Episode 58 - Chris Davidson from Hot Boat and Speedboat Magazines

Описание: In this episode, I talk with Chris Davidson, the former driving force behind Hot Boat Magazine and the current publisher of Speedboat Magazine, as we look back on his nearly 40-year journey in the world of performance boating. From his early days collecting Elvis memorabilia to helping define the voice of the high-performance boating community, Chris has truly lived a unique story.

He walks us through the origins of Hot Boat, the influence of his boating-focused family, and the magazine’s game-changing acquisition by Larry Flynt’s LFP Inc. in 1989—a move that propelled the publication onto the national stage. Chris also speaks candidly about a deeply personal betrayal in 2006, when his brother Darren orchestrated a covert takeover of the magazine. That painful chapter ultimately led Chris to create Speedboat Magazine, which stands today as the industry’s final print title.

He discusses how his many relationships in the industry with owners like Bob Leach of Eliminator Boats and Ed Borges of Eddie Marine helped keep his business alive. Chris reflects on the role of collaboration and trust throughout his career, highlighting the talented team that helped shape his success—Kevin Spaise, Jim Wilkes, Greg Shoemaker, Fernando Escovar, and Brett Bayne among them. This conversation offers an honest glimpse into the relationships, resilience, and resolve that have defined Chris’s legacy in the performance boating world.

You can follow Speedboat Magazine on Instagram @speedboatmagazine_sb.mag and Facebook @Speedboat Magazine
View Speedboat online and subscribe www.speedboat.com

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