To offshore racing fans who question Michael Knoblock of American Custom Marine for not running his immaculate and modernized, Mercury Racing 1350 engine-powered 42-foot Fountain V-bottom in one of the sport’s competitive Spec classes, I have a question of my own.
Is it your money?
Captured here during the 2026 St. Clair River Classic in Michigan, the American Custom Marine Fountain will run for the first time at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout this weekend. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
Without a doubt, if he repowered his canopied 2011 model-year Fountain with spec Super V-class engines—power his Kimball, Mich., Nor-Tech dealership doesn’t sell—it would be a welcome addition to the category. Super V-class boats roar like no others. Fans love them.
But Knoblock didn’t revive the 42-footer for deep competition in the sport, which still benefits from its often uncontested appearances on the racecourse. He did it to market his business.
And why not? His money, his significant investment, his business.
And so it is with the boat’s first appearance in the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout this weekend. Knoblock will be joined in the cockpit for the 38th annual Central Missouri competition by American Custom Marine’s Tyler Blankenship.
“They were talking about us doing a drag race at some point during the weekend with the M CON Offshore Racing Class 1 catamaran, but It has not been confirmed yet,” Knoblock said. “If it does happen, it will be excellent promotion and publicity. It’s a great marketing piece.”
Of course, Knoblock and Blankenship want to see how the boat will perform solo on the three-quarter-mile course.
American Custom Marine’s 42-footer is a true marketing piece for the dealership.
“We have no idea what the boat will run,” he said, then chuckled. “Nick Petersen at Mercury Racing made us some special-cut six-blade props—I really have to thank Mercury Racing for working with us. We tested yesterday in Michigan and we’ll be testing again today. We’re leaving for the Shootout on Thursday.
“And our boat will be at the docks at Dog Days on Saturday and Sunday so people can come check it out,” he added. “We’re at the lake till Monday morning.”
As he said, it’s a great marketing piece.