Rusty and Ultra

[DarkHorseRacing]

Don’t feel bad, my father is on year 24 of a boat build.

Started out as a jet boat now it’s a six drive. Was stolen at one point and then recovered. Built an interior and then that disappears, had to build another.

It’s been in and out of nearly every major boat shop. Nordic, Prime Marine, etc.

My dad just likes something to keep him busy, is my guess.

 

[ChrisV]

Don’t feel bad, my father is on year 24 of a boat build.

Started out as a jet boat now it’s a six drive. Was stolen at one point and then recovered. Built an interior and then that disappears, had to build another.

It’s been in and out of nearly every major boat shop. Nordic, Prime Marine, etc.

My dad just likes something to keep him busy, is my guess.

Pics

 

[Ziggy]

Even though I think I know, I'm curious about what model year the HIN will indicate?

 

[Singleton]

Even though I think I know, I'm curious about what model year the HIN will indicate?

Should be year hull was laid up.
However, I could see this hull being stamped as a 24 or even a 25 (if HID is filed after Aug 1).

 

[FreeBird236]

Legally I believe they can use the completion date, which is what most companies do. Most of this started with the recession around 2008-09 when hulls were laying around 2, 3, 4 years or more.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Pics

 

[n2otoofast4u]

what did this start as? It’s fkn cool!

 

[FCT]

It’s all talk until a finished product is produced. Out that much money for only a bare hull after 4 years is BS. Sounds like a scam artist to me. They always have a great story……

 

[DalesSpeed]

Such a cool boat. Was this at Rayson Craft during the early 2000’s?

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Such a cool boat. Was this at Rayson Craft during the early 2000’s?

Yes, it was RC that laid it up. Apparently the mold was from a company called California Cool. I’ve only ever seen two other boats from this mold. At one point both were on Arrowhead.

This was modified in the mold to meet ski racing requirements for overall length and the bottom has some changes, originally for the jet it was supposed to get ( added a delta pad).

 

[DalesSpeed]

I remember when it came out of the mold. I thought it was such a cool hull. It’s good to see it is still around!

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I remember when it came out of the mold. I thought it was such a cool hull. It’s good to see it is still around!

Maybe next years Catalina ski race. I was hoping for this year being the 75th anniversary but it didn’t work out as still too much to finish in a month and still do all the break-in and testing.

 

[ChumpChange]

First of all shout out to my friends who always have mine and my family's back. Second, I received a call from Rusty and went to his new shop on Thursday to see our boat. The hull is currently being worked on and we agreed on a 4 step process that he would meet at specified dates or he would release the boat to me with the verified HIN# on it and accompanying MSO. There are dates for each of the 4 steps and if one is missed, he will release the boat to me.

So what far worse things have been said about you on the boating site?

 

[ChrisV]

Badass! Cool to see a twin turbo motor.

 

[BlockHead]

Same. Last time I chatted with him; while he misses the design aspect, he has ZERO interest in building boats. But is sad to see the brand get tarnished like it has been under Rusty.

Rusty was the only one who expressed interest in the molds when JW was looking to move them. He tried to help Rusty the first two years, BUT Rusty always through the knew more and his way was better. That was one reason JW stopped helping and walked as far away from Rusty as he could.

I bought my Ultra used from Chris (interceptor boats) in 2012 he was building some boats out of ultra molds and interested too but outcome appears would have been the same.

 

[throttle]

If they are doing progress payments something is off.
Used to be 10% to start hull, 25% when motor ordered, 25% when interior completed, 40% due at completion.

Made deposits on both of my Cobra's, never had progress payments. Paid in full when finished. That was then, today could be different.

 

[Singleton]

I bought my Ultra used from Chris (interceptor boats) in 2012 he was building some boats out of ultra molds and interested too but outcome appears would have been the same.

