Powerboat Talk

On the Powerboat Talk podcast, we talk everything performance boats including offshore powerboats, lake racers, jet boats, v-drive boats, race boats. Featuring interviews with leaders and influencers in the performance boat industry.

Episode 55 - Freedom One Racing Team 11/19/2024

Episode 54 - Billy Moore Class 1 Offshore Racer 11/05/2024

Episode 53 - Warren Kosikov Vice President of Sales at SEMA 10/24/2024

Episode 52 - Shane Westerfield Drag Boat Racer, Engine Builder and Tuner 09/17/2024

Episode 52 - Shane Westerfield Drag Boat Racer, Engine Builder and Tuner Shane Westerfield is a versatile and accomplished racer with a rich history in both drag boat and car racing. Along with his father, Steve, he owns , a shop specializing in supercharged engines, components, and high-performance flat bottom boats. Westerfield’s 15-year drag racing career began by helping his father with his Top Alcohol flatbottom and reached a peak in 2017 when he won the Top Alcohol Funny Car World Championship. Westerfield has amassed 14 NHRA national event wins and continues to drive alcohol cars. He spent the last five seasons with and recently began driving AA Nostalgia Funny Car where he won their first two events. Despite his success in car racing, Westerfield is most passionate about competing with his in the (NJBA) and (CDBA) and working to keep the class healthy and competitive as one of the few remaining "heads-up" drag boat racing classes. He has streamlined class rules and secured sponsors to increase prize money, ensuring its continued growth. In this episode, Westerfield shares the challenges of closing the family’s trade show exhibit company due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he explains how the setback led him and his father to pivot to their side project—working on boats and engines. They eventually transitioned to the business full-time, building a reputation for one-off custom work that has made them a go-to destination in the fast-boat community. This episode is brought to you by: the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest , hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The . Visit SoCal Jet Boats at on Instagram at and Facebook Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 You can follow Shane Westerfield on Instagram and on Facebook and Visit Westerfield Motorsports' website Learn more about Blown Gas Flatbottoms on Facebook Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/33088482

Episode 51 - Ron Gordon Founder of American Turbine and Dominator Jet Pumps 09/03/2024

Episode 51 - Ron Gordon Founder of American Turbine and Dominator Jet Pumps Ron Gordon, General Manager and Vice President, founded with his boyhood friend, Bruce Simmons, in 1989, bringing decades of experience in the jet drive industry. Ron’s first encounter with a jet pump dates back to 1968, when he began working on his family’s Glastron V174 jet boat. Gordon’s career in the industry officially began in 1976 when he and Simmons founded Dominator Jet in Lubbock, Texas. After running the business for 12 years, they sold Dominator. Gordon stayed on as manager for a few years before he and Simmons left to start American Turbine. Gordon developed American Turbine jets from a “clean sheet of paper,” incorporating innovative designs and proven ideas from his years at Dominator. He was the original designer of key industry innovations such as the shouldered wear ring, Energizer kits, and larger impeller sizes ranging from AA to 9½ inches. American Turbine was also the first to offer high-performance intakes, high-flow bowls, and high-quality investment cast impellers. In 1993, Gordon sold American Turbine to Travis Garske, owner of , ensuring top-quality production through TP&F's aluminum foundry and CNC machine shop. Gordon personally oversees the machining and hand-finishing of every impeller, emphasizing the importance of precision and craftsmanship that machines alone cannot replicate. Under Gordon’s leadership, American Turbine has continued to innovate, acquiring Dominator Jet in 1998 and Legend Jet in 2007. With over 48 years of experience, Gordon and his highly skilled team remain at the forefront of jet drive technology, delivering unmatched quality and expertise. This episode is brought to you by: the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest , hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The . Visit SoCal Jet Boats at on Instagram at and Facebook Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 Visit American Turbine online at Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/32852387

