By Edward Cox, Blackhawk Chapter
Our Streblow V Drive “The King” came to us from Indiana in the spring of 2019, just in time for a summer on the water. Measuring 28 feet and weighing in at 8,000 pounds, everyone agreed that he surely would be “The King” of Geneva Lake. Already 20 years old, “The King” was the last boat that Larry Streblow, Randy Streblow and Steve Horton – all master boat builders! – worked on together. This made it all the more special when it went up for sale. I knew it was such a rare boat and that I would never have the opportunity to buy something like this again. I took my chances and bought it and I’m thankful every single day that I have such a beautiful watercraft for my family and friends to enjoy.
While we’ve only had it for a short time, we’ve already created so many memories. As a family, the water has always been a place where we have come together to enjoy morning surf sessions, long days tanning in the sun, and finishing it all off with a glass of wine on a sunset cruise around the lake. I’ll never get over the faces of so many friends as I pull up to their homes on the water and the air horns blare so loud they have to quickly cover their ears. Or trying to talk to them (more like yell) over the 502 big block twin crusader engines idling in the water. Or when I depart and floor the gas to leave waves crashing on their piers. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
I love the monstrosity of the boat and any time I get to have a conversation about “The King” it brings back all of these wonderful memories that we have already made, including my very favorite. At just eight days old, we got to give our first granddaughter, Evie, her first boat ride. Since then, seeing the water and being on a boat is one of her favorite things to do, as well as knowing she is the youngest Streblow driver ever. That’s pretty cool! We feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to create lasting memories for our children on the water, and now for our beautiful granddaughter.
Great article and what a cute little granddaughter. I just had the same opportunity with our first grandson on our boat-great memories!
Love your story, thanks for sharing. On the way home from the International Boat Show at Port Huron, MI two years ago we launched Rhubarb into Lake Geneva with some friends from Chicago. We are from WA, our side trips to other bodies of water are special times. I am a V-drive guy and loved seeing all the Strebows on Lake Geneva. Before we made our way to the lake all we were hearing was about the Playboy Club!!
That is such a gorgeous looking Streblow , a work of perfection
Great story
We attended the 2009 Lake Geneva antique boat show with my elderly late father and my lower twenties son and his friend. We lost track of our son and friend for several hours Saturday afternoon. We he finally returned he explained the they had been touring the lake courtesy of the Streblow company. He was like a kid in a candy store having enjoyed a beautiful new mahagony Streblow for several hours on gorgeous
Are Geneva. We have Fond memories of a beautiful day.