Episode 62 - Richie Powers Offshore World Champion Throttleman
Powerboat Talk
In this episode, we sit down with one of offshore powerboat racing’s most accomplished throttlemen, Richie Powers. Over the course of more than three decades, Powers amassed an extraordinary record, more than sixty victories across Superboat and competition, nearly 12,000 miles of race-winning performance, seven World Offshore Titles, and eleven national and international championships. His many successes occurred on some of the world’s most demanding open water courses and conditions. Power’s put his stamp on many of the most important technical advancements in high performance boating...
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Episode 61- Alan Stoker Boat Racer and Founder of Stoker Boats
Powerboat Talk
Alan Stoker is a world-renowned boat racer and the builder of Stoker Boats. An innovator whose career spans the formative decades of Mod VP outboard racing and tunnel-hull development, Stoker was raised in Southern California. This episode was recorded shortly after his third straight victory at the 2024 Parker Enduro. Stoker grew up immersed in boating through his father, John Stoker, owner of John’s Custom Marine, where he began working weekends at just 11 years old. He started racing when his dad purchased a kneel-down racer from Ron Hill and spent time in the pits while his father crewed...
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Episode 60- Next-Gen Circle Boat Racers Nick Balayan, Travis Hill, and Nash Thorpe
Powerboat Talk
In this episode of Powerboat Talk, I talk to three new flatbottom circle boat racers—Nash Thorpe, Nick Balayan, and Travis Hill—who share their backgrounds, experiences, and insights from their first race at the season opener in Parker, Arizona, this past April. The conversation covers their paths into racing, the challenges they faced as rookies, the importance of community support, and their aspirations for future races. They reflect on rookie mistakes and how everything changes when you strap on a helmet and go side-by-side with some of the best circle racers in the world—compared to...
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Episode 59- Fred Inman of IMCO
Powerboat Talk
Fred Inman is the owner and founder of , one of the largest and most respected performance aftermarket marine manufacturers in the world. Like many entrepreneurs, Inman, a metal fabricator by trade, began his career in the marine industry by making parts in his garage for his flatbottoms in the 1960s. After gaining experience at a similar company, Inman partnered with a friend to start his own metal fabrication business. Over the years, he produced a wide range of commercial products, including solar water heater tanks, concrete pump components, and auxiliary gas tanks for diesel cars and...
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Episode 58- Chris Davidson from Hot Boat and Speedboat Magazines
Powerboat Talk
In this episode, I sit down with Chris Davidson, longtime publisher of Hot Boat Magazine and current publisher of , to reflect on nearly four decades in the performance boating industry. Chris shares his unique journey—from collecting Elvis memorabilia to shaping the voice of high-performance boating media. He discusses the early days of Hot Boat, his family's deep roots in the boating world, and the magazine’s pivotal 1989 sale to , which transformed it into a nationally recognized publication. Chris also opens up about personal challenges, including a shocking betrayal by his brother...
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Episode 57 - Mike Finnegan Returns!
Powerboat Talk
Reality and YouTube star Mike Finnegan returns on this episode of Powerboat Talk. Finnegan fills us in on his new role as a full-time YouTuber following MotorTrend’s recent shutdown of all its TV shows. He also gives an update on his carbon fiber Cheyenne drag boat, Side Chick, sharing some of the challenges with its injury-plagued 632 cu. in. Chevy engine and the success of a recent dyno session. Finnegan offers advice on what makes a dyno experience successful—and reveals the one mistake you should never make when buying a boat. Where to find Mike Finnegan: Instagram Facebook ...
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Episode 55 - Freedom One Racing Team
Powerboat Talk
In this episode, we’re talking with the team behind , a new name making waves at this year’s . The Shootout’s loose rules invite wild setups, and Freedom One didn’t disappoint, bringing a brand-new powered by twin 4,000-hp 4.9-inch bore, all-aluminum Hemi Pro Mod drag racing engines. The boat’s engines are a marvel of engineering much of which is familiar to the 1/4 mile crowd, but unconventional to general marine performance guys. Topped by , the engines feature dry blocks (no water jackets) and require no cooling system. They employ engine management systems and route the...
