Next Project- 1972 Vampire FJ boat restoration thread.....

**1954bmw** · 02-24-2025, 02:10 PM

Dayum, is there a license requirement or can any idiot get out on the coarse??? Did he miss that beautiful Merc or hit it??

**Tom Smyth** · 02-24-2025, 06:23 PM

No license requirement. Just a few forms to fill out. Missed the motor thank god.

**WaterZebra** · 02-25-2025, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

Well things dont always go according to plan. this past weekend at the Bradenton regatta i got blind sided by an IDIOT driving another boat. we were just coming up on a plane to start our first vintage heat and he ran right over the back of my boat. Said he didnt see me. Mother Frucking scumbag idiot. 5 more feet and i wouldn't be typing this post. Boat can be repaired but stupid can not be fixed. Note the prop marks ON TOP OF MY BOAT. And thenhe said well he though i was behind him ??? WTF ? i guess i backed my boat up under his ?

Ignorance can be fixed but Fruckin STUPID is forever......

In pure racing it was a given that you would suck it up and fix/repair yourself and try to ignore the stupid factor. In vintage regattas I thought it might be the responsibility of the offending party? Or, at least a spacing of 2 lanes between boats? At an IOGP event in Canada, I was given a yellow ticket for closing the door on a guy who ended up in my SST140 steering arm. The lane clearly belonged to me (LH apex buoy turn). The cockpit to cockpit passing rule was a monument in stupidity and bred more trading paint accidents than I can count.

**25ss** · 02-26-2025, 03:07 AM

Tom that really sucks especially since you take so much time to make your boats perfect.
When running at Tavares and at the race meeting all they preach is this is not a race pick a lane and stay in it.
But some guys get all wound up and do crazy things.
I not being a racer by any means pick the outside and stay there im just happy to be out there.
Last time i was there when i came in an older racer came up to me and said you were running good but
what the hell were doing in the turns get in there and run with those guys!!!
I just smiled.
Just glad you werent hurt
Dale

**NC03GT** · 03-12-2025, 05:08 AM

What a shame!!!!

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

Well things dont always go according to plan. this past weekend at the Bradenton regatta i got blind sided by an IDIOT driving another boat. we were just coming up on a plane to start our first vintage heat and he ran right over the back of my boat. Said he didnt see me. Mother Frucking scumbag idiot. 5 more feet and i wouldn't be typing this post. Boat can be repaired but stupid can not be fixed. Note the prop marks ON TOP OF MY BOAT. And thenhe said well he though i was behind him ??? WTF ? i guess i backed my boat up under his ?

Ignorance can be fixed but Fruckin STUPID is forever......

**AlliStan** · 03-18-2025, 08:29 PM

So sorry about the collision. I just want to say that I have enjoyed this, after following it in it's entirety, and I know that you will repair it like new.

Just want to say that I have enjoyed this thread, from the beginning, as much as any I've ever read on S & F. Well done, bro'!

**Tom Smyth** · 04-02-2025, 02:00 PM

getting close to paint..........

**Tom Smyth** · 04-09-2025, 04:34 PM

If this FRIGGIN WIND would die down someday i might get to paint this thing............

**Greg G** · 04-09-2025, 07:45 PM

Somehow missed this thread. Glad to see you are moving the boat back in the right direction. Very cool restoration Tom

**FUJIMO** · 04-11-2025, 06:53 PM

...you do the best work tom...we know it will look even better than before. great looking boat, for sure...

**Tom Smyth** · 04-22-2025, 11:37 AM

well its back together and looks great from 10 ' away !!! hits the water tomorrow

**motexas** · 04-22-2025, 02:02 PM

Awesome work, cant wait to see pics back on the water.

MO

**Tom Smyth** · 04-29-2025, 01:47 PM

But will it make it to 70,000 views ?!?! WOW !

**Tom Smyth** · 06-02-2025, 12:08 PM

Headed to Piney Point vintage regatta this coming weekend. Gonna be interesting to be back in the water with other boats. Aft facing harpoon guns are loaded and ready ………..