WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

We lost a legend

Outdrive1

Outdrive1 Marine Sales https://www.outdrive1.com/
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
32,730
Reaction score
28,067
Oh no. RIP Phil.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

rrrr

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
14,985
Reaction score
32,564
I didn't know the man, but over the years I've seen hundreds of posts recommending Phil as the go to v-drive guy in Phoenix.

RIP
 

MOUZER

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2009
Messages
2,748
Reaction score
4,975
talk to him on the phone........helped me out alot..........rip and gods speed my friend......
 

Jed-O

Shitter was full!
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
3,697
Reaction score
5,060
Definitely a kick in the nuts. He was a great guy I spoke with him on the phone several times and he was always very helpful and friendly. Wish I had a chance to meet him in person. Rest in piece Phil.
 

lenmann

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2013
Messages
1,586
Reaction score
3,081
Very sorry to hear this. He will be missed.
 

Sharp Shooter

The "anti-yuppie"
Joined
Oct 4, 2007
Messages
7,243
Reaction score
17,493
Phil was on the top shelf of the v-drive community. An Icon of the v-drive boating world. He was kind, generous, intelligent and caring. We will miss him greatly! Condolences to the Bergeron family!

DSC09781.JPG
 

Willie B

aberrant member
Joined
Sep 7, 2008
Messages
8,540
Reaction score
9,423
...This was quite a while ago but I used to speak with Phils son on the phone quite a bit...now because of the time...I’m having trouble remembering Phils son’s name???...Anybody???...
 

dryhoze1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
778
Reaction score
1,583
Godspeed Phil.
Was always one of the first I’d call for v drive set up on my boats.
Incredible knowledge base and so giving of his time and information.

Sad day for the v drive community
 

white tortilla

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
1,517
Reaction score
3,267
396E6642-607A-45AC-B2C6-AE119664A17E.jpeg
937ACDAF-576A-4680-A655-336F3C019E19.jpeg
48C13C41-B547-423F-A3A5-C98BBE4AC1CB.jpeg
0105B7A0-E3D0-46DF-A9DF-E8DA9F00E7E5.jpeg
7F3DC1F1-62B0-4470-BA47-190716F4C0B7.jpeg
I went to ASU from out of state in 2012. Was working on a superstock boat at my house in Tempe. Phil let me leave it at the shop for wayy too long and build it from the ground up on nights off of school and saturdays. Lots of help from him and crew. I really had no idea what i was doing. A man above us all with kindness
 
Last edited:

DLow

Single Barrel Dweller
Joined
Jun 28, 2012
Messages
3,763
Reaction score
5,727
I spent a lot of time speaking to Phil and Brian. Phil was always super helpful. Even though I don't run a V-drive he was always happy to lend a hand and give me his input because I was doing something different, and he enjoyed helping someone do what hadn’t been done before.
Dang. What a bummer.
Rest peacefully, sir.
 

warlock250

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2013
Messages
580
Reaction score
656
RIP Phil.
He was a solid guy for sure. He helped my Dad and I and my brother build a few boats years ago and he knew what worked and what didn't work. This sucks.
Drank a few Coors lights with him over the years in that old shop. We knew he had some health issues just pop up a little bit ago but damn.
God Speed Phil.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

wallnutz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
7,235
Reaction score
15,378
RIP Phil:( Helped my brother and I tremendously when we bought our first jet bote 30yrs ago. Was a go to guy for his knowledge, he will be missed.
 

1homeblown

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
578
Reaction score
649
RIP Phil. He was one of the main go-to guys for knowledge, parts and advice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

FreeBird236

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2012
Messages
13,420
Reaction score
12,042
Always appreciating but never owning a V-Drive, I never met the man, but new of him for years. Sounds like not only was he a great source of information, he was a great friend to many people and will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Mr. Bergeron.
 

Rattle Can Lou

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
1,173
Reaction score
1,769
I'm so glad he is getting the recognition he so deserves. He could be crusty at times as most can when we age..we realize we don't have time to waste with some people...but if you got inside with him...and you could listen...it was like listening to a college professor. Brilliant mind and fabricator..and machinist and fun guy. He LOVED boats...and he really didn't care what kind. He would haunt garage sales for parts...he loved buying out boat business's and they're inventory..so when you called...he had it. A walk through his historic shop was like walking back to when I was a kid at my Dad's shop...The news yesterday was shocking because to me, he was bigger then life...so many of us Loved this man...when he spent time with you...you felt special. I remember last year at Long Beach...we have a street/bar party and Phil and Clyde Church were hot lapping the bar area...he saw me and knew I was his meal ticket at the bar...so we sat down at a table for a hour or so of his undivided attention and I felt like the prettiest hooker at the bar...I had Phil's full attention and that meant the world to me...RIP my friend..
 
