Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Little Magnum looks the dogs cajones in light English oak——- pity I have to paint it—— but it’s character won’t come to life until I do !

[jackiewilson]

Gene, for goodness sake please write a book OR make a movie...I'm sure it will be better than SPEED KILLS from what I hear !!

Genes life would make a great film !
was always going to write a book——- done several chapters over the years—- always keep doing the “TOMORROW “ bit——— had a Longfellow’s Hiawatha type boat racing poem somewhere—— got lost in the move from France!
Ron Hills book must be about ready for print——- the one to read though, without a doubt, would be Bill Welch’s (WILLABEE) autobiographical experiences!.
Best boat movie ever made was “ CONDOR MAN”—— Fish it out of the archives—— if you’ve never seen it then you could be pleasantly surprised!
Michael Crawford almost killed himself doing the Eiffel Tower stunt——- THE MOUSE financed that deal

[jackiewilson]

Remember i I told you that old wooden spokeshaves were the only thing to use when shaping a boat?
Thats just some of the ones I used this week——— I would normally use about four different on any one project————— just sent Caddy four last week to fool around with !

[GENE LANHAM]

Jackie--Please don't get overwhelmed!!

We rigged the New York Record boat in my shop---I am sure we made it seem too easy

1974--in less than three months we had the boat in the water--July 2 we departed for NY--we arrived 23 hours later--there was no money--no Sponsors-- no publicity---and practically no problems for 1250 miles

Mercury had certainly participated with 'Memo Billed' items--but the entire project had been done on a shoe string

Aronuf had supplied the bare hull

Immediately the next project was being discussed;

CROSS THE ATLANTIC WITH A CIGARETTE POWERED BY THE NEW V-6 ENGINE!

Now a sponsor! Citicorp---Mercuty--Garbrecht---LOTS OF$$$$

Some great Mercury people involved __LaMore--Butler---maybe Mike could share some of his adventures---?

BUT--it was almost a disaster--running out of fuel in the middle of the Atlantic was probably the least--

All was not lost--remember the picture 'Jaws'?

'We need a bigger boat'

[GENE LANHAM]

'We need a bigger boat'




Jackie--to confess--I had already 'Bailed out'--my boss at the fire station had implied--question was -'do you want to be a Firefighter--or' the answer was real easy--

The next Citicorp Traveler was SO big--wouldn't fit in my shop--

Nearly 50' ---biggest Cigarette ever

Powered by six of the newest V-6 from Mercury

powered by tons and tons of $$$4

[powerabout]

Jackie--Please don't get overwhelmed!!

We rigged the New York Record boat in my shop---I am sure we made it seem too easy

1974--in less than three months we had the boat in the water--July 2 we departed for NY--we arrived 23 hours later--there was no money--no Sponsors-- no publicity---and practically no problems for 1250 miles

Mercury had certainly participated with 'Memo Billed' items--but the entire project had been done on a shoe string

Aronuf had supplied the bare hull

Immediately the next project was being discussed;

CROSS THE ATLANTIC WITH A CIGARETTE POWERED BY THE NEW V-6 ENGINE!

Was that un-refuelled or did it have fuel stops

[GENE LANHAM]

Was that un-refuelled or did it have fuel stops

Lots and lots of fuel stops. That is what deep sixed the projects after a couple years--the logistics were overwhelming---

[Bob V]

Gene, for goodness sake please write a book OR make a movie...I'm sure it will be better than SPEED KILLS from what I hear !!

..................

[Bob V]

[powerabout]

Lots and lots of fuel stops. That is what deep sixed the projects after a couple years--the logistics were overwhelming---

in todays world you need a pleasure boat to do it un refuelled to get the headlines

[GENE LANHAM]

Jackie--Please don't get overwhelmed!!

We rigged the New York Record boat in my shop---I am sure we made it seem too easy

1974--in less than three months we had the boat in the water--July 2 we departed for NY--we arrived 23 hours later--there was no money--no Sponsors-- no publicity---and practically no problems for 1250 miles

Mercury had certainly participated with 'Memo Billed' items--but the entire project had been done on a shoe string

Aronuf had supplied the bare hull

Carried nearly 6000 pounds of 100/130 fuel

Still had to make a fuel stop-----

[jackiewilson]

Gene——— you got any idea of what you’ve gone and done ?
From chugging along nicely, doing a couple of concepts at a time, taking life in at a leisurely rate——— I’m looking at, at least ten projects in a row, with a touch of urgency about it.
What I hoped would be the “CITICORP TRAVELER “ with four Vee Six’s, has been demoted to “US1l with twin Mercruiser’s, due to more pictures and mitigating Circumstances! If you follow my meaning?

“We have no time to stop and stare”. Wonder if many people in the USA have ever come across this WW1 poet?——- just asking. Today, it’s kind of relevant!

Gene—— if you had to give Doug just one of your boats——- which one would it be?

Ah well—— can’t lay here all morning “shooting the breeze “——- I got me A PROJECT—— OR THREE!

[AZMIDLYF]

[Bob V]

Carried nearly 6000 pounds of 100/130 fuel

Still had to make a fuel stop-----

Gene - After you completed the mission, was the boat trailered back to Florida?

[jackiewilson]

Started afresh on a new blank——- concentrated on making it look like the shape of a fifty footer.
Got a good morning in doing one of my “GIPPETTO” acts——- snot and shavings in abundance!
Had a dentist appointment this afternoon——- getting fitted for a new set of choppers, had these for over thirty years and they’re getting a wee bit tired————- Peter Inward took a lot of time and trouble over this particular set of knashers !
Deal was —— a couple of Rolla Props and a gearcases !
One of my better deals—— Peter was a great dentist who had probably the most chic address in the world ——— 100 Harley Street London !