Chris was a thief. I know one of the customer boat he was building got pulled from his shop and finished by someone else. I actually had to pick parts up from Chris and deliver to DS one year. JW arranged for the PD to be onsite when I arrived and I had the paid invoice from the vender. Chris was a huge PIA and JW discontinued his access to the molds after that build.

 

[Ultra912]

This has me thinking...If you have to give your money to who would pick..
Who are the best West Coast boat brands on the market today, with renowned reputations for integrity, honesty, quality, reliability.
Howard, Hallett/Nordic and ???

Shockwave

 

[FreeBird236]

Made deposits on both of my Cobra's, never had progress payments. Paid in full when finished. That was then, today could be different.

Same with Eliminator in 2007. Things were starting to slow down, and I believe our smaller 236 was around 3-4 months start to finish

 

[boatpi]

Without bring up old bad news, Ultra has a very bad history after John sold it. ALL, or most of it, is tied to Jason Van Beek, and his thieving son. I could write novels on it. He screwed so many people, it has to be a boating industry record. After he ran Ultra in the Sunland area, he started Lighting Boats in Elsinore area. The two brothers laid up his hulls in Hemet. Most know them, they actually did good work. But had scam issues too. I recall going into the showroom, and NO HIN numbers on the boats, then seeing one with a trophy plate. This is a typical Van Beek scam to trade HIN's, re sell the same hull many times, things disappear, just insane. And Johnny had a store in Gardena, close to old Rayson craft. He did stupid stuff too, but I got him to fess up when the began doing business with crips from Compton. Something happened, crip dogs came into his shop and beat his ass within an inch of his life. he was not pretty. lived in a rented house in Huntington Harbour. I used to discuss the scams with Steve RIP and Mr. Pumps before their untimely death.

 

[4Waters]

Without bring up old bad news, Ultra has a very bad history after John sold it. ALL, or most of it, is tied to Jason Van Beek, and his thieving son. I could write novels on it. He screwed so many people, it has to be a boating industry record. After he ran Ultra in the Sunland area, he started Lighting Boats in Elsinore area. The two brothers laid up his hulls in Hemet. Most know them, they actually did good work. But had scam issues too. I recall going into the showroom, and NO HIN numbers on the boats, then seeing one with a trophy plate. This is a typical Van Beek scam to trade HIN's, re sell the same hull many times, things disappear, just insane. And Johnny had a store in Gardena, close to old Rayson craft. He did stupid stuff too, but I got him to fess up when the began doing business with crips from Compton. Something happened, crip dogs came into his shop and beat his ass within an inch of his life. he was not pretty. lived in a rented house in Huntington Harbour. I used to discuss the scams with Steve RIP and Mr. Pumps before their untimely death.

My wife and I went up to Lightning boats in Lopez Cyn to possibly get a boat, we both got a bad vibe and decided against it.

 

[boatpi]

Van Beek sold Stealth models without any silicone between the hull and deck, several sank, or close to it. Van Beek Sr and Jr ran the Sunland operation, that is when they started the name "West Coast Ultra Boats". RUN, do not walk from that point onwards.

 

[boatpi]

Ultra boats who owns it now ?

After seeing the other thread get spiraled to a Ultra topic. I figured I would start this thread to see who all is involved these days. Who owns the molds and where are they? Are they still building boats or sitting idle acting like they went under to avoid lawsuits. I wish I could be properly...

www.riverdavesplace.com

OLD Skool days

Ultra Custom Boats

Ultra Custom Boats. 6,016 likes. Custom built boats from 19' to 39' offered in Vee, Cat and tunnel bottoms.

www.facebook.com

 

[NicPaus]

Ultra boats who owns it now ?

