Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

**lars strom** · 10-28-2023, 09:27 AM

Wow..I got this picture from Leo..(center).
Its a "few years ago" and we are at a great place called Tugboat Annie's in Dania, Florida. This marina bar was the place to be at back in the eighties.

Great memories.
Thanks Leo

**lars strom** · 10-28-2023, 02:44 PM

Hot Dog/Evinrude..

Thanks Mark Weber.

**lars strom** · 10-29-2023, 09:47 AM

Ralph Evinrude Test Center..early days.

This is a picture of the Stuart Test Center staff in the early years. Maybe ~ 1970, but not sure.
(Thanks for a great picture)

**lars strom** · 10-29-2023, 12:55 PM

OMC/Marlboro racing in the seventies.

**Lake X Kid** · 10-29-2023, 02:15 PM

I witnessed Marlboro money at the Embassy Bristol race in England 1973.
Cigarette girls dressed in Marlboro colors were passing out sample (I think they were free, I don't smoke) packets of Marlboro cigarettes.

Cees vander Verden had the Marlboro sponsorship, and at that race Bob Spalding & Tom Percival had the JPS cigarette sponsorship.

**lars strom** · 10-29-2023, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Lake X Kid

...Cees van der Verden had the Marlboro sponsorship..

More info about Velden's Marlboro sponsorship..
First two more OMC/Marlboro...the first picture #11 is from Auronzo, Italy late August 1976

Now its getting more interesting...
Here is why.. later 1976 Velden switched from Johnson to Merc just a few days before Paris 6 Hours 1976.
(I am pretty sure this happened because Renato signed with OMC for the 1977 season)

The first picture #92 Cees Velden/Marlboro/Merc is in Paris 6 hours 1976. His co-pilot was Billy Seebold..!! I got this unique Paris picture from my Italian friend. (Thanks)

Sadly Paris 1976 was the last UIM race for Velden with Marlboro..he lost the sponsorship but signed with Drakkar for the 1977 season.
Last picture.

**lars strom** · 10-30-2023, 10:26 AM

...

**WaterZebra** · 10-30-2023, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by lars strom

...

Eufaula Ala - once the location of the APBA OPC Nationals

**WaterZebra** · 10-30-2023, 10:34 AM

I wonder what Bill Seebold thought of driving a Velden?

**lars strom** · 10-30-2023, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

I wonder what Bill Seebold thought of driving a Velden?

Well..the two UIM OZ class Long John boats 1978 was built by Velden and Billy won Duke of York Trophy, Bristol 1978 with one of them.

**lars strom** · 10-31-2023, 02:04 PM

Pretty sexy..!!

**lars strom** · 10-31-2023, 06:50 PM

Another "a few years ago picture"..

This is Micke Larsson and me boating in S. Florida around 1987. Its my Chris Craft Scorpion 311 cc powered by 2 X Evinrude V6.
Thanks for the picture..!!

**lars strom** · 11-01-2023, 08:48 AM

Kyle Roberson a few years ago..
(Yes..Ben's son)

**lars strom** · 11-02-2023, 10:48 AM

10 year old post from another forum. Great OFF meeting in Tavares,FL with plenty of mixed old racers and none racers supporting the sport..!!

From the OFF meeting 2013 in Tavares, Florida.

"I finally got to meet Rich Luhrs..(T2x)
Rich is also doing lots of work to keep boat racing history alive.
Thanks for a really fun weekend

I just received this photo from our Canadian race friend Mark Rotharmel.
Rich Luhrs to the left of me."

**lars strom** · 11-03-2023, 11:52 AM

Jack Aylsworth

Group expert

EVINRUDE BOAT SHOW DREAM BOATS

Between 1956 and 1962, Evinrude commissioned seven distinct and exotic ‘concept boats’ (aka Dream Boats) designed by Brooks Stevens for display at national boat shows. Of those seven, three are the most exotic and the most expensive to build at over $100,000 each in today’s money. They are: the Flying Saucer Boat, Heli-Bout helicopter-like boat and Jetstream dual sponson boat. I’ll post the background stories of each concept later - but let’s start with what is arguably the most exotic – the Heli-Bout.
EXOTIC #1- Pictured below is the Brooks Stevens designed 'concept boat’ aptly named the Heli-Bout – a 16-foot runabout combined with the principle of a helicopter. The 75hp Evinrude Starflite V4 outboard was reportedly linked to the rotor by flexible shafting and reduction gears. Staying on theme, the cockpit instrumentation was similar to a two-place fixed wing aircraft of the time. (photo upper left.)
This far-out creation was an example of Stevens' imagination given free reign by Evinrude to demonstrate what the future of boating could possibly hold. With an Evinrude outboard motor and an electric rotor for display rotation, the Heli-Bout lets your imagination run wild. “Popular Science” reported in April 1962, that theoretically, boat owners could fly from their back yard and land on their favorite lake instead of using the highway. How cool would that be!
WHERE IS IT NOW? The Heli-Bout appeared at the New York and Chicago boat shows in 1961. After the boat show circuit, Evinrude sold the Heli-Bout to Brooks Stevens and it was displayed in the Brooks Stevens Museum for many years. It then passed through a couple private collectors and has appeared at various shows and events. The last known owner was Tom Annunziata.