Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

**2us70** · 05-11-2016, 01:04 PM

So in 66 we were both running 50s on flat bottoms. Small world. I continued to run those motors with some success through 1975.

Originally Posted by jackiewilson

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Won the British Champlonship in 1966 using a 50 HP Mercury and a 55 HP Carniti on Bristol boats---------Sexee------Sexy2------Far-2-sexy.
V bottoms were single seaters, flatties were two up. Moved up to tunnels after that season.

**GENE LANHAM** · 05-11-2016, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by 2us70

So in 66 we were both running 50s on flat bottoms. Small world.

'Small world'----

**jackiewilson** · 05-11-2016, 04:12 PM

I got six Twister power heads, four midsections, eighteen pipes and six cav. Plates------haven't even started on the gear cases yet and it's already five thirty----CC7 time.
Been wet and damp all day so I only managed one more coat of red paint------will be well into next week before any exciting biting.

1966 was a stellar year -------those were the days when we all helped each other to get in the water for the next heat---------if one of us had flipped, then ALL the other guys helped out and even delayed the start to make sure everybody ran. There were times I didn't have enough gas to finish the last heat, somebody would siphon enough out of their car to make sure I got there.
Was in the running for the championship at Tyne and Shaldon in Devon, my motor puked so Norman Fletcher said "Take mine"------ I finished second, but got some welcome points!

Seems those were the good years for a lot of old boaters.

**jackiewilson** · 05-12-2016, 01:10 AM

Damn, but it's rent day AGAIN, time flies when your having fun !!
Reason I did six twisters is as follows, -------Gene and Ted are having the painted "REDBIRD", but I got this nagging itch do a stainless centre section with either hardwood or polished alloy sponsons, so it has to be metal motors.
Spent a record 8 1/2 hours in the shop yesterday------whatever happened to retirement?
Problem is, I got a head full of ideas, but I have to start on them immediately, before I forget what it was I remembered.
Take no notice------it's probably an "age related" thing as Fuji once told me, speaking of which, anyone noticed how quiet he's gone -------his sticky top spot has been silent for over a week now, He'd better watch out or he'll slip down the ratings and join me an "tricks"in the lower ranks.
Im particularly pleased that Willabee's back with us and at his cranky best, a lot of Mercury knowledge and experience in that old curmudgeon----------the Websters of power boating!
Can't lie here all day, got a car boot sale to go to and three wings to construct, and time waits for no man-------not even me and you ?

**jackiewilson** · 05-12-2016, 06:26 AM

Took me forever to get round the boot sale, found a guy who had a gazillion stainless nuts and bolts, exhaust system, jump seats, jet engine turbine blades, ---------we got down to haggling---------to reach my price was a long process. Wound up with a truck load of aircraft bits which cost just a little bag of gold.
Now I have to live to be over 98 before I can break-even -------maybe a wheel fell off an I didn't notice.

**jackiewilson** · 05-12-2016, 12:53 PM

Had whole day away from the shop-------went with little Betty and her dad to Southampton, really enjoyed myself. No progress at all in the three REDBIRDS, sorry ' bout your bad luck
More later-----drinky pooh time.

**jackiewilson** · 05-12-2016, 04:31 PM

Not a damn thing to tell you that you don't already know.
Spent all morning sorting out the amazing aeronautical gear I bought earlier in the day,
Its a whole new ball game from hereonin--------today I got off the helter skelter of life in the fast lane and moved over to the slow lane-------come tomorrow I'll be sauntering country lanes, smelling the roses and hedgerows, listening to the birds singing and the rain falling, and watching grass grow and teaching a small child to walk unaided.
She was born yesterday and is already sixteen months old, yet I have spent only a few hours with her, believe me, when you wake up every morning, you better make pretty damn sure every one of those twelve hundred minutes are put to good use.
Today I spent over three hours with a small girl named Elizabeth FLEUR Hope Stephens, I call her Betty and she loves it. That's more time than I spent with her since she was born, I've been wandering around with my eyes wide shut------that's about to change! Means less time in the shop, but production will increase-----me being much more focussed.
Sorry 'bout your bad luck folks, let's face it, Fuji may have gotten it right with the "Age related thing".

**2us70** · 05-12-2016, 05:17 PM

Do you recall your race number or boat name from that year? I would like to check it against the video I found.

Originally Posted by jackiewilson

.

Won the British Champlonship in 1966 using a 50 HP Mercury and a 55 HP Carniti on Bristol boats---------Sexee------Sexy2------Far-2-sexy.
V bottoms were single seaters, flatties were two up. Moved up to tunnels after that season.

**jackiewilson** · 05-13-2016, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by 2us70

Do you recall your race number or boat name from that year? I would like to check it against the video I found.

Try 22, was my favourite----but could only get it at my home club ( LMBRC), was only in later years the RYA issued numbers with the licence !

**jackiewilson** · 05-13-2016, 01:19 AM

Should be able to sand down the two hulls and whack a couple of coats of Hammerite on to the wings today! It's 5:30 am and the Suns up already------high gloss red certainly shows up the flaws and faults, but I never saw a Switzerl yet that was anywhere near ripple free !
Mark tells me it's race day for the big boats at Coco. beach this weekend, the following week Craig gets to race the P1------- been a few changes to the "Rude", so I expect a lot more from him this time out.
Her who shall be obeyed at all times has bought a nursery load of plants that need digging in, she only needs help with the heavy stuff, like bags of compost and half grown trees, most of the time I'm surplus to requirements and not needed on voyage .
Not quite got the hang of this new iPad Pro-----need to learn download procedures from camera to iPad, supposed to be easier than ever-----that's only right if you know how to begin with!

**jackiewilson** · 05-13-2016, 07:04 AM

Managed a couple of coats of the red stuff, hanging out to dry in the sun, could possibly get another two on this afternoon--------got cracking on the four Mercs, slow going, uphill all the way------left the best 'till last'.-------the number five and six motors-------it's Friday the thirteenth so I'm pushing nobody and nothing for a podium place today !!!!!

**2us70** · 05-13-2016, 10:43 AM

Jackie. Take a look at this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GOcw9vcDsA

**jackiewilson** · 05-13-2016, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by 2us70

Jackie. Take a look at this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GOcw9vcDsA

Never seen that one before but it was a club meeting at IVER, home of the LMBRC, MY CLUB..
CAN TELL YOU THE THE MAKE OF EVERY BOAT AND EVERY DRIVER TAKING PART.
AS FUJI SAYS--------it's an age related ring!