R Bitz shovelnose hydros for sale, start your own boat building biz

[spectras only]

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[warpt71]

talented but poor business man I heard. I almost bought a Bitz runnerbottom, it would have been a funn project!

 

[TrollerDave]

Wasn’t he doing 21’ some years ago? I remember a couple awesome builds, on Performance Boats forums I think. Seemed like nice boats.

 

[rivrrts429]

Wasn’t he doing 21’ some years ago? I remember a couple awesome builds, on Performance Boats forums I think. Seemed like nice boats.

Yes, I had one. It was a great boat and didn’t have any ill handling issues even at 104mph, 105ish.

Rick Bitz is not a good business man and it’s likely he still owes people money and boats.

 

[TrollerDave]

Yes, I had one. It was a great boat and didn’t have any ill handling issues even at 104mph, 105ish.

Rick Bitz is not a good business man and it’s likely he still owes people money and boats.

The red one, right?

I think there was also a white one, blown jet maybe?

Bummer. Seems too common in the boat biz.

 

[rivrrts429]

The red one, right?

I think there was also a white one, blown jet maybe?

Bummer. Seems too common in the boat biz.

Yes the red one was mine. The white one was also a lower river boat. Both mine and the white one were blown big blocks. They both ran really well.

I got to figure out which laptop I have the pictures and videos. It was a fun rowdy boat that Dan Nelson of Jett Performance rigged and did a great job setting up.

Skinny Tire Asshole, Steve (Skater), originally had it built by Rick Bitz. That was a story in itself getting the boat from Rick. After a bunch of back and forth and some strong conversations they shipped it down on the bed of a flatbed truck. Back the truck down the ramp at Windsor until water was coming in the truck cab. They floated it off and Steve backed a custom trailer down that he had built for the boat and then the flatbed truck went north back to Canada and Steve went south back to Phoenix.

There’s a lot more to that story of getting the boat to Havasu but it’s best when Steve tells it.

Rick Bitz is quite the character…

 

[was thatguy]

It’s all in the 12 year old build thread.

Build Thread..Blown-2-Bitz

Gang, Going over to Havasu in the morning, 9-24-11 to pick up the new 21 Daytona "splash" hull built by Rick Bitz. To my knowledge, it is the second (-2-) to come out of the mold. I had him go "lake racer light" he informed me this morning it came in at 820# no too bad for a 21' boat. Picked...

www.riverdavesplace.com

 

[TrollerDave]

Yes the red one was mine. The white one was also a lower river boat. Both mine and the white one were blown big blocks. They both ran really well.

I got to figure out which laptop I have the pictures and videos. It was a fun rowdy boat that Dan Nelson of Jett Performance rigged and did a great job setting up.

Skinny Tire Asshole, Steve (Skater), originally had it built by Rick Bitz. That was a story in itself getting the boat from Rick. After a bunch of back and forth and some strong conversations they shipped it down on the bed of a flatbed truck. Back the truck down the ramp at Windsor until water was coming in the truck cab. They floated it off and Steve backed a custom trailer down that he had built for the boat and then the flatbed truck went north back to Canada and Steve went south back to Phoenix.

There’s a lot more to that story of getting the boat to Havasu but it’s best when Steve tells it.

Rick Bitz is quite the character…

I remember it was mentioned how he cut the cockpit to create a bit more room and it thought that was a cool idea. Great looking boats.

 

[port austin pirate]

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View attachment 1425697

boat in pic is a picklefork not a shovelnose, two different animals

 

[was thatguy]

@rivrrts429
Just curious what, if any, actual direct dealings you’ve had with Bitz?

 

[rivrrts429]

I remember it was mentioned how he cut the cockpit to create a bit more room and it thought that was a cool idea. Great looking boats.

I don’t think Eliminator and, rightfully so, appreciated him splashing their hull.

The story goes that Rick splashed a fire damaged 21’ Eliminator Daytona. He moved the dash forward about 15” from what I measured against my buddy’s stock Daytona. The cockpit was huge compare to a standard 21’.

 

[was thatguy]

boat in pic is a picklefork not a shovelnose, two different animals

Shovel nose is in the background.

 

[rivrrts429]

@rivrrts429
Just curious what, if any, actual direct dealings you’ve had with Bitz?

Only talked to Rick by phone. If I was going to Canada it wouldn’t be to visit Rick.

 

[TrollerDave]

It’s all in the 12 year old build thread.

Build Thread..Blown-2-Bitz

Gang, Going over to Havasu in the morning, 9-24-11 to pick up the new 21 Daytona "splash" hull built by Rick Bitz. To my knowledge, it is the second (-2-) to come out of the mold. I had him go "lake racer light" he informed me this morning it came in at 820# no too bad for a 21' boat. Picked...

www.riverdavesplace.com

Whoop, There it is.

Didn’t mean to dig up old drama. I just remembered them being real nice boats.

 

[TBulger]

I would like one of those, safe to deal with him?

 

[rivrrts429]

I would like one of those, safe to deal with him?

After you speak to him you can go with your gut. Lots of people have had good luck. Performance Boats had a lot of stories of those that didn’t. Not sure what the real story could be. He seemed alright with me but I never sent him money either so no real world experience to share with you.

 

[RVR SWPR]

Yes the red one was mine. The white one was also a lower river boat. Both mine and the white one were blown big blocks. They both ran really well.

