Pioneer boats

« **on:** September 12, 2009, 06:39:49 PM »

Im trying to find out some info on the boat I recently purchased to restore and enjoy. It is a 1976 Pioneer with a 460 ford the tag says that it was made in Atascadero California but thats about all I have been able to find out there is no info on the net I have turned up . Is it a copy of another design and were they in buisness for long just curious thanks for any help. I love this site it has so much good advice

« **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2009, 08:43:26 PM »

You're in luck, Tom @ Jet Boat Performance knows a lot of the history of Pioneer boats, if my memory serves me right he was or is good friends with the folks who ran the company, I'm sure he'd be willing to share some of his knowledge with ya, he's got some good stories and photos of the old race boat....

« **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2009, 09:18:00 PM »

thanks I hope he sees this I thought I saw he was from Atascadero

« **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2009, 09:33:56 AM »

Quote from: farmergord on September 12, 2009, 09:18:00 PM

thanks I hope he sees this I thought I saw he was from Atascadero

Congratulations on your Pioneer ! They are truly great boats happy to help with info or anything else we can do for you heres some info from some previous discussions on these boats and the links as well Tom

http://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php?topic=2941.0

http://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php?topic=2629.0;all

RE Rods project

It's a 1978 Pioneer 19' Mach 1 Tunnel Hull, former drag boat. Here's some pics

I cooresponded with Rod this week and thought I'd impart this Info " Rhonda and I bought our first Jet in 78' week quickly became friends with the local Hot boat crowd which included Steve Hall of Pioneer boats . Pioneer was located about 100 yards from where JBP is now in Atascadero if fact the paint, striping ,lettering and interior work were done by a guy who once occupied one of my upper shops . Steve built nice looking high quality 18's, 18 Sprint set backs ,19's and 20' jets (Very similar to the Southwinds and Eliminators of those days, a few IOs and in the "gas crunch years" some 12 footers with Tihatso (sp)O/B's. Pioneer built a few "Rag hull" jets in the late 70's that ran very well ,one belonged to my B/F Greg Stark called "Squirtin for certin" and was CJ record holder for a time .Pioneer went out of business in the mid eighties for reasons I wont devulge. The Pioneer molds and name were sold to a guy in nor cal who continued to build boats for a few more years. To the best of my Knowledge he never built a tunnel as Pioneer (Hall did work for a couple other socal builders however)

Re Mach 1 ,Rod I have little info as yet William may Know more ,this id what i've been able to find so far Best regards Tom

Edit note : slightly ironic twist to the info for Rod , I ended uop buying the Mach 1 which he had thought was a Pioneer

« **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2009, 11:40:26 AM »

thanks Tom I really like the boat too we took it out a couple of times after getting it home and it is a lot of fun even handles rough water well. We have great plans for it and have just begun to assemble parts and pieces mostly cosmetic at this point and once fall farming is done well spend the winter redoing it in the shop from top to bottom. I found a set of those Hardin Marine Aluminum head cover I called about on Craigslist in Arizona so that is 1 item off the list Thanks for your info and help Im sure to have lots more questions over the coing months Gord

« **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2009, 11:56:16 AM »

farmergord,
erick44 has a very clean pioneer....posted pictures on here somewhere. Just do a search, its black and red with a clean engine/interior!

« **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2009, 07:30:10 PM »

mine is a 1976 as well.. it is a great boat cuts thru the water great.. i put everything new on the inside Tom at jet boat proformance hooked me up on the parts..this winter probly going to repaint it has some scratches on it that im not happy with...have any questions let me know..

« **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2009, 07:32:30 PM »

here is some pic's

« **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2009, 08:57:30 PM »

erick it looks great I loved the look the first time I saw it online. Is that a 460/ I cant tell from the pics.theres pics of mine a couple of catagories down under my new project

« **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2009, 02:29:02 PM »

yeah its a 460..

farmergord

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