Have any questions you would like to ask our audience?  Send your question/s to the webmaster for posting.

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June 20, 2007

Marty:

Here is a picture of a skiff I had from 1975 to 1977.  Can you please thank Phil Jordan for the ride.  It's cool when you do something you haven't done in a while, the feeling comes back.  It was good meeting you guys.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of this boat, please contact me at:908-591-8759

Thank you

Roger Allen

 Bud Benders interview with his local paper: interview HERE

6/13/2007

                                                   May 11, 2007

SKIFFS Inc. awarded ACBS Marque Club status.

Claire & Marty Ferry started the process to become recognized many years ago when Claire owned the 1938 wooden Mulford Skiff restored by Bob Chatterton.

S.K.I.F.F. (Special Class Intended For Fun) is a Florida based corporate club catering to the Jersey Skiffs. It's members are participants and organizers of Antique and Classic Boating Society, Vintage APBA events, and most recently Classic Race Boat Association events locally and around the country. These are fun shows with great people.  We never fail to have a great time, burn a lot of gas and are a crowd pleaser.

We are all excited about this new status and look forward to supporting and promoting ACBS events in the future along with our own events.

Stay tuned.  As we gain appreciation for what this means, we will let you
know.

Regards,
Paul Nowack  Pres.

STP Insurance Program for your Classic Boat   (like a hydro that cannot get insurance)

Storage
Transportation
Parking or Paddock

For more information regarding this insurance package for your classic race boat while not operating at our regattas, contact:

Ford Heacock at 800-677-5172
www.heacockclassic.com
or e-mail: fheacock@heacock.com.

You may also contact Duke Waltrip 863-206-8783
                        

First I want to say that I had a great time in Daytona. It was an amazing opportunity and it doesn't go unappreciated. I want to give special thanks to Marty Ferry, Tom D'Eath and Paul Nowack. The CRBA club members are an outstanding group of people. This was a first class event from our "all access passes" to being privileged enough to run our skiffs at the Daytona Speedway.
My brother Bob and Trevor were unfortunately involved in an accident as most of you have heard. The infield care center doctors and nurses were out of control awesome. They were there in a flash and took superior care of them. I know I can speak for Trevor and Bob when we say "Thank you for the concern and phone calls"  When it comes right down to it we all share a common interest and your support is appreciated.
I personally hope all of you reading this have the same opportunity I was given to be a part of an event like this.

Kieth Brummer

Does anyone know the whereabouts of the " Flying Karpet " JS-68.
It was sold after using it to make Herb Moores first F/Glass deck
mold and renamed " Schnellboote " JS-103. I heard it may be in
Texas or California. If anyone has any info e-mail me at
motormac109@peoplepc.com  Thank you!!

 

Doug Whichello was kind enough to e mail me with the history of the boat since I sold it. It's last configuration was as JS-38 as pictured here under boats by name as the "Flying Carpet" (with a C). It's last owner appears to have been David Hendricks. Unfortunately his e mail as listed is no longer valid. I've reached a dead end but appreciate all the help from you all  here at speedskiffs.com.

Here's a pic of it when I owned it in about 1978. Mike Mosier

 

      

Marty,
Just received Hot Boat magazine for January 2007. Looking at it for the first I noticed a skiff in it. It was a great shot of Rebounder hoping out of the water. Few pages later our boat was in a name contest "Double D's Trouble" pretty cool little contest I entered 6 months ago and just came out with out letting me know that we were in the magazine. well any way the point is that its even more publicity for speedskiffs. You guys are doing a great job promoting us keep it up. Its amazing especially this summer at Thunder how everyone is there to help each other out and lend a hand. Happy New Year.
From,
   The Dennis'


Dennis Johnson                            12/06

On speedskiffs.com you read the web and boating events, isn't that refreshing?

I have been a fan of Vintage for some years now.
I know this is not a Vintage site, but it's the only site where guys are
having fun with Vintage type boats.
Do you know?
I always enjoy the Skiffs at the Vintage events I've attended.
The rumored rule changes don't make sense.
There were 4 Skiff incidents this year.
Two in Vintage events, and two during APBA race events.
All four boats were powered by 283 or 305 cubic inch engines.  There were no
incidents with 350 cu powered skiffs, which represent the majority.
Three out of four of them had fixed or T-handled controlled cavatation
plates.
What are they proposing for the "Gold Cup Boats", that have more power than
was ever imagined in their time?
Please keep up the good work with this site.

Skiff Wannabe,
C. Finley

(webmaster note) all "incident boats" were at least 30 years old and have been raced their entire life!

                                A History of Paul Nowack's Skiff Mold

1978        I lived in NJ and wanted a River Skiff.  Ended up buying a Skiff, that as it turned out previously belonged to Connie Cottrell who had been JS1 a few years in a row in the early 70's.  The Hull had came out of a Bender Mold and the Deck was now the newer style.

