looking for history on hydro

[travis]

Hello, new member to this board and 1st post for me. I've been into the old race motors/ hydros for a while, had to get out for a few years. I'm getting started again and picked up this '82 Bezoats with an interesting story from the owner. What I'm told is .....this was one of Shannon Bowman's own rides, possibly Nat'l points champ in the mid 80's???, it was sold to someone (no idea who ) that returned it to the Bowmans and the guy I got it from bought it from Shannon Bowman about 10yrs ago. The paint and #'s on the boat are from the "in between" racer I'm told. I'm trying to track down the history of this rig just out of my own curiosity, thought it was a good story. I'm assuming it was in the northeast all it's life. The #'s on it now are 243P and "Family Affair" is on the deck. The guy I got it from didn't race, it was a mid-life crisis project that he ran just a few times and scared the hell out of himself. If anyone knows anything about this, info would greatly appreciated! I'm having a hard time tracking down anything about this hydro.

PS..I'm building a 30H to run on it in the Spring

PSS... I recognize alot of the names here, have talked with more than a few of you over the years and met a few in person, it's good to be back involved in the thing you really enjoy! Great site here!

[Bill Huson]

Family Affair""

Had to be Nippy Pauls' boat at one time, when it was new. I think the green paint was part of Nippy's standard color scheme also. Not his race number, probably changed by later owners.

[travis]

Thanks Bill, I'll try and track that down! Any idea how I can get ahold of him, e-mail????

[travis]

got a pic

I got a pic from the guy I got the hydro from. It's supposed to be the same boat in '85-86??? with the 1-US on it, but, looking closely, I don't think it's the same hydro. The pulleys are in a different spot and there's extra screws that aren't there now around the throttle. It doesn't look like there was any filler or patch work done, so I'd question the origins of the "1-US pic". It was au natural in the pic as well, no paint just clear.

[Bill Huson]

1-us

Nippy was FAST! I'm sure he won national high points at least once and sported 1-US on his boat. As for the pullys and throttle screws, Nippy took pride in his equipment. and he would have Shannon Bowman replace an entire cockpit side if it was damaged. No wood putty or duct tape for Nippy, his stuff always looked primo. TThe pit ladies used his skid fin and tower housing for a mirror to touch up their makeup, I kid you not.

Why Nippy was so organized that even the beer in his mondo cooler was placed according to brand with Coors Light to the left and a variety of Brand Xs to the right. And the only way to keep your safety gear as clean as Nippy's was to have it dry cleaned after every race :-)

[travis]

1US pic

This is the pic of the 1US ride that is supposed to be my hydro in the mid 80's. The pulleys on the 1US are quite a bit lower than the ones on mine, it's hard to see in the scanned pic, but there's 8 small bolts under the throttle on the 1US, only 2 on mine now. The whole combing would've had to been changed, no patches there. Could've been replaced as you said. Recognize anyone in the pic??
Seperating the beer probably a good idea, I've seen small riots break out in coolers between the domestic and imports LOL

Thanks for the input!

Travis

[fitsracing]

Looks like LockHaven Pa. The 65N is Paul Sumereau CMH, 1US looks like Bob Gollers Mercury CMH driven by Charlie Gonyea at the time (would explain the 8 screw holding the throttle) 30N Frank Longo and behind him is Jon Lester. If I'm correct the 1US boat was sold to Fred Suhy some time after this photo. This photo may be about 10yrs old. Oh I'm helping Paul refuel and it looks like Ken Terry behind me.

[travis]

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!