JS-39 UFO (the second of four)

Owner:  Tom Donley

E-Mail:  skiff3839@starpower.net

Year Built:  1973

Hull Design:  Moore Craft

Power:  Stock Chevy 283

Resided In:  Annapolis, MD on the South River

History:  (The following information is a result of an interview with Tom Donley Jr. and Jeanine Swift on October 20, 2002.)

This was the second Jersey Speed Skiff I owned, and it was brand new - a special order from Herbie Moore.  She was a beauty - black hull, aircraft birch deck, and I modified the name to 'Tom Donley's' UFO.  I choose black because the only other black boat before that time was 'Blackey Carbon' (owned by Freddie Zbranak).  The deck was made by Otto Becker.  Otto's son Steve's boat, 'Tamarack' JS-21, was sitting in Otto's shop and all of the measurements were taken from Steve's boat and applied to mine.  The picture below is both of us running.

I raced this boat for a number of years, and in 1975 I set a new speed record, breaking the record of 67 m.p.h.

This boat was sold to Bob Casey who renamed her to "Night Crawler".

Accomplishments:

The photo at the left is of me, with the coveted Harve de Grace duck trophy.  Yes, that is a very young Rob Garratano with me.

(nice pants)