Vintage Race Boat Shop

  We maintain vintage wooden boats.

2004 APBA

Vintage Race Boat Circuit

Distinguished Service Awards

Wow - how time flies when you're having fun ???!!!

I have owned, maintained and enjoyed my modified Gar Wood Speedster for 25 years now, and have participated is every ACBS Weirs/Meredith Boat Show since 1979. Lots of fun, lots of pristine vintage boats and lots of people. Every show was a happening, a celebration of beautiful wooden boats.

But then it happened, I attended the first APBA Vintage Race Boat Regatta in Clayton, New York in 1992, and got a chance to run my beloved Obsession on an actual race course. That was it, I was hooked, and have not been the same since that event. 

 

Since then I have upgraded the motor to a full race, stroker motor that produces 630 horsepower, added steps/shingles to the bottom, edge-bonded the hull, and now participate on the APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit. Yup, like vintage car racing, there are actually people out there who run their vintage race boats on APBA (American Power Boat Association) sanctioned race courses, and participate in a Vintage Race Boat Circuit.

 

For the summer of 2004, The Obsession Boys participated at 5 major stops on our APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit. Man, that's a lot of miles (over 5,000) to haul a vintage race boat - but there was a hard-core group of addicts who actually attended all 5 events - and what fun we had ???!!!

These Vintage events are run under the rules and regulations of the Vintage & Historic Category of the American Power Boat Association. Tom Bertolini is our chainman. This is pretty serious stuff, complete with surveyed race courses, safety inspections, drivers meetings, crane launching and demonstration heats usually of 5 or 6 laps. We do have fun, but safety is our main concern. Since 1992, we have had no serious accidents or injuries.

 

Boats and boat racing are in my blood. My grandfather, William Edgar John Sr, was a naval architect, owned a shipyard in Rye, New York, raced in several inboard classes, and was inducted into the APBA's Honor Squadron in 1955. My father raced International-One-Design sailboats on Long Island Sound - where he was Fleet Chairman for many years and was the first President of the IOD class - based out of the Larchmont Yacht Club - where he was very active. My grandmother was also active in the early days of power boat racing in this country. She actually drove and won quite a few APBA boat races, and I have two large trophies that she won in 1914.

 

But the 2004 APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit was very special for me - as I was presented with special distinguished service awards at Clayton and Buffalo. At Clayton, I accepted the Daniel J. Murphy Memorial Trophy - for my spirit. The  actual inscription on the silver tray reads:

Daniel J. Murphy

Memorial Trophy 2004

Awarded at The Antique Raceboat Regatta

Clayton, New York

To

Bill John

A Person Exemplifying Romance & Flavor of

Power Boating Past

       

     

And at the Buffalo "Dry Rot Tent Party", I was awarded the APBA Vintage & Historic "Distinguished Service Award" by Bill and Rich DeGlopper. What an honor, and the Friday evening  was great fun - with plenty of pizza, beer, wine, vintage banter, laughter and good friends. The actual inscription on the award reads:

 

APBA Vintage & Historic - ACBS Niagara Frontier Chapter

Distinguished Service Award

 

Presented to

William E John III

For your outstanding service and dedication to the sport of vintage boat

racing. Your efforts as Webmaster have greatly assisted in the promotion of the

sport. You are commended for your efforts! Congratulations!

 

Presented September 11, 2004

27th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show & Race Boat Reunion

Dick DeGlopper - Boat Show Chairman

Bill DeGlopper - APBA Inboard Historian

   

   

The picture on the actual award was taken in 1944 at the Buffalo Launch Club. The race boat is my Grandfather's "Sally Ann Jr." a 225 hydroplane that was the national champion. Also in the photo is my grandfather and my grandmother.

And to top off the 2004 season, my beloved Obsession was featured on the cover of October issue of Propeller Magazine - the official publication of the American Power Boat Association. It just doesn't get any better than this ???!!!

 

Yup  - I am carrying on the John family tradition, both at my Vintage Race Boat Shop and on the APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit. And 2004 was a very special year for me - recognized by my peers for distinguished service - I am very humbled.

 

William Edgar John III

Some related vintage race boat links:

 

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