Episode 50 - Tres Martin Owner of Tres Martin Performance Boat School 08/20/2024

Episode 49 - Gordy Jennings Circle Boat Racer and Engine Builder 07/23/2024

Episode 49 - Gordy Jennings Circle Boat Racer and Engine Builder Gordy Jennings is one of the most decorated circle boat racers in history, particularly noted for his excellence in driving blown boats in the . While his boat racing career is remarkable, Jennings is perhaps best known for his expertise in performance engine building, a skill he honed while working for his stepfather, Paul Pfaff, at . During his time at Pfaff, the company excelled at creating power plants for boats and found success in various forms of motorsports, including sprint cars and off-road racing. Today, Jennings works as a dyno operator for and continues to build engines for Tom Buckles' Bucks Up Racing K-boat, driven by Cory Ferguson. Jennings hints at a secret plan to attempt a K-boat kilo run with one of his best friends and K-boat owner, Mike Stock. In this episode of Power Boat Talk, Jennings discusses his background in racing, which began alongside his boyhood friend, Greg Foster. He also talks about his rivalry with racer , his experiences driving in the , , Offshore Racing, his horrific racing crash in 1995, and the lengthy recovery process that followed. This episode is brought to you by: your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at On Instagram and on Facebook Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 This episode is also brought to you by: the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest , hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The . Visit SoCal Jet Boats at on Instagram at and Facebook Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 You can follow Gordy Jennings on Instagram and on Facebook Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: [email protected] /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/32253842

Episode 48 - Chuck Stearns and Mike Avila Water Ski Racing Legends 07/08/2024

Episode 48 - Chuck Stearns and Mike Avila Water Ski Racing Legends Chuck Stearns and Mike Avila are two of Water Ski Racing's most successul competitors. Stearns, who is often regarded as the greatest water skier in history having won National and World Championships in tournament skiing, won his first Catalina Ski Race in 1955 at the age of 16. Stearns went on to dominate the international race winning an unprecendented (at the time) 11th title in 1982 at the age of 44. Stearns also set a multiple world speed records culminating with is run of 122.11 m.p.h. in 1969 at Long Beach Marine Stadium. Avila one the first ski race he entered in 1968 at the age of 10. He went on to become one of the most dominate skiers in the 80's. Avila claims to have the most wins in ski racing history with 149 which included 27 national championships. Avila was a member of six US world teams. Avila still competes today as a boat driver and finished 1st overall in the 2023 Catalina Ski Race. Lifelong friends, Stearns and Avila are both members of the Water Skiing Hall of Fame. Stearns was inducted in 1982 as a member of the first class of inductees. Avila was inducted in 2002 as the first speed skiing only member. Stearns will also be a passenger in Avila's boat as they compete in this year's Catalina Ski Race on July 13. This episode is brought to you by: the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest , hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The . Visit SoCal Jet Boats at on Instagram at and Facebook Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 This episode is also brought to you by: your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at On Instagram and on Facebook Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: [email protected] /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/32045872

Episode 47 - Keith Eickert Offshore Race Engine Builder 06/19/2024

Episode 47 - Keith Eickert Offshore Race Engine Builder Keith Eickert is one of the most recognized and successful high-performance engine builders in offshore racing history. With a career that began at Mercury Racing in 1972, Eickert went on to create power for 37 World, International, and National Champions. Eickert was recruited to Mercury by his childhood friend Gary Garbrecht, who was the head of Mercury Racing. Eickert graduated from working on cylinder heads at Mercury to becoming one of their best engine builders. In 1976, Eickert was lured away from Mercury to build engines exclusively for racers Rocky Aoki (Benihana) and Preston Hen (Natural Light), the owner of the infamous Thunderbird Swap Shop. As the race team's participation fizzled and Eickert’s popularity increased, he went into business in 1981 with Jerry Jacoby and Bob Saccenti and opened Hawk Marine Power. Eickert went on to start KS&W Engines where he worked from 1982 to 1984, then worked for Ben Kramer at Apache Boats where he designed parts to marinize and race V12 Lamborghinis for the first time. Eickert later founded Lightning Performance Products and Keith Eickert Power Products, where he added a complete line of high-performance parts to his engine-building business. After two failed business partnerships, Eickert relaunched his original Lightning Performance line as part of the Don Onken group of companies. Under the Onken banner, Eickert developed and launched his V-16 engine concept, where he coupled two 540 cu. in. Big Block Chevy engines. Eickert programmed the electronically fuel-injected assembly to fire as one 16-cylinder engine. The power plant helped push Onken’s Mystic American Ethanol to multiple Lake of the Ozarks Top Gun victories. Eickert, now in his 80s, is retired and still resides in Florida. He occasionally still builds engines to stay busy. This episode is brought to you by: your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at On Instagram and on Facebook Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 This episode is also brought to you by: the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest , hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The . Visit SoCal Jet Boats at on Instagram at and Facebook Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: [email protected] /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/31804692

Episode 46 - Jerry Gilbreath Boat Builder and Offshore Powerboat Racer 06/05/2024

