July, Soa Newsletter

[Ron Hill]

SOA NEWSLETTER


Anyone but me, see the NEW DRIVER in what appeared to be a CALKINS A Runabout? Why don't runabouts look like that? At Copperopolis, I saw at least four one boat spills....I remember when we'd race 125 DRIVERS in 9 classes and maybe have two boat turn over all day...


Bring back out style runabouts....with a bottom rule of say 22 inches in A...and a 12 inch side. Does anyone realize that 9 out of ten new kneeldown boats will turn over if the driver climbs in the back of the boat to start the motor???? Or, do you realize that these side fins will cause a runabout to turn "TURTLE" in the river, if the motor isn't running......????

OH WELL, I don't plan to race a kneeldown. so they can do it their way!!!

But, I thought that NEW GUY with the A RUNABOUT WAS a COOL picture...and THANKS JOHN PAPMORE for posting the SOA PAPER!!!!


Question: Anyone know who is driving the M Hydro on the SOA LOGO????

[RichardKCMo]

Hang in there Hillie,Sid Craft is for sale.
RichardKCMo

[Norm Coote]

This is a new Calkins runabout that was designed about 1952 and is the most beautiful racing boat I have ever seen. The designer and builder is still around and is 94 years young and he plans on being at the Regatta in Olympia, WA the 16th and 17th of July to see his boat race in A class. I first built one of these in 1957 while living with he and Wilma and working in his boat shop. After about 47 years I wanted another of his runabouts so started it in his shop in Nordland, WA and finished it in the living room of my unfinished new home (thats why the house isn't finished but the boat is). The boat handles great, just like it did in 1957 and my 21 year old driver just loves it. I drive it some also but do mostly support work. I continually get comments on how beautiful it is. I have many photos of construction and on the water action should anyone want to see them.
Norm Coote

[Kyle Lewis 93R]

Ron- What M Hydro are you talking about? The SOA logo is an old runabout. Now, there is an 'R-69' hydro with pipes comming out of the back but I believe that is a B or C Mod hydro (I've seen a picture of the boat) and I believe that is a logo for a stamp company. But, no. I don't know who was driving it.

[Ron Hill]

The LOGO is a JACOBY CONVENTIONAL HYDRO, with an Evinrude "M" motor...with Elgin gates driving it.

Elgin, later bought the Mercury Distributorship in Southern California....

Elgin came from Needles...after selling to Mercury, he starteed a National Pistol shooting Association, using APBA REGIONAL, DIVISIONAL and Nationals boundaries...

Why do I like "STEP" HYDROS?????They loong like runabouts, drive easier than runabouts and wil go thrpugh ROUGH WATER///


COOTE: I, for one, would love to see photos of you constructions of that CALKINS AU!!!!

ADD:

Great question, KYLE!!!!

[Norm Coote]

This is a new Calkins runabout that was designed about 1952 and is the most beautiful racing boat I have ever seen. The designer and builder is still around and is 94 years young and he plans on being at the Regatta in Olympia, WA the 16th and 17th of July to see his boat race in A class. I first built one of these in 1957 while living with he and Wilma and working in his boat shop. After about 47 years I wanted another of his runabouts so started it in his shop in Nordland, WA and finished it in the living room of my unfinished new home (thats why the house isn't finished but the boat is). The boat handles great, just like it did in 1957 and my 21 year old driver just loves it. I drive it some also but do mostly support work. I continually get comments on how beautiful it is. I have many photos of construction and on the water action should anyone want to see them.
Norm Coote

Some time back (couldn't relocate) someone asked if anyone knew of a Larson who raced in the Long Beach divisionals in 1959 in a Calkins. My only knowledge is of a Billy Larsen who raced a Calkins in Oakland about 1953 and he went down there with Rocky Stone. Don't think Billy ever lost a race unless his equipment failed. Also he never fell out of his Calkins either, he was the most remarkable runabout driver I have ever seen. This Calkins was the first one of this model that George built.
About 1958 Billy Larsen was attending a race at 10 mile Lake on the southern Oregon coast and the CSR class was taking place with about 8 boats. The last place boat, a Calkins C/D model came in a solid 8th place. Billy asked if he could drive it in the next heat and was allowed to do so. Guess who came in first by about a boat length? He did one dynamite driving job to beat all competitors and he did not have the fastest rig that day.
Norm Coote

[Dr. Thunder]

I admit that I have not followed SOA race results closely ... but, would this Calkins ASR be competitive with todays Z-Craft "hydrobouts", Sorensen Jackals, RunneCrafts, RaceCrafts etc.?

[Ron Hill]

Dr. Thunder.... My guess is NO...Unless you ran races where there was a 6 inch chop....The newer boats are faster....if they weren't boat builders would have no new boats to build...

