On this episode of Powerboat Talk, we welcome Tate Ramsey, an Australian circuit boat racer, three-time winner, and reigning National Drivers Champion. Ramsey is also the current BAD Boat Challenge champion, and he puts that crown on the line in the upcoming 2026 USA & New Zealand vs. Australia BAD Boat Challenge. There, he'll face a deep and competitive field of more than 25 Australian racers, along with standout American challengers Duff Daily and Ty Newton and New Zealander Zack Weller.

Ramsey's race boat is a 21-foot Child's Play powered by a 470-cubic-inch PSI-blown big-block Chevy built by BNR Engines, with top speeds reaching 160 mph. In this episode, Ramsey shares an inside look at the razor-thin margins that define elite powerboat racing, where milliseconds matter where anything less than meticulous preparation can make or break a race weekend.

Ramsey discusses the unique experience of hosting two legendary American racers on Australian waters and evaluates his chances against the Americans' Mike Stock/Duff Daily designed flatbottom boats.

Ramsey also opens up about the unique dynamic of racing alongside his brother, Blake Ramsey, his trusted teammate who is simultaneously one of his toughest competitors. Drawing from a deep family racing legacy, Ramsey discusses the history of Australia's evolving safety standards and its influence on the current state of racing down under.

Follow Tate Ramsey on Facebook @Ramsey Racing and on Instagram @Ramsey.Racing

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In this episode, we sit down with one of offshore powerboat racing's most accomplished throttlemen, Richie Powers. Over the course of more than three decades, Powers amassed an extraordinary record, more than sixty victories across Superboat and UIM Open Class competition, nearly 12,000 miles of race-winning performance, seven World Offshore Titles, and eleven national and international championships. His many successes occurred on some of the world's most demanding open water courses and conditions. Power's put his stamp on many of the most important technical advancements in high performance boating and offshore racing.

Powers's journey began as a 19-year-old test driver for Mercury Marine working under Karl Kiekhaefer, where he quickly earned a reputation for fearlessness and precision. His early years at Lake X placed him alongside legends such as Bob Magoon, Gene Lanham, Odel Lewis, and Don Aronow, and by his early twenties he was competing in grueling events like the 548-mile Bahamas 500 and major races throughout the country.

From racing under Carlo Bonomi's Dry Martini team in Europe to joining powerhouse American programs with Tom Gentry, Al Copeland, Bernie Little, and Rocky Aoki, Powers's career is a tour through offshore racing history. He won four consecutive UIM world titles in the 1970s, three U.S. Superboat world championships in the early 1990s, and set multiple world Kilo speed records, including a blistering 158-mph average in Gentry's 40' Skater.

Along the way, Powers raced with and befriended some of the world's most recognizable names, sharing cockpits and racecourses with actors Don Johnson and Kurt Russell, and encountering icons like Mario Andretti, Steve McQueen, and Jacky Ickx through the sport's tight-knit, high-adrenaline community.

Powers also helped pioneer the first successful canopied, sit-down V-bottom Apache raceboat, Apache Heritage, which captured back-to-back world titles in Key West.

In this conversation, Powers reflects on the machines, the men, the danger, and the innovation that defined offshore racing's most influential era. It's a rare look into a remarkable career that shaped the sport from the inside out.

Follow Richie Powers on Facebook @Richie Powers

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You can listen to Powerboat Talk on youtube and most podcast players like Apple Podcasts, Youtube Music, Spotify Podcasts, Pandora, Amazon Podcasts, Audible, iHeart Radio, Podtail, Audacy, Google Podcasts, Tune In Radio

Alan Stoker is a world-renowned boat racer and the builder of Stoker Boats. An innovator whose career spans the formative decades of Mod VP outboard racing and tunnel-hull development, Stoker was raised in Southern California. This episode was recorded shortly after his third straight victory at the 2024 Parker Enduro.