After seeing the other thread get spiraled to a Ultra topic. I figured I would start this thread to see who all is involved these days. Who owns the molds and where are they? Are they still building boats or sitting idle acting like they went under to avoid lawsuits. I wish I could be properly...

www.riverdavesplace.com

OLD Skool days

Ultra Custom Boats

Ultra Custom Boats. 6,016 likes. Custom built boats from 19' to 39' offered in Vee, Cat and tunnel bottoms.

www.facebook.com

Haha my old thread. It was Jerry and younger brother Jason. I ran into Jason's Niece a few years ago st Echo. She said He was living in Costa Rica. Jerry was still posting here a few years ago. I heard from some of the workers. That He had a house above puddingstone and most all the money was going up there nose there.

 

[NicPaus]

Van Beek sold Stealth models without any silicone between the hull and deck, several sank, or close to it. Van Beek Sr and Jr ran the Sunland operation, that is when they started the name "West Coast Ultra Boats". RUN, do not walk from that point onwards.

Mine always took on water. Added a extra bilge pump on a float switch. Leaked at the back swim steps at the seam. As that was underwater.

 

[wzuber]

Van Beek sold Stealth models without any silicone between the hull and deck, several sank, or close to it. Van Beek Sr and Jr ran the Sunland operation, that is when they started the name "West Coast Ultra Boats". RUN, do not walk from that point onwards.

Was "sr" jerry v.b.? He was involved w/boat city in azusa in the 80's i think it was and f'd up bahner boats (along w/R.B) i believe.?

 

[Smupser]

Was "sr" jerry v.b.? He was involved w/boat city in azusa in the 80's i think it was and f'd up bahner boats (along w/R.B) i believe.?

I used to have this 88’ ultra that from what I was told, was a splash of a bahner with a Rogers bottom. I remember when I first got the boat trying to find out history on it and what I came up with was this was a van beek ultra that they splashed from molds from Rod.

not sure if this is relevant but when I see the name van beek it makes me think of it

 

[Singleton]

It’s a complicated history

 

[wzuber]

I bet all the other "ultra .........." named co's hate those guys too......what a mess...

 

[boatpi]

The Southbay Ultra Raysoncraft craft was Johnny Whitsett ( corrected). . Does anyone know if Johnny still alive he actually for the most part tried to do the right thing as Heart was into it. I don’t think he was always the best businessman at times and just got felony stupid and got the Crips involved with some kind of boat deal that almost killed him. I was working LAPD at the time and a task force. He called me about it. I went down and saw him. It was pretty brutal. I actually feel really sorry for the guy who was not a bad dude.

 

[Smupser]

It’s a complicated history

Mine had an WIQ MIC

 

[Singleton]

Mine had an WIQ MIC

No idea who that is

 

[Smupser]

No idea who that is

Steve Sanchez was supposedly one of van beeks partners

 

[Singleton]

Ultra - some of the best looking hulls on the west coast. But excluding JW, ownership has been a nightmare.
I still get people thinking my boat is 2 to 4 years of age. When I tell them it’s an 07 they are shocked.

best way to know if you have a JW designed gel scheme, look at the lines. He would incorporate a W into the design

 

[boatpi]

One thing about the boat business, is is quite unregulated, no one in le looks at it. Same with rv industry, but even worse. And thanks for reminding me. It was Johnny Whitsett in Gardena and he was headed out of bad road straight off his moral compass.

 

[HBCraig]

From what I was told, I have the last 247 ever built by John West. I've been very happy. It's an '04.

 

[old rigger]

I used to have this 88’ ultra that from what I was told, was a splash of a bahner with a Rogers bottom. I remember when I first got the boat trying to find out history on it and what I came up with was this was a van beek ultra that they splashed from molds from Rod.

not sure if this is relevant but when I see the name van beek it makes me think of it

You are correct about the origins of that hull but I wouldn't be surprised if they just didn't acquire Rod's molds. By '88 he was in hiding and we were finishing his customers half finished boats. This was at Advantage, Harry and Rod were friends. Some of the flimsiest layups I've ever seen. Felt bad for his customers but just wanted those things outta the shop.

