Industry Notables Remember Bob Leach

When Eliminator Boats founder Bob Leach died Monday at age 85, the high-performance marine world didn’t just lose the man known as the Godfather of West Coast Custom powerboat movement. It lost a bonafide icon who was as gracious and kind as he was innovative and hard-working, a gentleman who belongs with likes of Skater Powerboats founder Peter Hledin and Reggie Fountain, Jr., of Fountain Powerboats fame.

Eliminator Boats founder Bob Leach was among the most influential figures in the West Coast scene.

Like Hledin and Fountain, Leach influenced a generation of boat-builders. But his reach extended throughout the entire performance-boating world.

Here’s what just a few of his friends/former colleagues had to say.

Tony Chiaramonte, DCB Performance Marine

“Bob Leach was like a father to me. He remains the true West Coast Godfather of the performance-boating industry. He made an imprint on everyone who worked for him at Eliminator Boats and DCB. He truly was an amazing man.”

Jake Fraleigh, president, Eliminator Boats

“Bob was more than a founder, he was an innovator, a craftsman, and a pioneer whose passion for performance and perfection helped shape an entire industry. Since 1969, his bold ideas and relentless pursuit of excellence defined the Eliminator name and inspired generations of boaters, builders, and enthusiasts across the country.

“His impact is woven into every boat we produce, every customer we’ve served, and every mile on the water. Those who had the privilege of knowing Bob experienced a kind, gentle, and charismatic person. His smile resonated and could connect with all walks of life and find a connection with anyone. He had an immense love for boating and flying. The stories he could tell were captivating and his presence made an impression on everyone he met.”

Jason Johnson, former Speedonthewater.com co-publisher and Powerboat magazine editor

“For a man who inspired so many and created some of the baddest boats on the planet, Bob Leach was as charming, charismatic, dedicated, welcoming and motivating as anyone I had the pleasure of getting to know during my years at Powerboat magazine and Speedonthewater.com.

“Bob truly was one of a few legends in the business, yet he was as grateful and hardworking as any man I’ve ever shook hands with. I will always cherish my last visit with Bob at his home in Murrieta, Calif., in October 2021, and I know he will be flying high, winning checkered flags and building incredible boats in heaven.”

Jeff Johnston, Octane Marine director of sales and marketing, former president of DCB Performance Marine

“Bob Leach is an icon. He was the Godfather of the West Coast performance boating industry before I was even born. Bob was always such a warm and welcoming person. And his business acumen was always felt. He will surely be missed.”

Founded more than 50 years ago, Eliminator Boats remains strong in the West Coast market. Photo courtesy of Eliminator Boats.

Fred Kiekhaefer, former president, Mercury Racing

“With an eye for West Coast style, Bob built some very special boats. Usually, he and his team followed our rigging guidelines to the letter. The result was reliable product and delighted customers. I only had to scold him once—for splitting a 700SCi/NXT drive package (laughs). We’re going to miss you, Bob. Rest in peace.”

Captain Vicki Norman, former Powerboat magazine associate publisher

“My friend. Bob Leach was a true gentleman—kind, humble, and genuinely respected and loved in the performance boating world. He never met a stranger, and his door was always open. My heart goes out to Cindy and everyone who cared for him. He left an incredible mark on our industry, and there will always be a space that can’t be filled without him. We were lucky to know him, and his memory will live on. God’s speed.”

Bob Teague, owner/founder of Teague Custom Marine

“Bob Leach was an innovator and icon in the industry. I first met him in the early to mid-1970s—he was one of ‘the three amigos’ that including Fred Inman, Sr., of IMCO and Paul Pffaf of Pfaff Racing engines. We did a lot of projects together during the years and we tested a whole lot of Eliminator boats during the years at Powerboat magazine.

“I remember one in particular that was project between him and Fred and Paul. It was a 25 Daytona with a monster supercharged engine making 1,400-plus hp that I ran with you in Parker (Ariz). I told them, ‘You are going to get one pass and that’s it.’ Then we ran it to 144 mph. After that run, we were coming down river, finishing a few more testing protocols we still had left, and the drive kind of exploded (laughs). It ripped the gimbal off the transom and we were sinking. Somehow, I cell phone services and I called and told them, ‘You need to get your trailer here now. We’re sinking (laughs again).”

“What Bob started out with eventually became the Daytona line of center-pod catamarans—they had the center-pods because they were originally built for jet-drives and inboards. That was industry-leading technology at the time, and a lot of those boats are still out there. That, to me, is Bob’s legacy.”

Eliminator models from years gone by are still strong performers. Photo from the 2025 Desert Storm top-speed shootout by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

Geoff Tomlinson, Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats dealer manager and former Eliminator of Texas dealership employee

“Bob Leach would do anything on the job that he would ask anyone else to do—that’s the kind of man he was.

“I have always appreciated working with people like Bob. They have the kind of core values forged from being self-made and doing things themselves. If Bob asked you to do something, you knew he’d already done it a million times himself. (Nor-Tech founder) Trond Schou is the same way. It’s a privilege working with people like that. Bob showed up at every boat show we did in Texas, and he always stopped picked up new polishing supplies before he arrived. He was out there polishing boats on the floor, just like us.

“I got my first exposure to catamarans through Bob. He and his son, Brent, taught he how to drive one. That was an unforgettable privilege, for sure.

“But the No. 1 thing about Bob? He was a people-person. He loved talking to people. He had this remarkable passion for getting people into boating. It was an honor to learn from him. It was an honor to be around him.”

Editor’s Note: Memorial service dates for Bob Leach have not been set. Look for an announcement of those dates on speedonthewater.com when they become available.