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Episode 56 - Slug Hefner from Dirty Duck Racing
Powerboat Talk
Slug Hefner’s team made history at the 2024 , breaking the 200 mph barrier for the first time. After falling just short of the milestone in 2023, Hefner’s —powered by twin-turbocharged 557-cubic-inch engines—received a performance boost from a custom nitrous system designed by engine builder . This upgrade propelled the boat to 202 mph, setting a new record as the fastest Skater and twin-engine boat in LOTO history. In this episode, Hefner shares the story behind his iconic Skater and the origins of the Dirty Duck name. He also reflects on his journey through the world of boat racing,...
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Episode 54 - Billy Moore Class 1 Offshore Racer
Powerboat Talk
Billy Moore stands as one of the most successful offshore powerboat racers competing today. Following in the footsteps of his father, —widely considered the first throttle man in offshore racing—Billy “works the sticks” in both and Super Cat. I spoke with Moore recently, just as his Class 1 team celebrated back-to-back wins at in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In addition to racing for Defalco, Moore throttles the in the Super Cat class. Not only did Moore gain invaluable racing insight from his legendary father, but he also learned the finer points of boat rigging and race boat setup,...
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Episode 53 - Warren Kosikov Vice President of Sales at SEMA
Powerboat Talk
Warren Kosikov is the Vice President of Sales for the , an organization that represents the automotive and marine aftermarket industries while advocating for the interests of both manufacturers and consumers. Before joining SEMA, Kosikov held executive sales management roles at Source Interlink Media, Buckaroo Communications, Petersen Publishing, and Nordskog Publishing. His extensive background in the performance boating industry includes work with Powerboat Magazine, Hot Boat Magazine, and Family and Performance Boating Magazine. Kosikov emphasizes SEMA’s critical role in the automotive...
info_outlineBilly Moore stands as one of the most successful offshore powerboat racers competing today. Following in the footsteps of his father, Bobby Moore—widely considered the first throttle man in offshore racing—Billy “works the sticks” in both Class 1 and Super Cat.
I spoke with Moore recently, just as his Defalco Racing Class 1 team celebrated back-to-back wins at Mercury Racing’s Midwest Challenge in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In addition to racing for Defalco, Moore throttles the C.J. Grant Racing/Graydel Skater in the Super Cat class.
Not only did Moore gain invaluable racing insight from his legendary father, but he also learned the finer points of boat rigging and race boat setup, beginning his tenure at his father’s shop at 15. In this episode,Moore shares how the Defalco team made the strategic choice to switch from an Outer Limits hull to a Victory in the offseason and the challenges and rewards that followed. Based near Moore’s home in Washington, North Carolina, the Defalco team benefits from his close involvement.
Moore is also a key figure at Checkmate Powerboats, which is owned by Pete Caldwell of Caldwell Marine Designs. He shares updates on Checkmate’s current direction and exciting future plans, including a possible trip out west to compete in the Parker Enduro.
Follow Billy Moore on Instagram @billymoore_313 and Facebook @William Moore (Billy Moore)
Learn more about Class 1 Offshore Powerboat Racing @ www.class1world.com
Visit Checkmate Powerboats online @ www.checkmatepowerboats.net
This episode is brought to you by Freedom and Fuel clothing brand made for people who love big horsepower, fuel burning engines. It doesn’t matter if you’re into hot rods, off-road, side-by-sides, or, of course, fast boats, Freedom and Fuel has the gear to match your passion for power and performance.
You can find freedom and fuel clothing at all ADBA and NJBA drag boat races at the SoCal Jet Boats trailer, on Instagram @freedomandfuel on Facebook @Freedom and Fuel, or online at freedomandfuel.com.
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