Article: Tom Gentry, Nineteen Years Ago and a Legend Forever

[Ratickle]

You can view the page at http://seriousoffshore.com/forums/content.php?r=173-Tom-Gentry-Nineteen-Years-Ago-and-a-Legend-Forever



Tom Gentry in a 36 Cigarette with 468 Champion Maker engines launches 50 feet. Mr. K called these "Kitty Hawk flights." Big seas were common during races of the 1970s.

 

[rschap1]

video would be cool of that !!!

 

[Buoy]

A few years ago, I was passing through Havasu on my way back from delivering a trailer to Vegas.
I had agreed to do a favor for a fellow board member and pick up a crashbox at West Coast drive service.
I had no idea what I was getting into.
I expected to drop in, throw the trans in the back of my truck, and beat feet back to Phoenix.

I walked in, and WOW!!
I've never seen so many #6 drives in one place.
It was a one man shop.
Vern Gilbert.
Vern worked with Gentry for many years.
Vern took me around showing me everything in the shop. Very cool!!
Then he took me out back behind the shop where one of the Gentry Eagle V-hulls sat. De-rigged.
My intended 10 min stop turned into a 2 hr hanging out looking, asking question, and BS'ing.

Looking at Vern's work, it was obvious he is the guru on a #6.

Cool guy to talk to, and spoke very highly of his years working with Tom.
http://westcoastdrives.com/services/

 

[sgrady]

A great guy, a loss to more than just the Offshore World.

 

[Offshore Ginger]

I was there ( the worlds - 94 ) with two other friends from Skater when Tom had his tragic accident .

 

[Mikekelly]

I was there ( the worlds - 94 ) with two other friends from Skater when Tom had his tragic accident .

My dad drove the truck that hauled the boats to the races I use to walk on top of those race boats as a kid

 

[Ratickle]

Welcome, that is really cool......

Did you get any pics?