Powerboat Talk

Jerry Gilbreath has made a career out of designing, building, and racing some of the most exotic and well-known boats in the world. His journey began in the 1960s, driving flat-bottom endurance boats in races like the Salton Sea 500 and the Parker Enduro. Gilbreath’s father, Jake, founded Gil Marine, which started as a gas tank manufacturer and grew into one of the largest aftermarket performance marine companies in the world, producing iconic Gil Exhaust Manifolds and the first outboard set-back bracket, the Gil Bracket. Gilbreath became one of the most respected and talented custom boat builders globally. With his GMT Tunnel boats and partnership with racer Greg Foster, he played a key role in advancing the Mod-VP racing class. Gilbreath also rigged water ski racing boats for Vic Edelbrock and Jerry Herbst. Later, Gilbreath became involved in offshore racing, teaming with Al Copeland and Matt Alcone to form one of the most dominant Open class catamaran teams in the late 1990s. He is often mentioned as one of the best throttlemen to ever control an offshore race boat. Although retired from racing, Gilbreath remains involved in high-performance boating with a collection of custom boats. You can follow Jerry Gilbreath on Instagram @jerry_gilbreath This episode is brought to you by: SoCal Jet Boats the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest River Attire, hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The SoCal Jet Boat SpeedShop. Visit SoCal Jet Boats at www.socaljetboats.com on Instagram at @SoCalJetBoats and Facebook @SoCal Jet Boats Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 orders@socaljetboats.com This episode is also brought to you by: BoatLoanGuy.com your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms.  Visit BoatLoanGuy at www.boatloanguy.com On Instagram @rvboatloans and on Facebook @RV and Boat Loans Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 info@boatloanguy.com Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com      

Bob Brown is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities on performance boating, having reported on and participated in every facet of the industry over the last 50 years. Growing up as an avid boat racer, Brown became the editor of Powerboat Magazine in 1973 through his affiliation with fellow racer Bob Nordskog. After leaving Powerboat in 1979 to start his own public relations agency, Media Direction, Brown continued to write for the magazine as well as for every major performance boat publication, including Hot Boat, Performance Boats, Sportboat, Boating, Speedboat, and Speed on the Water. Brown has raced endurance inboards in the Salton Sea 500 and Parker Enduro. He has also driven tunnel outboards in the Parker race with legends Bill Muncey, Chip Hanauer, and Alan Stocker, been the winning driver in the Catalina Water Ski Race pulling Chuck Stearns, and raced offshore boats with Nordskog and Tom Gentry. Instrumental in advancing the Powerboat Magazine Performance Trials, Brown has test-driven over 2,000 boats in his career. He was also key in the promotion and growth of the Southern California and Lake Havasu Boat Shows. This episode is brought to you by: BoatLoanGuy.com your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms.  Visit BoatLoanGuy at www.boatloanguy.com On Instagram @rvboatloans and on Facebook @RV and Boat Loans Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 info@boatloanguy.com This episode is also brought to you by: SoCal Jet Boats the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest River Attire, hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The SoCal Jet Boat SpeedShop. Visit SoCal Jet Boats at www.socaljetboats.com on Instagram at @SoCalJetBoats and Facebook @SoCal Jet Boats Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 orders@socaljetboats.com Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com    

