Hey...Great site, and awesome to see the big-name guys (Kinsley, Knox, and many others) actively participating. I started my writing career in dragboat racing, as Associate editor of the old Race Boat and Industry News (Chuck Pierce). My first interview was with Larry Schwabenland, my second with Ray Caselli, my third with Sonny DiMarco, and so on.

Was owner of National Drag Boat newspaper before Justin Chandler bought it and nose-dived it at 1,000 miles an hour. Have written about dragboat racing for Hot Boat, Powerboat, Trailer Boats, etc. through the years.

I'm doing a profile on Jim Cole for Performance Boats Magazine, and I am amazed at how such a total stud of the sport is almost completely anonymous on the net, etc. Anyone who raced with him, knew him from the boat shop days, or has talked to or seen him lately, I'd love to hear from you.

Please email me at kevin@performanceboats.com.

Thanks!

Kevin Spaise

Hey there Kevin, long time no see. Glad you found this place, I'm sure someone has some info for you on here.
Take care,
Eddie

Hey, FAST Eddie

Great to connect. What are you doing these days? Sorry, out of the loop.

K

Still racing these damn things, I'm not smart enough to quit. I'll be at the Salton Sea speedweek deal this weekend, if your around stop by.
Last I heard you moved to the islands. I'm guessing your no longer with Hot Boat??
p.s. if you can find Robbie Steele on this site he may have some info on Cole.

cool kevin spaise is on here ,i been reading your  stuff for years,you were the only guy left writing about drag boats for awhile. weren't you writing for powerboat mag a long time ago with dick debartolo, i laughed my butt off many times at his stuff, "if you need me i'll be at the pointy end of the boat",

i had a cole hydro with a kasse capsule and i thought it was the coolest,i now have a fineline ,is that a cole design or was hondo xh1 all brendel?

Well the answer is kind of a yes and no. The person that designed the Fineline was among the the long line of boat builders that came out of Chatsworth.

The Fineline is the product of one of the most articulate boat builders and nicest guy you will ever meet.

Mr Rob Steele

The last time I talked to Jim was @ the last Castaic race, although a very close friend that now works @ Nordic Boats was introduced to him @ a boat show in So.Cal last year

Sean, are you implying that Rob designed the Fineline and designed hydro's for Cole??? Or did I miss something here??? Nothing against Rob. I just would like you to clarify this for me.

I believe it was Ron Eide (spelling?) who designed it and Mike Brendel built and sold it.(originally)
I'm pretty sure Rick Lee was a partner and had something to do with the sales also, beings Centurion Boats is a division of Fineline Ind.
I could be wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO, Jim thats not what I was saying. And I may have been misinformed.

But I was lead to belive Rob built the Finelines, But I will be the FIRST to admit I dont know a thing about a hydro, I am a Flatty guy. That is moving more & more back to the asphalt.

I believe Rob has the molds for the fineline.

DING, DING, DING, Eddie and Ryan, you both are correct. (Damn you're both gonna have to share the prize) Ehde built the plug, Rick Lee and Mike Brendel built the boats under the Hondo/Fineline name. We need Rob to tell us the story from there. ...Sean, did'nt mean to put you on the spot. Just wasnt sure what you where saying. Jim

Hey I was sorta close I did know Robbie was building them I did know what molds both Rob and his dad have. And you cant argue the craftsmanship Rob uses.

You going to be in Bakersfield @ MM come by say hey.

 

Yipee!!! what did I win??

Hello just lookin around and found this, Rob dose have the mold and his dad (bob) had some of the cole molds now there at robs home, Rob built many cole and fineline boats. Cole is hard to get a hold of, good luck with that. I like the site. I know this is an old post but still had to say something.

Posted By Sean Dinan on 28 Jul 2010 09:49 PM
Hello just lookin around and found this, Rob dose have the mold and his dad (bob) had some of the cole molds now there at robs home, Rob built many cole and fineline boats. Cole is hard to get a hold of, good luck with that. I like the site. I know this is an old post but still had to say something.

Bob Steele has the TR3 mold, Pete Giroux has the GOOD TR2 mold, The Hydro, & Firestar, Steve Westerfield and Co. have the  TR4

Hello Sean I thought the TR-4 mold was stolen, did it get found? or is it a splash.

Rob
Now has a TR-4 mold, the best guy on the planet to build a race boat.

Ditto that Lee, Rob is one excellent boat builder!