1979        Thought there might be a market for River Skiffs, Contracted with Melgas  Boats in Zenda Wisconsin and a mold was commissioned. The mold maker spent allot of time on the Laps and made a few changes to the Deck, made the molds and the first Nowack Skiff was built.

1980        The first was sold and  # 2 was built, this time by Switzer Boats in Crystal Lake, IL. This was the first Skiff with Hydraulically controlled cavitations plate.

1981        Mike Dowd of Stuart FL bought # 3. Mike campaigned "Southern Comfort"  (which was also built by Switzer Boats) until about 1994 when he won the Nationals.

1983        # 4 was "Heartbeat"  (my current Skiff) and was also built by Melgas Boats.

1990        #5 & #6 Bottoms Up Fiberglass in Fox Lake IL built two Skiffs.  A yellow and White and a all White one. The first was build for Fred Rosch, Fox River IL and the Second for Bob Kosick, the then owner of Bottoms Up fiberglass.

1995        #7 Bottoms Up Built a Red on Red  -  which is now owned by John Gast "Pa Pa's Bundle" of Grand island, NY..

2000        #8 Bottoms Up built another Yellow and White one for Fred Rosch.

2003    The molds went south to Dave Yeager's Southeast Boat Works in Savannah, GA.

2004        # 9 " Slap Happy" was built By Dave Yeager for Bob Chatterton of  Mukwonago WI. and

                #10 Dave built for himself. "Swamp Rat"

2005        #11 Dave Yeager built  a Yellow one for Geri Prusko.  This is the first Skiff out of the molds with a Wood Deck. The boats name is "My Precious".  It was sold and finished by the Vintage Raceboat Shop.

                #12 Dave built # 12 for Mark Breese.

2006        #13 Dave just laid up # 13, a beautiful Orange hull with a wood Deck.  This boat was built for Bob Muller. This was also sold and finished by the Vintage Raceboat Shop.

#14  Dave Yeager laid up a White hull only for Chris Raymond.  Chris is  going to finish it with a wood Deck.

#15  Dave Yeager  did a Dark Green hull for Ted Prince.  Ted is also going to finish the boat with a wood deck.

Note - Dave Yeager ( Southeast Boatworks ) has built 7 Skiffs in the last two years.

Nice work Dave.

It took awhile, but River Skiffs are really catching on, as they should. They are fun. There were over 40 Skiffs at MT Dora in 2006.

From Nowack Molds

1978 - 2003  8 Skiffs were built   ( 15 years = 8 Skiffs ) 1 Skiff every 2 years

2004 -2/2006 7 Skiffs have been built  ( 2 years = 7 Skiffs )  3.5 Skiffs per year.

Eric Dender is now the proud owner of the metalflake green "UFO" formally owned by Tom Donley etc... See in boats by name section

As the growing Skiff population in Florida knows, we are continually getting invited to participate in local events. 

This is not the reason for the Skiffs popularity. It's a fun boat, and we have some great gatherings, with some great people, like this past weekend.

It's what people are observing on speedskiffs.com that gets their interest up.

Saturday, 9 boats, had a great 60+ mile run, returning waves to people all the way and answering the question - what kind of boat is that? A great lunch at the half way point, followed by a super pool party that evening.

Sunday was a little shorter run, but we ended up having our lunch picked up by a local restaurant who's manager Marty had given a ride and even let drive.  Of course, it probably helps that our boats always draw crowds.

This weekend reminded me what we are all about.

As you know, some of us thought it might be good for the APBA Vintage cause if we responded to some of the invitations, i.e. The Marathon Offshore Race, and region 5 sanctions.

Well it sounded like a good idea at the time, Vintage was the fastest growing group within APBA and some of us mistakenly thought that that interest might extend south.

To those of you who spent the money and joined APBA Vintage this year to support that effort, I apologize.  We were mistaken. It's not going to happen. Not now, not in the future.

When it came to my attention a few months ago that Tom D'Eath, the founder of the APBA Vintage Category was, after 30 + years, no longer a member of APBA, I should have gotten the hint.  Find a new route, one without land mines.

Looking at the calendar events, we are going to be as busy as we want to be, and at events that welcome us.

How much fun can we stand?

Paul Nowack    6/06 

(WEBMASTER: Special thanks goes out to vintage Reps and skiff owners / brokers Bill Deglopper and Bill Johns for their NO VOTE on south skiff sanctions before they even know what's going on)  

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Just had to drop a note and say thank you for a wonderful morning you have given me.  I am Cathy Cottrell Armstrong with the Think Pink Racing Team.  My mother is Connie Cottrell (The Egg Beater)  We raced together which after seeing the video's one I found out how old I have gotten since I am the first shot in video one.  I have passed the site onto my children to see what Grandma and Mom did way back when.  Thank you again for all the memories!!!!!!!