Nathan Eller, owner of East Coast Squirt Boats, discusses his passion for jet boats and LS Chevy engine swaps. He shares how he got into jet boating and the progression of his business, which now specializes in LS swaps. Nathan talks about the challenges and rewards of starting his own company and the freedom it gives him. He also explains the appeal and benefits of LS engines and discusses the various options and accessories that need to be considered when choosing and installing an LS engine in a jet boat. This episode is brought to you by SoCal Jet Boats the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest River Attire, hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The SoCal Jet Boat SpeedShop. Visit SoCal Jet Boats at www.socaljetboats.com on Instagram at @SoCalJetBoats and Facebook @SoCal Jet Boats Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 orders@socaljetboats.com This episode is also brought to you by BoatLoanGuy.com your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at www.boatloanguy.com On Instagram @rvboatloans and on Facebook @RV and Boat Loans Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 info@boatloanguy.com Follow Nathan Eller on Facebook @Nathan Eller and @East Coast Squirt Boats Visit East Coast Squirt Boats website www.eastcoastsquirtboats.com Links to products and companies that sell LS Swap parts as discussed in this episode; SoCal Jet Boats www.socaljetboats.com CP Performance www.cpperformance.com PSI https://www.psiconversion.com/ ICT Billet https://www.ictbillet.com/ Tick Performance Camshafts https://www.tickperformance.com/camshafts/ Bassett Headers https://bassettracing.net/ Schoenfeld Headers https://www.schoenfeldheaders.com/ IMCO www.imcomarine.com Painless Performance https://www.painlessperformance.com/ AEM https://www.aemelectronics.com/ NJBA https://njbaracing.com/ Lightning Headers www.lightningheaders.com Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com Watch the video of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com You can find links to listen on my website at www.powerboattalk.com or listen on YouTube or most podcast players like Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, Pandora, Amazon Podcasts, Audible, iHeart Radio, Podtail, Audacy, Google Podcasts, Tune In Radio

Lorne Leibel is a three-time US and three-time world champion offshore racer who has driven boats with Bob Latham, John Tomlinson, Richie Powers, Ryan Beckley, Bob Idoni, and Bob Morgan, among others. After a decades-long retirement, Leibel, a homebuilder from Canada, is back in the saddle again with old mate Latham, conquering the open seas in the Ocean Cup series competition in his vintage triple-engine 47-ft Apache, boat #001 of the 47-ft model, Leibel spent years trying to find the boat and purchase it, only to sell it and then purchase it again. In the podcast, Leibel talks about some of his boating exploits, including driving with Tomlinson in his very first race, competing against actor Don Johnson, and dealing with Ben Kramer when buying his first offshore race boat. This episode is brought to you by: BoatLoanGuy.com your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms.  Visit BoatLoanGuy at www.boatloanguy.com On Instagram @rvboatloans and on Facebook  @RV and Boat Loans Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 info@boatloanguy.com This episode is also brought to you by: SoCal Jet Boats the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest River Attire, hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The SoCal Jet Boat SpeedShop. Visit SoCal Jet Boats at www.socaljetboats.com on Instagram at @SoCalJetBoats and Facebook @SoCal Jet Boats Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 orders@socaljetboats.com Follow Lorne Leibel on Instagram @lorneleibel Follow Apache Power Boats on Instagram @apachepowerboats and on Facebook @Apache Powerboats Visit Apache Powerboats online at www.apachepowerboats.com Learn more about the Ocean Cup Series at www.oceancup.com  Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk  and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com  

In this episode, I welcome back Joe Shelfo, who serves as the secretary and treasurer at the National Jet Boat Association (NJBA). Shelfo is not only an accomplished drag boat racer but also one of the foremost authorities on V-drive repair, setup, and rigging globally. Previously featured on Episode 32 of Powerboat Talk alongside NJBA President Mike DeClark and Southern Drag Boat Association (SDBA) Owner and Series Director David Carroll, Shelfo discussed the formidable task of uniting the sport’s leading organizations to orchestrate The Drag Boat Nationals at Firebird Lake in Chandler, Arizona. Throughout the episode, Shelfo delves into the distinctive attributes of owning a V-Drive boat. "They offer a raw, hot-rod-like experience on the water," he notes. "V-drive boats evoke a sense of thrill and nostalgia with their distinctive sound, scent, vibrations, and handling. They're somewhat primitive—simple, mechanical, and cost-effective compared to other boat types." Shelfo further elaborates on key considerations when purchasing a V-drive boat, the advantages of using a Casale V-drive, the correct way to install a propeller, the advantages of incorporating a Whirl-a-way unit into your boat’s V-drive, and insights into maintaining your boat’s underwater gear effectively, among other topics. Moreover, Shelfo provides insights into entering the world of Drag Boat racing and identifies the qualities that distinguish exceptional racers. This episode is brought to you by: SoCal Jet Boats the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest River Attire, hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The SoCal Jet Boat SpeedShop. Visit SoCal Jet Boats at www.socaljetboats.com on Instagram at @SoCalJetBoats and Facebook @SoCal Jet Boats Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 orders@socaljetboats.com This episode is also brought to you by: BoatLoanGuy.com your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at www.boatloanguy.com On Instagram @rvboatloans and on Facebook @RV and Boat Loans Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 info@boatloanguy.com   You can follow Joe Shelfo on Instagram @joeshelfo and on Facebook @Joe Shelfo You can visit the NJBA at www.njbaracing.com  You can follow NJBA on Instagram @njba_racing and on Facebook @National Jet Boat Association   Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com    

