Missed The Storm
I just finished reading the article "Five for the Ages" in your April issue (Page 62), regarding your picks for the top boat paintwork within recent years. While the stories behind the great graphics were interesting, I sure had hoped to see some great photo layouts of (at least) the top five.

Sadly, only a single photo of each boat didn't even begin to convey the essence of the story—an article about paint with very little in the way of photos.

I do my boating in New Jersey, and having purchased my ride from Typhoon Performance Marine, I know Bob Christie and am very familiar with his beautiful 36-foot Nor-Tech. The photo didn't even begin to do it justice. At the very least, a side running photo of Perfect Storm rising as it comes on plane would have been more dramatic!

Ray McCreary
Long Beach Island, N.J.

Carb Concerns
News of California's impending 2008 emission restrictions on inboard/stern-drive engines is finally starting to become a hot topic of discussion among boaters. Unfortunately, it looks like a classic example of too little, too late.

While many boaters and industry insiders seemed to think that the day of catalytic converters would never come, it's here.

Starting Jan. 1, 2008, except for a few exempt engine models, all inboard/stern-drive gasoline engines less than 500 horsepower sold in California will be catalyzed thanks to our friends at the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

I appreciate clean air and water as much as the next person, but what I'm not so fond of is when government decides to regulate with disregard to the economic consequences. The fact that California will be the only state required to have catalyzed engines is certain to create an unfair competition barrier between California dealers and all the rest.

No one knows exactly what the additional cost of a catalyzed engine will be to the consumer, but early estimates seem to put the price at $600 to $2,000 more than a normal engine depending on the model. To me, that seems like more than enough encouragement to motivate a California new boat buyer to drive out of state and purchase a non-catalyzed boat and engine package. And making matters even worse, CARB's new regulations totally ignore how to stop this end-run tactic, which is certain to occur once the word gets out.

Even more troublesome is what will happen to the high-performance segment of the market? CARB says that by 2009, or perhaps 2010 at the latest, engines greater than 500 horsepower will also have to meet these new, tougher emission standards. Mercury Racing appears to be in a good position thanks to their same company status with MerCruiser and sharing in a common emission credits pool.

But where does that leave smaller high-performance engine builders who don't have this advantage? How are they going to compete? It looks like a bumpy road ahead.

Bob Brown
Yorba Linda, Calif.

It's East
The recent article regarding Reggie Fountain ("The King," March 2006, Page 70) was very interesting and close to me. During my tenure at East Carolina University, I paid my rent to Reggie. Mr. Mansfield wrote a very informative article, but he misstated the name of the third largest university in the state of North Carolina. It is not Eastern Carolina University but rather East Carolina University.

I'm sure the alumni of West Virginia would not be thrilled to see their name butchered to Western Virginia or even University of South California rather than University of Southern California.

Just a rub.

Greg Needham
Knoxville, Tenn.

Will Be Missed
I am writing to inform you and others in the racing community that my stepfather, Ed Sims, a retired owner/driver passed away.

Ed owned and drove the Cats Meow in the 225 inboard hydroplane class, and piloted a Jones hull, also a 225, named Ed's Capade. He purchased the latter boat from Bob Best and raced against Steve Reynolds in White Lightning, Lanny Lindrous in Showcase and Roby Ottwells in Honey Hush, as well as many other great boats and drivers.

My stepfather's last boat also was named Ed's Capade and was a Jones hull built for him by Ron Jones Sr. While Ed was consistently in the top five, he achieved national high points in 1990 and continued to race until he was 65.

Ed was active in local clubs as well as with the APBA as a commissioner at-large. He was a great competitor, but to us five kids, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, he was a great father/grandfather. With his passing we find ourselves with a huge hole that can't be filled, but we find solace in the knowledge that a lot of you loved him as we do and that he and Mom are now back together again.

Thanks for hearing me out.

Alan Rayson
Wilsonville, Ore.