Late Breaking News – Pete Fish Passes Away
Monday this week we got news that Pete Fish an icon in our community passed away. I didn’t know Pete, and the little I knew about him, I knew he knew his stuff big time, and was always helpful to others and was pushing our little universe into new areas of possibility.
Pete is known for leading the effort for new contemporary classic boats. Fellow WoodyBoater Andy Hoffman was a very good friend of Petes and sent us this wonderful write up.
Fish Brothers started building Barrel Backs in the mid 90’s. They built their name building 19’ and 23’ Barrel Back boats copied after the 1940 Chris Barrels. Although they built more Barrel Back than any other model Pete loved to build Race boats. Jr Gold Cup, Gold Cup Racers and any other kind he could imagine.
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Race boats as we know were built for one season. And sadly many, if not most didn’t last that long. The construction was light weight and built for speed, not longevity. Which is where Pete comes in. Building a race boat with speed but style and longevity in mind is the only way to preserve that history.
Pete was also very knowledgeable in engines as well, and could tell you about anything from a K to a 302 Scripps.
Many times he would walk me through my engine issue over the phone while I had my head in the engine box. Pete was a great friend for over 20 years. My thoughts are out to connie Pete’s wife and all the family as Pete will be very much missed.
Andy Hoffman
You can see more Fish Bros boats and history HERE – FishCustomBoats.com
And Andy Hoffman at HERE
RIP Pete Fish. Your legacy in classic boating will be remembered.
A very appropriate Masthead today; one of the great wood boat builders and restorers; Thinking of the Fish Family at this time.
So sorry to hear. Have known Pete for over 25 years and he served as a primary mentor to me as I pursued the antique boat hobby. Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Pete, you will be missed.
My sincere condolences to Pete’s wife and family.
I have known Pete for 20 years as he built for me a junior gold cupper which runs strong to this day
Back in the early ‘80’s, I worked (and bothered), Pete and the entire crew at Bill Morgan’s every weekend and extended period I could get at Sabbath Day Bay.
Pete, Timmy, Chris and multiple other characters made up Bill’s team and Pete was always at the forefront.
They built Impshi (among others) for me and while not an exacting duplicate of George Crouch’s perfect lines, Bill had made a commitment to the Detroit Unlimited Group that we’d be there that year along with Miss Canada. When I came back two weeks prior to departure time, Impshi was anything but ready and Pete said to me, “Let’s you, me and Tim get this damn thing done”.
Long story short, we launched the late evening the day we were to leave for the first water test. Scared shitless on Lake George? You betcha! At wide open throttle listening to that trunion bearing scream through the aft rudder post, the waves smacking five steps, you have a new respect for life as it’s getting dark, dodging a fisherman and Lake George rocks, Bill frantically waving his hands all over in the chase boat and the thing handling like a wild-eyed alcoholic drunk bobbing and weaving headed to last call at the corner bar. Wow. It was stone cold cool as hell being scared to death.
We pulled it out a half hour later, Pete helped me strap it down and then patted me on the shoulder and said “Has Patti already made funeral arrangements?”. And we left for Detroit at dark.
Pete has been a dear friend for over forty-years and I am deeply saddened at this loss. Connie has been a staunch supporter of Pete and making sure Fish Brothers Boats always stayed the course.
I’m pleased to say that we take care of Hull #1 of the 23’ barrel back series of his boats.
Pete, please say Hello to Bill for me.
Wonderful story!
WHAT A SHOCK…
Pete built “Panama” J-2 for me, pictured
What a Boat!!
WHAT A GUY!!!
RIP PETE
WOW, what a great story, and fun! I wish I had known Pete, I did meet him once or twice. UGH.
i met pete in mt dora 25 years ago , then trough kent smith 10 yaers ago became friends and has worked on 6 boats for my brother and i ,we always knew where we stood with pete and his crew , the price was fair , the work was great , and the friendship was the best part he will be very hard to replace , we send our condloances to the family .
thank you pete, charlie and jim hippler