Mike Lovro is the Director of Instrumentation Sales for AutoMeter Products, one of the few companies that manufactures performance marine instrumentation. Lovro has been with Autometer for 21 years and is in line to become the company's longest standing employee when he reaches the end of his tenure.  In our conversation, we talk about some of the things that make marine gauges unique. We also discuss the history behind some of AutoMeter’s marine gauges including GPS speedos and stepper motor instruments. Founded by Vern Westberg in 1957 and based in Sycamore, IL, AutoMeter has developed many industry-leading products during their 60+ year history. In 2002, AutoMeter was acquired by a private equity firm, the Harbour Group and has changed hands since. Lovro talks about the adjustments and changes with corporate ownership but the company continues to embrace the family feel that its founders established.  In addition to the more commonly known AutoMeter High Performance division focused on performance and racing automotive instrumentation and electronics, AutoMeter also includes divisions in OEM, motorcycle, test equipment, and of course, marine. Autometer also owns Spek-Pro gauges, Stack, Ltd. instrumentation and Dedenbear drag racing products You can visit AutoMeter online @ www.autometer.com You can follow AutoMeter Products on Instagram @autometerproducts and on Facebook @Autometer Products, Inc. Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com

Speed on the Water is an online magazine/website owned and edited by co-publishers Matt Trulio and Jason Johnson. The pair have nearly 50 years of combined experience reporting on high-performance boating and its community. Both writers began their boating careers as employees of Powerboat Magazine and have been important figures in that magazine’s legacy.  Founded in 2009 by Trulio, Speed on the Water publishes daily news features, a weekly newsletter, and an annual print magazine called "Speed on the Water’s Year in Review." The publication focuses on the “Big Boat” community of manufacturers and the Offshore Racing and Poker Run events they frequent.  In recent years, Trulio and Johnson have steered Speed on the Water into the arena of video creation. Their first two series, "In the Lead" and "Water Street Confidential," were co-produced by their video partner, Scrapyard Media, and sponsored by Mercury Racing. The series have been great successes and have set a high bar.  The team’s newest productions document Jim Schultz and his record-breaking Factory Billet race boat, as well as the construction of the Class 1 Monster Energy/M CON Skater race boat. These videos coincide with Speed on the Water’s distinctive storytelling. Trulio and Johnson promise many more of these videos in the future. You can follow Matt Trulio and Jason Johnson on Instagram @speedonthewater and on Facebook @Speedonthewater.com Visit the Speed on the Water website at www.speedonthewater.com Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com  

