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The Online Magazine FOR and ABOUT Southside Virginia

2/14/2026

J-Boat Building

Performance Boating Academy

   Story and Photos
Contributed By Carol A. Brown

   In 2007 the Clarksville Economic Development Association (CEDA) in partnership the American Power Boat Association (APBA) began a program to work with area educators and students to introduce local children to some of the crafts involved in building race boats. The Junior Division of the APBA involves children as young as 9 who race what are known as J-Class hydroplanes. In an effort to promote the sport of power boat racing and bring young people into the sport, the APBA provided funding to build 5 J-Class hydroplane boats.

   In 2007 students at Bluestone Middle School helped to build a J-Class hydroplane. This program was headed up by Mr. Eckler, Mr. Pittard and Mr. Muller. The students began the project in May of 2007. There were problems with materials not being delivered as planned and some materials having to be modified that delayed the project. Through the extraordinary dedication of Mark Eckler who worked through the summer leading the team along, one boat was ready for the Clarksville Hydroplane Challenge race in October. The remaining four boats had been started but were not done. Those students who had been involved in the project had the opportunity to drive the boat during the races in 2007.

   The decision was made in 2008 to create and after-school program to complete the remaining four boats. The teachers did not have the time and resources to dedicate to a project of this scope during school hours. At this time Mike Denton, owner of Buggs Island Dock Service stepped forward and offered the use of his shop and his talents to lead students in the completion of the four remaining boats. Meeting on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings for the past three months, 11 young people ranging in age from 8 to 15 participated in the program and worked very hard. Parents and other adult volunteers pitched in as well and the result was spectacular.

   The following young people are participating in the J-Boat Build 2008: Danny Bond, Michael Claytor, Cameron Driggs, Luke Glasscock, Zack Glasscock, Brian Glover, Erin Goodwin, Jaron Lehman, Daniel Pittard, Kimberly Pittard and Watt Pittard. Parents helping are A. B. & Teresa Glover, Arlene Jackson, and Paul Lehman. The crew from Buggs Island Dock Service includes Mike Denton, Tracy Carlton, Dale Hahn, Dan Scenters and Simone Smith-Denton. CEDA volunteers who are involved in the project are Ed & Carol Brown, Joe Pelella, Augie Saccoccio, and Mitch Saccoccio.

   Robin Shane and Jerry Glass of the American Power Boat Association have provided support and guidance throughout the project. Robin Shane is responsible for obtaining the grant from the Historical division of the APBA to fund the start-up of this program. Other APBA members and racers have offered technical assistance and advice.

   This program is the first and only one of its kind in the country. Jerry Glass is the Race Commodore for Region 4 of the American Power Boat Association. Jerry had the following to say: �The grant is a great thing. It opens up boat racing to 9 � 15 year old kids to build the boats, race them, and build team work that goes along with the sport. It also opens up boat racing to a diverse community in middle Virginia. As Director of 4 boat races in Virginia and North Carolina I look for ways to pass this down to the kids. It is the kids that we pass this on to so it will keep boat racing going.�

   The APBA has also provided a box trailer that will be used to take the boats to at least four races, beginning this weekend when they travel to Portsmouth, VA for their first race. They are also scheduled to participate in races at Elizabeth City, NC June 6 � 8, Hampton, VA August 8 � 10 and here in Clarksville on October 4 & 5. The boats will be available at all these races for other children who are interested in trying them to drive as well. The boats are available for purchase at any of the races. The purchase of a boat will help to fund the construction of a new boat and to keep the program going.

   This program is a great example of various businesses and organizations working together to create a project for local young people that is fun and at the same time teaches them skills. They can see how the math they learn is applied to building something. Sanding the boat hulls and learning about the proper placement of fins, transoms, motors etc. enables them to see how other things like physics and geometry can be applied to real life experiences. It was very special to see the mix of kids from ages 8 � 15 working together and helping each other.

   Many local businesses got involved in supporting the project by offering materials and help at different stages of the project. CEDA and the APBA owe a huge debt to Mike Denton and the crew at Buggs Island Dock Service for their dedication in getting the boats built. Mike laid out the �shop rules� to the kids and created a plan for getting the boats done. All the young people involved had jobs to do and came in ready to work regardless of what the job was for the day. The boats were all set up and the shop ready each Friday and Saturday when the kids got there.

   Other businesses that provided materials and support were: Clarksville Ace Hardware, Clarksville Auto Supply-NAPA, Clarksville Collision Service, Lewis Metal Works, Sea Systems, Signs & Designs, and Southside Marine & Auto. The Lake Country Rotary Club is also lending support. CEDA is very grateful for this kind of community support. We hope that the program can continue and other children will get involved.

   One way that we hope to raise funds to support the program is from sponsorships. J-Boat sponsorships are available in a couple of formats. We will offer advertising space on the box trailer that is used to bring the race boats to the various race sites. Space may be purchased for $500 for a two year period. We have 5 J-Boats with room for sponsorship decals. Sponsor decal space on the boats may be purchased for $100 per decal. Advertisers will be responsible for working with Signs & Designs to provide their own decals. Anyone interested in participating should contact CEDA at 434-374-5033 or via email at southsidemarine@verizon.net.

   On Sunday, April 13 the students participating in the program had the opportunity to drive their boats for the first time. With their parents and friends looking on and chase boats ready to go, they donned helmets and life jackets and headed out. For some it was the first time they had driven a boat. Some were a little tentative at first and others went out and opened it up. Erin Goodwin was the only girl in the group on Sunday. Erin was a natural at driving. Once she got comfortable she was off and running. Jaron Lehman was the youngest at 8 years old. The adults had just as much fun as the kids, cheering them on and helping out.

   Our young racers traveled to Portsmouth, VA on April 19 to participate in this season�s first race. On June 7 & 8 several of our kids went to Elizabeth City, NC to participate in a race there. Their next scheduled race will be in Hampton, VA on August 8 � 10. Locally, the boats and the children will be racing in the 2008 Dominion-Clarksville Hydroplane Challenge on October 4 & 5, between the bridges in Clarksville, VA.

   The trailer with boats, motors and equipment was taken to Brockville, Ontario, Canada this for the weekend of June 21-22 so that children there will have the opportunity to get in these boats and try their hand at racing. This program has gone international.

   On June 16, 2008 the J-Boat program received recognition from the Virginia Department of Education. We received the 2008 Creating Excellence Award for �exceptional and exemplary contributions to Career and Technical Education in the Commonwealth of Virginia�. This is a very prestigious honor and our volunteers and children participating in the program should be very proud of their accomplishment.

   This is an exciting program that we hope will continue and grow. The potential is there for it to evolve into a more comprehensive program to teach various skills that may provide different career directions for our young people. Anyone interested in getting involved or learning more can go to our website at www.clarksvillehydroplane.com or call CEDA at 434-374-5033.

Ed and Carol Brown own and operate Southside Marine & Auto in Clarksville, VA. Their website: www.southsidemarineandauto.com

This story, originally written in 2008, has appeared elsewhere. The J-Boat program is still active and support and sponsorship are still welcome.

Below are photos of the damaged J-Boat that has been repainted and is used for display only. This is one of the original boats built by the students (it was Mad Dog's Mojo). It was run aground in Canada by a rookie learning to drive. No one was hurt, just the boat.