Howard - Back in the Family

[Ramjetfish]

Finally was able to get the boat out for a long weekend. Spent the weekend on the CO River in Mojave Valley with a trip to Topock, Pirates Cove, and the Channel. This boat originally belonged to my grandpa. He started the build in 1990 and delivered in 1991. It was sold in 2001 and went through several owners until I bought it back last year after finding it on a youtube video. The boat performs as well as I remember when I was a kid. It has a Merc 454 with Bravo 1 drive and a 22P 4-blade prop. Was able to get it to 67MPH this weekend getting up nice and early for a nice boat ride down to Pirates Cove. The ride down to Havasu sucked as it was windy and choppy but we made it through. My family and I look forward to having more trips on this boat and using it to teach my kids how to ski. The red Howard, pictured, belonged to my grandpas best friend, these boats were built as sisters. It was sold in the mid 2000's and his son recently purchased it as well. First time the boats have been back together. Great memories.

 

[240Hallett]

Beauties!

 

[counterpart7]

Such a rad story, especially with both boats! Glad it's back in your families hands!

 

[Todd Mohr]

Cool Stuff!

 

[Movelocity]

Finally was able to get the boat out for a long weekend. Spent the weekend on the CO River in Mojave Valley with a trip to Topock, Pirates Cove, and the Channel. This boat originally belonged to my grandpa. He started the build in 1990 and delivered in 1991. It was sold in 2001 and went through several owners until I bought it back last year after finding it on a youtube video. The boat performs as well as I remember when I was a kid. It has a Merc 454 with Bravo 1 drive and a 22P 4-blade prop. Was able to get it to 67MPH this weekend getting up nice and early for a nice boat ride down to Pirates Cove. The ride down to Havasu sucked as it was windy and choppy but we made it through. My family and I look forward to having more trips on this boat and using it to teach my kids how to ski. The red Howard, pictured, belonged to my grandpas best friend, these boats were built as sisters. It was sold in the mid 2000's and his son recently purchased it as well. First time the boats have been back together. Great memories. View attachment 1244628 View attachment 1244626 View attachment 1244627 View attachment 1244629 View attachment 1244630

Very cool to see them back together. I was the third owner of the red boat. Talked to you prior. Your buddy bought it from Mike W. which i sold to him with a promise to sell it back to me when he was ready to change up. Glad to see it went back to someone close to the family instead. I spend some time up at Pirates and in the channel usually pretty late at night if we go in. I saw the boat up in Pirates last year going by . I will stop by if i see you guys and can give some history on the prior owner to me and the time i had it to your buddy. Im in a Howard 28 Bullet. Pic attached. If you see me flag me down or stop by would love to see both of the cruisers out on the water.

 

[BUDMAN]

Beautiful! She’s in good hands now. Thanks for sharing the story.

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

That is a great story, Your boats look great and I love that you got Grandpa's boat back!

We need to get your Howards and our Spectra's together and have our own regatta... My buddy and I have very similar Spectras. When I started my build I was going head on into cutting the top deck down to match what Howard did to his in the early 90's, I really like the straight lines vs. the angle drop on the Spectra's and the original Howard Cruisers.

 

[Ramjetfish]

Very cool to see them back together. I was the third owner of the red boat. Talked to you prior. Your buddy bought it from Mike W. which i sold to him with a promise to sell it back to me when he was ready to change up. Glad to see it went back to someone close to the family instead. I spend some time up at Pirates and in the channel usually pretty late at night if we go in. I saw the boat up in Pirates last year going by . I will stop by if i see you guys and can give some history on the prior owner to me and the time i had it to your buddy. Im in a Howard 28 Bullet. Pic attached. If you see me flag me down or stop by would love to see both of the cruisers out on the water.

I'll let you know the next time we are in Havasu and hopefully we can get out on the water. That would be a blast. Joe, who now owns the Red Boat lives in Havasu and usually goes out on the weekdays. I got him to come with me over the weekend and showed me around the water as I'm not very familiar with the Havasu waters. Hopef to see you out on the water in the near future.

 

[Ramjetfish]

That is a great story, Your boats look great and I love that you got Grandpa's boat back!

We need to get your Howards and our Spectra's together and have our own regatta... My buddy and I have very similar Spectras. When I started my build I was going head on into cutting the top deck down to match what Howard did to his in the early 90's, I really like the straight lines vs. the angle drop on the Spectra's and the original Howard Cruisers.


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Wow .... both of those look great, beautiful boats. We grandpas first boat was a 76 spectra jet boats with a BBF. Sold it for a Hallet Jet boat, then went to a lavey craft, and then finally the blue Howard. Spectra / Howard meetup sounds like a lot of fun. I would definitely be interested in that.

 

[Wedgy]

Very beautiful boats all Gentlemen. Just Wow.
Timeless closed bow works of art. Dig the up angle PT inspired cockpit helms. BBC power. Nice lotta work indeed!