The Geronimo was sold by Mr. Cox & Mr. Cahall to a gentleman from Tennessee.  As I understand it,  this gentleman changed the name of the Geronimo to Close Shave I.  I believe that the Close Shave I was destroyed and the Close Shave II was built in its place.  I am not certain as to the boats history during this time frame.
 
 
 
 
 

The present hull is 16’2” long and 7’3” wide.  It was last powered by a Studebaker V-8 engine. It was also powered by a 1940’s 221 c.i. 6 cylinder Ford engine.  (This 221 c.i. motor is now with the boat)  The distributor set-up on the 6 cylinder was designed and implemented by Marion Cooper, the first driver of the U-6 Miss Madison.  The camshaft was made and engine work was performed by Clay Smith, who is a well known and respected engine builder at the Indianapolis 500.  We have also acquired from Mr. Charley, the Studebaker engine that was used in the boat. Mr. Charley sold the craft to Fred Amers approximately 5 or 6 years ago.
 
 
 
 

The present owner is Dave Johnson. He purchased the hull from Mr. Amers in August of 2000.  Dave has also acquired the original 6 cylinder Ford that ran in the boat.  Dave purchased the motor from Mr. Charley, who had the engine stored in his garage for the past 20 some odd years.  The engine turns freely and seems to be in fairly good condition.
The boat is a Dick Sooy designed hull, the design of the boat was laid out on Mr. Charley’s kitchen floor, and is still there today, covered with tile.  Mr. Charley worked for the better part of a year constructing the craft.  What makes this special, is that Mr. Charley is a barber by trade.

After acquiring the boat, Dave and his crew removed the deck from the boat,  what was revealed was a lifetime of history.  The boat is in great shape.  It will need very minor repair to bring this hydro back to life.   The crew will have to fabricate a new engine cowling, as it was destroyed in earlier years.  The crew plans to work on the boat at least every Wednesday night, ( for some reason this writer thinks work will be performed more often than the scheduled work night.)
 
 
 
 
 

The crew is composed of Dave Johnson, Joe Johnson, Tony Wilson and Jim Kelley.  All are very capable personnel and look forward to the challenge that the Close Shave II presents to them.
The crew has already received extra help from Travis and Brian Johnson,  they are Dave’s nephews and both are die hard hydro fans.

 It is with great love of our sport,  that the owner and crew start the undertaking of this project.  It is our desire to see a part of the history of hydroplanes, be brought back to life for everyone to enjoy.

All work, building of parts, and explanation of the rebuilding process is being recorded to be added to the history of the boat.  The crew is also documenting the rebuilding process by video taping the entire program.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dave attended the Antique Boat Regatta in Clayton, NY this year.  He spoke with Phil Kunz. Mr. Kunz has informed Dave that he has pictures of the boat when it was racing.  Dave and the crew are interested in acquiring any information, pictures and history of the boat, as this will help with the rebuilding of the craft. (There is also a historic photo of this hydroplane on the Phil Kunz Photography website in the 225 class hydroplane section.) This writer is doing the history of the boat.  I will be submitting information to Phil Spruit who produces The Vintage Hydroplanes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dave and the crew extend an invitation to everyone to stop by the shop and see the boat, and watch the crew bring back to life, the Miss Close Shave II. 
Dave would like to thank Mr. Amers for allowing him to purchase the Close Shave II.
A very big THANK YOU goes out to Mr. Loren Charley for allowing Dave to purchase the engine for the boat.  This adds tons of history to go along with the craft.  Thank you also Mr. Charley for your information, wisdom and encouragement.  We look forward to your coming to the shop.  And as promised, your ride is coming. 
 
 
 
 

I also want to thank Benoit Lemay, our Canadian friend, that I have acquired from the internet. Ben has a neat website called the Hydroplane Photo Album (see the links page). Thanks for all your help Ben.  I also received an e-mail with some helpful information from Alan (Agitator) Radue, Thank you Alan.  I have also had contact with Jack Hines who gave us some leads on the wood that was needed,  Thanks Jack.  Also, Jack has the Miss Peg listed on this web page, stop by and take a look, I know that alot of work has gone into his project,  what a beautiful boat. Also, thanks to Bob (owns too many hydros to list) Jensen, also a new found friend from the west coast. The guys who have hydros on this site are the best....Thanks!
 
 
 
 

The biggest thank you goes to the owner Dave Johnson. Thanks Dave for letting the crew be a part of your dream.
More will be added to this article as we go forward with the restoration of the Miss Close Shave II.  Again, I want to thank everyone who has e-mailed me with information. We are always looking for additional information on our hull. If you know anything about this hull, please send us an email.
Joe Johnson
Madison, Indiana.
 
 

The restoration starts and updates will be forwarded to this website:
 
 
 
 

January 16, 2001:
You will see that we have removed the deck, and been working on the inside.  We have replaced all broken wood with original mahogany that the original boat builder still had in his possession.
The lumber is over 40 years old.......this is great.
On January 10, with thanks to Mr. Loren Charley, the boat builder, we acquired the original Studebaker V-8 engine that was also used in the Close Shave II.  We now have both the Ford Flathead 6 cyl. and the Studebaker V-8 that was used in the Close Shave II.  We feel very fortunate to be able to acquire both the original engines this hydroplane campaigned with.
We have ordered and received the wood for the new decking.  The next phase of the project will be to have a new shaft made. We are approximately 50% done with the wood working. Things have gone slow, but everything is being done right.
 
 
 
 
 

April 2001:

Here is Dave with the 8th and final coat of varnish applied.
 
 
 
 

Here's Joe, looking over the shine of Miss Close Shave II.
 
 
 
 
 

As you can tell, we now have the Close Shave II turned back over.  We have just placed the original 6 cylinder in the boat to see how it lines up. Everything went right into place.  This is one good good looking old engine. The carbs still need to be put on before Fred Farley comes to do the article for the hometown paper (Madison Courier).  Recently, I picked up our new prop shaft, we just hope things keep going along smoothly.
We started installing the plumbing this week.  We can't wait to start putting on the new deck. 
 
 
 

Continue with the Restoration of Close Shave II.
©2000-2001 Dave & Joe Johnson