Formally and in 2005 renamed Hot Chocolate

Owner:  Robert Francis III

E-Mail: 

Year Built:  1978

Hull Design:  Moore Craft

Power:  350 Chevy

Currently Resides In: Harriman, Tenn.

History:
My Story....

My current name is BLU'BY'U, but I've been called things we won't
print and  boat names including "Hot Chocolate", "Gypsy Girl", Gambler,
"Skiff-a-frenic", and "Georgia Peach".  There is a discrepancy as to when I
was laid up, somewhere between 1978 and 1980.  But it is believed that Roger
Harris and Sked did the work while working for Herbie Moore.  So I am a
Moore craft.  And it is believed that my sister ship is the "Jo-Carol Too".
 

I was originally dark brown with cream decks when Frankie Tetro
purchased me.  My first number, one of many, was JS-7.  The colors of course
were "Hot Chocolate".  Frankie recruited a veteran winner Bill Darby, Sr. to
drive and campaign me for the 1981-racing season.  Jim Buturla also drove
during this season.  A controversy brewed late in the season because Frankie
got thrown out of me, sold me, and we soon learned we were in the points
lead.  It is not known what arrangements were made with the new owner, Greg
Burton, but Frankie, Bill, and I ended up the 1981 High Points Champs.

Greg took possession of me and changed my name to "Gypsy Girl" and raced me
for two seasons.  Then I went to a gentleman in St. Michael's and was not
raced for several years.  After that rest, I was purchased by Tommy Thompson
and my name was changed back to "Hot Chocolate" as JS-68 and raced for two
seasons. Then Tommy changed my colors to blue and cream and named me the
"Gambler" and raced me another season.  Then I was traded to Jim
Germanhouser for a new boat.  Damn! (Sorry - but us boats have feelings,
too.  I'm beginning to feel cheap, but not easy.  But wait - the story goes
on......)

Jim sold me to Dale Winazack who called me "Skiff-o-frenic" as JS-20.  Then
Dale sold me to Jeb Boskey who called me "Georgia Peach" and campaigned me
as JS-20 in the '93 season with his son and daughter.  This is the last time
I "points raced" and we ended up ninth.

By this time I was getting pretty tired.  I'd been rode hard and put
up wet for a lot of years.  So Jeb commissioned Bill Darby, Jr. to freshen
me up with new stringers, floor, and bulkheads in 1996.  After the facelift,
I received a new owner.  Jeff Buckley used me to introduce many new people
to scootin' in a skiff.  What fun!  Again, it was time for me to strut my
stuff in uncharted waters with a new owner.  Purchased in 2001 by my current
owner, Robert Francis, I was introduced to the hills of East Tennessee to
play on the Tennessee River.  Good stuff, but nobody else is around to play
with.  The V & H meets are like dreams come true of the old days.

Now I am old, fat, irritable, and basically don't like men...  You
know what they say about older women-  "They'll put the hurt on ya!"
Any corrections or omissions to my story would be greatly
appreciated (my memory isn't as good as it used to be).  Thanks to all that
have taken time to impart help and information to Robert, cause - gosh - he
needs it!

Robert surprised me this Christmas (05) because I've  been in quite a few APBA Vintage and ACBS outings in the last couple years, and have been mostly good. Robert is rewarding me with a new lift and tuck. Next time you see me, I will have a new paint job of chocolate and cream and I will be renamed back to my maiden name "Hot Chocolate". I am so proud to chauffer around Robert.