THANKS

First, I'd like to thank all those who took time to comment about the site. The response  far exceeded my expectations. Your input and compliments were very much appreciated.

ACCURACY

Knowing that many current as well as former skiff owners are trying to document their boats history, I have made it a point to provide accurate information. All information printed on this site is known to be fact and in all cases can be backed up by either documentation or corroborating parties. If there is anything you see that gives you pause or if there is any information you feel should be added, especially exact dates or date corrections, please let me know by emailing me at: sked@jerseyspeedskiffs.com
 

HOME PAGE FEATURED BOAT

As you all have probably noticed, the current home page features a new photo. The boat pictured is Jerry "Snake" Fowler's, JS-66, Mr. Illegal from 1970. Among former skiff racers there's a legendary true tale that involves this boat and most notably it's rider Charlie Timm. On a couple of occasions at the nightly gatherings at Bud Benders shop in Highlands, NJ, Charlie would boast of how he would never be thrown from a skiff. He claimed he would never let go and that no rider could hold on better than he could. Charlie was a fit, pretty well built guy (at least that was how he appeared to look in the eyes of this fifteen year old) but little did Charlie or anyone else know at the time that he would prove himself to be at least partially right.
In 1970, racing speed skiffs were required to use a transmission. During the race at Montgomery, PA that year, the flange coupling connecting the transmission to the prop shaft on the JS-66 cracked and broke apart as the boat neared the end of the straightaway. Normally, not too much of a problem but in this instance it seems Snake had gotten the boat through safety inspection without having any of the mandatory shaft safety collars installed. As you can probably guess, when the coupling broke, the shaft slid backward and the propeller jammed into the rudder causing the prop to stop instantly. The effect on the boat was violent, as it stuffed the bow under water, immediately stopping the boat and throwing Snake out and into the water. Charlie, true to his word, never let go, but there he was, also in the water, still holding on to the riders handles, both of which were still attached to the sections of deck he ripped off the boat on his way out.
Thinking back on it, that's not quite as funny a story as the time Dave Greenlaw lost his pants. Oh well, that's a story for another time.

Later,
          Sked