I got to figure out which laptop I have the pictures and videos. It was a fun rowdy boat that Dan Nelson of Jett Performance rigged and did a great job setting up.

Skinny Tire Asshole, Steve (Skater), originally had it built by Rick Bitz. That was a story in itself getting the boat from Rick. After a bunch of back and forth and some strong conversations they shipped it down on the bed of a flatbed truck. Back the truck down the ramp at Windsor until water was coming in the truck cab. They floated it off and Steve backed a custom trailer down that he had built for the boat and then the flatbed truck went north back to Canada and Steve went south back to Phoenix.

There’s a lot more to that story of getting the boat to Havasu but it’s best when Steve tells it.

Rick Bitz is quite the character…

Incredible story,really miss Steve content around here.

 

[was thatguy]

Whoop, There it is.

Didn’t mean to dig up old drama. I just remembered them being real nice boats.

I saw it in Steve’s garage just before he sold it.
I was jealous that rvrrts got it!

 

[rivrrts429]

I saw it in Steve’s garage just before he sold it.
I was jealous that rvrrts got it!

I wish I would’ve kept it. It really was a great boat but with a looming divorce and buying a place on the Parker Strip I parted ways.

It’s now LS powered. I saw it on a YouTube video and a couple friends have talked to the current owner. No idea where the blower motor went. That motor was extremely nice and built with the best of everything. I had C&J rebuild the carbs and he fell in love with that motor.

 

[poncho]

I wish I would’ve kept it. It really was a great boat but with a looming divorce and buying a place on the Parker Strip I parted ways.

It’s now LS powered. I saw it on a YouTube video and a couple friends have talked to the current owner. No idea where the blower motor went. That motor was extremely nice and built with the best of everything. I had C&J rebuild the carbs and he fell in love with that motor.

Is he still doing carbs?...Did mine about 6 or 7 years ago and they have been great. Trip to Virginia in June found a stumble when slammed into gear and flat foot that wasn't there before.
Thanks

 

[rivrrts429]

Is he still doing carbs?...Did mine about 6 or 7 years ago and they have been great. Trip to Virginia in June found a stumble when slammed into gear and flat foot that wasn't there before.
Thanks

As far as I know. I was at his shop a year or two ago and he was busy AF.

 

[poncho]

As far as I know. I was at his shop a year or two ago and he was busy AF.

Thanks, I'll reach out to him.

 

[rivrrts429]

Thanks, I'll reach out to him.

He’s pretty interesting and not much of a personality but knows his carbs. He’s always fixed me up quick. He’s a good dude and old skool as they come.

 

[poncho]

He’s pretty interesting and not much of a personality but knows his carbs. He’s always fixed me up quick. He’s a good dude and old skool as they come.

Yea, I read him pretty quick on the phone when I discussed boxing them up and shipping them to him, no BS.
When we were running my motor on the dyno my friend had a question for him, they are very similar so it was pretty funny the two of them kind of telling the other he doesn't know what he's talking about It, didn't last my friend is in his 80's and has been building engines for 60 years, they ended up with a mutual respect for each other.
As for Rick Bitz watched him race in the PNW many times and he always had nice fast boats, can't speak to the business side of the man.

 

[MOUZER]

isnt bitz and hondo hydro same mold........2 hondo pics

 

[MOUZER]

BITZ

 

[MOUZER]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm what does old MoUzEr know

 

[RiverDave]

I was with Tony Scarlotta one time and his buddy was taking delivery of a boat from this guy.

Here I’m thinking gonna be a happy day, right before we show up Tony looks at me and says “this might not go smooth”

As soon as the boat shows up the guys wife went out and mother fucked this guy up down and sideways.. one of the more impressive mother fuck jobs I have ever seen if we r being honest.. lol

That was my only experience meeting Mr bitz and I never actually met him as I was standing 15’ back with my jaw on the asphalt.

RD

 

[spectras only]

Yes the red one was mine. The white one was also a lower river boat. Both mine and the white one were blown big blocks. They both ran really well.

I got to figure out which laptop I have the pictures and videos. It was a fun rowdy boat that Dan Nelson of Jett Performance rigged and did a great job setting up.

Skinny Tire Asshole, Steve (Skater), originally had it built by Rick Bitz. That was a story in itself getting the boat from Rick. After a bunch of back and forth and some strong conversations they shipped it down on the bed of a flatbed truck. Back the truck down the ramp at Windsor until water was coming in the truck cab. They floated it off and Steve backed a custom trailer down that he had built for the boat and then the flatbed truck went north back to Canada and Steve went south back to Phoenix.

There’s a lot more to that story of getting the boat to Havasu but it’s best when Steve tells it.

Rick Bitz is quite the character…

I rode with Rick in his personal hydro in the 70's. Quite a character is an understatement. He did well in the old days, but things were going south later. He brought blank hulls like my buddy's 21 Howard, Eliminator hulls, splashed them and rigged them. He can't do much now a days, heard his hands are deformed by Dupuytren's disease.
My white 76 Spectra and buddy's Howard V-drive Rick brought up from california and splashed

 

[Fulldeck]

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View attachment 1425697

Looks like that’s in my neck of the woods

had a boat built by Rick in 1987 ,he definitely is a character !!