Meeting the Chief: New 42 Warrior is a Stunner

I was just about to sit down amongst several MTI owners and their family and friends to order some food at Coconuts Caribbean Bar & Grill in Gravois Mills, Mo., when my phone rang with an unfamiliar 219 area code on the screen. Since it was Lake of the Ozarks Shootout week, I figured I should answer it real quick.

chief42 ozarks sotw

The 42 Warrior from Chief Powerboats was an attention-getter during the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout thanks to its stunning paint job from The Art of Design. Photo courtesy Chief Powerboats.

Well I was glad I did. On the other end was Eric Dorris, a contact I hadn’t heard from in some time. I interviewed Dorris, who owns Fire Flys Performance Marinein Crown Point, Ind., in early 2014 about the 42 Warrior from Chief Powerboats he purchased (read the story) and becoming one of the company’s dealers. The Art of Design in Elkhart, Ind., had recently painted the V-bottom and he was overjoyed by the detail, depth and modern take on a classic design that Dean Loucks and the crew at TAOD provided.

Dorris informed me that he was on his way into town and would have the 42 Warrior, which is powered by short-staggered Ilmor Marine 725 engines coupled with Ilmor Indy drives, on display at Dog Days for the longstanding Friday night dock party. I never made it to that party so I missed seeing the V-bottom lit up in red with its engine compartment LEDs showcasing the 725-hp motors and its underwater lights attracting the fish.

Read more: Meeting the Chief: New 42 Warrior is a Stunner

Related stories
The Art of Design Finishes Paint Job on New Chief 42 Warrior
Chief Powerboats on a Warpath and Beyond