Rusty Wyatt, a Canadian F1 racer, recently signed with the new Sharjah Team for the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship season. The team, previously owned by four-time F1 Champion Scott Gillman, now has Gillman as its acting Team Manager. Wyatt boldly announced his arrival to the foreign grid with a rare rookie win in his very first F1H2O race on Lake Toba in Indonesia. Wyatt grabbed the checkered flag with a calculated and timely move from the outside lane on the finishing stretch of the race.  Wyatt, a 28-year-old elevator technician from Innisfil, Ontario, Canada was named the 2012 Canadian Boating Federation’s Rookie of the Year in the T-850 category. He secured High Point titles in both 2013 and 2015. Wyatt’s journey didn’t stop there. In 2016, he emerged as the top rookie in the Superleague Tour. Last year, he clinched fourth place in the US F1 Powerboat Championship Series with his lone win coming at the Loto Powerfest on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. You can follow Rusty Wyatt on Instagram @rustywyattracing and on Facebook @Rusty Wyatt Racing Learn more about F1 Powerboat Racing @ www.f1h20.com Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com

In this conversation, I talk with Nick Imprescia, the son of renowned throttle man Joey Imprescia, and Ian Morgan, Nick’s longtime friend and driver of the 151 Express 450R Factory Stock class MTI offshore boat. We discuss what it’s like being the “new kids” in the sport.  We also talk about the pair’s journey in the marine industry and the influence of their families on their racing careers, and their transition from racing a garage-built, low budget bracket class boat to competing in the ultra-competitive Mod-V and 450R Factory Stock classes with a fully funded and supposed race team.  The conversation touches on their opportunities to learn from some of the best racers in the world like Shaun Torrente, who Imprescia and Morgan work for, John Tomlinson, and, of course, Imprescia’s dad. The boys also share stories about attending Mercury service school, re-powering with the new 500 hp Mercury outboards, the importance of data analysis, collaborating with Patrick Weismann, and their fascination with How It's Made and MythBusters TV shows. You can follow Nick Imprescia on Instagram @nick_imprescia and on Facebook @Nick Imprescia You can follow Ian Morgan on Instagram @ian_morgan and on Facebook @Ian Morgan Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com

Corey Ferguson is the driver of Tom Buckles’s Bucks Up K-Boat. Ferguson is a veteran circle boat driver, starting in the ranks driving for Jim Mobley’s OutaPlace racing team. Ferguson has also been a successful participant in the Parker Enduro and also competed in the US and internationally as a water ski race driver. Ferguson drove in the Southern California POPRA offshore series with his dad in their Skater Ferguson is also a seasoned boat rigger and engine builder after having spent time working for Bob Teague and Mobley.  Join us in this episode of Powerboat Talk where Ferguson tells us how it all started and where it’s going.  You can follow Cory Ferguson on Instagram @c_ferguson38 and Facebook @Cory Ferguson Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow Powerboat Talk on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com You can listen to Powerboat Talk on most podcast players like Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, Pandora, Amazon Podcasts, Audible, iHeart Radio, Podtail, Audacy, Google Podcasts, Tune In Radio  

Michael Reagan is the eldest son of the former President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Reagan is also a boat racer with a history dating back to the mid-sixties when he made his mark competing in famous marathon races such as the Colorado River Nine Hour Enduro and the Salton Sea 500. In this episode, Reagan discusses his renowned father and the path that led him to powerboats. Reagan informed us that his original marathon race boat was the first glass boat constructed by Bob Patterson of Patterson Boats. The flatbottom was equipped with a V-drive and a single overhead cam Ford engine built by Holman and Moody. In the early '80s, Reagan collaborated with Larry Smith, the owner of Scarab boats, and initiated a series of endurance runs as fundraisers for charitable organizations. Reagan's most notable achievement was his "Assault on the Mississippi" where he broke the record for the 1,027-mile run from New Orleans to St. Louis, making the trip in 25 hours. With financial backing from sponsors Bud Light, W.R. Grace, Descente Clothing, and Justice Brothers, the run raised $500,000 for the US Olympic Committee. Reagan's 38 ft. Scarab was powered by three of the newly released 430hp V-8 Evinrudes. Following an illustrious career as a conservative radio talk show host, bestselling author, and political speaker, Reagan now serves as the president of the Reagan Legacy Foundation, which he established to commemorate his father's achievements and to educate and inspire people worldwide to cherish freedom and liberty. Follow Michael Reagan on Twitter @ReaganWorld and Facebook @Michael Reagan Visit the Reagan Legacy Foundation at www.reaganlegacyfoundation.org Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com                          

