BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT: 
You didn’t have to be a racing boat zealot to enjoy the 3rd Antique Race Boat Regatta held in Clayton, New York ... But if you were, it was pure heaven.
 There were single, double and multiple step Gold Cup hydroplanes. All long and sleek like: G-7, Ethyl Ruth; G-5, Baby Bootlegger; G-17, Scotty; G-31, Delphine IV; and G-8 Miss Canada III, to name just a few. Another popular class was the old 151 step hydro, of which B-11, Glorious Gal is a beautiful example.
 The 280 hydros had enough restored boats there to run a race; with Lauterbach, Lloyd, Farmer, Rouark and Sooy designs present.
 1957 National Champion, Shake, Rattle n Roll, looked like it just rolled out of Lauterbach’s boat shop thanks to Tom D’Eath, Henry Lauterbach, and Rich Willim’s skills.  Together with Ett, Royal Rebel, and the McCrea Ford Spl., these 135 class speedsters all had full race V8-60’s for powerplants. Just as they did back in their heydays of the 1940’s and 50’s.
 The old 225 Division II class was represented by CN-100, Gas Hopper; and N-79, Antique. Both of these 1940’s hulls still sported modified flathead Ford-6 engines.
 There were legendary drivers running flybys in legendary fuel burners -- Art Asbury in the 266 Miss Canadiana and Buddy Byers in the famous 7 Litre, Chrysler Queen.
 Curt Brayer, builder and designer of Dancing Bear was giving rides in his F-Service Runabout. There were many different runabout designs to see. The Hemi-powered SK-57, Flashback, was there along with E-Services such as Riot, Rock A Bye, and Hellzapoppin. Hurry Home, an E-Racing Runabout, was a primo 1947 Ventnor design. Ed Thompson’s Pop Glazier C-Runabout, T.M. Special, which had a Studebaker-6 engine, looked a lot like the B-Runabouts, once popular on the West Coast.
 A PODH called Little Joe, O-7 was restored by Vince Bober and his father. The all mahogany hull ran the stock V8-60 that helped make the class so popular in the late 1940’s and 50’s.
 Western built hulls present were Hal LeDuc’s late 1960’s Hallett, Opeeche; the McGoldrick’s Slo-Mo Jr., a 98 class hydro built by Northwest 135/225 legend Merle Solland; and the 1956 Jones, Redskin, a 7 Litre belonging to Phil Bononcini who was accompanied by friends from Seattle’s Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum.
 The outboard racing classes had the best overall presentation, with just about every make hull and engine built, along with racing propeller and old trophy displays. You could have spent a whole day just viewing classic racing videos and vintage scrapbook and photograph collections.
 Thanks to East Coast correspondent, Bob Moore, for arranging a ride for me with George Baker in his Jersey Speed Skiff. It’s no wonder that class is an East Coast favorite! Thanks also to Sherry Steblen and the kind folks at the Clayton Antique Boat Museum for their hospitality. This raceboat zealot is looking forward to Clayton 1998!!!

BOB MOORE’S EAST COAST REPORT: 
Clayton, NY August 15-18, 1996 was the site of powerboating’s “Old Timers Game," the “All-Star Game” and a class reunion all in one. Several old acquaintances were renewed. New friendships were developed. After hearing all the different versions of the same boat race, I’m still trying to figure out who won it. Boat racers never change, just their finishing positions do. At Clayton 1992, this guy said he ran third in a particular race. In 1994, he claims he finished second. Now after Race Boat Regatta ‘96 -- he won that same race!
 Under ideal weather conditions, over 125 inboard and outboard raceboats of all designs, representing most of the APBA classes were on display, both on the land and in the water. Although the waters of the St. Lawrence were a little rough for the outboards and the smaller inboard hydros, several of the larger Gentlemen-type racers and big hydros thrilled several thousand race boat fans and spectators by conducting fly-bys in front of the Antique Boat Museum.
 Among the most popular of the hydros was probably John Freeman’s Atlas Van Lines. Over 20 race boat enthusiasts climbed into the rear seat of the Atlas and were given 125 mph rides by veteran race boat driver, Bob Schroeder. Schroeder who had earlier in the week thrilled the Coast Guard by driving the boat down the river from Alex Bay, seemed to enjoy giving the rides almost as much as the recipients.
 One of the prettiest boats on hand was the 2/3rds scale replica of the famous Miss Pepsi built by Don and Dwight Morin. Powered by a V-6 Buick, this 20 foot step-hydro is craftsmanship at it’s best. Don Morin, who built the original Pepsi as well as countless other Unlimiteds, including the Thriftways, was on hand to discussed his plans for building other 2/3rds replicas of great Unlimiteds, including the Miss Thriftway. I can’t wait to see them. They should be awesome.
 Also in attendance were some Jersey Speed Skiffs. Rob Garratano had his beautifully restored Lasting Impressions there. He made a couple of fly-bys along with the glass skiffs of George Baker and Doug Apy. George has replicated the famous Falcon of Ray Morris, a 1950’s National Champion. Doug plans to replicate the Jo-Carol II, an early 1960’s National Speed Skiff Champion. The skiffs still put on quite a show and thrilled the spectators with their sensational bouncing ride. Among those experiencing a Jersey Skiff ride for the first time was Vintage West Coast correspondent, Bob Silva. (I bet he’s still grinning.)
 All in all, Race Boat Regatta ‘96 was a very special event. By all accounts, we all look forward to Clayton in 1998. I’d like to say thanks to Bill Danforth and his staff. They did a great job and made us all feel very welcome, not only the event but also to the town of Clayton and the 1000 Islands area, thanks again Bill.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
SIN  E-156  Mario Scopinich driving his beautiful 1957 Charlie Lloyd designed and built 280 hydro, Sin, during a flyby at Clayton.  (Photo by Bob Silva)

©1996 Tom D'Eath