Road Trip to Hot Rod Boat Heaven!

This is the 200th Episode of Mike Finnegan's Garage and its fire! I towed a boat trailer riding on golf cart tires 4,400 miles to go boating for just 5 days. It was worth it just to see my wife finally get to driver HER BOAT! That's right, I really did build this 21 foot long Eliminator Daytona with a twin-turbocharged Texas Speed 427ci LSX engine and Dominator jet drive for her. Sure, she didn't for it but that doesn't mean she didn't want it, right?
Want to see more fast boats? Check out the SocalJetBoats KZbin channel.
The jet drive came from American Turbine www.americantur... and was blueprinted by Big League Performance Marine / blrmarine
The engine came from Texas Speed and features Nelson Racing Engines 72mm Mirror Image turbochargers nelsonracingen...
Fuel for this beast was provided by twin Aeromotive brushless fuel pumps mounted in custom fuel cells that were built by Ryan Rakestraw, myself and David Newbern. aeromotiveinc....
The Electronic fuel injection, igntion, and data acuisition systems are all run by a new Holley Dominator lightweight ECU. www.holley.com...
and Smart Coils: www.holley.com...
and Motion Raceworks provided its Icon 102 mm throttlebody, plus other bits to plumb the hot and cold sides of the turbo system: www.motionrace...
www.motionrace...
www.motionrace...
Stainless Header MFR made these incredibly compact log style manifolds, which made plumbing the hot side of the turbo system super easy:
www.stainlessh...
Want to help support my channel? Grab some merch at www.fsmgarage.com
thanks!
-Finnegan

[@RebeldryversGarage]

Mike drives all the way across the country. The wife and kids fly to meet him. She is so smart. Mike roadtripping turns into Roadkill even when he is not on Roadkill.

[@devryndrives6623]

Probably not in a new Toyota...(am I the only one disappointed he's hauling with a toyota?)

[@RebeldryversGarage]

@@devryndrives6623 I will give decent odds it was a rental.

[@michael-michaelmotorcycle]

@@RebeldryversGarage nah, he daily’s a tundra. This is at least his 2nd one.

[@RebeldryversGarage]

@@michael-michaelmotorcycle We all have our DD. A lot of people use rentals on vacay. If a breakdown happens, the rental company coughs up another instantly so no waiting around using up vacation waiting your own pile to get fixed.

[@michael-michaelmotorcycle]

@@RebeldryversGarage no need to explain your incorrect comment any further. That tundra is in the background on most of his videos from his home garage. 99% of rental companies trucks will not have a hitch receiver or even let you tow. Carry on.

[@krum81]

Hey Mike Would you do a old jet boat buyers guide for dummies ? Talking about *best hulls to look out for and what makes them different. * what to check or look out for on pumps and motors. Nobody has done it on KZbin I hope you run with the idea . 💪🏻🇺🇸✌🏼

[@justinbales5378]

I would love to see something like that. Because through mikes videos I’ve realized that I’m jet boat people.

[@FinnegansGarage]

i think i can make that happen.

[@krum81]

@@FinnegansGarage hell yeah man ! Thank you .

[@tech559ne]

Would love to see a vid with that content

[@Blinkman24]

Agreed, Ive been looking and All i know is full stringer is good, and Berkeley jet

[@Doubie.]

You son declaring game over is his now because you built you wife a boat made me laugh so hard thanks for leaving that bit of gold in the video

[@tbw357]

Loved seeing the boy sitting on Dad's lap driving. Brings back many memories of my childhood and my kids when they were that age.

[@FinnegansGarage]

my favorite part of the trip.

[@ronjones-6977]

Shout out to Big Spring, TX. My pops was born there in '35. I wish he was still around. He would have loved this channel.

[@gben7084]

while at Kokopeli did you get a new socket for the wheel locks????

[@rickbullock4331]

The important thing is that your wife likes the boat. It is a pretty amazing boat for sure. Once you get the alternator belt throwing issue fixed it’ll be even better. You are lucky to have made lots of contacts doing what you do and friends are available to give a hand when in need. That guy at the trailer place sure laid down a fine weld on the aluminium. Lots of driving, no thefts, and no real hardships. Nice holiday.👍👍🇨🇦

[@xippzap]

Bro you dodged a bullet staying in Peco's ..That place is a world class SHIT HOLE, I am surprised that your truck and boat were not stolen....NICE.