Stoker grew up immersed in boating through his father, John Stoker, owner of John's Custom Marine, where he began working weekends at just 11 years old. He started racing when his dad purchased a kneel-down racer from Ron Hill and spent time in the pits while his father crewed on the world speed record-holding Hustler jet engine boat. John Stoker also competed in the Parker Enduro with a Chrysler-powered Patterson, further cementing racing as a family pursuit.

In 1976, when the first Evinrude V-6s were introduced, the Stokers bought a wood-plug Kona bottom, built a wood deck, and raced the Parker Enduro. A step up to a Witchcraft the following year, driving with Earl McKinney, saw the team win 12 out of 13 races. As competition in the V-bottom outboard ranks intensified, a partnership with Jerry Baker of Baker Boats provided the Stokers with increasingly faster equipment.

With the advent of modified V-bottoms, which eventually evolved into full-blown tunnel boats in the hugely popular Mod VP class, the Stokers were led to design what would become one of the most successful hulls of the era, the Stoker Sport Tunnel (SST) Mod VP. These boats are still being produced today by Eliminator Boats.

For its 45 years in operation, John's Custom Marine remained a loyal Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) dealer. During much of that time, Stoker was often the lone competitor powered by an OMC Evinrude. His many successes behind the wheel in Mod VP competition were rivaled only by his reputation as a highly skilled and innovative engine builder.

Stoker later climbed back into the driver's seat alongside his old friend and longtime competitor, the late Greg Foster, to win the Parker Enduro in 2012 and again in 2017. The appeal of running a new V-8 Mercury on one of his 22-foot SST hulls led him to team up with boat owner John Roth, a partnership that dominated the event from 2022 through 2024.

An attempt to tie old friend Todd Bowden's record of four consecutive Parker Enduro victories was ultimately thwarted in 2025, when Stoker was forced to withdraw at the last minute due to back issues.

If history is any indication, Alan Stoker's story at the Parker Enduro is far from finished.

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In this episode of Powerboat Talk, I talk to three new flatbottom circle boat racers—Nash Thorpe, Nick Balayan, and Travis Hill—who share their backgrounds, experiences, and insights from their first race at the Southern California Speedboat Club's season opener in Parker, Arizona, this past April. The conversation covers their paths into racing, the challenges they faced as rookies, the importance of community support, and their aspirations for future races.

They reflect on rookie mistakes and how everything changes when you strap on a helmet and go side-by-side with some of the best circle racers in the world—compared to just running your boat hard on a river or lake.

They also discuss navigating the process and many hurdles to participate in their first race, and how their newfound friendship and support for each other made it all possible.

Follow Nick Balayan on Instagram @nickbalayan138

Follow Nash Thorp on Facebook @Nash Thorp

Follow Travis Hill on Instagram @blownflat_trav

To learn more about Circle Boat Racing, visit the Southern California Speedboat Club online @ www.scscracing.com

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Fred Inman is the owner and founder of Inman Marine Corporation (IMCO), one of the largest and most respected performance aftermarket marine manufacturers in the world. Like many entrepreneurs, Inman, a metal fabricator by trade, began his career in the marine industry by making parts in his garage for his flatbottoms in the 1960s.

After gaining experience at a similar company, Inman partnered with a friend to start his own metal fabrication business. Over the years, he produced a wide range of commercial products, including solar water heater tanks, concrete pump components, and auxiliary gas tanks for diesel cars and trucks during the gas crunch of the 1980s.

These lucrative ventures gave Inman the capital to grow his marine business—his true passion. With the help of his three children, Belinda, Fred Jr., and Frank, IMCO evolved from building gas tanks for jet boats into a manufacturing powerhouse, producing performance exhaust systems, hydraulic steering systems, and its own line of high-performance SCX outdrives. Today, IMCO operates manufacturing facilities in both California and Nevada.

