growing up on mead and being in my parents sea ray, and tubing and all that i was always intrigued by the look of the jet boats, and the noise, and the roosters....as soon as i got a chance i bought a boat....think i was 22 short story, but thats why i am here

I grew up in jet boats, I went to the river with my parents ever summer. I just love the noise and the thrill i get from driving them nothing compares. When I was 19 I bought the boat I grew up in from my dad a 1976 18ft Wreidt, my dad was the original owner, he bought in new in 76. Man i cant wait to go to the river!!!!!!

It was def. the sound. Nothing like waking up to the sound of 400hp blowing across the lake. The hot sun hitting the tent while the sleeping bag sticks to your skin and hearing the rat-tat-ta rat-tat-ta brrraaaaaappppp.

Only got into it myself, very recently. Always wanted one! Just never had the time or money for one. Growing up my uncle had a Sidewinder he kept at the Ohio River near East Liverpool that he used to scare the wits out of us kids in. Years later he moved to Az and bought and built a badass Biesemeyer 18'. Every time I came out here it was day trips to Sag or Bartlett Lakes. He sold it about the time I moved out here. My wife and I were discussing it for a couple of years, and after her passing we saw in her IE history she had been looking over a couple on Craigs List. Rest is history, and some 8 boats later......

Ray

Grew up on boats in Orygun and SoCal. Wanted a boat, didnt see any V-drives around. So, I picked up a 18' Challenger 440/Jacuzi for 15 hundo, sold it got a 18' Witchcraft 454/berk, sold it got a Blown Flatty........always wanted one for some reason   

For me, my step dad convinced my mom to buy a jet boat after they got married. I can't remember the year, but it was a Ranger Banshee with 460 & Jacuzzi jet. We had that about a year and they traded it in for a 78 Hawaiian Daycruiser. It was 28' had a 454 & Berk JC pump. We went to all the So Cal lakes, river, and even the ocean (several trips to Catalina Island), but our favorite lake was Nacimiento or "Nasty Meadows" as we called it lol. We'd ski in the summer and fish in the winter on that big azz yellow & orange daycruiser. About 1981 it was stolen while in the shop getting the engine and pump freshened up (had put a blower on it and blew the bottom end). So we ended up finding a 18' bubble deck (can't remember the brand, but it was Tahiti copy). It was pretty bad with a blown 496 in it. My Dad sold it right before him and my Mom split up. I always dream of having my own but my first two wives wouldn't even dream of it. In 2006 I met my wife Sue and she loved boats and the river, so in spring 07 I found a 78 Python with BBF and Berk pump and bought it and the rest is history. In 2009 I sold the Python and bought a 78 Record 7 to restore. Financial issues forced me to sell it and in January this year, I picked up a 78 Eliminator Bubbledeck. I've got a 501ci BBF for it. It had a prepped JC already in it and the interior is in good shape. I've got carpet, starter, alternator & bracket, plumbing, and two Dominator carbs to buy and I'll have her on the water. Hopefully by this July!!! We'll see. Anyway, that's how I got into jets.

I just like boating period....jet, v-drive...anything but a wacker. I too was boating since diapers. Grew up mostly in a flatty. I dug out som old slides the other day and found a pic of my first boat. It was a flat with a 455 that I built. It once had a alky motor in it and was raced by some guy named ray kitchen.

LOL! You dont look like you're having much fun. Your love for boating must have come later. haha

No, he still looks like that a lot of the times he's boating, that's his having a good time face.

My dad bought a brand new purple and white Glencoe when I was three, I used to fall asleep in the rear seat and went every weekend during the summer with mom and dad, LASR, Nacemiento, Beryessa, Shasta, all the local lakes and even Whiskeytown lake, then when i was a young adult, started working at a boat shop that had a blown alcohol drag boat, a little older and got into whitewater fishing then very soon after whitewater racing....

With a dad that owned and operated a machine shop with a supply house and an uncle as a machinist, then another uncle as a bodyman, I was destined to be a motorhead, speed and water always went hand in hand for me, I learned to sail a Hobie Cat at 9 years old...

GT

my story is very similar to most, grew up going to temple bar five or six times a year and once a year to Powell for a week, camping on the beach, swimming, skiing, fishing. it was all we could think about when we were young , here is a pic of the family setup, there both still in the family, thinking back i can't believe how many hour's were spent in that truck during the desert summer with no A/C, no TV, no games, just us kids driving our parents crazy...

You, my friend, need to be at the Temple Bar deal next year!

Ray

Ray, my life is going down in flames right now, my wife lost her job 4 months ago, i just lost my job last tuesday, as far as boating this season........ it don't look good. if something good happens quick, we will be there and finaly be able to meet all of you in person.
Jason