Episode 46 - Jerry Gilbreath Boat Builder and Offshore Powerboat Racer Jerry Gilbreath has made a career out of designing, building, and racing some of the most exotic and well-known boats in the world. His journey began in the 1960s, driving flat-bottom endurance boats in races like the Salton Sea 500 and the . Gilbreath’s father, Jake, founded Gil Marine, which started as a gas tank manufacturer and grew into one of the largest aftermarket performance marine companies in the world, producing iconic Gil Exhaust Manifolds and the first outboard set-back bracket, the Gil Bracket. Gilbreath became one of the most respected and talented custom boat builders globally. With his GMT Tunnel boats and partnership with racer Greg Foster, he played a key role in advancing the Mod-VP racing class. Gilbreath also rigged water ski racing boats for Vic Edelbrock and Jerry Herbst. Later, Gilbreath became involved in offshore racing, teaming with Al Copeland and Matt Alcone to form one of the most dominant Open class catamaran teams in the late 1990s. He is often mentioned as one of the best throttlemen to ever control an offshore race boat. Although retired from racing, Gilbreath remains involved in high-performance boating with a collection of custom boats. You can follow Jerry Gilbreath on Instagram This episode is brought to you by: the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest , hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The . Visit SoCal Jet Boats at on Instagram at and Facebook Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 This episode is also brought to you by: your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at On Instagram and on Facebook Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 [email protected] Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: [email protected] /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/31610367

Episode 45 - Bob Brown Performance Boating Writer 05/30/2024

Episode 45 - Bob Brown Performance Boating Writer Bob Brown is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities on performance boating, having reported on and participated in every facet of the industry over the last 50 years. Growing up as an avid boat racer, Brown became the editor of in 1973 through his affiliation with fellow racer . After leaving Powerboat in 1979 to start his own public relations agency, Media Direction, Brown continued to write for the magazine as well as for every major performance boat publication, including Hot Boat, Performance Boats, Sportboat, , , and . Brown has raced endurance inboards in the Salton Sea 500 and . He has also driven tunnel outboards in the Parker race with legends Bill Muncey, Chip Hanauer, and Alan Stocker, been the winning driver in the pulling Chuck Stearns, and raced offshore boats with Nordskog and Tom Gentry. Instrumental in advancing the Powerboat Magazine Performance Trials, Brown has test-driven over 2,000 boats in his career. He was also key in the promotion and growth of the Southern California and . This episode is brought to you by: your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at On Instagram and on Facebook Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 [email protected] This episode is also brought to you by: the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest , hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The . Visit SoCal Jet Boats at on Instagram at and Facebook Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 [email protected] Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: [email protected] /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/31525457

Episode 44 - Nathan Eller owner of East Coast Squirt Boats and LS Swap authority 05/22/2024

Episode 44 - Nathan Eller owner of East Coast Squirt Boats and LS Swap authority Nathan Eller, owner of East Coast Squirt Boats, discusses his passion for jet boats and LS Chevy engine swaps. He shares how he got into jet boating and the progression of his business, which now specializes in LS swaps. Nathan talks about the challenges and rewards of starting his own company and the freedom it gives him. He also explains the appeal and benefits of LS engines and discusses the various options and accessories that need to be considered when choosing and installing an LS engine in a jet boat. This episode is brought to you by SoCal Jet Boats the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest River Attire, hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The SoCal Jet Boat SpeedShop. Visit SoCal Jet Boats at www.socaljetboats.com on Instagram at @SoCalJetBoats and Facebook @SoCal Jet Boats Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 This episode is also brought to you by BoatLoanGuy.com your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at www.boatloanguy.com On Instagram @rvboatloans and on Facebook @RV and Boat Loans Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 Follow Nathan Eller on Facebook @Nathan Eller and @East Coast Squirt Boats Visit East Coast Squirt Boats website Links to products and companies that sell LS Swap parts as discussed in this episode; SoCal Jet Boats CP Performance PSI ICT Billet Tick Performance Camshafts Bassett Headers Schoenfeld Headers IMCO Painless Performance AEM NJBA Lightning Headers Visit our website at Watch the video of this episode at Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk Contact me: You can find links to listen on my website at www.powerboattalk.com or listen on YouTube or most podcast players like Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, Pandora, Amazon Podcasts, Audible, iHeart Radio, Podtail, Audacy, Google Podcasts, Tune In Radio /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/31414357

