First of all, what is a Mini Boat? Well, back in the
early 80's there was the Cougar Cub, a small 10'
Catamaran with a 25HP outboard motor. Hundreds,
even thousands were made and raced for real family
fun. The "Cub" was not the first "Mini Boat" made.
Much earlier there was the G.W. Invader and
Addictor. About the same time the Mini Hawk, a 12'
"V" hull boat designed after the world famous
Cigarette racing boats, came on to the scene.
Momentum was picking up and soon many
companies were making their scaled down fun
boats and yes clubs were formed and the
organizations began. The Mini Power Boat Racing
Association was the first and formed in Miami, FL
with the help of many racers, families, and friends.
It was decided that a limit of 13' would be the
largest length of each boat. Next, the power was
not to exceed 25HP outboard motors, they needed
to be completely stock with no modifications
including the propellers. All of us felt this would be
a fun, safe sport with all the boats capable of up to
30 M.P.H. For 3 years, we raced, played, and
shared a good time with this "new" sport and the
phrase became "Little is Better". Families loved it!
Then, during the later part of the 3rd year, a group
of guys (not kids) wanted to begin allowing 35HP
motors and we reluctantly agreed considering they
were "older" and wanted "more fun". Well, soon
after that, they wanted 50HP motors with any
modification allowed. Let me tell you what
happened! What began as family fun soon turned
into insanity as boats were capsizing and spinning
out of control. Accidents happened all because
wanna-be racers were overpowering these small
crafts. You can guess the rest of the story. Families
no longer enjoyed being around "child like" men
who had to go faster and live more dangerously
than the rest of us. The sport eventually died.
Fast forward to the present and you will find
there is a new club called the Mini Power Boats
Association who formed with the understanding
that the same mistakes would not be repeated. Also,
Mini Power Boats Inc., a North Carolina based
organization is producing 6 models of the best of
the Mini Boats from the past and are currently up
for sale to the public!
Please call or write to us and become part of the
Mini Boat movement. We really believe in the "new"
phrase: "Little Boats...Big Fun"!