave the Lake and head to Freeport for this race. Earlier in this thread I told about our experience. Thank You Again for your contributions - Steve Sirois