Episode 1 - Welcome to Powerboat Talk! 05/11/2024

Episode 5 - Ron Lund owner of Rogers Jet Boats 05/11/2024

Episode 43- Offshore racer Lorne Leibel 05/09/2024

Episode 42 - Joe Shelfo Drag Boat Racer and V-drive Expert 04/18/2024

Episode 42 - Joe Shelfo Drag Boat Racer and V-drive Expert In this episode, I welcome back Joe Shelfo, who serves as the secretary and treasurer at the . Shelfo is not only an accomplished drag boat racer but also one of the foremost authorities on V-drive repair, setup, and rigging globally. Previously featured on alongside NJBA President Mike DeClark and Owner and Series Director David Carroll, Shelfo discussed the formidable task of uniting the sport’s leading organizations to orchestrate The Drag Boat Nationals at in Chandler, Arizona. Throughout the episode, Shelfo delves into the distinctive attributes of owning a V-Drive boat. "They offer a raw, hot-rod-like experience on the water," he notes. "V-drive boats evoke a sense of thrill and nostalgia with their distinctive sound, scent, vibrations, and handling. They're somewhat primitive—simple, mechanical, and cost-effective compared to other boat types." Shelfo further elaborates on key considerations when purchasing a V-drive boat, the advantages of using a , the correct way to install a propeller, the advantages of incorporating a Whirl-a-way unit into your boat’s V-drive, and insights into maintaining your boat’s underwater gear effectively, among other topics. Moreover, Shelfo provides insights into entering the world of Drag Boat racing and identifies the qualities that distinguish exceptional racers. This episode is brought to you by: the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest , hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The . Visit SoCal Jet Boats at on Instagram at and Facebook Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 This episode is also brought to you by: your trusted source for Marine and RV Financing. BoatLoanGuy provides quick and easy stress-free financing for most types of boats including performance boats, pontoons, and center consoles. BoatLoanGuy offers loans from $20,000 to $5M with up to 20 year terms. Visit BoatLoanGuy at On Instagram and on Facebook Contact BoatLoanGuy.com (619) 699-9900 You can follow Joe Shelfo on Instagram and on Facebook You can visit the NJBA at You can follow NJBA on Instagram and on Facebook Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/30884108

Episode 41 - AutoMeter Product's Director of Instrumentation Sales Mike Lovro 04/03/2024

Episode 40 - Speed on the Water's Matt Trulio and Jason Johnson 03/27/2024

Episode 39 - F1H20 Driver Rusty Wyatt 03/21/2024

Episode 38 - Offshore racers Nick Imprescia and Ian Morgan 03/12/2024

Episode 37 - Corey Ferguson K-boat Driver 03/06/2024

Episode 36 - Michael Reagan the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan and Boat Racer 02/13/2024

Episode 35 - Andrew Tate Unlimited and GP Hydro and F1 Driver 02/07/2024

Episode 35 - Andrew Tate Unlimited and GP Hydro and F1 Driver Boat racing doesn’t have a decathlete division, but if it did, would undoubtedly lead the pack. During the 2023 race season, Tate piloted boats in a number of classes, including Stock Outboard, 350 Hydro, Grand Prix Hydro, Formula 1, and, of course, . In this episode, Tate delves into the details of his experiences racing the different types of boats. Tate, a fourth-generation boat racer, began his driving career at the age of 11 in the APBA Stock and Modified Outboard classes. His talent quickly emerged, leading him to multiple National Championships. In 2023, Tate clinched the Grand Prix Season Championship for the second consecutive year. As the driver of the Miss Madison Racing U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate Unlimited Hydroplane, he stepped into the shoes of the retiring champion, Jimmy Shane, after the 2022 season. Following in his father Mark’s footsteps, who boasts four driving championships and two gold cup victories during his Unlimited career, the younger Tate has made his mark. Since his debut in the Unlimited category in 2016, Andrew has garnished an impressive nine wins, including a coveted driver’s championship and a Gold Cup victory. Tate’s passion extends beyond the inboard hydroplanes. In 2023, he began competing on the circuit, where he drives a tunnel boat owned by his close friend and fellow racer, Dylan Runne. In the offseason, at his Michigan home, you’ll find Tate swapping the water for ice. He continues to enjoy competitive ice hockey, a sport he has pursued since childhood and into his college years. Alongside his racing endeavors, Tate contributes to the family business, Sun Coating Company, working in Sales and Marketing. Visit Andrew Tate's website at Follow Andrew Tate on Instagram and Facebook Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: [email protected] /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/29822843

Episode 34 - Fred Kiekhaefer, former president of Mercury Racing 01/31/2024

Episode 33- Chris Palmer, Australian Champion Circle Boat Racer and promoter of the Australian BAD Boat Championship 01/15/2024

