By Jack Cox
In 1972, Ron Massei of Copperopolis, a long time former resident of Copper Cove, was in the commercial boat building business in San Jose. The Massei Glasstec Boat Company produced more than 100 low slung jet boat
s but unfortunately Ron didn’t keep one but he has talked about them for years. The boats were well known for their high speed and stability with 450 horse jet engines.
One day at Crossroads Church here Ron talked with Bob Scarborough, a CCA member. They began talking about boats and low and behold they discovered their close connection with the Massei boat. In 1972 Bob purchased one of Ron’s boats from him at the huge boat show at the Cow Palace. For 47 years Bob has cruised through lakes and rivers with his Massei. He moved here to the Lake Tulloch area about 15 years ago.
This week for the first time in more than 46 years Ron got to see one of his Massei jet boats when Bob rolled it out of his garage just a half a mile from Black Creek Park in Copper Cove. Ron’s face lit up with a big smile as the boat slowly rolled out of the garage. The gelcoat hadn’t been touched since it was built and it glowed in the bright sun. It was an amazing sight to see these two men come together and talk about something them both loved — a Massei original.
The boat is power by a 450 HP Harden Engine with a Berkeley Jet Pump which provides the high speed. Bob and Ron agreed to take the boat to the lake soon and put the old gal through her paces. When Bob fired it up one’s adrenaline hit the max! Ron had a great day today. He had just lost his wife Diane of nearly 40 years last month. This was really a fun day for a great man who has done so much for this community.
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