[Alan (BIG AL) Riegler]

Hello everybody! I'm the new OLD GUY on the block! I need help collecting all the history I can on the 1973 18ft KONA MAKAI! I bought one new at Riverside Boat and Marine in Riverside Calif. back in the day and the LOVE affair has never ended even though we were only together for 3 years. She was sold for furniture and appliances to adorn my first home and I REGRET to this day making that decision!!!
I read on the jet boat forum that many of you have KONA's and I saw that "oldrigger" has knowledge of some of KONA's history. I am looking for all the info I can get (I.E. magazine articles, photos, advertisements, etc.) regarding the KONA story. I still have some pictures on the wall of my boat and I would LOVE to add more to my nostalgia trip if possible.
She was a great little boat and the 445 OLDs always ran well even after adding the tunnel, bassettes and mallory ignition! Lots of torque and loads of fun at Parker, Havasu or Needles! I never lost a race with a comparable squirter!!!
At 66 years young, I'm back on the water in a 185LS STINGRAY in western Ky. and I'm LOVING every moment once again! YA, its not that quick little KONA, but it still gives me "THAT OL FEELING", that never really goes away! I would really appreciate any help I can get regarding KONA and I'm really HAPPY to see that there are so many KONA's still getting wet! Sincerely......Alan (BIG AL) Riegler, MAYFIELD, KY.

 

[jetboat]

nice to see another old timer getting back into boating, know the feeling,had the parker trailer And rogers boat in the 60's and 70's.just redid a 79 taylor with bbf and ot's.its nice to here your back into it.

 

[Alan (BIG AL) Riegler]

Thanks jetboat!

Thanks for the welcome jetboat! Yes, it feels really good to be back into boating and its also nice to hear that you feel the same. Life is short and you got to do what you like before its to late.
I was always thinking about the old days, but never got motivated until moving from Calif. to Western Ky. in 05'. There is so much water really close (34 miles) to where we now live, so it didn't take to long for the fire to start again. I'm looking forward to a full season on Kentucky Lake starting in May and it should last through October. I hope you will have a grand season also!!! Keep the faith!!!

 

[jetboat]

what part of so cal did you come from? iwe moved to texas from cypress ca, and grew up as a beach bumb from long beach.

 

[HawaiianJet]

Hey, your from my area! Good to see another Kentuckian on here. And welcome to the forums.

 

[Alan (BIG AL) Riegler]

Reply to jetboat and hawaiian!

Hey guys........Jetboat, to answer your question, I'm from Riverside,Calif. which is about 45 miles east of Cypress. Moved to Ky. in 05' to get away from all the B.S. in Calif. and we are LOVING it here! Water, water everywhere which is the reason I am back to boating again!
Hawaiian, yes we are not to far from you in Lexington! My grandson starts school at U.K. soon, so we may get over your way in the future. Mayfield is located 24 miles due south of Paducah. Kentucky Lake is just 34 miles from my driveway. HAPPY TO BE IN OL' KENTUCKY!!!...........KEEP THE FAITH...........BIG AL

 

[HawaiianJet]

Yeah, you're way out in Western, KY! That's like a 5 hour drive from LEX. I've only been out there a couple of times, and it was to go hunting. Real flat out there compared to central and eastern KY. You've got a big stretch of water to boat on though. I've only got about 25 miles of river to stretch out on, before reaching a lock.

 

[Alan (BIG AL) Riegler]

Lots of water in Western Ky.!

Well, your right about the water! The first time I went out on the lake I was a bit overwhelmed. Over 1000 miles of shore line with lots of inlets to cool your heels in. Actually, I don't think my little KONA would have been to safe in these waters! On our second trip out last year it was really windy and OH MY, it felt like We were heading out from L.A. harbor to go to CATALINA Island. The STINGRAY has a good draft and really posed no problem, but I'm not sure how the squirter would have faired.
I.m taking the Stinger in today to have a VHF radio installed and a new stainless steel prop put on too! Might get 2 or 3 more mph at top end! It should handle a little better though with less flex than the aluminum blades.
I will look at a map to see exactly where you would be boating on the river back your way. Please keep in contact and keep me posted on the progress of your boat! Have a good day and I will talk to you again soon!.........BIG AL

 

[jerryvbyars]

Hello everybody! I'm the new OLD GUY on the block! I need help collecting all the history I can on the 1973 18ft KONA MAKAI! I bought one new at Riverside Boat and Marine in Riverside Calif. back in the day and the LOVE affair has never ended even though we were only together for 3 years. She was sold for furniture and appliances to adorn my first home and I REGRET to this day making that decision!!! I read on the jet boat forum that many of you have KONA's and I saw that "oldrigger" has knowledge of some of KONA's history. I am looking for all the info I can get (I.E. magazine articles, photos, advertisements, etc.) regarding the KONA story. I still have some pictures on the wall of my boat and I would LOVE to add more to my nostalgia trip if possible. She was a great little boat and the 445 OLDs always ran well even after adding the tunnel, bassettes and mallory ignition! Lots of torque and loads of fun at Parker, Havasu or Needles! I never lost a race with a comparable squirter!!! At 66 years young, I'm back on the water in a 185LS STINGRAY in western Ky. and I'm LOVING every moment once again! YA, its not that quick little KONA, but it still gives me "THAT OL FEELING", that never really goes away! I would really appreciate any help I can get regarding KONA and I'm really HAPPY to see that there are so many KONA's still getting wet! Sincerely......Alan (BIG AL) Riegler, MAYFIELD, KY.

My father bought a custom painted kona in Ohio mid seventies we moved to Kentucky right on Kentucky lake back then there were vdrives and jet boats all over that lake when they made everyone get rid of the open headers it killed that type of boat plus the gas went up they used to hold races I think it was called pisca bay