Boat racing doesn’t have a decathlete division, but if it did, Andrew Tate would undoubtedly lead the pack. During the 2023 race season, Tate piloted boats in a number of classes, including Stock Outboard, 350 Hydro, Grand Prix Hydro, Formula 1, and, of course, Unlimited Hydroplane. In this episode, Tate delves into the details of his experiences racing the different types of boats. Tate, a fourth-generation boat racer, began his driving career at the age of 11 in the APBA Stock and Modified Outboard classes. His talent quickly emerged, leading him to multiple National Championships. In 2023, Tate clinched the Hydroplane Racing League (HRL) Grand Prix Season Championship for the second consecutive year. As the driver of the Miss Madison Racing U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate Unlimited Hydroplane, he stepped into the shoes of the retiring champion, Jimmy Shane, after the 2022 season. Following in his father Mark’s footsteps, who boasts four driving championships and two gold cup victories during his Unlimited career, the younger Tate has made his mark. Since his debut in the Unlimited category in 2016, Andrew has garnished an impressive nine wins, including a coveted driver’s championship and a Gold Cup victory. Tate’s passion extends beyond the inboard hydroplanes. In 2023, he began competing on the F1 Championship Powerboat circuit, where he drives a tunnel boat owned by his close friend and fellow racer, Dylan Runne. In the offseason, at his Michigan home, you’ll find Tate swapping the water for ice. He continues to enjoy competitive ice hockey, a sport he has pursued since childhood and into his college years. Alongside his racing endeavors, Tate contributes to the family business, Sun Coating Company, working in Sales and Marketing. Visit Andrew Tate's website at www.andrewtateracing.com Follow Andrew Tate on Instagram @andrewtate101 and Facebook @Andrew Tate Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com

Fred Kiekhaefer, former president of Mercury Racing and son of Mercury Marine founder Carl Kiekhaefer, shares stories of his journey in the marine industry. He now owns K.Lab Design Works, a design and consulting firm, and discusses his latest project: a surfacing drive with a cockpit-controlled variable-pitch propeller. The drive, known as Project Dolphin, was designed for performance diesels in the recreational and military markets. Kiekhaefer received a patent for the drive in 2022 but canceled the project due to low demand for diesel-powered boats. After his father's death in 1983, Kiekhaefer took over the family business, Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Motors, which was famous for its successful racing engines. He decided to shift the business from engine building to performance products, drive systems, and propellers. He also developed products such as Zero Effort Controls and K-Plane trim tabs, which are still industry standards today. In 1988, Aeromarine launched their Sterndrive by Kiekhaefer, a drive that could handle extreme horsepower. Kiekhaefer recounts how the drive dominated offshore racing for years. In 1990, Mercury Marine bought Aeromarine and named Kiekhaefer president of Mercury Performance. The Aeromarine drive was rebranded as the Mercury Number Six drive. Mercury Performance later became Mercury Racing, where Kiekhaefer led the division to great success. He oversaw the development of the QC4V engine, a 9.0-liter quad-cam, four-valve engine that is arguably the best performance marine engine ever. Kiekhaefer retired from Mercury in 2012 and lives in Colorado, where he enjoys his exotic car and does work for various charity organizations including AeroAngel and the Morgan Adams Foundation. Follow Fred Kiekhaefer on Facebook @Fred Kiekhaefer Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com  

