This hydroplane is owned by Nathan
Mills of Australia. This racing hull is of Jones design and
is 15' 6" long.
The hull was running a 350 GM engine with
22% overdrive. Before that hull and motor configuration,
there was a 202 straight 6 with lower gears. Engine has been selected, the hull is
in great shape and a restoration has been started.
Miss September is the new name,
and I am going to have a Pin-up Girl as part of the signwriting.
I am still hoping for a stained deck,
but I guess it depends how good the plywood shows up after it goes down.
This hull campaigns in the Australian
3.75 litre class. She was built in 1970/71.
Luckily all the cowlings come off, so
it's a little easier to get in and fiddle about.
Steering gear off with a few discoveries.
There was a bad twist in the steering
cable and there was a deck screw
through a cable turnbuckle, not letting
the little plastic wheel to turn.
Driver's seat and pedals out. Dashboard
and gearbox next.
All of the old wiring and engine mounts
out.
You might be able to pick up in the picture
that the engine bearers look a little like
Swiss Cheese due to all of the different
engines that this boat has housed.
Engine choice was one of my biggest stumbling
block.
My final engine choice for my hull is
this 3.0l V6 Ford Capri (British) 180ci V6.
Factory stock configuration had them rated
at 140 hp, but with a Holley 500, headers and some internal work I'm hoping
for about 160 - 180 hp.
As of February 2002:
• The engine bearers (stringers) have
been replaced
(The reason for all of the holes in the
deck is that I didn't want the hull to sag while the bearers were out of
the boat,
so I just cut the holes to get to the
back of the bearers)
• Motor has been fitted
• Prop shaft angle has been shallowed
• Custom fabricated bracket that braces
the front of the rudder bracket, top of the skeg, and bolts to the bearers
• New transom skin
• Rudder set-up moved further to the right
• New rudder pulley
• New dashboard
• Steering is being finalized
• Driver's seat back in
I have finally hit the water following
the completion of my near 7 year restoration of my Jones hydro, Miss
September.
Some interesting bits of information
about Australian vintage hydroplanes:
"Most of the hydros down here are Jones'.
They obviously range in size, from a 14' 6" to a 26' Unlimited. There are
a couple of Lauterbachs, but these are in the GP class. This hydroplane carries a 100 Litre fuel
cell because the previous owner would run this in the famous Bridge to
Bridge race in Australia.This is one of the biggest powerboat races. It
is a one way river race that is 70 miles long. The Bridge to Bridge
is open to pretty much any type of boat, eg. hydros, mono, tunnel outboard,
Yamato, and even inflatables these days. The start is in waves, categorized
by type and engine capacity. This year there were about 100 boats. The
original race was run by 2 mates who raced to get to the finish bridge
for a bottle of whiskey (I think) hanging from it, as the "trophy".
There is actually 2 "Bridge" races, the powerboat race, and a 2-up water-ski
race that is held in November. The ski race isn't quite as old, but is
one of the big races of the world, as we get a number of international
skiers and teams for this race every year."
Nathan is the webmaster for the NSW
Hydroplane Club, Australia.
Please be sure to make his website a regular
stop as he updates the site often and many vintage hydroplanes from Australia
can be seen there.
© Nathan
Mills
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