Leecraft

[Flashpoint]

Anyone have info or some history on Leecraft. I have one and it looks like a Mirage .I was told by several they were built by Lee Collins? Brad Collins father before Mirage boats. I also heard the bottom was a Stoker to begin with.

[Mark75H]

I think Leecraft is David Lee. Brad Collins' father is Louis Collins. :)

[Flashpoint]

I knew something didnt sound right but i guess you get the idea.
How about some Louis Collins and David Lee history. Now thats better.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Louis Collins in 1976 at the Kilos in Kaukauna, Wisconsin

[WharfRat]

anyone got a pic of the 15' Laser that Louis set the kilo record with back around that time ?????

[Miss BK]

Flashpoint,
Here's a quick history for you:

Louis Collins and Mike Cullen came up with an idea for a new ModVP design. But they didn't have a factory or equipment to build a plug, molds or hulls, so they went to their friend David Lee of Lee Craft, and hired him to do the work.

They did some testing of thier own theories using a Stoker, but when it came time to build the Mirage, they began with a wooden plug built by David Lee and one of his employees: a young Brad Collins.

They went into production and built about 15 of these early Mirages. But the enterprise was not financially feasable - especially when trying to divide the profits three ways.

The partnership folded and the molds remained at David Lee's Cullman Alabama plant. After gathering dust for many years, David Lee - even though he didn't own them - sold those molds (we assume in lieu of storage fees, but that's just a guess).

I heard that Eagle One purchased them, but I am not certain about that.


Later, Brad Collins started his own plant known as "Mirage Boats of Texas" with the help of renowned plug and hull designer Tom Drozd. The first hulls were 12 foot boats for Sport C, SST45 and Mod C, called "Tom Cat's". (I bought one and met the builder for the first time a year later - he sure was CUTE!) A year or so later they created a better performing 18 foot ModVP "River Racer", which is a completely different hull than the original 18 foot Mirages built out of the Lee plant.


Hope that helps!

David and Chad Lee are still good friends with the Collins family. If you ever want more details, I'm sure David could fill you in some.

[Miss BK]

David and Chad Lee are still busy building race boats:

This is the latest, called "Aero Slot" for both F1 and F2 (Champ and SST120)

This is Bill May in SST 120 class in his Lee built Aeroslot


http://www.aprsuperleague.com/profiles/pics/72904/F2%20%2371%20PC-100.jpg

[Miss BK]

Jason Campbell in his Lee Craft AeroSlot won the 2003 San Diego and the 2004 Bay City Champboat races.

http://www.champboatracing.com/galleries/photos/2004/08-san_diego/SD_Testing9.jpg

[WharfRat]

Val, dang it, I REALLY want pics of the Laser. I figure if anyone has one you do............. & you know why :p

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

Flashpoint,
Here's a quick history for you:

Louis Collins and Mike Cullen came up with an idea for a new ModVP design. But they didn't have a factory or equipment to build a plug, molds or hulls, so they went to their friend David Lee of Lee Craft, and hired him to do the work.

They did some testing of thier own theories using a Stoker, but when it came time to build the Mirage, they began with a wooden plug built by David Lee and one of his employees: a young Brad Collins.

They went into production and built about 15 of these early Mirages. But the enterprise was not financially feasable - especially when trying to divide the profits three ways.

The partnership folded and the molds remained at David Lee's Cullman Alabama plant. After gathering dust for many years, David Lee - even though he didn't own them - sold those molds (we assume in lieu of storage fees, but that's just a guess).

I heard that Eagle One purchased them, but I am not certain about that.


Later, Brad Collins started his own plant known as "Mirage Boats of Texas" with the help of renowned plug and hull designer Tom Drozd. The first hulls were 12 foot boats for Sport C, SST45 and Mod C, called "Tom Cat's". (I bought one and met the builder for the first time a year later - he sure was CUTE!) A year or so later they created a better performing 18 foot ModVP "River Racer", which is a completely different hull than the original 18 foot Mirages built out of the Lee plant.


Hope that helps!

David and Chad Lee are still good friends with the Collins family. If you ever want more details, I'm sure David could fill you in some.
So Val, how long after you thought Brad was "cute" did you marry him?

I remember Bradis Tomcat factory as I bought one and picked it up at the factory then drove it back to Wisconsin. Chuck Zolokoske won the SST45 nationals driving it for me at Kankakee in I think 1984. I sold the boat to OMC/Fred Miller & it went somewhere in South America.

[hydroc888]

Did you buy the boat fully rigged and where was there factory ? Must have been pretty close to be able to drive the boat back to Wisconson . Sorry , only kidding . Sounded good tho .

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

Actually, Chuck Zolkoske who drove the boat rigged it. I actually had to be in the south on business so combined business & vacation to pick up the boat. It was real nice looking as I had Brad lay it up in burgundy with 3 different grays stripes. On the way home it rained, was pretty upset that my new boat got wet & dirty.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Does the Laser have a wing over the transom? Give me the boat number and I'll look through my contact sheets. I know I've got one of a V hull with a wing on it. I didn't take many pictures at the Kaukauna kilos until I got done with my run. When I picked my camera up Bob Hering was making his run. He started to get air and I hit the button. The motor drive was in slow motion. I forgot I had it set for only 1-1/2 frames per second instead of 4. Otherwise I could have run through a whole roll before Bob finished skipping across the water.