[@FinnegansGarage]

i couldnt agree more.

[@jackdaniels2657]

@@FinnegansGarage honestly ur boat is really nice but I notice all the nice boat problems that come with owning a really nice boat atleast if it was junk boat u wouldn't have to worry bout half the problems

[@xippzap]

@@jackdaniels2657 With a name like JD, Your analogy comes as no surprise.

[@dustydon6419]

Finnegan it get any better than sharing your gear head passion with your family. It’s going to be really cool when your boys get older and watching them drive the cars and boats…..if things go that way. Thanks for sharing these adventures, it always makes me smile!

[@Tysmopars69]

New follower this video just gave me a lot of respect for this dude he stayed level headed didn’t get upset fixed the issues he had and most importantly he is great father it shows alot about a person when they have quality family time

[@FinnegansGarage]

thank you, Trey. and Thanks for watching!

[@marlobreding7402]

Boating and skiing with the family it's a life I grew up in we used to love to go to Pauline's Lakeside Inn on the Kings River in the San Joaquin valley. We go during drag week. We'd spend a month there.

[@mrmiscast]

Glad "The Wife's Boat" came together in time. Actually it looks pretty dependable after the shake-down or 5. It's certainly family safe and approved, and that is all that matters. You're gonna have trouble with that one child saying "Game Over" is mine now. This is about the time someone will say you are paying for your raising. Sorry about the wind here in Texas. We're trying to spin those wind generation whirly things as fast as we can.

[@spacecase70]

Love your child, “if this is hers then game over is mine!” That was priceless and the way you totally ignored the statement!!!

[@justacoupleofkids320]

Don’t you just love that Tundra. I have a 2016 Tundra Crew Max white four wheel drive, great truck and it’s eight cylinders all the time!

[@Tylerdoesit]

Home2 is my favorite place to stay on the road! Very nice!

[@Everythingisgoingtobealright]

I really like that he doesn’t show his kids faces, smart man.

[@944tim]

looks like fun time on the water. Maybe you saw some mazdarati parts floating by!

[@1hipcrip771]

Hey, Mike. Tell your Buddy, Randy, there's a bar in Allegany, NY called Randy's Up the River. You know, as a thanks for towing you up the river...

[@BennHerr]

Nice video, great selection on the music.

[@swint2002]

Awesome! I started laughing when one your sons said game over is his now!! Now the match up we need to see game over vs wife’s boat!

[@jacobthornock317]

The length and color of wifeys boat is perfect. Good eye and good build man.

[@dustydon6419]

If momma likes it’s a total win. Sweet ride Mike, well done! Nothing better than putting a smile on wifey’s face. Well done sir

[@MM_in_Havasu]

Sweet boat! I live in Lake Havasu City, AZ myself. Bring that boat up to our lake and open 'er up!

[@sharonbraselton4302]

buy hawain day cars 21 fitt 25cft 27 fit xabin crcserrv 8bjet druve

[@davidgough1161]

That is a very nice boat, your wife obviously loves it and had a good time on your vacation. That is what life is about, much fun. All else is unimportant.

[@scottburrow8717]

Glad to see the wife loved “Her” boat. Another great video. Thanks Finn!!!

[@thomas9079]

Wow! Thanks very much for sharing with us! Keep up the good work. Great trip, hope you and your dear family have a wonderful week!!

[@jimbarr4936]

Very nice boat! I have been watching you guys grind and get it all done. The twin turbo LS vs the traditional supercharged big block build for that hull is very unique. So much technology is in that boat. I like how you show all the little stuff that goes wrong, the temporary fixes to get home and then permanent fixes for the next trip. A true representation of a Colorado River trip. Thanks for the content.

[@FinnegansGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@RichardMLowe]

@@FinnegansGarage Did you go I-20?

[@robertsmith1639]

Cool build ..... Man the pinto drifter last week was bad ass also !!!!!!!