Episode 33- Chris Palmer, Australian Champion Circle Boat Racer and promoter of the Australian BAD Boat Championship In this episode, I welcome Australian Champion Circle Boat Racer Chris Palmer who is also the promoter of the . The Australian Blown Alcohol Displacement (BAD) boats are some of the most exciting pieces of equipment in boat racing. The V-bottomed V-drives are powered by up to 600 cu. in., 2000 plus horsepower engines and race on tight courses on rough narrow rivers throughout Australia. In researching the subject matter, I discovered that in Australia, flatbottoms and v-bottoms are considered displacement hulls because they displace water (pushing it out of the way) when they run as opposed to tunnel boats and hydros which run over the top of the water. This year’s championship is a continuation of Palmer’s USA vs. Australia B.A.D. Boat Challenge that he started in 2007. Unfortunately, none of the US based K-boat teams were able to make the trek Down Under for the 2024 event. Round one of the event will be run January 20-21 in Windsor, New South Wales while the final round will culminate the following weekend, January 27-28 in Berri, South Australia. You can watch a livestream of the event on the event’s Facebook page In the episode, we discuss the many differences between Australian and American sprint boats and racing. Palmer talks about Australia’s recent tragic years of loosing many racing legends and their new found commitment to safety that included legislating mandatory safety cells in the upper classes of displacement hulls. In the episode, Palmer talks about his family’s history in racing and his journey from driving hydros to BAD boats where he has won Australia’s coveted Marj Watson Trophy five times. It was interesting to learn of the time that Palmer spent competing in Judo. Palmer told stories about training all around the world. He has won multiple International, Continental and National championships and is currently a coath at the Ulverstone Judo Club. You can follow Chris Palmer on Facebook You can follow the event on Facebook and on Instagram Visit our website at View the video for this episode: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Contact me: /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/29436393

Episode 32 - The Drag Boat Nationals with NJBA's Mike Declark and Joe Shelfo and SDBA's David Carroll 12/28/2023

Episode 31 - Greg Shoemaker Jet Pump and Drag Boat racing expert returns 11/28/2023

Episode 30 - Princeton University Speedboating Electric Powered World Record Holders 11/21/2023

Episode 29 - Eddie McPheeters, owner of Eddie's Inboard Marine, Mandella Boats Expert and Parker Enduro Winner 11/15/2023

Episode 29 - Eddie McPheeters, owner of Eddie's Inboard Marine, Mandella Boats Expert and Parker Enduro Winner Eddie McPheeters is the owner of Eddie’s Inboard Marine in Tucson, Arizona. McPheeters took over management of the business from his father in 2001. A self proclaimed “V-drive guy at heart,” McPheeters specializes in restorations and gel coat refinishing and repair. McPheeters has also become the “go-to” expert for repair, restoration, and performance upgrades for vintage Mandella Boats. McPheeters and his team proved their metal at the recent Parker Enduro where they ran McPheeters's 1972 Mandella, Brown Sugar, and brought home the 1st place trophy in Division IV/GN Class and finished 5th overall. It was the second Enduro win for McPheeters and co-driver/friend Tyler Stevenson who won the Parker 300 Enduro in 2006 with a 1968 Mandella powered by a 427 Ford engine. McPheeters is a 2nd generation Mandella guru. His father, Eddie, started the family’s obsession when he bought his first Mandella in 1964 from then company owner and legendary endurance racer Lou Brummet. The senior McPheeters's purchase turned into a lifelong friendship with Brummet that saw him become a crew member of Brummet’s at a marathon race in Miami’s historic Marine Stadium. McPheeter also became the Tucson area rep and dealer for Mandella Boats. The Brummet/McPheeters partnership still thrives today with the team’s next generation as Brummet’s son Carson, owner of Brummett Marine Engines in Pasadena, California, was instrumental in the success of the Eddie’s Inboard Enduro entry. Brummet consulted on many aspects of the race set up and build which included, of course, the 427 Chevy engine and its exotic/vintage Lucas mechanical fuel injection. I hope you enjoy this episode of PowerBoat Talk where we here how Eddie McPheeters transforms iconic Mandella Boats into period correct modern performers. /episode/index/show/2f4d0cf0-eea4-4b15-9345-8d04853cd4ac/id/28651023

Episode 28 - Brad Martin from SoCalJetBoats.com 11/08/2023

Powerboat Talk

TOPICS