[WharfRat]

no wing that I know of, there's a few pics of it in the "show us your boat" thread under my name

[Smokin' Joe]

anyone got a pic of the 15' Laser that Louis set the kilo record with back around that time ?????

This post is dated, but do you mean the Laser/Merc 150 that set the JP kilo record in Waco in Oct. 1981?

[kevin beaulier]

Here is a shot of a Lee craft at the marathon nationals in 1975.I could be wrong on the year.

[Ron Hill]

Is this the boat they made a mold from to make the glass Lee SJ???

Anyone wonder, besides me, why the LEE FAMILY was so fast in SJ?

California had some pretty fast SJ's but when push came to shove, Dave Lee seemed to win, as I recall...

Kim Howard, Kenny Hoffman, Ron Eisley.....were fast in California, but they never did much at St. Louis...

Who was the long haired guy, from Florida, that was fast as hell...Got hurt and quit.....Natural wood boats, cockpit way far forward....deep tunnel....???

Great class SJ..22 or more in COBRA alone...(California Out Board Racing Association)...COBRA.

[T2x]

Who was the long haired guy, from Florida, that was fast as hell...Got hurt and quit.....Natural wood boats, cockpit way far forward....deep tunnel....???

Great class SJ..22 or more in COBRA alone...(California Out Board Racing Association)...

Doug Pearl..........

SJ evolved into something that seperated the boat racers from the posers in a hurry. You had to be on top of your game, setup, props etc to the point where only the most devoted and talented guys could compete. John Sherlock was one of the guys who continually raised the bar and Doug Pearl was another.

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

Doug Pearl..........

SJ evolved into something that seperated the boat racers from the posers in a hurry. You had to be on top of your game, setup, props etc to the point where only the most devoted and talented guys could compete. John Sherlock was one of the guys who continually raised the bar and Doug Pearl was another.

Rich,
Thanks for posting Doug Pearl, I just couldn't think of his name. He & Lee had some awesome races together. John also ran very well, but I do not recall him racing against Doug & David, at least me personally seeing them compete together. I also believe that Doug won several marathon national championships. I won 2 in "S" & third in the 3rd consecutive one & I believe he might have won SJ in all 3 of those.

[Ron Hill]

Switzer Wings's Photos - Tunnel raceboats of the 60's and 70's

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http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs897.ash1/180581_104027919674881_100002030200002_21474_73931 72_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=13369&id=100002030200002)

Doug Pearl- S J class - Miami Marine Stadium -photo courtesy of Mark Nelson

[MN1]

Here's a bigger version of my photo. And one from St. Loius.
Mark N
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/DougPearl-MiamiFL.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/SJClassStLouis-1977.jpg

[AERO 1]

I believe that is St. Louis '77 dad ran #189 his 1st season '76 I think. I remember as a kid dad (David) and my uncle Tommy would come home from a race, work during the day, put the motor back together (in those days stock class inspection you brought motor the home in a box after winning) at night and back to the lake on Wednesday afternoon to get ready for the next race. They had a good combination as brothers and if they didn't win they didn't go to the next race. I remember some great battles with Doug Pearl (FL) and Sam White (TN) as a youngster. I will see if I can post some more of those old photos from mom's albums...there are tons in the basement and in the old boat shop. Mark thanks for the photo, I will call dad and get him to pull it up.

[MN1]

Another Leecraft at St Louis. Gettin a little high!
Mark N
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/ShipsWatch.jpg

[kevin beaulier]

Here's a shot of Harley Wilson from about 1985 taken in St. Louis. I think this boat was shortened by cutting some length off the back. Funny side note Harold Simburger was inspecting and he rigged up a lengthened tape measure which made the boat measure under the minimum length for the class. Harley sure had a funny look on his face when he read that tape measure himself.

[AERO 1]

Mark,
That was actually the 2nd all composite boat (kevlar,balsa, epoxy, vaccum bagged) we built, Jim Godez got the 1st one. We finished rigging it in the parking lot and Buck 'Buckaroo' Thornton loaned us a prop...should have won the thing, got penalty for hitting a bouy. Strange thing was that on the video the spray off the sponson deflated when dad sat it down to turn.

Kevin,
Hope all is well with you...maybe I'll actually make it to a race to say HI! I forgot about the boat Harley had, that thing was a rocket.

[AERO 1]

Here is a shot of a Lee craft at the marathon nationals in 1975.I could be wrong on the year.


That was basically the 1st full race boat dad and Tommy built. For Travis Chapman and was either Guntersville, AL or Eufaula, AL I can't tell but I am sure Kevin knows but the year is right. Dad after seeing Travis run it had to build one for himself and give it a try...loaded up and went to Nashville, TN for the UIM SJ Championship for their 1st race and won the thinng:eek:!

[MN1]

Found some more photos from St. Louis.
Mark N
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/scan0008-2.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/scan0004-2.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/scan0003-2.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/scan0002-3.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm315/MN392/scan0001-4.jpg

[Brian Rogerson]

Here's a shot of Harley Wilson from about 1985 taken in St. Louis. I think this boat was shortened by cutting some length off the back. Funny side note Harold Simburger was inspecting and he rigged up a lengthened tape measure which made the boat measure under the minimum length for the class. Harley sure had a funny look on his face when he read that tape measure himself.

I think this is the boat Ben Majors near Smithfield Virginia built. If it is, Larry Lauterbach shortened it and improved it quite a bit. Harley painted the inside of the windshield at the Portsmouth Virginia race because he didn’t like seeing the water that close in front of him. The picture is in post #24