[@gcrauwels941]

Awesome episode Mike! That looks like a lot of fun, and with minimal failures. A win.

[@Red81Camaro]

Happy Wife Happy Life. Nice job on that build Mike.

[@kenmilne2379]

Awesome coverage !! Nowonder wifey likes boat ! That thing just sits flat and smooth in the water ! Good job !! 👏

[@4113N5]

“New Mexico is beautiful. For a desert that is.” Hahahaha

[@docfischer7291]

BAck years ago when we used to run a BAF, there was a old GM 30 series ramp truck who would show up at the Oak Hollow High Point nationals in NC. They built a slider that rode up the center , operated by a winch . Pretty trick .

[@FinnegansGarage]

i'd love to see pics of that.

[@kevinchurchill5948]

One of my favorite channels on KZbin. Keep up the good work guys.

[@Tom-xn7zc]

What a fantastic service at that trailershop!

[@lepowell9095]

No matter what happens you are always smiles and general happy person.

[@Enigma-Sapiens]

Golf cart tires! Who'd have ever thunk it... That's a beautiful best friend you have there at the end!

[@egodeathplease]

Getting spooky out there.

[@chrisreese7455]

That best western is one of the nicest hotels in all of Pecos I used to work out there and they’ve got some great food for being such a small town

[@tacticalhandyman710]

This man is the goat. He loves us so much to make extra content in conjunction with roadkill.

[@dontyouworryaboutit_]

This his how the man pays his bills lmao it’s not like he’s doing all this for free

[@tacticalhandyman710]

@@dontyouworryaboutit_ strange take my guy. Motor trend pays way better than youtube. He provides extra content on a "free platform" so that people don't have to pay for that to see him. I didn't feel I needed to explain but I was wrong.

[@dontyouworryaboutit_]

@@tacticalhandyman710 if you don’t think there isn’t a monetary incentive for him to put this content out, idk what to tell you man. This channel is literally the reason he employs Newbern, but yeah it’s all selfless 😂

[@tacticalhandyman710]

@@dontyouworryaboutit_ which do you think pays him more? Motor trend which is a viewing service that requires pay to view or youtube? You honestly think he pays for everything including Newbern off youtube? He could be making content for motor trend making more money or having more private time with his family. Instead he makes videos for people who don't want to pay for entertainment.

[@THIRSTYGNOME]

I was afraid you were gonna sell Game Over. Glad to hear multiple jet boats

[@randallfranklin2548]

Great video Mike glad you guys had fun!!!!

[@DavidPerez-ez1mw]

That is an awesome boat fin. You did a great job on the build. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@Godsy_Garage]

I just got MY ENGINE PUT IN ‼️🇺🇸😁😁 twin turbo life !!

[@mhuppertz]

Thanks for showing your family. It really helps to humanize everything, make it real and makes you more relatable to the fans who are mostly family people.

[@flatheadronsgarage7345]

Nice road trip. Family time is always good 👍 thanks for sharing Mike. Cheers 🍻👍👍👍🇺🇸

[@Blinkman24]

That line right there, "Back to Reality" is why I Moved to Havasu full time. I'm always on vacation just have to work a little here, Truly is Paradise and I'm working on making parker sunset rips a Weekly event forever, You're Inspiring me to live more!

[@mroptical1982]

Hello Mike the boat looks great and runs awesome you can really tell how much your wife loves the boat great job Sir. Wishing you and your family well Take Care

[@docfischer7291]

I understand the lug nuts issue . If those on the China hubs are a 14x1.5 stud almost ANY of the newer ford, Jeep and Chevrolet trucks and most cars use them. Ford is having huge issues with then. I just bought a set for my Duster , it has Tesla Model 3 wheels on it . They come in like a 28mm or 30mm called a “ bulge seat” . I have open ended ones due to the NHRA and AHRA stuff for studs . They also come in a shallow body as well. Just FYI.

[@mikeabbott7931]

@ 17:55 The best "Thank you" ever.

[@whatisaray]

So rad to see you out here in Parker AZ. That’s my weekend spot glad to see people coming out to enjoy the glassy water!

[@pablocruise678]

Having a wife understand what you do!!!! WINNING!!!

