Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

**lars strom** · 10-10-2021, 09:55 AM

More interesting stuff about this boat coming soon..

Cathy McConnell

This is a Jack Leek OMC boat.

**lars strom** · 10-10-2021, 10:48 AM

WOW...Cathy is the best...

Cathy McConnell

Here is a story for everyone about this Boat….. referred to as “the Little #30 Boat”, before APBA changed the numbers and then it became #191. Each time it was run it was very “protected” from prying eyes. We took it to Loveland, Colo. and Jack Leek did not go. Before we left he warned us not to let anyone look under the special 2- piece tarp. One tarp surrounded the bottom, another over the top. The bottom tarp was to be removed as the boat went into the water, not a moment before. There were several new ideas on the bottom and there was to be no one snooping around. Before the race started, I walked behind the Boat and there was a pair of legs sticking out from under it at the back. I could see a belt, but not the person. I grabbed the belt and pulled the person out while Jimbo and others got there. We knew we were in trouble!! Our culprit was Barry Woods …. . That was before we really knew Barry. He had his tape measure and was measuring everything on the bottom. The incident caused quite a scene. Of course, over the years, we became friends and he was Jimbo’s co-driver, at times, but we never forgot the incident. Dragging Barry out by his belt…..

**lars strom** · 10-10-2021, 12:40 PM

More from Cathy..
Also some fun info of the small black outboard decals next to the drivers cockpit coming next..!!

Cathy McConnell

One other tidbit….. this was the first OMC boat to go 100 mph. That happened at Galveston, Tx. in 1970. This was a big deal, at the time, because most of the single engine boats were running in the high 80’s and low 90’s.

**Zonkercraft** · 10-10-2021, 04:17 PM

To Cathy, Jimbo, and Lars...
Didn't Jimbo do well with this boat at an early 225 at the Miami Marine Stadium. I recall he ran the boat without the rear cowling. I want say it was the Gold Coast 225 Marathon in 1969, but I could be mistaken.

**lars strom** · 10-10-2021, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by lars strom

More interesting stuff about this boat coming soon..

Cathy McConnell

This is a Jack Leek OMC boat.

I love this one from Cathy..

Cathy McConnell

This is Jimbo’s boat. It is not a Goat Boat…… it is a Jack Leek OMC Boat. Each time it won a race beating Mercury the Little Mercury Motor and the race was painted on the Boat…… like the shoot downs of Warbird Airplanes.

**Lake X Kid** · 10-10-2021, 06:06 PM

**lars strom** · 10-10-2021, 06:56 PM

Thanks @Lake X Kid ,
I am going to "deal with this" after I am back from Lake Havasu City/Racers Reunion.

Originally Posted by Zonkercraft

To Cathy, Jimbo, and Lars...
Didn't Jimbo do well with this boat at an early 225 at the Miami Marine Stadium. I recall he ran the boat without the rear cowling. I want say it was the Gold Coast 225 Marathon in 1969, but I could be mistaken.

Hi and thanks for asking.
If I ever get a chance to ask Cathy I promise to do so. She is extremely good to get racing history correct.
Leaving early tomorrow morning for Lake Havasu.

**WaterZebra** · 10-11-2021, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Lake X Kid

That is one high road for the throttle cable. Looking at the arm position, it appears to be a "pull" set up. Weren't all OEM OMC throttles set up with "push"? Opposite of Merc.

**Instigator** · 10-11-2021, 05:58 PM

That is correct.

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

That is one high road for the throttle cable. Looking at the arm position, it appears to be a "pull" set up. Weren't all OEM OMC throttles set up with "push"? Opposite of Merc.

**lars strom** · 10-11-2021, 07:06 PM

Amarillo, Texas is the first overnight stop on our way to Lake Havasu City...Where is my song..(Amarillo by Morning)..

I have never ever seen so many "Wind Turbines" east of Amarillo next to I-40..Thousands and thousands.

**oldschoolltv** · 10-11-2021, 07:20 PM

What lower unit are they running on that beast?

**powerabout** · 10-12-2021, 04:28 AM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

That is one high road for the throttle cable. Looking at the arm position, it appears to be a "pull" set up. Weren't all OEM OMC throttles set up with "push"? Opposite of Merc.

Not much on that engine from OMC except the block and crank, rods at a guess?