Steve Heck's Jumping Boat

Heck's Jumping Boat at Lake Dabanawa

{Haase} Steve taught me to water ski at Lake Dabinawa where his family had a cabin.  Got up the first time.  He dragged me around the lake a couple of times, got impatient, and  put the boat in a tight turn.  Just as I heard the sonic boom I started skipping across the lake like a rock.  Got my revenge.  Steve wanted to try barefooting, but thought it would be more foot friendly if he wore tennis shoes.  When he stepped off the second ski, it was like Nessie grabbed him by the ankles; he went down like he was on hinges.  Later, he successfully barefooted in the conventional manner, which was a bit amazing since the boat was underpowered for a dude his size.

About the jumping boat.  I was not involved in this project, but I think some of the brothers were.  Built from scratch, as I recall the rig was about six feet long with a fairly serious motor.  Its mission was to jump waves.  Someone piloted the thing into the shore, which closed the chapter on this adventure.  Somewhere along the way I saw a photograph of Steve in the boat 4 or 5 feet above the water.  Would love to see this on the blog.  Anybody have an idea as to how we could run it down?  J

{Trull} Steve and I used to water ski a lot, usually on the way home from construction work in the summers.  He talked me into trying to barefoot.  I was on one ski and stepped off.  In a nano second my face hit the water and my eyeballs went between my ears.  Never tried it again.  Then Steve wanted to try jumping off a neighbors dock that was about 3-4 feet above the water, barefoot no less.  I was driving the boat and he yelled hit it.  At full throttle, as the tow rope was about to tighten, Steve jumped into the air, hit the water and the entire back of the boat, motor and all, came flying out of the lake.  I shut down the engine right away and Steve said, “I think I could of made it.”  But once we looked at the tow rope bar and saw it was bent, he decided maybe he shouldn’t try it again.

Great fun at lake Dabanawa.

{Marden} Remember well the sight of Heck water-skiing bare-foot like a huge demented Rockette. I was involved in the construction of the jumping boat at Steve’s uncle’s barn. Steve was the designer who had a very specific and maniacal vision of what he wanted - maximum speed, minimum weight and no safety features . He dubbed it the 2-banger. You had to sit backwards astride the bow to level off and start it, and then quickly swing back around to sit in the driving position. Brewster was the one who drove it up onto the rocks because he could not get turned around in time. Heck loved it even though it pretty well totaled the 2-banger. I know the photo Haase mentioned, but have not run across it yet - would love to have it for this post.

Many other fond memories of Lake Dabanawa - other than it was a nice quiet place to take a date at night when nobody was using the cabin.

• Frog-gigging at night; fun until Steve reminded us that water moccasins also liked frogs. 
• During a family bbq, Steve trying to distract everyone by telling us to look at the ducks on the lake after his Dad proclaimed “I know my boys drink, but at least they don’t smoke!” Wobs and I showed supreme self-control to keep from falling down laughing. 
• Steve once drove his mauve Lemans back late at night at top speed with the headlights off. There may have been alcohol involved.