 Kathleen Armstrong                                                                                                      1/06

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Marty,

I have been helping my mother move and  came across a book my
uncle (Byron Briggs) helped to write called Shrewsbury River Memoirs.
It was published in 1951.  It is divided into sailing, ice boating and
a short chapter on Jersey Speed Skiffs. There are few pictures  but one
of them is of the original Falcon. The top speeds for the skiffs were
in the 40's at that time.  Much of it is about how the local clubs came
about and were maintained to keep the water sports alive.  It deals
with the history of the Long Branch Ice Boat and Yacht Club.  I will
scan the parts on the skiffs and send them to you as soon as I get my
router straightened out.  I'll bring it with me when I come to Mount
Dora in March.  We have talked before.  I live in Altamonte Springs but
lived in Oceanport until 1970. I raced a skiff from 1972 until 1978. 
Charlie Boland was my neighbor and we grew up together.
Will talk to you later.

Keith Mewes

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Dear Webmaster,

I've recently purchased Ed Stanley's J-65 (formerly "Egg Beater"), and I regret to tell you that I am something of a Techno-Peasant. There is a nice page about J-65 under "Boats by Name," and frankly I would be delighted if it could simply be updated with my name, perhaps my e mail address, and the fact that I live in Baltimore. Is there a way you might help me with that?

I also don't know if there is a way to post "Kudos" for Ed Stanley and Chuck Warner, but the former is a wonderful fellow who could not have been more helpful in preparing the boat and trailer and indoctrinating me into the world of skiffs, while Chuck fanned the flames...gave me my first ride...and has been enormously helpful in getting me started. If these two guys are examples, then this is a great community!

Thanks for whatever assistance you might provide and...I love the site!

Many thanks,

Al Freihofer

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Kudos, again on your site. Once I hooked in, I looked at every boat and read each profile. I was fascinated by the history. My dad and uncle built three skiffs which were all refurbished and went to pieces for various reasons. The stories on the older boats are all the same. Dads, sons., old friends, master wood workers, mechanics and engineers. Pretty cool stuff. 
I race sail boats at what It think is the highest level of competition. Unfortunately  I end up a little  less competitive every year. Perhaps it is time to spin a prop or two.

Kindest regards,
John                                  10/05

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Claire & Marty,

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Hi!

We saw some of your boats on the Homosassa river last weekend, and I just
wanted to let you know that we all thought they were beautiful boats, and
they added a special charm to our weekend.
Even though I'm a sailor and not a powerboater, or maybe especially because
of that, they really made an impression on me (yes, I was on a stinkpot
over the weekend, but don't tell MY boat!)

I don't have time tonight, but I'd like to put a link on my website going
to you, and, if I could, I'd like to use a small picture of one of the
boats to add some flavor.  I don't link without permission, so feel free to
check out my website (listed below) and let me know if you'd like to have
me link to you.  I am going to go ahead and put a short post in my sailboat
group that I run, also listed below, just so I can share with other
appreciative boat restorers. I hope that's OK!

Thanks again for the great addition to the scenery, not to mention the
SOUND. Even at idle, it was wonderful!

Thanks!


Mike Barnett
Web site: www.strato.net/~mikeveg                                                     9/05

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An Email lost for a while

I was sitting in my office after a long day and on a whim typed in "Jersey speed
skiff" on the web and found your site.  I have been hooked ever since.
   I had my first ride in a wooden skiff during college in the sixties and found
the Electric Popsicle chained to a post at a gas station in Red Bank several
years later when I was there on business. I believe it was JS-33. It had been
involved in a fatal accident during a race and was not a popular sight at the
time. I woke up the next morning with a hangover and a bill of sale written on a
cocktail napkin from the Molly Pitcher Inn. I took it up to Long Island and,
after rebuilding the 283 engine, ran it on the Great South Bay for a number of
years. It was a glass hull, maroon color with wood deck.
  After seeing how so many guys are still running these things and the groups
that get together I would love to get back involved.  Of course I'd like to know
if you or one of your contacts would know where the old Popsicle wound up.  I
brought it back down to Jersey and sold it to a couple of guys in the late
seventies. Hope to hear from you and thanks for the memories.

If anyone out there can help Dick out he can be reached at Dick_Haas@pall.com Thanks.8/10/05

Update----- Dick now owns a skiff again, see Electric Popsicle in boats by name 11/05

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The numbers for Marty's 350 cu in 390 hp crate motor is 708522HS FROM Speed Unlimited in Morningside, Maryland and will ship it for a total price of $3100.

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  I believe the first time the Jo-Carol Too ,the Russell, ran was in 1962.
I was running a Forsberg boat. The incident mentioned where Bob lost a heat
involved me, Frank Verga and the boat name was Franita IV named after my
father, me, my  mother and sister. Bob Verga is my cousin. Bob Verga was an
All American basketball player from Duke University.

                                Frank Verga

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