We are super excited about this news! This year at Horsepower Fest, we decided to raffle off, among the many other awesome things, a Jet Boat!

The boat is a 1974 Tahiti and is in a total project state. It came with a Berkeley pump and a 454 Big Block Chevy. The idea with this project is to get various shops and parts manufacturers in the jet boat community to jump in and help out with this build. This will help them build their brand and also let them contribute to the end goal – raise money for the Semper Fi Fund. They are the charity we are raising money and awareness for this year with Horsepower Fest! So if you or you know someone who is interested in donating parts, time, or services towards this project, please let us know! This will be an awesome project to bring together people in the boating community for an awesome cause.

Currently we have James Bostick of Bostick Racing Engines that will be helping out with the engine build!

Check out the following links for more information about Horsepower Fest
Website: http://www.HorsepowerFest.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/horsepowerfest2018/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/558498431194964/
Horsepower Fest 2018 Thread: http://www.socaljetboats.com/events/horsepower-fest-2018/

Badass! Such a good idea

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Awesome idea Brad! I hope there is a video made of the restoration/transformation. Would be great to showcase how to correctly restore a boat and what companies to use. Whoever wins will be one lucky individual. Question, will the boat be named before presenting to the winner? I kind of feel like it should

A quick update!

All of the motor parts have been delivered to Bostick Racing Engines.

Also we have confirmed that Mike Buschman aka Kaptain Khaos will be doing a custom paint job on this boat!

We have a ton of other exciting stuff lining up for this project we can't wait to share so stay tuned!!

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I think it is awesome cause to raise money for Semper Fi  I would love to be a part of this if at all possible we plan on being at the event this year since I now have something to put in the water I don't have anything water related with horsepower to donate to the cause but I could offer a day and a race car to add to the raffle that helps raise the bar and get people to spend more money on the raffle this would be at chuckwalla Valley Raceway in Desert Center California


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D1 Performance has stepped up and will be doing the pump on this boat!

https://www.facebook.com/d1performancellc/

So today was huge for this project. I received an email from Jim over at CP Performance that Mike and Scott of CP Performance have donated the following items to the build of this boat which is benefiting the Semper Fi Fund!

Guages
Battery  Box
Steering, throttle, and Forward/reverse cables
Steering wheel
Forward/Reverse Control

D1 Performance has stepped up and will be doing the pump on this boat!

https://www.facebook.com/d1performancellc/

Dane just did mine, the guy is too notch.


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While they have the boat off the trailer painting it this weekend, I figured I'd redo the trailer bunks. They are ready to be installed.

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Thats awesome. It's so cool that everybody is coming together for this project.

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Here is some progress photos for you guys!!! Mike Buschman and the crew is making huge progress on the paint!!!

So thankful for everyone's help that has pitched in or even brought food by. This is really special to us and it's all for an amazing cause!

Hoping to see you all Saturday, October 20th in person!!



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Well, the boat is officially painted!

We arrived at the Buschman compound in Pomona around 3pm Friday. We made quick work on sanding down the boat. The boat was already previously flipped and had the entire bottom gelcoated white. The top needed to be prepped. We sanded it down, fixed a few stress cracks, and filled it with a primer by 10pm friday night. We got an early start on Saturday with sanding down the primer then giving the boat a good wet sanding. Also, the trailer got stripped and sanded down for a quick coat of paint. The boat went into the booth for the first base coat by 1:30pm and we were laying down clear by just after midnight Saturday night.

The amount of help and ass busting was overwhelming. To prep and paint a boat in under 2 days was insane. So much work involved. We couldn't have done it with all the help involved.

Huge thanks to everyone who helped out!! (in no particular order)

Mike Buschman
Brad Martin
James Rankin
Joe Balakoski
Mark Padgett
Kelly Buschman
David Ayres
Dale Pickett
Bryan Couey
Stephen Chandler

Here is a cool time lapse video that I made from the weekend just to give you an idea of how much work was involved. This isn't every bit of everything done, but just what I was able to capture.




This is one of MANY thrash sessions to come on this boat. Thank you to all who have offered. When we need help with parts or labor, we'll let you know.

The raffle of this boat will take place at Horsepower Fest on October 20th, 2018 at the Avi Resort and Casino in Laughlin, NV. Tickets will only be sold the day of the event. You must be present to win. Ticket prices for the raffle of this boat will be $20 each. Multiple ticket packages will be available.

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