Last edited:

jetur

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Messages
677
Reaction score
936
RIP Phil. I used to drag my boss's boat in for the annual service and when I first started going you would have never known that he owned the place. He was pretty down to earth and always helpful. What a bummer hopefully his kids have interest in continuing the legacy.
 

milkmoney

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Messages
31,478
Reaction score
20,583
My thoughts with his family and friends

Godspeed phil

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

vdcruiser

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
503
Reaction score
194
Even though I'm on the east coast Phil helped me with parts and knowledge. So sad to hear this, RIP.
 

rivergames

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
15,828
Reaction score
12,931
Rest in Peace Phil. You will always be remembered and thank you for everything!
 

old man on the lake

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
226
Reaction score
17
Phil Bergeron is unreplaceable.
Not too many know the scope and reach he has had in the boating world. Designing and manufacturing parts for people all over the world. He loved what he did and loved alot of the people he did it for. He saved so many people hundreds of hours with his knowledge.
I was fortunate to find him in 1979. Without his help not sure I would have built what I did. His critizisms were constructive and his compliments were gold.

Brian has been very capable going on decades. Phil has taught him well. The business will be just fine.

I will trully miss the Bergeron grief. What a great man.

Rest in peace Phil

God , just alittle wind chop please.
 

wsuwrhr

The Masheenest
Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Messages
35,634
Reaction score
23,838
GodSpeed to him.

We are slowing losing our legends and Icons.
 

twocents

RDP Staff Member
Staff member
Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
1,610
Reaction score
2,992
Very sorry to hear this. Phil was one of the most knowledgeable technicians in the v-drive/flatbottom industry. Got to know him well as far back as the mid-1960s when we were both members of the Long Beach Boat & Ski Club.
 

Instigator

Just Livin up to My Name
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
4,933
Reaction score
5,245
The Boating world has Lost a True Legend and he and his knowledge will surely be missed.

How many of you ever did the "Roll the Dice Deal" with him when it came time to pay your bill?
I remember him asking people if they felt lucky and he would gamble a portion or sometimes the whole bill on the roll of a pair of dice.
Super Great Guy for sure.
RIP Phil!!!!
 

warlock250

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2013
Messages
580
Reaction score
656
The Boating world has Lost a True Legend and he and his knowledge will surely be missed.

How many of you ever did the "Roll the Dice Deal" with him when it came time to pay your bill?
I remember him asking people if they felt lucky and he would gamble a portion or sometimes the whole bill on the roll of a pair of dice.
Super Great Guy for sure.
RIP Phil!!!!
Yep we did some similar games to. I forgot about that.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

Hydroman55

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2018
Messages
1,294
Reaction score
3,149
Another piece of Americana gone....A person that will not be replaced...RIP Phill!!!
 

Dkahnjob

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2012
Messages
1,149
Reaction score
2,227
Phil was always very helpful to me on my many V-drive projects. He always had time to answer my questions and always had or made the parts that I needed.
He will be missed.
 

Skinny Tire AH

This ain't all folks! Skater368
Joined
Oct 30, 2010
Messages
10,257
Reaction score
23,695
I purchased two new Eliminator Daytona's through him, a 21 and a 25. They were both bare hulls. He rigged them and Dave Bryant (RIP) did the interiors. Both boats ran exceptional for their power and set-up. Phil just knew things and applied those things in a manner that made his work special. We had a group that did Roosevelt back in the day. Fond memories, our group owned the beach performance, most of the boats were products of his genius. Instigator was part of that special group of people as well.

As Rattle Can Lou stated, he could be crusty at times. He had no problem reminding you "Its time to listen, not time to talk" . He treated everyone like a friend.

God Speed Phil Bergeron...see you on the other side.
 

steamin rice

No Bad Days....
Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Messages
3,856
Reaction score
2,142
I bought my first boat from Phil back in 1995. Its was a 20` Hallett that he bought as a bare hull amd did all of the rigging on. The boat turned out great and I was thamkful that he was able to help me get into my first boat.

He was truly a legend amd will be missed by so many.

RIP
 

brad22

Barco Mecanico
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
534
Reaction score
101
Phil was a great guy and will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers to Brian and family.

RIP Phil!

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Top