When Did Gene Purchase Howard Custom Boats from Grumpy Howard Brown?

[CampbellCarl]

Anybody know? Delta Sig posted a '9X (something) 24' Citation and got me to thinking about when Gene and Grumpy did their deal.

???


CC

 

[Rivertoys]

On and off I have considered researching and writing a book on the custom boat industry in Southern California, from the 60s, to the boom of the early 2000s. Figuring out who splashed who, how companies came and went, etc. If that books is to be written, it should be soon, as the players and people who remember the early years are starting to..... age away.

 

[Advantage 1]

On and off I have considered researching and writing a book on the custom boat industry in Southern California, from the 60s, to the boom of the early 2000s. Figuring out who splashed who, how companies came and went, etc. If that books is to be written, it should be soon, as the players and people who remember the early years are starting to..... age away.

This would be a great read. I'd buy it :thumbup:

 

[Brian]

Anybody know? Delta Sig posted a '9X (something) 24' Citation and got me to thinking about when Gene and Grumpy did their deal.

???


CC

Ironically I think Gene is just as grumpy as Howard.

 

[Scott E]

Ironically I think Gene is just as grumpy as Howard.

I never met Howard Brown, although I did meet his daughter at a Howard Regatta few years ago whens he bought a 25 Bullet.

I don't think Gene is grumpy. I am proud to call Gene and the entire Willen family my friends.

 

[plaster dave]

Mid 90's I think.

 

[djunkie]

Mid 90's I think.

Been longer than that I think. My old Howard was built by Gene and it was an '89.

 

[plaster dave]

My buddy has a 88' 19' ss vdrive that Gene said he didn't build.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Howard Brown was grumpy. I was at the Safeway parking lot in Parker filling my coolers with ice about six or seven years ago and this old guy comes up to me all pissed off and wants to know who's boat is this (I had a 99 Howard 22 Sport open bow at the time). I thought he was pissed since I took up 4 parking stalls with my truck and boat. I said, "It's mine, is there a problem?"

He said, "This is my boat!"

Oh, you owned it before?

No, I made it!

Oh, you worked for Howard?

(He was really getting agitated now).
No, I used to own Howard Boats, that's my name on there.

Oh, you're Howard Brown, it's a pleasure to meet you......
I went to offer a handshake and he looked at the boat again and walked away mumbling that was his boat and he made it.

One of our friends had their 3 year old with us at the time and he said, "That man's grumpy, he needs a time out until he can be nice".

We all laugh about that still.

 

[DeltaSigBoater]

Anybody know? Delta Sig posted a '9X (something) 24' Citation and got me to thinking about when Gene and Grumpy did their deal.

???


CC

I want to say it was in the mid to late 80's. I may have the full history somewhere in my printed archives.

On and off I have considered researching and writing a book on the custom boat industry in Southern California, from the 60s, to the boom of the early 2000s. Figuring out who splashed who, how companies came and went, etc. If that books is to be written, it should be soon, as the players and people who remember the early years are starting to..... age away.

HB did a 2 or 3 issue multi-page article about the history of the custom boat industry in So Cal... Circa late '98 early '99. Unfortunately they along with almost every HB issue and calendar from 1989ish to July '99 got tossed shortly after I left for college. I still get pissed when I think about it :swear

 

[djunkie]

My buddy has a 88' 19' ss vdrive that Gene said he didn't build.

Well then he must have bought it right after that. Cause like I said I talked to Gene and he told me he was building my boat for himself but a customer came in mid build and bought it.

 

[plaster dave]

Well then he must have bought it right after that. Cause like I said I talked to Gene and he told me he was building my boat for himself but a customer came in mid build and bought it.

Well we figured it out. It was 89'. Lol

 

[RiverDave]

Ironically I think Gene is just as grumpy as Howard.

Gotta be honest, I have more fun drinking and shooting the shit with Gene then just about anybody in the industry.. LOL He's a riot to hang out with. I have never seen him get grumpy with anyone other than a weak handed bartender.

