Throughout the mid to late 60’s 70’s and early 80’s the boat was primarily used as a family ski boat on the waters of the Colorado River, specifically Parker AZ. And Blue Water Marina. My first try at water skiing was behind “Teachers Pet” with two skies tied together and tethered to the boat.

After the retirement of Mr. Hoffman, the boat was used on a private lake in Kila, Montana., which became somewhat out of place for a boat of this type to be running an a beautiful lake situated in the mountains of Montana, all the while being inhabited by retirees from California of all places.

After many phone conversations and different ideas about the boat in its them present condition, it was decided that I would come to Montana and pick up Teachers Pet and bring it back to Southern California. While the initial idea was to perform a semi restoration, it soon became clear that what was needed to resurrect Teachers Pet would be a complete restoration.

I soon began the phone calls, seeking anyone with knowledge and background with this type of wood decked boat. After some time, I found a gentleman by the name of Mel Ruiz of Mel’s Custom Boats in Santa Fe Springs, CA. After consulting with Mel, and realizing the extent of rot that had taken place over the years, it was decided that we gut the boat and start over.

 Mel suggested we bring the inside of the boat back to its original look, instead of having upholstered floorboards; we left the floors visually exposed as it was originally done by Sanger. The deck was in very good condition, thanks to being garaged all its life, while not in use. After about a year of work, the hull was completed.

 During the time the hull was being restored, the engine was sent to Action Cylinder Heads in Lakeside, Ca. After five months, emerged the beautiful 392 Chrysler Hemi that is currently powering Teachers Pet. Finding original Chrysler Hemi parts these days takes some patience. In March of 2004 the engine was complete. While Dyno test were not available, it’s predicted to be in the area of  about 410 HP.

 Things then began to come together, although I can’t forget the trailer, yes the trailer, I have very fond memories of this trailer. Not to mention this is a one of a kind trailer that was built by Rollie Pearson, Clell Hoffman, and students at San Gabriel High School.  As I recall, our family and the Hoffman’s spent the night in a McDonald’s parking lot in Bakersfield, CA one summer, because we lost one of the wheels on the trailer. Now, fast forward to 2005, I had a blow out on the same side as then, while trailering the boat to its’ first taste of water. Nevertheless, it made water.

 As you see in the photos, the boat is complete, and many thanks go out to many people who helped bring this project together, most of all Clell Hoffman, his trust in me that I would one day bring Teachers Pet back to life, and not let it be scrapped.

 The Engine:

 The first engine was put in the boat by the original owner, Bill Jones. That engine was kept by Jones when he sold the boat to Mr. Hoffman. The engine installed by Hoffman was used several years as a family ski boat engine, but was “blown up” drag racing. An engine was built by students at San Gabriel High School and was in the boat for 34 years and was running when I obtained the boat. This motor remains today.

 The first two engines had six carburetors. When I received the boat it had two, and remains with two today.

 In order not to hurt the family ski engine, a part time racing engine was obtained. Bill Schultz, a well known dragster engine builder had built an engine that won the “Blown Gas Dragster National Championship” , at Indianapolis. The pistons in that engine were changed so that it could be run as an un-blown engine and became Teacher’s Pet part time racing engine.

 At the time Teachers Pet was built by Sanger Boats, it was not known how strong the boat needed to be built to handle high speeds. Therefore, it was built very heavy. With the wood deck, the bare hull weighs 1500 pounds, as compared to the modern day racers the weigh approximately 700 lbs or less.

 In the mid 70’s while Mr. Hoffman was racing the boat; boats were classified by how many carburetors they ran, weather or not they had adjustable cavitation plates, length of boat, ect. Many engine components were also crafted by Mr. Hoffman’s friend Mickey Thompson, right out of his garage. Using the racing engine with one carburetor turned 80 mph in the ¼ mile, which was very fast for a boat that heavy! That engine was eventually donated to the NHRA museum for use in one of the museum cars. 

Boat located in - Cal.

Turnkey $        
 

Call - Brian
619-985-3136

Email - brian@alliancecoatings.com