Author Topic: Free Miles per Hour (Read 14489 times)

ChfBrianB · « **Reply #20 on:** November 20, 2013, 04:13:40 PM »

I think the secret Lake is actually Lake Wobegon!

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 20, 2013, 08:37:26 PM »

From the pictures Don's posted, he already has given us too much information to identify it. Secret Lake X has trees and cabins around it. LOL.

catchnedge · « **Reply #22 on:** November 20, 2013, 08:52:35 PM »

Secret Lake X?... hmmm, sounds like a place ole Carl Keikhafer would have used to test Mercury outboards back in the day... where is my book "Iron Fist".

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 20, 2013, 09:02:45 PM »

"Lake X is real! It is located about 10 miles to the east of Saint Cloud, Florida. It is a private lake. All the surrounding property is owned by Mercury Marine. They do have a large test facility there. They do alot of work on racing boats at the facility. It is fenced and guarded. I have been there once, and it is quite a facility. The entire place is focused on testing and development."

No more Lake X

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/all-things-boats-and-boating/no-more-lake-x-3343.html

catchnedge · « **Reply #24 on:** November 20, 2013, 09:13:19 PM »

Thanks for the info... thought maybe they had one up north as well.

Retro Performance · « **Reply #25 on:** November 21, 2013, 06:06:38 AM »

We do not use waders, it may sound crazy but part of the fun is walking in the water. On Minnesota Lake X we keep a fire going on shore to warm up. We plan to run on Owasso this am before the snow gets here. David, those are inflatable cabins and trees used to help disguise the lake. LOL

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:17:28 AM »

I should have known you would do something like that Don. Some people will do anything to leave the competition in their dust (or wake).

Hyperacme · « **Reply #27 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:56:21 AM »

That's a cool picture !
Kind of cool & cold at the same time ... LOL

How fast is the Missile and what size (HP) is the Johnson ?

" David, those are inflatable cabins and trees used to help disguise the lake."

That's cheating Don !

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 21, 2013, 10:16:51 AM »

We will have to put a GPS tracking chip on Don's Dodge truck at Hannay's.

V153 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 21, 2013, 02:14:02 PM »

A lil more Merc trivia: They ran a test facility in Placida for many years, near the bridge to Boca Grande. Boats went out first thing in the morning & ran all day long in the Gulf. If the Gulf was too rough they headed east into Charlotte Harbor. Boats were almost always yellow but they did have a couple dark red ones. The place sustained moderate damage from Hurricane Charly in '04 and never reopened.

They still operate a small facility on Manasota Key. Though it's purty boring really. All's they do is hang stuff in the sun & wait for the paint to peel. And soak stuff in saltwater'n wait for it to corrode. WooHoo! There is a "Hustler" hull that's been sitting there for at least 15 yrs but that's bout the only exciting thing about the joint.

I did see a pair of yellow Merc test boats at Stump Pass Marina awhile back, yet I've never seen one on the water. Going over there to bid a job tomorrow so I'll bring my camera & see if'n they're still there.

Retro Performance · « **Reply #30 on:** November 21, 2013, 06:18:10 PM »

I ran the Missile in a few different set ups..........These hulls are likely to blow over when run much over 70 mph......early design tunnels with a bit too much air entrapment. The motor in the Owasso photo is a 135 warmed up a bit. Had a lot of fun with this hull, I built my own carbon fiber parts (see dash) for it during reconstruction and Mrs. Retro did the upholstery (original frames and style)......sold the boat when we retired and it now resides in Florida. I do still have two of the engines................Oh, lets just say I think it would have been possible to blow it over with at least two of the set ups.

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 21, 2013, 07:16:27 PM »

Any GPS numbers on your boats, including the Hydrosteam Viper?

Retro Performance · « **Reply #32 on:** November 21, 2013, 07:43:13 PM »

I do not......I just run for fun......we were out on Owasso today (Joe you should have stuck around and come with) it was kinda cold. I think that was the last run until spring. Attached is a photo of Lake X

Retro Performance · « **Reply #33 on:** November 21, 2013, 07:44:53 PM »

Ha.......that one landed right side up

Hyperacme · « **Reply #34 on:** November 22, 2013, 01:16:33 AM »

I think your gettin' the hang of it Don ...
Or did ya just get lucky ?
... LOL

Looks "BAD !" with the Merc hangin' off the back !

Retro Performance · « **Reply #35 on:** November 22, 2013, 06:54:27 AM »

Well.......I put up two pictures yesterday and one was upside down while the other was right side up...................I think I will run out and buy two lottery tickets.

Retro Performance · « **Reply #36 on:** November 22, 2013, 07:01:38 AM »

I thought the helicopter was cool......

Retro Performance · « **Reply #37 on:** November 22, 2013, 07:11:54 AM »

The secret is out......I am sure someone will recognize this.......The highway leading to Minnesota Lake X

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #38 on:** November 22, 2013, 01:11:40 PM »

Don, could you post a spring picture. I did not recognize the one in the fall of the year.

Retro Performance · « **Reply #39 on:** November 23, 2013, 06:16:03 AM »

Here is a photo of the main road just before you turn off on the "Little" road........