RD

 

[Brian]

Gotta be honest, I have more fun drinking and shooting the shit with Gene then just about anybody in the industry.. LOL He's a riot to hang out with. I have never seen him get grumpy with anyone other than a weak handed bartender.

RD

Maybe he is fine on a social level but not on a business level I'll jut leave it at that. He does make nice boats.

 

[RVRKID]

My Grandfather was friends with Howard and when I was younger we would boat up to his place in Parker and BBQ and hang out. Also hunted with him and he was fun to be around. After my Grandfather died we lost touch with Howard but was a great guy to be around when he was younger.

 

[spectras only]

Anybody know? Delta Sig posted a '9X (something) 24' Citation and got me to thinking about when Gene and Grumpy did their deal.

???


CC

Carl, the Citation was 24'6, just like its predecessor the 24 Spectra

 

[spectras only]

dp.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Well then he must have bought it right after that. Cause like I said I talked to Gene and he told me he was building my boat for himself but a customer came in mid build and bought it.

I'm pretty sure that customer would be my buddy Armen. Not sure of the chain of custody but I think Armen bought your old boat new.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Carl, the Citation was 24'6, just like its predecessor the 24 Spectra

Yeah, I'm aware. But gifted as I am, I don't bother talking about a mere 6 inches....

 

[RiverDave]

Yeah, I'm aware. But gifted as I am, I don't bother talking about a mere 6 inches....

Niceley done Carl..

RD

 

[RitcheyRch]

Agree, I think Gene is a pretty nice guy. I talk with him all the time at the gym

I never met Howard Brown, although I did meet his daughter at a Howard Regatta few years ago whens he bought a 25 Bullet.

I don't think Gene is grumpy. I am proud to call Gene and the entire Willen family my friends.

 

[CampbellCarl]

So, I have it on VERY GOOD authority that Gene bought the Howard Custom Boat Company from Grumpy Howard in 1988....

Or so I've heard...via PM from my source...

 

[Fourspeednup]

Sounds like the year is pretty much figured out. Has anybody heard the story behind his purchase of the company? My understanding is that Gene was having a boat built and had some suggestions and input on the build process which didn't go over too well. Howard Brown basically told him to F-off and if he thought he could build a better boat then Gene should buy the company, and the rest is history.

PS - The LA show was a little less fun this year with Gene MIA. Hand him a vodka tonic and I can guarantee the next 10 minutes will not disappoint.

 

[westair]

Would like to have met Grumpy Howard .... he was also an NDBA Blown Fuel Flat record holder in one of his Howard flat bottoms.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Sounds like the year is pretty much figured out. Has anybody heard the story behind his purchase of the company? My understanding is that Gene was having a boat built and had some suggestions and input on the build process which didn't go over too well. Howard Brown basically told him to F-off and if he thought he could build a better boat then Gene should buy the company, and the rest is history.

PS - The LA show was a little less fun this year with Gene MIA. Hand him a vodka tonic and I can guarantee the next 10 minutes will not disappoint.

Another part of the Howard/Gene story that I enjoyed was the payment plan. If I recall correctly, Howard wanted half down and the other half one or maybe two years later. Gene paid the first half and Howard was GONE! (memory says that Howard went off to Mexico) Gene never heard from Howard until the day before the second half was due. Howard called Gene and demanded the other half payment which Gene said was a check sitting in his desk waiting for Howard to call. Gene got the address and the second payment was in the mail to Howard.

Gene's story may vary slightly as my recollection is 5+ years ago visiting with Gene at Howard Boats.

PS...I sure wish somebody would ask me where I got the date info from...

 

[B-RAD77]

Gene is not a grumpy guy, Hell I was just down there last month. He tolerated me, my wife and, kid for 3 days I got the whole story of how he took Howard boats over but, most of the details went in one ear and out the other. It was as stated above. He wanted howard to build him a boat and told howard how to build it. Howard told hin if he knew so much then he should buy the company. Then we talked a lot about the joys and pains of being self employed and current ecconomics and corrupt government. A week later I sent him a deposit for my new 28 Bullett. Wait do you think thats why he's nice to me:smackhead I just wish he would send some photos I'm jonesing bad.

