Dave Patnaude (L) & Ray Patnaude (R)

Ray Patnaude's Biography

First Boating Experience: 6yrs old

First Boat Ride: Ray's Uncle had a 1930 26’ Chris Craft with an 8 cylinder Packard

First Boat Owned: 9 years old, 8ft. Pram with a 1 ½ HP Johnson Outboard.

Hot Cars Owned: 1948 Ford with a 1959 AB Mercury flat head and a 1953 customized Studebaker with a Caddy engine. Also campaigned a Sportsman Stock and a Mini Stock Cars.

Early Hot Boats Owned: SK, A Jersey Skiff and a 16’ Donzi

Boats Owned: 28 boats over 30 years, both cruisers and performance types

Offshore Racing Affiliations:

• Former Team Sponsor (1970s) 28 Magnum Miss Maripac
• Benihana Grand Prix Volunteer and other New Jersey powerboat races - 20 years

Positions Held:

• Race Chairman
• Patrol Communications Director
• Director of Water Operations
• Sweep Leader
• Sweep Boat

Affiliations:

• Former US Power Squadron Member
• USCG Auxiliary Member 20 years
• USCG Auxiliary Instructor 20 years
• Former BBPBRA Member
• Former NPBA Member
• Former OPA Member
• Former U.S. Offshore Member
• Former NJOPRA Member & Director

Current Affiliations:

• NJPPC - Co-Founder & Director
• Current APBA Member
• Trump Marina Offshore Grand Prix
• Race Chairman

This collection of Offshore Powerboat Racing memorabilia is the result of many years of my dad, Ray Patnaude, collecting pieces of offshore history throughout the years of him being a fan. He has been a fan for over 30 years. He collected a lot of memorabilia while being a part of world famous "Benihana Grand Prix" here in New Jersey.

I still remember my dad taking me to my very first offshore powerboat race back in the late 1970's. In 1980, my dad and I had volunteered to become a sweep boat for the Benihana Grand Prix. Ever since then, I have loved the sport of offshore powerboat racing.

Today - with the help of modern technology, I have been able to amass this information on our website for all offshore powerboat race fans to enjoy.

The purpose of this "Online Library" is to provide a non-biased, non-judgmental recap of what Offshore Racing History my dad and I have been able to amass over the years. It is not meant to be an "encyclopedia" but more of a top line look at the history of offshore powerboat racing from the materials that we have collected.

For offshore fans of old, it will hopefully help you re-live some of your fondest memories of the sport.

For offshore fans of new, it will hopefully give you a good understanding of how the sport was started and what companies and people were influential in the sport.

If you have any material that you would like to include in the library, please feel free to email us your photos or stories. This Library is and will always be FREE for all visitors to enjoy.

I named the library in honor of my dad, Ray Patnaude. It is because of him that I have been involved in offshore powerboat racing for the last 20 years and I thought this would be an appropriate way to thank him. I know of no other person that is a bigger fan of offshore racing than him. I know that he will spend a lot of time surfing through this online library too.

The library will continue to be a "working project" as more material is added as it is collected. Please feel free to return frequently.

This is by far not a complete history by any means, but it is a good start! I hope you enjoy going through it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. ENJOY!

Sincerely - Dave Patnaude

Enter Library