[@mraycgz]

18:12 that’s the life Fin.

[@danw1030]

Glad you got to spend time on the water with the family. Sorry more the mechanical issues, but for a maiden voyage...not bad. At least your wife loves her boat!

[@bornwestusa]

I'll never complain how far away the river is again! (Agoura Hills) It is truly my "happy place"

[@SoDogtravels]

That was a fun weekend at the river. Didn’t get to say hi but but love that group of jet boat people

[@sharonbraselton4302]

chef jey yagh stay all weekebd cabin yag actv gebertirs

[@krakhedd]

What starts at 17:30 is what it's all about and I bet they love and appreciate you all that much more for it. Good stuff sir!

[@madrew2003]

Seems like just getting different mattresses for the toterhome was the better solution, Mike!

[@FinnegansGarage]

Nah. Tried that and it didnt work out. It was more about the floorplan than anything. I'm too tall for the couch bed and kept on smashing my skull on the ceiling of the bunk bed.

[@madrew2003]

@@FinnegansGarage yeah. Maybe only Newbern sized. Lol. Always enjoy your content!

[@garrettbreistig1717]

Nice Job Mike the boat is killer.

[@TechGorilla1987]

Master lock - that a bold move, Cotton.

[@LS1LE]

Awesome trip!

[@henrycorrell6458]

Family time and a cold Yuengling!!!! Oldest US brewery, just 15 miles from my home.

[@zrxdoug]

Holy cow, those blurry faced chillin's are growing up fast, Dad! Is there a Blasphemi Jr in your future? 😁 Looks like the whole fam damily had a swell time in the better half's new ride..thanks for sharing!

[@FinnegansGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@tnargdonald]

Mike! Time to upgrade to a 1ton with a slide in truck camper and a big enclosed bumper pull.

[@markbremmer8642]

Just get a class A RV and from there.

[@tnargdonald]

@@markbremmer8642 most class A RVs have almost zero hitch weight Available. Plus how are you launching a boat with a Class A?

[@sharonbraselton4302]

biy winabo ekcr ckas a rv 18 fotcwhaket rabe 1 tin get boat foot draft iffshire jet boat

[@Carbonneutraldrop]

Finnegan? More like finicky!!! Dude you are chasing tow vehicles like no other!!! Love what you do…you’ve got the best wife…so understanding.

[@Scoots1994]

Too funny. Last month my daughter and I went on a road trip, we stopped at the same rest stop and stayed at the best western in Pecos. There are cabin type places to stay in Pecos that we saw the next day on the way out of town.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

chef shukd held fast cabin cryservyaght het drive yu woykd bén çrasy ír ouc biat moñ raker deastro 229 fit jet yaght 85 knitsc95l4 njh moñ raker 74 moh 68 knits

[@joncloud2034]

Nice video Finn. Glad you got back out to the River. Hard to beat that's for sure.

[@matti353]

I heared the name Blasphemi… I‘m pretty excited…😋👌

[@4Him346]

So cool you still come to play in our back yard was just at apache lake over the weekend 🤘🏼if I was paying attention we would have went out to the river.

[@matthewprather7386]

Gotta love the way the tunnel hull rides!

[@Mike62501]

The fenders are great just trim them up to wheel axle center line.

[@wushock92]

Nice boat, Mrs F! But seriously, that looked like a fun and very enjoyable vacation.

[@simonprice5374]

Hahah. Your kid claimed Game Over. So cute.

[@carolinacobras]

7:26 Did no one notice the creeper in the tinted-windowed pickup truck behind Mike? 😆 Mike isn't the only one filming Mike.

[@jeanhamby996]

Funny side bar...South of Parker is a little town called Ehrenberg AZ before the interstate 10 came through from Phoenix to L.A. Was old route 60, I believe from Wickenburg Aguila, Solome. you actually turned N at Hope Junction to get to Parker , back in the day Truck Stops were few and far between the one in Ehrenberg, AZ was Named Flannigins Truck Stop, not the same but just funny...I guess. just rambling on, I`m old now...great times.

[@doubleT84]

😂 The kid claiming Game Over!