 

[old rigger]

I can't believe how much this thread reminds me of the '70s,'80s and '90s. Fucking coke dealing to keep the shop afloat, shootings, murder, selling the same bare hull to more than one buyer to get the bank loan (there's a term for it and I'll be damned if I can remember it) taking an engine of a customers boat in for service, replacing it with a internally stock long block and installing the customers manifolds, carbs and so on. Happened all the time. I did it for a very respected builder that's still in biz. My dad did if for someone considered a legend today, that was dad's last stop before he got the fuck out altogether.

I guess some things never change although today the money involved is staggering.

 

[havasu5150]

Same with Eliminator in 2007. Things were starting to slow down, and I believe our smaller 236 was around 3-4 months start to finish

Same with my Conquest

 

[FlyByWire]

I can't believe how much this thread reminds me of the '70s,'80s and '90s. Fucking coke dealing to keep the shop afloat, shootings, murder, selling the same bare hull to more than one buyer to get the bank loan (there's a term for it and I'll be damned if I can remember it) taking an engine of a customers boat in for service, replacing it with a internally stock long block and installing the customers manifolds, carbs and so on. Happened all the time. I did it for a very respected builder that's still in biz. My dad did if for someone considered a legend today, that was dad's last stop before he got the fuck out altogether.

I guess some things never change although today the money involved is staggering.

That all sounds like our experience with Forrest from Omega back in the late 90s

 

[Johnnyray]

The Southbay Ultra Raysoncraft craft was Johnny Whitsett ( corrected). . Does anyone know if Johnny still alive he actually for the most part tried to do the right thing as Heart was into it. I don’t think he was always the best businessman at times and just got felony stupid and got the Crips involved with some kind of boat deal that almost killed him. I was working LAPD at the time and a task force. He called me about it. I went down and saw him. It was pretty brutal. I actually feel really sorry for the guy who was not a bad dude.

Hey Keith Jackson , I'm still alive not sure why my name is coming up on this thread I haven't had anything to do with ultra boats in 25 years seems people have nothing better to do then to post 1/2 truths on the internet ! If anyone wants to Know the truth about anything having to do with me message me on Facebook , I have no idea who Rusty even is !

 

[old rigger]

That all sounds like our experience with Forrest from Omega back in the late 90s

I didn’t know they were still around in the late 90s! Not a bad run.

 

[boatpi]

Hey Johnny, somebody started it and I just responded like other people. It’s been 25 years but that’s the history.

 

[FCT]

Shockwave

Bob is as solid as they get.

 

[Riverhound 2.0]

Bob is as solid as they get.

Agreed. Bob was great to do business with. Although we had some creative differences during our build, he was solid as a rock throughout the process. I would 100% build with Shockwave again.

 

[RiverDave]

So what far worse things have been said about you on the boating site?

Think it was rusty that said that

 

[ChumpChange]

Think it was rusty that said that

I’m pretty sure it would be rusty in blue saying he wanted to make sure he didn’t hide or steal the boat which means the other guy is in gray.

 

[Groper]

Wow what a great read

It's strange that I ended up at Rayson-Craft in Gardena one afternoon around 2001? after talking to a co-worker on a jobsite in LA while talking about RC boats, he had worked there doing some rigging on the side or knew the owner at the time, there were very few boats left in the shop and it appeared to be closing, bummer I really liked the 27'

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Wow what a great read

It's strange that I ended up at Rayson-Craft in Gardena one afternoon around 2001? after talking to a co-worker on a jobsite in LA while talking about RC boats, he had worked there doing some rigging on the side or knew the owner at the time, there were very few boats left in the shop and it appeared to be closing, bummer I really liked the 27'

The 27 wound up at Dana Boats at one point but I don’t know what happened to it after that. I’ve seen a few, one was in marathon ski racing for a while.

 

[hallett21]

The 27 wound up at Dana Boats at one point but I don’t know what happened to it after that. I’ve seen a few, one was in marathon ski racing for a while.

That’s a great looking hull.