h2oboater

Another boat from the way back, a sport class BENIHANA. Anyone remember this one ???

Black Tornado

The start in Offshore racing for Aoki in 1974?,in Sport class with a 28' Barcone.

h2oboater

Thank's" BT, I had no idea what kind of boat it was.

h2oboater

Here another 38' Bertram WD-40, I dont remember this boat racing very long, 1974 or 75.

BROWNIE

That was Oskar Trost's 38' He was German Offshore champ. His son, Andreas, builds the Platinum boats.

Dude! Sweet!

Everytime I see one of those Bertram 38 Comps, I love them a little more! Such a great looking boat!

nocigarette

I love the wat they used those huge aircraft style fuel caps and vents.............Man what a classic

h2oboater

The 1973 Lake Erie Kirby Classic it was the first major offshore race on the Great Lakes. The Mentor Yacht Club hoisted the event. Not only were the lakes at record high water levels, but the seas ran high, 5' to 7' and many boats did not finish the race. Impossible Dream a 40' Gara won ,with Aeromarine III taking second, followed by Aeromarine II in third.

Black Tornado

Always fascinating these photos from the short story of the Offshore on Lake Ontario!
Many thanks h20boater!

h2oboater

The 1973 Kirby Classic and Lake Erie proved to much for many of the race teams. Veteran local racer Sandy Satullo sank when testing his new wooden 40' Gara COPPER KETTLE the day before the race. Also at the start of the race Wally Harper spun his 27' Magnum Lil SMIDGEN do to a broken drive. Wally and his codriver Jack Mathes Jr were thrown into the water. Sandy Satullo would have to use his old Cigarette to run the race.