 

[Fourspeednup]

Another part of the Howard/Gene story that I enjoyed was the payment plan. If I recall correctly, Howard wanted half down and the other half one or maybe two years later. Gene paid the first half and Howard was GONE! (memory says that Howard went off to Mexico) Gene never heard from Howard until the day before the second half was due. Howard called Gene and demanded the other half payment which Gene said was a check sitting in his desk waiting for Howard to call. Gene got the address and the second payment was in the mail to Howard.

Gene's story may vary slightly as my recollection is 5+ years ago visiting with Gene at Howard Boats.

PS...I sure wish somebody would ask me where I got the date info from...

Hadn't heard the part about the payments. I'll be your huckleberry, where did the date come from?

 

[Lunatic Fringe]

Hey Carl, I've been wondering who told you what year the purchase was made?


You owe me one.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Hadn't heard the part about the payments. I'll be your huckleberry, where did the date come from?

Hey Carl, I've been wondering who told you what year the purchase was made?


You owe me one.

I'll just say that there was a buyer and a seller involved in the sale of the Howard Custom Boat Company......and one of them PM'd me today...


You figure it out...

 

[Hammer]

I'll just say that there was a buyer and a seller involved in the sale of the Howard Custom Boat Company......and one of them PM'd me today...


You figure it out...

:thumbup: you know everyone ! Lol

 

[CampbellCarl]

:thumbup: you know everyone ! Lol

Old School Cool Guys hangout with other OSCG's...

 

[Hammer]

Old School Cool Guys hangout with other OSCG's...

I've noticed... :thumbup:

 

[B-RAD77]

Old School Cool Guys hangout with other OSCG's...

Good Ol boy network.

 

[37 boat]

In 1988 I was launching my brand new Hallett Vector at the Havasu Marina when Gene walked up and complimented me on my boat. After talking for a few minutes he informed me he had just purchased Howard Boats.

 

[pipemn]

I never met Howard Brown, although I did meet his daughter at a Howard Regatta few years ago whens he bought a 25 Bullet.

I don't think Gene is grumpy. I am proud to call Gene and the entire Willen family my friends.

Triple times 2

 

[schweeng]

Orange and Green? I saw it yesterday - looks nice!!!

Gene is cool..... and if he is reading this he knows what i want...... lower your price Gene!!!!!! hahha

Gene is not a grumpy guy, Hell I was just down there last month. He tolerated me, my wife and, kid for 3 days I got the whole story of how he took Howard boats over but, most of the details went in one ear and out the other. It was as stated above. He wanted howard to build him a boat and told howard how to build it. Howard told hin if he knew so much then he should buy the company. Then we talked a lot about the joys and pains of being self employed and current ecconomics and corrupt government. A week later I sent him a deposit for my new 28 Bullett. Wait do you think thats why he's nice to me:smackhead I just wish he would send some photos I'm jonesing bad.

 

[B-RAD77]

Orange and Green? I saw it yesterday - looks nice!!!

Gene is cool..... and if he is reading this he knows what i want...... lower your price Gene!!!!!! hahha

Yea lets hope not Orange and green. I'll have to rip down ther to pick up my old boat and get my deposit back Gene is Great talked to him on tuesday, he said they were putting the stringers in. He said he'd send some pics...... Hope he does, I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. Tell him I'll send some batterys for his camera if you talk to him again

 

[steamin rice]

Gotta be honest, I have more fun drinking and shooting the shit with Gene then just about anybody in the industry.. LOL He's a riot to hang out with. I have never seen him get grumpy with anyone other than a weak handed bartender.

RD

I agree. Gene isn't afraid to speak his mind, but I've always had fun talking to him and listening to his stories. As Long as the Ketel isn't empty, I can't imagine him being really grumpy.