NOTES: 
Mike Mosher from Fisher Landing, NY tells me that they have formed a Vintage Stock Outboard Racing Club and they are interested in joining APBA. Keep those members coming!
 We have an update from Kenny Sykes regarding the 266 hydroplane Guess Who. Unfortunately, the boat was in fact destroyed, but the engine, built by Bob Sykes, went on to set more records. Sykes, of course, worked for the famous west coast engine builders Clay Smith and Keith Black. Kenny goes on to say that both he and his father Bob would like to receive any information from our readers regarding the whereabouts of Joe Guess. Bob Sykes’ phone number is 916-384-2829. On a personal note, Ken states that one of the reasons that he is so interested in all this history is that this is giving him the chance to learn about his father’s racing and the people and boats he competed against. Keep those letters coming! We need to share more of ourselves and our roots with the sport.
 If any of our members are interested, Jay Degges of Virginia has a 1960 unfinished conventional Ted Jones hydroplane, either a 225 or 280 design, with plans that he would like to sell.
 For those Unlimited fans, if you have a craving to own a Lauterbach Unlimited, contact Terry Turner of California.
 On a sad note, we hear from Melvin Codey (502-966-5279) that former boat racer and Inboard member Jim Davis is in a nursing home. Codney is trying to sell Davis’ 7 Litre Inboard hydro the Hornet H-41 and many parts. This boat raced in the Louisville area. The money from the sale of the boat will go towards Davis’ estate.
 Ken Muscatel informs our readers that Jim Peele of Midland, MI is now the proud owner of a 1946 Ventnor 135 hydro. The craft was located in the Virginia area.
 Fred Farley, APBA’s Unlimited Historian, is trying to sell Farley’s Folly E-28, a Hickling hull, which was built in the 1960’s.
 Walter Hagstrom, Jr. of Laguna, CA, is trying to market a 1960 Will Farmer hydroplane 145 with all original boat, motor and trailer. Maybe this is your boat!
 Loretta-Marie Diamond, APBA historian, is asking for the members help in collecting racing memorabilia. She will be at some of the races this year.
 
CHALLENGES: 
Help us find these Vintage raceboats, parts and engines! Mike Schmidt of Durham, Conn., thought he found our missing Miller engine. It turned out to be the second one of the only two V-16 Millers ever built. He located the super charged motor. The engine we are looking for is the carbureted motor that was last known to be in the possession of Joe Van Blurk. The boat’s name was El Joe, a Ventnor hydro. Thank you for your effort, Mike!
 Where is the Ghost Rider, a 28-foot wood offshore racer, deep-vee hull, powered with two inboard Daytona marine engines? This boat was designed and driven by Bill Wynn.
 Bill Fisk asks, “What ever happened to the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association? Was it absorbed into APBA?”
 Misplaced trophies...Whatever happened to the “Pop Cooper Trophy” for the 135 class hydros? The “Chuck Hunter Trophy?” The “Sid Street Memorial Trophy?” The “Mike Thomas Trophy?”

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH:  
Jerry Waldman was probably the most talented Outboard racer of all time. He raced every class of Stock runabout and hydro during the heyday of that category. He achieved an astonishing 45 National Championships, 26 APBA titles and 19 NOA titles. There may have been more victories but no accurate records were kept. He held, at one time or another, every competition record in both the APBA Stock and Alky racing hydro classes in addition to most of the APBA hydro kilo records. He held all the NOA competition and kilo records in the Alky racing hydro classes. He had a fantastic career, which will probably never be equaled. The press called him “Mr. Inside” for his ability to shave the buoys. Jerry Waldman intensely and enduringly loved boat racing as few others have.
 This segment will be devoted to the selection at random of an individual that in some way promoted the true meaning of sportsmanship through powerboat racing. The person must have left a lasting impression or mark on the sport. If you have a nomination for this segment of the column, please compose a short story and sent it to us.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:  
Maui Kai.  This is the first catamaran to race in Offshore competition. This boat was owned by Hugh Doyle of Treasure Island, FL, designed by Jim Wynn and was built in the late 1960’s by John Holmes of Osprey, FL. This was a cold molded wood hull. She was the sister ship to the Ghost Rider, also designed by Wynn. The boat competed only three times, won two of the races, and was then retired. The Maui Kai set the standard for the Offshore cats of today.

©1994 Tom D'Eath