In the world of powerboat painting, Stephen Miles is currently transforming a new MTI 390X catamaran for Matt and Jennifer Jamniczky in Owensboro, Ky., marking the latest chapter in their evolving relationship that began with shared adventures and mutual interests. For further insights into this friendship, continue reading.
As easy to like as he is fun to be around, powerboat paint-man Stephen Miles tends to befriend his clients. But in the case of Matt and Jennifer Jamniczky, who currently have a new MTI 390X catamaran in his Owensboro, Ky., paint booth, their relationship began the other way around. Miles and his wife, Heather, met the Jamniczkys several years ago at the since-retired Old Hickory Fun Run outside of Nashville. The two couples hit it off immediately and not long after traveled together for what would be many early November trips to Key West, Fla., to the Offshore World Championships.
Now Miles is painting the MTI cat for the Jamniczkys, who live in Indiana. And it’s coming right along.
“I knew I was going to like it but when Stephen sent the pictures today I think it gave me goosebumps,” said Matt Jamniczky. “I never imagined I would own a boat like this, especially with a paintjob like his.”
When the couples first met, the Jamniczkys owned a 43-foot Sunsation Powerboats V-bottom, which they eventually sold and replaced with a pre-owned MTI 340X catamaran Miles helped them find.
“A couple years after we became friends, Matt told me he was interested in a twin-outboard MTI 340X and to keep my eye out for one,” Miles recalled. “The next day, I was scheduled to meet with a client and MTI to go over his final design and help out with the interior color and design choices. After the meeting was over, I got to pull Randy Scism aside and told him I had a good friend looking for a nice used 340X.
“I told Randy, ‘Matt is in the market for a used boat now but he’s a very driven guy and I am certain he will buy a new MTI in future,’” he continued. “And he did.”
Not only did Jamniczky order a 39-footer, he sold the 34-footer to their mutual friends, Donnie and Cara MacLeod, who in turn sold the cat to its current owners—none other than Stephen and Heather Miles.
A little more than a year ago, the plot thickened when Miles’ longtime friend and client Vinnie Diorio, the Wisconsin-based owner and throttleman of the Rollin/SV Offshore Racing called the painter and told him he was looking for a new driver for 2023. Never short of good advice—or at least strong opinions—Miles didn’t hesitate to make a recommendation.
“I said, ‘Vinnie, that’s a no-brainer—Matt Jamniczky,’” he recalled. “And now Matt just finished his first full year of racing with SV Offshore.”
Original article published on speedonthewater.com