ABOUT

Anyone who knows tunnel hulls knows the name of Tommy
Lee and LeeCraft Tunnels. Tommy established the ultimate speed record of it's day with a 75 mph outboard-powered tunnel boat powered by a modified K&B 7.5. He also held the record for top speed in the 3.5 Tunnel class. Tommy Lee was not only a master of creating warp speed tunnel hulls but he was a successful driver winning many regional and national
championships.

In 1985, when Tommy was looking for a new 7.5 tunnel design to manufacture, he started the LeeCraft business. Rod Geraghty of Geraghty Performance fame had developed a 32-inch wooden tunnelhull that ran very well. He gave Tommy a set of line drawings for the boat, and Tommy built a wooden plug for the design so molds could be made for a fiberglass version. Tommy began manufacturing the new polyester resin and fiberglass XT460 in 1986.

The LeeCraft XT460 immediately dominated the 7.5cc and
11cc tunnelhull classes in regional and national events. In straightaway speed events, the XT460 has laid claim to IMPBA records in the 7.5cc (75.201 mph), 11cc (70.159mph) and 13cc (73.916mph) modified-engine classes. It's also put hands on the 1/3-mile oval (2-lap) competition records for the same three engine classes are along with the 1/4-mile (2-lap) records in 7.5 and 11cc. The XT460 has held top honors as a NAMBA straightaway record holder in 7.5cc modified (61.22mph), 11cc stock (50.90mph) and 11cc modified (57.39mph) classes. In NAMBA 1-mile heat racing, the XT460 held records in 7.5 class. Besides holding most of the records for speed in 7.5 and 11cc tunnel classes, the LeeCraft XT460 has successfully unified the belt title by securing simultaneous championship in all three radio controlled boating associations.
Many more have enjoyed the top ranking performance of
LeeCraft as well. Since 1999 LeeCraft has captured 50
win, place or show finishes. Over 1/3 of the 144 possible.

In 1997, Bill Berdzar and Dr. Lohring Miller of Eugene, OR, better known as B&M Mfg., bought the plug and molds for the XT460. Under their command the LeeCraft continued to dominate with names like Tony Rhodes, Frank Crockett, and Alfred Lanza. For as many things that have changed at least one thing has managed to stay the same. Since it's inception many more have benefited from the long time success of the
LeeCraft hull. It has continued to provide, those who use it, strong reliable performance for just over 20 years now. That in itself is tribute to Tommy Lee and his supporters in bringing us, what could be considered and icon in the history of our
organization.

The torch of this fine breed of racing machines has
been passed on once again. Dr. Lohring Miller and B &
M Manufacturing has sold Lee Craft to Alfred Lanza in
an attempt to keep the legacy alive. Dr. Miller states
"Alfred has been involved in model boating for a long
time and has consistently promoted model boating in
the Northern California area... His Leecraft tunnels
won four of the six tunnel classes at the 2003 NAMBA
Nationals... He also has promoted the Leecraft tunnels
in his area. Leecraft will die without that kind of
promotion and support."

Alfred will continue to offer the XT460 and the XTR-21 under the LeeCraft brand. He will also expand the line with several new hull classifications. The XS21 will be the first new hull launched under the LeeCraft brand. The boat is sport 21 hull that will provide a competitive readily available sport 21 that is light weight and durable.

So we can continue to look forward to a legacy that
has been long withstanding. A legacy that started with
one man's desire and pursuit of excellence and will
continue on for longer than he could have imagined.

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