In the episode, Inman shares his core business philosophies and explains how he stayed ahead of the curve, guided by the belief that "nothing lasts forever." He reflects on his extensive journey in the marine industry, the evolution of his company, the challenges he faced, and the critical role that family has played in his success.

You can follow IMCO on instagram @imcomarine and Facebook @IMCO - Inman Marine Corporation Or find them online at www.inmanmarine.com

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In this episode, I sit down with Chris Davidson, longtime publisher of Hot Boat Magazine and current publisher of Speedboat Magazine, to reflect on nearly four decades in the performance boating industry. Chris shares his unique journey—from collecting Elvis memorabilia to shaping the voice of high-performance boating media.

He discusses the early days of Hot Boat, his family's deep roots in the boating world, and the magazine's pivotal 1989 sale to Larry Flynt's LFP Inc., which transformed it into a nationally recognized publication. Chris also opens up about personal challenges, including a shocking betrayal by his brother Darren in 2006 that led to a hostile takeover of the magazine—and ultimately inspired Chris to launch Speedboat Magazine, now the last remaining print publication in the performance boat world.

Throughout the conversation, Chris emphasizes the importance of teamwork, loyalty, and personal connections. He talks about how building relationships in the industry with people like Bob Leach of Eliminator Boats and Ed Borges of Eddie Marine helped him to keep his magazines moving forward. Chris credits much of his success to a trusted crew of contributors, including Kevin Spaise, Jim Wilkes, Greg Shoemaker, Fernando Escovar, and Brett Bayne. It's a candid, behind-the-scenes look at a legacy shaped by passion, perseverance, and the power of relationships.

You can follow Speedboat Magazine on Instagram @speedboatmagazine_sb.mag and Facebook @Speedboat Magazine

View Speedboat online and subscribe www.speedboat.com

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Reality and YouTube star Mike Finnegan returns on this episode of Powerboat Talk. Finnegan fills us in on his new role as a full-time YouTuber following MotorTrend's recent shutdown of all its TV shows. He also gives an update on his carbon fiber Cheyenne drag boat, Side Chick, sharing some of the challenges with its injury-plagued 632 cu. in. Chevy engine and the success of a recent dyno session. Finnegan offers advice on what makes a dyno experience successful—and reveals the one mistake you should never make when buying a boat.

Where to find Mike Finnegan:

Instagram @finnegan999

Facebook @mikefinnegansnews

Youtube www.youtube.com/@finnegansgarage

Website www.fsmgarage.com

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In this episode, we're talking with the team behind Freedom One Racing, a new name making waves at this year's Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. The Shootout's loose rules invite wild setups, and Freedom One didn't disappoint, bringing a brand-new 388 Skater powered by twin 4,000-hp 4.9-inch bore, all-aluminum Noonan Hemi Pro Mod drag racing engines.

The boat's engines are a marvel of engineering much of which is familiar to the 1/4 mile crowd, but unconventional to general marine performance guys. Topped by PSI screw blowers, the engines feature dry blocks (no water jackets) and require no cooling system. They employ MoTeC engine management systems and route the power to the surface drives through Coan Turbo 400-style three-speed transmissions.

The Freedom One boat was purpose-built for shootout style events like LOTO and came together just days before hitting the water. While some mechanical hiccups kept them from a full-speed pass, they still managed to hit 170 mph officially (202 mph unofficially). Not bad for their first outing!

We hear from team members Noah and Ryan Ola and Ryan Greco, as they discuss how this project came together, their big plans to break the LOTO top speed record, and why Freedom One is more than just a racing team—it's a philanthropic effort with a mission to give back.

Update: Since this episode was recorded, Freedom One Racing suffered a serious crash at the Desert Storm Shootout April 26, 2025 when the boat flipped at over 200 mph. This was the boat's first pass of the weekend and it's first run since the team's debut at the Lake of the Ozark's Shootout. While the boat was heavily damaged, the still unidentified driver and throttleman escaped with only minor injuries. As of now, we have not received an official update from the team regarding their future plans.