In this episode, I welcome Australian Champion Circle Boat Racer Chris Palmer who is also the promoter of the Australian BAD Boat Championship.  The Australian Blown Alcohol Displacement (BAD) boats are some of the most exciting pieces of equipment in boat racing. The V-bottomed V-drives are powered by up to 600 cu. in., 2000 plus horsepower engines and race on tight courses on rough narrow rivers throughout Australia.  In researching the subject matter, I discovered that in Australia, flatbottoms and v-bottoms are considered displacement hulls because they displace water (pushing it out of the way) when they run as opposed to tunnel boats and hydros which run over the top of the water. This year’s championship is a continuation of Palmer’s USA vs. Australia B.A.D. Boat Challenge that he started in 2007. Unfortunately, none of the US based K-boat teams were able to make the trek Down Under for the 2024 event. Round one of the event will be run January 20-21 in Windsor, New South Wales while the final round will culminate the following weekend, January 27-28 in Berri, South Australia.  You can watch a livestream of the event on the event’s Facebook page Australian BAD Boat Championship In the episode, we discuss the many differences between Australian and American sprint boats and racing. Palmer talks about Australia’s recent tragic years of loosing many racing legends and their new found commitment to safety that included legislating mandatory safety cells in the upper classes of displacement hulls.  In the episode, Palmer talks about his family’s history in racing and his journey from driving hydros to BAD boats where he has won Australia’s coveted Marj Watson Trophy five times. It was interesting to learn of the time that Palmer spent competing in Judo. Palmer told stories about training all around the world. He has won multiple International, Continental and National championships and is currently a coath at the Ulverstone Judo Club. You can follow Chris Palmer on Facebook @Chris Palmers Outlaw Racing You can follow the event on Facebook @Australian BAD Boat Championship and on Instagram @AUSPowerboat Promotions Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com      

Welcome to my new podcast where we talk everything, performance boats! I have been boating my entire life and have spent over 30 years in the performance marine aftermarket. But, I still have a lot to learn and many people in the fast boat world that I want to get to know. I created this podcast so that I can share my experiences and knowledge with others who enjoy performance powerboats. Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com  

This episode features a talk with Ron Lund. Lund is not a household name in the boating industry, he’s a cabinet maker by trade, but Lund recently bought two of the old Rogers jet boat molds so now he is a boat builder. I thought it was an interesting story when I stumbled onto it on Facebook so I decided to to talk to Lund to get the full story on what it took to get the molds and how he plans to bring the boats to market. Lund and his son also campaign a Rogers in the Comp Jet circle boat racing class and we had some discussion about that as well. Thank you for listening! Joe Rode Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com  

In November, the National Jet Boat Association (NJBA) and the Southern Drag Boat Association (SDBA) came together to co-produce the biggest drag boat race in recent history, The Drag Boat Nationals at Firebird Lake in Chandler, Arizona.  I am joined on this episode of Powerboat Talk by NJBA President, Mike Declark, and Financial Secretary/Race Director, Joe Shelfo, and SDBA Owner and Series Director, David Carroll, to discuss the challenges in bringing the sport’s two most prominent organizations together to organize the event.  The Drag Boat Nationals saw 156 drag boats travel to Arizona where they competed for almost $83,000 in prize money. The event was highlighted by the weekend’s final twilight pass by the two Top Fuel Hydros in attendance, Nitro Nuts, driven by Mike Robbins, and Liquid Voodoo, piloted by Kebin Kinsley. The elite group of drag boat racing’s leaders shared their experience of joining two sanctioning bodies with their separate rule books and varying classes in producing the event. My guests also shared their vision of growth for the sport which includes continued and expanding unification of the various sanctioning bodies and the creation of a Pro Series for racers.  Follow NJBA on Instagram @njba_racing and on Facebook @National Jet Boat Association Visit their website at www.njbaracing.com Follow SDBA on Instagram @sdbaracing and on Facebook @SDBA Southern Drag Boat Association LLC Visit their website at www.sdbaracing.com Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and on Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com  

