Puppy Love

Owner: John Freeman

Former owner: Marty Ferry

Year Built:  1972

Hull Design:  Bender

Power:  Chevy 350

Resides in: Tavares, Florida

Pictured at right, Bill Baum  and Marty

History:  Construction began in 1972, completed a year later and Bob Peterson was the original owner.  It's hull was blue and yellow, representing the colors of Sweden, hence the name "Sweden Miss" JS67.  Around 1977, the boat was sold to John Mehrlander, and he renamed her "Sleuth" JS 42.    After two years John sold the Sleuth to Scott Hindman as a river boat, thus putting her racing career on hold.  It is currently unknown how long Hindman owned the boat before it was purchased by George/Barbara Kennedy.  At some time during Kennedy's ownership, "Sleuth" was National Champion.  The boat was later sold to Terry Fuller in Phoebus, VA.  He painted the boat its current colors and changed the number to JS44, and it was renamed "Miss Phoebus".  Mr. Fuller did limited racing with the boat for about one year before ordering a new speed skiff.  He traded "Miss Phoebus" in towards the purchase of his new speed skiff.  Kenny Germershausen then brokered the boat to a man in Riveria Beach, MD.   Marty Ferry purchased the boat at an estate sale in Riveria Beach, MD in August of 2001 with a blown engine. It was renamed "Puppy Love" because of Marty's love of skiffs and seeing them in Red Bank, NJ when he was growing up. Marty sold the boat to John Freeman November 2003 and is building a new skiff for 04.