This episode is brought to you by: SoCal Jet Boats the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest River Attire, hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The SoCal Jet Boat SpeedShop.

Visit SoCal Jet Boats at www.socaljetboats.com on Instagram at @SoCalJetBoats and Facebook @SoCal Jet Boats Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 [email protected]

Follow Freedom One Racing on Instagram @freedomon_racing and on Facebook @Freedom One Racing

Learn more about the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout at www.lakeoftheozarksshootout.com

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Slug Hefner's Dirty Duck Racing team made history at the 2024 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout (LOTO), breaking the 200 mph barrier for the first time. After falling just short of the milestone in 2023, Hefner's 438 Skater—powered by twin-turbocharged 557-cubic-inch engines—received a performance boost from a custom nitrous system designed by engine builder Carson Brummett. This upgrade propelled the boat to 202 mph, setting a new record as the fastest Skater and twin-engine boat in LOTO history.

In this episode, Hefner shares the story behind his iconic Skater and the origins of the Dirty Duck name. He also reflects on his journey through the world of boat racing, from circle boats and drag boats to offshore racing.

Hefner is more than just a record-setting racer—he's a well-respected business leader and dedicated philanthropist. As the owner of Hefner Furniture & Appliance in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Slug's commitment to excellence extends beyond the water, shaping both his business and his community with the same passion he brings to powerboat racing.

This episode is brought to you by: SoCal Jet Boats the #1 online performance boating community forum, manufacturers of the coolest River Attire, hosts of the the Summer Tour with 6+ events along the Colorado River, and owners of The SoCal Jet Boat SpeedShop.

Visit SoCal Jet Boats at www.socaljetboats.com on Instagram at @SoCalJetBoats and Facebook @SoCal Jet Boats Contact SoCal Jet Boats (702) 970-7252 [email protected]

Visit Slug Hefner and Dirty Duck Racing online at https://dirtyduckracing.com/

Follow Dirty Duck Racing on Facebook @Dirty Duck Racing

Learn more about the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout at www.lakeoftheozarksshootout.com

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Billy Moore stands as one of the most successful offshore powerboat racers competing today. Following in the footsteps of his father, Bobby Moore—widely considered the first throttle man in offshore racing—Billy "works the sticks" in both Class 1 and Super Cat.

I spoke with Moore recently, just as his Defalco Racing Class 1 team celebrated back-to-back wins at Mercury Racing's Midwest Challenge in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In addition to racing for Defalco, Moore throttles the C.J. Grant Racing/Graydel Skater in the Super Cat class.

Not only did Moore gain invaluable racing insight from his legendary father, but he also learned the finer points of boat rigging and race boat setup, beginning his tenure at his father's shop at 15. In this episode,Moore shares how the Defalco team made the strategic choice to switch from an Outer Limits hull to a Victory in the offseason and the challenges and rewards that followed. Based near Moore's home in Washington, North Carolina, the Defalco team benefits from his close involvement.

Moore is also a key figure at Checkmate Powerboats, which is owned by Pete Caldwell of Caldwell Marine Designs. He shares updates on Checkmate's current direction and exciting future plans, including a possible trip out west to compete in the Parker Enduro.

Follow Billy Moore on Instagram @billymoore_313 and Facebook @William Moore (Billy Moore)

Learn more about Class 1 Offshore Powerboat Racing @ www.class1world.com

Visit Checkmate Powerboats online @ www.checkmatepowerboats.net

This episode is brought to you by Freedom and Fuel clothing brand made for people who love big horsepower, fuel burning engines. It doesn't matter if you're into hot rods, off-road, side-by-sides, or, of course, fast boats, Freedom and Fuel has the gear to match your passion for power and performance.

You can find freedom and fuel clothing at all ADBA and NJBA drag boat races at the SoCal Jet Boats trailer, on Instagram @freedomandfuel on Facebook @Freedom and Fuel, or online at freedomandfuel.com.

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