Norm:

Billy Larson.....Seems, he ran a DU at the Divisionals in Long Beach, 1958...I was just out growing A and had not started C-D...But I recall his driving the single bouys at Long Beach really well, even though, it was clear to me, the boat was designed for BIG WASHINGTON-OREGON CORNERS. That Calkins didn't have much fin...seems, the boat may have been Paul Woodroff's of Salem, Oregon.

I jusat remember Larson going like hell down the straits and more than having his hands full on the corners...I mean, no dirt track driver ever moved his hands like Larson did...I only saw him drive once, but it made an impression that sticks with me still...37 years later....

I never got a chance to drive a DU Calkins, but have often wondered if. Ron Hill, could have gotten that mother around the corners, at Long Beach, like Billy Larson did???

Thanks for the information!!!

[Norm Coote]

Regarding whether the Calkins is competitive today may be answered this coming weekend in Olympia. We have been satisfied with it so far but have only been running our lesser A engine as both hydro and runabout have been run in the same flight. We will be running our best engine this weekend and find this one about 1.5 mph faster. That is over 100 yards on an average course. We will only be running it in AXSR this weekend. At Cullaby Lake our GPS read 44mph with our 2nd engine.
Norm Coote

[David Mason]

[QUOTE=RonHill]SOA NEWSLETTER
OH WELL, I don't plan to race a kneeldown. so they can do it their way!!!
QUOTE]

What is the matter Ron ? We have ALWAYS "done it" kneeling down.... :cool:

Recently I built and raced my first side fin runabout. I am totally pleased with its performance, except the blow over accident, and nobody came blame a boat for flipping, it takes someone driving it to flip it.....

To be honest I can't imagine rolling up a runabout at 90 MPH. I am very happy with turning the wheel and the boat goes right where you point it. How can that be unsafe ?

[mercguy]

I admit that I have not followed SOA race results closely ... but, would this Calkins ASR be competitive with todays Z-Craft "hydrobouts", Sorensen Jackals, RunneCrafts, RaceCrafts etc.?

my opinion:

if the older boats were made lighter and had a side fin, then MAYBE they would be competitive. Todays new "runabouts" just plain will outturn the old "roll up" boats and that is where alot of the race is won nowadays. My "little" Champion BU runs pretty darn good.......down a straight line, but I sure as hell cannot turn it worth a damn, being it has a center fin. NOW, that is my fault definately, bbut I bet if I put a side fin on it, I could turn it........ :o :o

[Norm Coote]

Dr. Thunder.... My guess is NO...Unless you ran races where there was a 6 inch chop....The newer boats are faster....if they weren't boat builders would have no new boats to build...

Norm:

Billy Larson.....Seems, he ran a DU at the Divisionals in Long Beach, 1958...I was just out growing A and had not started C-D...But I recall his driving the single bouys at Long Beach really well, even though, it was clear to me, the boat was designed for BIG WASHINGTON-OREGON CORNERS. That Calkins didn't have much fin...seems, the boat may have been Paul Woodroff's of Salem, Oregon.
I jusat remember Larson going like hell down the straits and more than having his hands full on the corners...I mean, no dirt track driver ever moved his hands like Larson did...I only saw him drive once, but it made an impression that sticks with me still...37 years later....

I never got a chance to drive a DU Calkins, but have often wondered if. Ron Hill, could have gotten that mother around the corners, at Long Beach, like Billy Larson did???

Thanks for the information!!!

Mercguy:
Our Calkins A(B) does have a side fin and turns very well and we have turned inside the 'new boats'. Believe this boat is just as competitive as any. This boat weights in ready to race at 114 lbs. For AXSR it is just right and for A we have to add a few lbs.
This boat is a flat turner if not a bit of an outside turner as you must keep the outside chine down.
Norm

[Cameraboy]

I admit that I have not followed SOA race results closely ... but, would this Calkins ASR be competitive with todays Z-Craft "hydrobouts", Sorensen Jackals, RunneCrafts, RaceCrafts etc.?

Trust me, this boat isn't a backmarker, and has even been at the front. Anthony (Norm's driver) is a good young talent, and has had success with Norm's Rheinberger hydro in AXS also. :cool:

[Norm Coote]

Guess our question as to whether the "old" Calkins runabout has been answered. In Olympia in AXSR it came in second in 3 heats and 1st in another. It was very close in the 2nd place finishes. This is the "cool" guy driving.

[Norm Coote]

Guess our question as to whether the "old" Calkins runabout has been answered. In Olympia in AXSR it came in second in 3 heats and 1st in another. It was very close in the 2nd place finishes. This is the "cool" guy driving.