The Critchfields

**Tom Foley** · 04-09-2005, 06:12 PM

I am hoping that some of you guys can bring out some history about the Critchfieds in terms of the family and boatbuilding history . In 1986 or 1987 I went to an industrial park around Jacksonville somewhere to buy a Tri -Dyne 22 center console and to the best of my recollection I met Mr . Critchfield and we spoke for a while about stock outboard . I learned shortly thereafter that Danny Crichfield was tragically killed testing a Mod - VP boat. Thanks for your help .

**Mark75H** · 04-11-2005, 06:51 PM

I'm interested, Jim. Please contiue!

**brianT2** · 04-11-2005, 09:18 PM

i think i can help dad with some pictures if he wants to elaborate on the critchfield story.

**MagicFloat** · 04-11-2005, 09:45 PM

Yes,Jim,please continue. I remember the Critchfields,not only the raceboats but the family runabouts Bill built. Tell us more,please.

**lilabner** · 04-12-2005, 03:49 PM

We had a Critchfield demo at Dade Marine..Treasure and I took it on our honeymoon to our Lake House on Lake Francis..circa 1964..it had my merc 700 on it..motor was a gift from Brigade 2506 & the CIA..it was in the Bay of Pigs invasion..A great boat with more CIA stories...

**Powercat** · 04-12-2005, 06:06 PM

Critchfield Hydros..

**Tom Foley** · 04-12-2005, 06:52 PM

Thanks guys , what a great era for hull experimentation ! As a kid in the 60's I was influenced by so much on this forum . I guess the Critchfield name came up in the same time frame as the Allisons for me . Then during the heyday of OPC within the APBA , the 13 Critchfield seemed to be a popular boat . Please continue to elaborate and feed pictures . I really appreciate your time as I am sure , do others . Thanks ,Tom .

**brianT2** · 04-18-2005, 07:48 PM

couple of more pics

**11badknot** · 04-19-2005, 10:32 AM

It's been a few years but I had thought Danny was in a V-bottom 13' or 15'r,the story I heard was he possibly could have hit a manatee by the way the boat nosed into the water and a few days later they found him in the mud, very sad time , Danny was too good a boat driver to let the boat get away. He built a 120 boat he ran at St. Louis and just blew the field away. Went to his memorial , a few years passed and his wife (Karen) finally married Roark Summerford, they have one son (Robert) who I believe is 17 yrs old now

**2us70** · 04-19-2005, 12:51 PM

I sure remember the little gold Saber. When I got out of the Army in 65 I ran against it first with Olegator in it then Felix Poppel. I only managed to beat it in one heat at Miami with Felix. Felix was one of my all time favorite drivers to race with. We had many deck to deck duels and never a cross word after because we could trust each other not to do something stupid. I recall a heat at Miami that was so close that when we went to the infield we didn't know who won but we both had so much fun that we almost didn't care. Felix also sold me the motor I won Nationals with in 70.

**brianT2** · 04-25-2005, 08:44 PM

E boats

**2us70** · 04-26-2005, 06:03 PM

The equipment looks to be from my time in the E Class but I don't recognize the boat. I don't recall ever comming up against that one.

**fastboat** · 04-28-2005, 04:38 AM

Not to hijack this thread, but Gail and I were wondering if you are going to make it to Smith's Bend this year. We hope so.

**brianT2** · 05-02-2005, 08:47 PM

I boats - sorry for the delay in getting these two posted

**Li'l Toy** · 05-27-2005, 10:41 PM

The Critchfields I remember were the 13' or 14' hulls that were pops of Deltas and ran in E class with the 75 OMCs. Mark Titus (Jeff's son) ran one that was so light he had a piece of 12" or so PVC pipe about 18" long filled with concrete and bolted in behind the driver to make class weight. As the class changed, the hull was built with a deck and cowl like a tunnel hull (after my time).

I loved to watch the Sabres in the Gold Coast Marathon earlier, but never knew that they had been built by the Critchfields. Was there a guy who successfully ran one with a 75 McCullough, maybe in the mid 60's?