Meet Miss Moonshine – A New Era In Gentleman’s Racers
Kevin Fiztke has done it again. Yup, he made my old cynical jaw drop. I imagine when I am sitting there with my drool cup, Fiztke designs and builds will mostly be to blame. HOLY CRAP! The guy is amazing and is bringing amazing designs to our universe. OH! Think what Stinger Porsche has done to the vintage Porsche universe. Customized hand made masterpieces with a deep design philosophy. Not some repop, or restomod. Kevins work is PURE 100 proof liquid pushing art. And I stand and do the slow clap for it all.
Kevin is a more boutique version of others like VanDamm who are pushing woody boats to a new design front. THIS is the trend now in our custom boat universe.
With new methods, you get the wood, with the fiberglass dependability. And artists like Kevin can make magic art that cuts through the clutter of plastic and pontoons out there. After all look what he did for the paddle board universe. AHHHHHHHH! So. bask in the beginning of the New Era of Gentleman’s Racers. Maybe we invent a new term. Kinda like Outlaw cars have done. Ungentlemanly Racers? MeToo Racers, too soon? Outlaw Woodys, Maybe Gentlemans Racer is great as is. Here are some fun notes from Kevin..
This Saturday I am hosting an open house for my new shop space for the vintage boat club. I will have the ¼ scale model on display along with some of the renderings of the boat.
Design inspiration is from Charles D. Mower “Columbia Jr”, Crouch’s “Baby Bootlegger” and Hacker’s “Ethyl Ruth”
Length is 23’, beam is 6’
14 degree dead-rise
Chine flats for a built-in spray rail
Seating comfortably for two
Engine is a modified GM350, pushing around 315hp
Calculated speed is in the low 60’s
Consultation is with Michel Berryer
All framework is mahogany and cut with a hand held CNC from my plans/patterns
Entire boat is cold molded construction
Honduran planking
Exposed slotted brass screws
Custom made tobacco brown stain
Pre-war Bugatti and aviation inspired interior
Eucalyptus Burl dash
Custom design and casted hardware, traditional coach work for sheet metal components
Gold leaf name and propeller ‘safety strip’ on the transom area
Bow thruster
Goal is to have Miss Moonshine on the water summer of ‘23
No windshield………. Just aviation goggles and a silk scarf!
Very COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice to see younger people carrying on the passion. Miss Moonshine is a unique design with many vintage elements. Good luck to you Kevin!
I can’t wait to visit Kevin’s shop this Saturday at the BSLOL chapter’s Spring clinic. Not only is he starting work in Miss Moonshine, but he’s finishing up the perfect restoration of a Riva Florida.
Hand held router makes my skin crawl. I would never be able to hold to the lines necessary to meet the accuracy required for this project. He’s a way better craftsman than I am. Outstanding boat.
Simply AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful Boat, Awsome Router, you do not have to follow the lines perfectly it has built in compensation for shaky old arms
The bow thruster might hurt the look when she is at speed but OMG it will be wonderful at the dock or ramp. Well worth the tradeoff. I winder what toy my wife would make me get rid of to add this to my collection?
is the 1/4 model for water tank testing. or just because itll be cool to have!
Cool Boat!!! Maybe because I’ve had more experience with it, but I am steadier with a router than I am with a paint brush.
Wow, Kevin is a real industrial artist! He has mastered many skills to create real art in motion using the best of modern technology with old school skill and talent. Thanks for sharing!
INCREDIBLE!!!!!!
🙏❤️
Kevin has been scheming! Very cool indeed. Wish I could be there Saturday.
Very nice, great craftsmanship.