Hello everyone The pictures of Nationals makes me wish I had re-prioritized and made it there. Just didn't happen. Perhaps next year.... I thought this might be a good thread to generate some discussion on an otherwise quiet board. Many of these boats have colorful historical backgrounds. I've been doing some research on mine and will share what I have so far. I contacted the dealer in Green Bay and he E-Mailed the prior owner, who actually owned my boat since 1974 - believe it or not. Here is the history that the prior owner provided in his E-Mail to the owner of the dealership where I bought my boat.... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "I have been skiing every weekend so far and trying not to miss a minute of summer. Sounds like you are staying busy yourself. The boat has a colorful history. 1973 used in the Tommy Bartlett show at Wisconsin Dells 1973 Late fall purchased by a guy out of Ohio 1974 Summer I bought the boat unseen on a foolish whim for $3,000.00 with motor 1974 through 1976 used in ski shows in Wisconsin 1977 through 1984 sat in storage in Wisconsin 1984 I transoported to Florida in the fall and put a 1983 Mercury on it original motor was stolen from storage 1984 through 1987 used only in winter in Florida 1987 through 1991 in storage in Wisconsin again 1991 through 1995 transported to Tennessee and used on lake in Pigeon Forge 1995 transported to Missouri and used on Bull Shoals Lake 1995 through 2005 used on Bull Shoals Lake 2005 August transported to Green Bay and sold Of Course the stories of who has skied naked behind this boat are endless." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I then bought the boat in October, 2005, as most of you know. I am trying to find out if the dealer will actually give me the prior owner's name so I can talk to him. I've also contacted Tommy Bartlett shows looking for some info there, too. I'm sure they've got better things to do than help me but who knows... maybe I'll learn something about its past. It was never twin rigged so it was not one of the heavy pullers - probably a pickup/light act boat. I'd love to hear from other folks about the history of their boats - how they were used, and in what states. Amazing how a small company in Indiana spread these boats all over the country. BTW - I will be driving to Northern Wisconsin and bringing the MarkBano Hydrodyne back to Illinois this weekend, as we are on a flowage lake up there and the drought they are suffering in northern Wisconsin has make the lake too shallow for damage free navigation. I'm hoping to use it a few times down here yet before the season ends. The water level situation up north is an unfortunate development in my first season with the boat... MarkBano
Naked skiing. Well I never have been so disgusted in my life. I would never think of skiing naked, its just not in a Chain Skimmer alumni's blood. :roll: Well ok, maybe just once........ Ohhhh ok, a few times I was guilty of that. And were not just talking a single run here folks, were talking a whole ski show. Pyramids, ballet lines, barefoot lines, jumping (don't forget your helemt!), just to name a few. Those were the good ole days!
Hi, The barefoot naked ski is paramount to the achievement of status in a club environment. A friend of mine gave a colorful explanation of how much letting go at speed hurt without the recommended protective padded wetsuit. WOW.
Attached is the biography on my 1975 Hydrodyne Tournament Skier that used to be out on the Fiberglassics.com webpage. I think it’s archived but you can access it if you click on the link at: http://www.fiberglassics.com/hydrodyne/Bugel.html. If the link is not active, I’ve included the text below. Also, I brought the boat out from my sister (Carrie Gruninger) a couple years ago but like any good brother, I still let her come up to use it. I’m also curious if the twin inboard on the Hydrodyners.com Home page is the one that Ab Jr. told me about. Any thoughts Daniel? Also, I made an error with the spelling of the last name of the person the boat was originally built for in the original bio; the correct spelling is Ken Tibado. Ken apparently passed away a few years back. I viewed a link to an eBay auction for a Tibado designed flat-kite with a great write-up. Great stuff. http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-SKI-KITE-WAKEKITE-Collectible-WATERSKI-WAKEBOARD_W0QQitemZ190145565345QQihZ009QQcategoryZ23808QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Cheers! Kevin Bugel Brookfield, WI The Bugel-Gruninger 1975 Hydrodyne - And A Great Story! Just a couple things to share. There was an inquiry as to whether Hydrodyne produced a twin engine i/o rig. Ab E. Crosby (Ab Jr.) indicated that a twin engine, 4 cylinder i/o Hydrodyne was produced in the early 60's for a boat racer (Ab said his name but I neglected to write it down). I didn't ask if this was a special order or mass produced boat, I assumed the earlier. This individual apparently set some sort of record for river distance racing (on the St. Lawrence and Mississippi). Ab Jr. also shared some insightfulness to his dad's philosophy regarding their boat designs and what Ab Sr. perceived versus Ab Jr. regarding what the and market place wanted; seems that there were differences in opinion regarding creature comforts and other options or lack of. Through Ab Jr., I was also enlightened with some rather interesting and colorful history on my boat. I emailed Ab inquired about the dual throttle configuration in mid-August. Ab responded immediately, inviting me to call him as the story was too lengthy to email. During our phone conversation, Ab recalled that it was a special order boat and a "one-of-a-kind" due to the dual throttle control setup (see attached pictures). When in gear, the spotter can control the boat speed via second throttle and aft mounted speedometer. He recalled that this boat was originally ordered by a Flat-Kite (pre-hangliding) flyer named Ken Tippedo. The boat was completed and ready for delivery in 1975 when it was stolen from the Spencerville, Indiana plant. Approximately 2 years later, Ab Jr. was down in Florida and came across the boat (recognized by the dual throttles), took possession, and brought it back to Indiana. There is more to the story as Ab indicated he almost went to jail due to his aggressive recovery of the boat. Seems that the person who had possession of it in Florida, didn't want to give it up and immediately had a Judge (friend) issue a warrant for Ab's arrest, while in transit. Needless to say, Ab said he got out of Florida abruptly. Once back in Indiana, Ab had the Mercury folks take the out drive off and matched the internal stamped serial # with company records to demonstrate that the boat was stolen. Ab indicated that in the end, the law enforcement folk determined that the individual who had possession of the boat in Florida was part of the theft ring; He didn't get the boat back. The boat was sold in 1977, to its first legitimate owner and was in Michigan until my sister and I (the second legitimate owners) acquired it in December 1998.
just wanted to start by saying ive been reading alot of posts lately and im really impressed with the knowledge and help you all give to experienced "dyners" and newbies like myself... i have a 77 i/o dyne with a 305ci 205hp mercruiser. boat sat in the woods for @ 11years before i got it. just replaced the floor to get it in the water. now i am getting ready for a winter restore project on it. how could i begin to get the history??? first owner? i heard that is was possibly used by a michigan university ski team when they won?? i dont even know which one it would have been, or if they did win. any help would be greatly appreciated. i dont have the full hin on me (im workin) but its CMAS....77 i think? i know it has 77for the year just cant remember the rest. Russell