In today’s episode of Powerboat Talk, we welcome back Jet Pump and Drag Boat Racing expert Greg Shoemaker, owner of G.S. Marine. Shoemaker spent his most formidable years in the performance boating industry working for Eliminator Boats where he helped develop and popularize their 19 ft, Daytona through his very successful drag racing exploits.  In the episode, Shoemaker answers some questions about basic jet pump operation and provides input on some simple “do’s and don’ts” that are often misunderstood by today’s jet boaters.  Shoemaker shares the story behind the 130 mph flip of his and partner Norm Grimes’s “Dash for Cash” Daytona as well as the first time he “got wet” driving “Underdog,” his original record setting Daytona. Shoemaker also shared some stories about his many years of writing Jet Tech columns and testing boats for Hot Boat, Performance Boats, and Speedboat magazines.  You can follow Greg Shoemaker on Instagram @gs_marine_inc and on Facebook at @G.S. Marine, Inc  Visit GS Marine online at www.gsmarine.us Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com  View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk  Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk  Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com  

I was recently joined by Nathan Yates, founder and Head Graduate Adviser of the Princeton University Electric Speedboating (PES) Team and Andrew Robbins, CEO of PES to discuss their recent world record speed run and how it came to fruition.  On October 26, 2023, veteran tunnel boat racer John Peeters piloted an electric powered, 14 ft. Pro-Outboard hydro to a new world Kilo record of 114.20 mph. The boat and engine were designed, built, and prepped by the 44 graduate and undergraduate members of the Princeton University Electric Speedboating (PES) Team.  Beginning life as a project to compete in the American Society of Naval Engineer’s Promote Electric Propulsion (PEP) Competition, PES saw their entry progress from a 27 mph top speed in the 2021 contest to a 120 mph in two years.  The official APBA/UIM approved kilo record consisted of a 111.08 mph first pass followed by a 117.50 mph return pass for an average of 117.50. The team’s boat, nicknamed Big Bird, broke the previous official electric kilo record of 88.61 mph set in 2018 by Jaguar Vector Racing. The run also broke the unofficial single run pass record made by Shaun Torrente in his Vision Marine Technologies' powered S2 catamaran of 116 mph, at this year’s Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Yates and Robbins attribute much of the team’s success to Peeters and JW Myers, owner of Black Sheep Racing, for lending the team a wealth of knowledge and racing experience. Much credit can also be given for the support from John Ruiz and Cigarette Racing and Ben Sorkin and Jonathan Lord, owners of Flux Marine Electric Outboards.   

Eddie McPheeters is the owner of Eddie’s Inboard Marine in Tucson, Arizona. McPheeters took over management of the business from his father in 2001. A self proclaimed “V-drive guy at heart,” McPheeters specializes in restorations and gel coat refinishing and repair.  McPheeters has also become the “go-to” expert for repair, restoration, and performance upgrades for vintage Mandella Boats. McPheeters and his team proved their metal at the recent Parker Enduro where they ran McPheeters's 1972 Mandella, Brown Sugar, and brought home the 1st place trophy in Division IV/GN Class and finished 5th overall. It was the second Enduro win for McPheeters and co-driver/friend Tyler Stevenson who won the Parker 300 Enduro in 2006 with a 1968 Mandella powered by a 427 Ford engine. McPheeters is a 2nd generation Mandella guru. His father, Eddie, started the family’s obsession when he bought his first Mandella in 1964 from then company owner and legendary endurance racer Lou Brummet. The senior McPheeters's purchase turned into a lifelong friendship with Brummet that saw him become a crew member of Brummet’s at a marathon race in Miami’s historic Marine Stadium. McPheeter also became the Tucson area rep and dealer for Mandella Boats. The Brummet/McPheeters partnership still thrives today with the team’s next generation as Brummet’s son Carson, owner of Brummett Marine Engines in Pasadena, California, was instrumental in the success of the Eddie’s Inboard Enduro entry. Brummet consulted on many aspects of the race set up and build which included, of course, the 427 Chevy engine and its exotic/vintage Lucas mechanical fuel injection.  I hope you enjoy this episode of PowerBoat Talk where we here how Eddie McPheeters transforms iconic Mandella Boats into period correct modern performers.