Simmons Marine, on Manchester Road, is not just into repairing boats. Owner Jim Simmons is also a racing buff and has won numerous titles with his high speed Class Four race boat.
Simmons ended the 2008 season on a winning note. In October he won the Off Shore Powerboat Association (OPA) division championship. Then in November he and his team took the Super Boat International (SBI) World Cup in Key West.
This year’s race season started off with a first in the SBI race in Miami in April. This was followed up with a second place in the SBI race in Marathon, Florida, in May. Then, in June came the most exciting race so far of the year at the SBI competition at Fort Lauderdale.
“It was during the sixth lap of the race,” said Simmons. “Another boat came up on our right (starboard) side right and hit us doing about 80 miles an hour. We actually stayed stuck together for four or five seconds. The other boats throttleman was thrown out of the boat. His bow actually started to go up above us. We turned to the left (port) for a turn and his rear corner hit us as we turned away. The corner cracked our hull and opened up a hole, though we didn't know it at the time.”
“We continued with our turn and finished the race, taking first place. It wasn't until after the race that we realized the extent of the damages. In addition to the hole in our hull our propeller and gear case were also damaged.”
The boat was brought back to Akron and repairs have now been completed on the hull. It should be up and running for at least 12 more races during the rest of the summer season, including races at Sarasota, Port Clinton and Detroit.
Anyone interested in learning more about Simmons Marine can look online at www.simmonsmarine.com.
