Del Craft SJJ - "The Hooker"

[MN1]

I'm looking for more information on this boat when it was owned by Greg Horn from Washington state. This boat set the SJJ kilo record at 79 mph in 1972.
It's had a few owners including my brother in 1974 and it's back in my shop for a restore back the Connelly colors with twin Mercs.
Mark Nelson

[Skoontz]

Are those water pictures the Chicago River? It looks like the lower river deck below Marina towers....If so, that boat would have run against my lost boathouse associate, Charlie Rullman when he had his Huster Tunnel and a 125 Merc stacker....And you should have heard those people at 6:00AM when practice was opened up!

[MN1]

Yep, those few photos are from 1974 and my brother was racing in SJ class.
Chicago was a cool race. You couldn't see the course from the pits so my mom and dad took those photos on one of the bridges by Marina City towers.
Mark

[Ray Lumpkin]

MN1
In 1972 my racing friend (Henry Day) & I set up this twin engine Galaxiy with 2 135 HP Mercs to try and set an SJJ kilo record. We bought the boat together and browed the 2 engines for the kilo run. We both tested the boat and Henry drove it thru the kilos. I think the boat ran about 80 on the keller speedometer, but the record was disallowed because someone set a new record the day before, out west. Kilo run was made at Toano, Virginia.
Is your boat the one that beat us?

[Ray Lumpkin]

Xxxxx

[MN1]

I think so Ray. It almost looks like it was made just a kilo run.
It's short (15'8")and some what narrow for a twin engine boat. Has a very shallow tunnel by todays standards too (7"). It reminds me of (The Goat Boat) that Jimbo drove, very similar hull shape.
Mark

[Ray Lumpkin]

Xxxx

[Ray Lumpkin]

Mark
I have tried to send pictures of our Galaxiy, but no luck. I remember the goat boat very well. The Galaxiy was very heavy but 16 feet, great out of the hole, tourk very bad as we had 2 right hand units. Oh the good old days!!
Ray

[Skoontz]

Those were great races to watch from the bridges... Back when Richard Daley senior was mayor and you could plan anything for a contribution to the Democratic party. Unfair as it was, I would almost rather have it that way and get what I want than on my knees begging to use the water....

[MN1]

Here is your Galaxy Ray. Looks Good!
Mark

[MN1]

I did some sanding to get rid of that red and black paint.
Looks good for a 35 year old wood boat that sat in an open barn for 25 years.
I can tell that when I take off the decks I'm going to see some varnish.
Mark