[@robertphillips3078]

At my folks . Watch it when l go back home . Looking forward to watching Ur holiday trip Mike . Robert. Australia

[@Califormula]

Sounds so good!!

[@thordawgzbackyard1379]

Awezume, i cant wait 2 do that 1 day!!!💯🤘🍻🤘🍻🤘🍻😎

[@markbremmer8642]

Nice Toyota Mike.

[@xXSlickNickXx757]

Is there a video on how you mounted the golf cart wheels to the trailer axles? I have a small 8ft tilt ramp flatbed I would love to adapt the wide/low profile golf cart wheels to it. Love the look and the jet boats are sick!

[@scroob72]

My stomping grounds. My in-laws have a place in Blue Water Lagoon and although we hardly go on big weekends anymore, we always go on the 4th and we're there just about every few weeks. We have 2 21' open bow jet day cruisers. One Ultra and Advantage. Love seeing all the beautiful boats and fun folks in the cove, but hopefully the tribe doesn't shut it all down or make it way too expensive when our leases are up in a few years. Those on the CA side down by Big River have it much better. Great content!

[@sharonbraselton4302]

21 fot jet biat oarker 2120 21 fit csn vrsrr 150 hp jetoutbard

[@scottthompson3670]

When can you start working on the cadi?

[@floppydonger1189]

love seeing you and your family enjoying this, have to love the way a tunnel hull rides too. almost like riding on a cushion of air

[@howardnielsen6220]

Fun Fun. Miss our jet boat at times like this

[@baddaddybrady2]

I’ve dreamed of such a build. 🤙❤️. Amazing

[@loudelvis610]

The long road traveled thru the tow TRUCKS and RAMPTRUCKS....lol...it has been an adventure and good content

[@pioneerman8467]

Im happy to see the boys enjoying the boat as well

[@skylem5373]

@17:35 Finn is seated behind to watch the alternator belt :)

[@FinnegansGarage]

yup. lol

[@RENEGADEX800]

Mrs. Finnegans boat turned out so nice!

[@snsfabricating]

Seeing how this is the wife's boat, which will involve a lot of family time, you might consider some type of screens over the turbos. Not necessarily a breather, but some type of screen wire. What happens when she losses an ear ring, a bottle bap blows up off the floor, one of the boys loses grip on a candy wrapper, & it goes directly down the windmill whirler?

[@ghomerhust]

yeah choochoobois dont like ingesting stuff!

[@rytime700]

If you paid attention....you wouldve seen he does have screens over his Wuhan whirly bois!

[@davidmerullo551]

Turbo guard

[@Avetho]

Needs twin turbskie anti-turbulenator grates

[@Harleybobber]

Leave Finnegan ALONE! It is a midwife crisis lol!

[@Ray69Smith]

That is one hell of a trip but cruising the river is totally worth it ! Water looked to be normal height for how low Mead is getting so that's even better but sand bars suck just like theives and change constantly and can ruin your day real fast if your unfamiliar of certain parts of the river ! 👍🍺✌️

[@sharonbraselton4302]

thats oole like jet drives

[@chrismartin6544]

That’s one of those vacations you need a vacation from when you get home lol

[@chrisakin6754]

Such a beautiful boat.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Boat looks great on the water. Wifey likes it. A happy wife is a happy life.

[@2gnospam]

Hey. I towed a car with a cheap cover (yours looks nice) exactly one time and it wrecked my paint. Took me hours of buffing to get out the scratches.

[@FinnegansGarage]

zero damage to the paint with this cover.

[@scottimusgarrett15]

Isn't getting back to Georgia and reality a lot like what you're doing on your vacation?😂 Thanks for bringing us along, dude! ✌️❤️🇨🇦🙂

[@kevinkenyon7045]

Mike looks like your wife really enjoys her new boat! Your kids are next in line for boats! Great video awesome family vacation! Thanks for sharing! Kevin

[@iconiccreations2492]

I like Game Over, but I love Wifey's Boat!

[@anthonysiegel4685]

That's boating,,glad you had A great vacation

[@vrm86gt]

Aw man, wife and I were just down in Parker and Lake Havasu City! It is definitely an Oasis in the desert but SUPER HOT in July!