Black Duck Racing Team Saga

The Black Duck Offshore Powerboat Racing Team of Pete Aitkin and Tom Akoury captured National and World championships on the American Powerboat circuit in the early 1980's. Powered by triple 250 hp Mercury outboards, the sleek 30 foot black and blue "ShadowCat" catamaran sped to consecutive titles in "83 and "84 and took National titles in "82 and "83        Named for a prohibition era rumrunner, the race boat dominated its class and would have left the old smuggler wallowing in its wake. At thirty knots, the original Black Duck could out-run the Coast Guard but would have been no match for the 100 mph racer.        With Aitkin at the helm, and Akoury on the throttles, the Black Duck set many national class speed records while winning the four major titles. the "Duck" entered 40 races and won 23 of them in a sport where many boats fail to finish (let alone win) half their races due to rough ocean conditions. This legendary speed and dependability were a direct tribute to Akoury's mechanical wizardry.        In 1985, Aitkin and Akoury called it a career. Aitkin needed more time to devote to his growing family, but Akoury continued to race successfully, both on the water and on the NASCAR stock car circuit.