The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, October 11, 1996              TAG: 9610110493
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   25 lines

BOAT AT VA. BEACH APPARENTLY STOLEN THE RACING CRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM A DEALERSHIP EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

Police on Thursday said they don't know who took a high-performance, twin-engine racing boat that costs more than the average Hampton Roads house from a dealership Wednesday.

The $137,000 boat, with its trailer, was apparently stolen between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. from Offshore Performance in the 2100 block of Marina Shores Drive. The dealership was open when the boat vanished.

``I walked outside and it was just gone,'' said Kirk Williams, general manager of the dealership. ``I've got all my boats lined up in a row and the biggest, most expensive one was just gone. That wasn't cool at all.''

Williams said this is the first time in the 4 1/2 years he has run the dealership that a boat has been stolen.

The white boat with blue trim ``is very distinctive,'' said Williams, who hopes someone will spot it and call police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 427-0000.

KEYWORDS: THEFT BOAT by CNB