The 1985 Gentry Turbo Eagle was originally built to compete in the demanding Miami to New York Endurance Race. In 1988, it achieved legendary status by winning the APBA Superboat Class World Championship, driven by none other than actor and racer Don Johnson, Bill Sirois (Throttles) and Gus Anastasi (Navigator). A decade later, in 1998, following the passing of its namesake and original owner Tom Gentry, the boat was purchased by two individuals who intended to convert it to a triple-diesel setup. However, the conversion was never completed, and the vessel ended up sitting in storage at a marina in Georgia for the next 18 years.

 

It was eventually sold to another owner who planned to restore it, but he soon realized the project was more than he had bargained for. In 2014, the Gentry Turbo Eagle was acquired by a businessman in Southern California, who enlisted Team Archer Marine to undertake a full restoration. The meticulous process spanned several years and cost over $1.3 million. In 2017, the fully restored boat returned to the water for the first time in more than two decades. A year later, in July 2018, Speedboat Magazine published a feature article titled “The Eagle Has Landed,” celebrating the boat’s dramatic comeback and honoring its rich legacy. Most recently, in February 2025, the original trailer was fully refreshed with new paint, air lines, and wiring, completing the restoration of this iconic offshore racing machine.