A fine craft

[Tony Davis]

Here's one to get it all rolling again.

In 98 I was approached by David Sewell of "Raceboat Int" and asked if we would go powerboat racing in a "factory class". All boats were to be powered by a single 130hp Honda.

Loads of manufacturers showed interest, but all declined except for us, so it was decided that it would be "one design" using our boats.

We were asked to build 10 for the 99 season, but they wouldn't confirm anything in writing or pay any monies over. We had several meetings with various Honda bods, and we were promised that if we built a boat for them to display at Earls Court, they would hand over a cheque on pressday.

I decided to take the chance, so we hurriedly built a sterndrive boat that we fitted with an outboard bracket. The boat was built whilst I was on one of my many holidays, and we delivered it to Earls Court where Honda in their wisdom had in displayed on it's side. Maybe someone had forseen how the boats would run!!!!

Needless to say the payment didn't materialise, and although we went on two build 7 more boats, we struggled getting payment for every one of them!!!

There are two sides to every story, and I don't doubt that Honda weren't best pleased with us at times, but we sure did learn alot about large companies and broken promises!!!

The photo below is the "show" boat that went on to win the championship a couple of times, mind you it was built different to all the others!!!! If you ever get the chance, check out the thickness (thin ness) of the deck!!! :D :D

[jackeen]

Cool boat, pic & story TD.

Bad form from the big guys.:angry:

Dig out a few more pics from the archives ...

Missus

[skull666]

Here's one to get it all rolling again.

In 98 I was approached by David Sewell of "Raceboat Int" and asked if we would go powerboat racing in a "factory class". All boats were to be powered by a single 130hp Honda.

Loads of manufacturers showed interest, but all declined except for us, so it was decided that it would be "one design" using our boats.

We were asked to build 10 for the 99 season, but they wouldn't confirm anything in writing or pay any monies over. We had several meetings with various Honda bods, and we were promised that if we built a boat for them to display at Earls Court, they would hand over a cheque on pressday.

I decided to take the chance, so we hurriedly built a sterndrive boat that we fitted with an outboard bracket. The boat was built whilst I was on one of my many holidays, and we delivered it to Earls Court where Honda in their wisdom had in displayed on it's side. Maybe someone had forseen how the boats would run!!!!

Needless to say the payment didn't materialise, and although we went on two build 7 more boats, we struggled getting payment for every one of them!!!

There are two sides to every story, and I don't doubt that Honda weren't best pleased with us at times, but we sure did learn alot about large companies and broken promises!!!

The photo below is the "show" boat that went on to win the championship a couple of times, mind you it was built different to all the others!!!! If you ever get the chance, check out the thickness (thin ness) of the deck!!! :D :D

ithought u built 6 did the other 2 boats stop racing after the first year

[MrRob]

so you have had pretty much the same hair style for around about 8yrs? I guess it must be popular with the ladies!

[Captain Chaos]

i think he's had the same underpants for the last 8 years n'all............ but thats a different story

[paul tilley]

i take it you wouldnt buy a honda car then tony or anything else with honda on it

[Tony Davis]

I'm too young to own a Honda, and I've never worn a trilby!

[Tony Davis]

ithought u built 6 did the other 2 boats stop racing after the first year

1 went to Scotland, was stickered the same as the demo boat, but never raced, the other quit after the 1st season.

We built the 1st boat, the next 7 were built at Vulture Ventures.

[skull666]

1 went to Scotland, was stickered the same as the demo boat, but never raced, the other quit after the 1st season.

We built the 1st boat, the next 7 were built at Vulture Ventures.

would b nice 2 know what is the first boat now they have changed hands so many times did it have an id number.

[Jon Holmes]

We built the 1st boat, the next 7 were built at Vulture Ventures.

With your permission i assume Tony?

[Tony Davis]

would b nice 2 know what is the first boat now they have changed hands so many times did it have an id number.

The boats built by Mark had HIN's, but the 1st boat, that was exhibited at Earls Court didn't. It won the championship a couple of times if that helps.

[Tony Davis]

With your permission i assume Tony?

Yeh, I contracted them to build 10 boats for me, but because of the problems we had with Honda, we cancelled the last 3, and had some 24's and a 26 built instead.

[skull666]

The boats built by Mark had HIN's, but the 1st boat, that was exhibited at Earls Court didn't. It won the championship a couple of times if that helps.

would that b dougies one

[verytricky]

Just wanted to post that it is really cool that factual information is being posted, without the inuendo and crap, so we can actually read the facts rom the horses ass so to speak. ( or is that the horses mouth - I get confused! )

[Captain Chaos]

he's more of a donkey than a horse

[PuppiesBalls]

I woulda thought more along the lines off an "Ass"
:D

[Jon Holmes]

Bring on the crap.:up:

It helps me pass the time till im home for good.

[Tony Davis]

would that b dougies one


Yeh, that's the one!

[doug]

In the begining, i believe it was owned by Charles Barnes and was raced as Chatsworth Honda, It came last in the inaugural year! 7 boats raced.

We bought it and raced in 2000 still under the Chatsworth Honda Banner and won.

James Sheppard went on to win 2 championships in it 2001 and 2002 under the king of Shaves Brand.

Peter Kingsbury raced, I think for 2 years, with it and won once??

Marcus ????? ( not the Marcus off this forum) owns it now Called construction racing,or something like that.

[Tony Davis]

In the begining, i believe it was owned by Charles Barnes and was raced as Chatsworth Honda,
.

Him and his brother, with a huge honda car franchise. What a pair of tit's they were! Always dropping into the conversation, no matter what you were talking about, that they had PPL's to fly sea planes! :hugegrin:

Shame they never got the boat to fly.

[doug]

I believe they liked a drop of wine:brown:

[HIM]

I believe they liked a drop of wine:brown:

The Honda series has certainly changed a lot.
Needs another bigger class now I reckon.:seaman:

[verytricky]

The Honda series has certainly changed a lot.
Needs another bigger class now I reckon.:seaman:

We could put a Honda engine on a V24?:hugegrin:

[robbie]

We could put a Honda engine on a V24?:hugegrin:

Wouldn't that make it a H24?

[verytricky]

Would be interesting from an interesting point of view....

Speaking of interesting. I heard that the 225 is a splash and streach of the B23 Occe boat. Anyone have info or insight into this??

[skull666]

Would be interesting from an interesting point of view....

Speaking of interesting. I heard that the 225 is a splash and streach of the B23 Occe boat. Anyone have info or insight into this??

no it was a new plug and i made the mould its more like a thunderboat

[Captain Chaos]

i thought it was an exact scale of a tb

[Jon Fuller]

Speaking of interesting. I heard that the 225 is a splash and streach of the B23 Occe boat. Anyone have info or insight into this??


They're like chalk & cheese.
Other than being pointed at one end, blunt at the other, and stepped, they're totaly different.

[doug]

We could put a Honda engine on a V24?:hugegrin:

Which Hona engine, the F1 car engine?

[skull666]

[/B]

Which Hona engine, the F1 car engine?

you still got your cat. huge`s back from his holiday:devil:

[Matt]

Nah, it's mine now.:hugegrin:

[doug]

Who is huge, as in back off holiday?

[skull666]

Who is huge, as in back off holiday?

the one who fixed your cat when you rolled it wiv him in the back, first time he had been in a boat and last:puker: