Ski Boat Forum
General Category => Off Topic => Topic started by: RonT on August 03, 2012, 12:37:30 PM
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Latest project in the TRD shop is a re-power, for the History Channel TV series "Axmen" personally I never watch the show but after viewing some of the clips on youtube I'll have to start watching. One of the characters on the show (the most colorfull) is Shelby Stanga, a genuine swamp man from about 12 miles south of my shop. He has a 24' all aluminum work skiff that had a 460 Ford spinning a jet pump that he beats the &%^$# out of. Apparantly last season he ran over a log in the swamp a little too fast & lost control & hit a tree causing the big-ol Ford to come out of its home-made mounts and roll into the cockpit! Marine Power has supplied a new 6L EFI throttle by wire motor with a Marine Power Jet pump. They asked me to engineer the installation and "make it work". If interested in following the progress let me know & I'll keep you guys updated, below is a link to one of the youtube videos, pay attention to the throttle. Enjoy (Shelby's the real deal, not an actor, trust me)
(the boat in the background in the opening picture is the boat in my shop)
http://youtu.be/Gh602Qqlkfg (http://youtu.be/Gh602Qqlkfg)
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I'm obviously in the wrong business... :o
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Just finished the History Channel Project, old 460 Ford 280Hp out, New Marine Power 6 Litre 400HP EFi drive by wire in. New 150,000 CP KC Lights on the roof for driving lights, (5) lights on the roof for side & aft, new trumpet horn, all new wiring, a ventilation system, pump system, new fuel system all for around 25K. That was the easy part, the delivery of the boat back to Shelby with dozen cameras rolling was the scary part, it's one thing when I'm at the wheel or someone like Eddie at Marine Power is at the helm, it's a whole different experience with Shelby driving!
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Got let us know which episode your gonna be on so we can TUNE IN and watch the master!!!
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They film for about 10 weeks, they are half-way through shooting this season, & I think they air it this winter. This episode the working title is "Shelby gets his baby back". They had Eddie Albright from Marine Power & myself drive the boat up to his dock for the delivery, show him the changes then ride with Shelby while he test drives the boat. My hands are still cramped from hanging on for life. I may be seen in the shots taken but they gave me a choice, they will let me plug Tanis R & D & Shelby will brag on it if I donate all my labor, or they can pay my invoice in full & not highlight my company...I choose the $$$ (this $$ will allow me to continue to build A/S parts inventory!)
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History Channels Axmen season starts this Sunday evening, I have no idea yet which episode I'll be in. I know some of the promos they have been airing are when Hurricane Issac rolled through here.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE Here are a few updates from da Bayou, I haven't had a lot of time to monitor the site this fall but managed to fill every American Skier request for info or parts so far.
Marine Power contracted TRD to engineer some new wakeboard boat engine/drive systems for a customer of theirs, sorry I can't say which boat Co. but it kept me busy this fall.
I had planned on investing in a re-vamped web site but was unable to find a local web-master to help me with that in order to get it done before the Holidays. (Actually have a interview with someone today to look at the job) My first goal is to put a A/S parts page online with actual pics of the parts & descriptions. Don't know if there is enough volume to justify a "shopping cart" just yet but it will be a start.
Rescue boat: Our 1988 Advance continues to be used for a "reference boat" and test mule. The Skier-Top is still being tested & has been working very well, this winter I will be looking into a motorized lift system for it!
I've read the posts on next years reunion, I'm game for anything & like visiting different lakes.
Take care & stay warm, Ron & Susan Tanis
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I had planned on investing in a re-vamped web site but was unable to find a local web-master to help me with that in order to get it done before the Holidays. (Actually have a interview with someone today to look at the job) My first goal is to put a A/S parts page online with actual pics of the parts & descriptions. Don't know if there is enough volume to justify a "shopping cart" just yet but it will be a start.
You could always make an offer on this one :)
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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History Channel called yesterday, apparently Shelby has another boat, some kind of houseboat that was used in the movie industry to look like a pirate ship?? Anyway they said they had bullets flying inside the boat & the ignition switches were hit & now they can't start the boat! Anyone want to go with me on this service call??
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Pass......
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I WISH I COULD GO!!!! It has got to be a blast just hangin' out with these characters!
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Really not my type, they take their partying serious & I feel sorry for the boats. I listened to Shelby explain the bullet holes, fans peeing in the fuel fills, pouring some kind of liquid substance in the carbs to get it to run, drunks trying to hot wire the ignition switches and on & on & on.
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Still... no one will believe these people even EXIST if they dont see them with thier own eyes... You've met some pretty "remarkable characters"... yeah, that's a good term... remarkable characters ;)