Pokey F-98 266 cu. in. class hydroplane built by Henry Lauterbach in 1957. Owned by Bill Markey of Key Largo, Florida.  This hydro is now powered today by a 350 cu. in. Chevy.

Alter Ego F-1
266 cu. in class hydroplane built in 1948 and was owned by Gerry Chamberlain of Sutton, Ontario.
 
 
 
 

Opechee F-222
266 cu. in. class built in 1965 by Rich Hallett. Owned by Hal LeDuc of Commerce, Michigan.
 
 
 
 

Zoomerang F-155
5 Litre Modified class hydro built by Henry Lauterbach in 1973.
Owned by Sylvain Demers of St. Hilaire, Quebec.
 
 
 
 

Baby Grand F-7
6 Litre class built by Henry Lauterbach in 1971. 
In 1975, Lauterbach refined the hydro and it went on to be National Champion in '76 & '80.
Powered by a Chevy 350.

Gas Hopper CN-100 Built in 1945 by designer/builder Jack Tieghe. Campaigned in the 225 cu. in. class running a Ford Flathead.  Owned by Dave Norton of Toronto, Ontario. Note the hand fabricated aluminum cowlings.

Lively Lady 26D
 
 
 
 

Betty VII
Built by Vince & Fred Schwing in Baltimore. Owned by Jim Hauver.
 
 
 
 

Little Fission S-420
136 cu. in. class hydroplane running Ford Pinto motor.
Owner Brian Joseph of Wheeling, West Virginia
has been told the boat is a Schroeder design built in 1971.
 
 
 

Hi-Q   S-94
A beautiful as raced condition 136 cu. in. class hydro running a Ford Flathead V8 motor. 
The hydroplane was built by Charles Lloyd in 1957/58. 
Owner/Driver is Bob "Pappy" Moore of Red Bank, New Jersey.





The Last Farmer E-150
This 280 cu. in. class hydro running a Plymouth 250 V8. 
Built in 1974 & was the last hull built by Will Farmer. 
Owned by John Morsheimer of Honeoye, New York.
 

Wild Blue E-52 280 cu. in. class built by Dick Sooy in 1970. Pop Weber hull that campaigned as Dad's Dream. Owned by David Rogers of Alexandria Bay, New York.

Bo's Back & Miss Dinomytes
E-42 is a Lauterbach owned by Steve & Ray Maloney from Tallahassee, Florida. 
Campaigned in the 1970's as Bo's Back in the 225 class.
In the background is Miss Dinomytes GP-1001.


 
 

The Sorceress E-78
Cabover picklefork built by Ron Jones.
 
 
 

Mahogany Rush A-5
Steve Wissman built in Cincinatti, Ohio in 1984 for the owner Mark Long of Danville, Kentucky. 
Pontiac 4 cylinder.
 

The Irishman GP-317
Gran Prix class hydroplane running a 625 HP/Chevy 427. 
Built by Henry Lauterbach in 1971. Owned by Bill Fisk of Williamsport, New York.



Tip Back S-50
Built by Will Farmer in 1960.
136 cu. in. class hull running a Ford Falcon motor. Restored in 1995. 
Owned by Bill Mehan of Rochester, New Hampshire.

Dynasty #17 225 class hull built from 1969 blueprints 30 years later in 1999.  Lauterbach design & built by Alan Blide. This hull is running a Buick 215. Owned by John Freeman. This hydroplane did not have a racing hisory.

Note the tribute to all the hydroplane designers painted on the deck.

Tiger N-72
225 cu. in. class hydro - Buick power. 
Built by Henry Lauterbach in 1974. World Kilo Record in 1974. National Champion in 1976. 
Owned by Carl Wilson.



Miss Tempus sporting a Miss Budweiser paint job.




Ken Warby is the world's fastest man on water.



Mike Taggart commisioned a model builder to replicate his Shake, Rattle, & Roll A-43.



Three famous hydroplanes preparing to run a flyby for the spectators.



This classic was featured in Classic Boating magazine awhile back. 
The engine compartment is truly amazing and must be seen to really appreciate the craftsmanship.



The builders of the day would spare literally no expense to achieve the quality which is so rarely seen today.



The King of Harts is a Gold Cup replica.



What more than I say other than a  name that truly fits.


Sorry for the not-the-best photo of this unique hull, but she is quite incredible to see.







Many displacement hull raceboats gathered for this event. This years event featured the very early Gold-Cupper's. Reminding us of a time in history when men competed with basically modified conventional wisdom. The mahogany wood was shaped to style lines that was hoped would produce the speed necessary to outperform your competitors.



These shapes were quite dramatic from the typical lines used on the everyday utilitarian thinking of watercraft. Speed and horsepower were main thinking by these men. Raw power and wonderfully shaped lines would be the forefathers to today's modern lines. Their wood finishes reflect not just the light, but beauty and style, that is unequaled in my opinion, to any form of transportation that man has ever developed. 

The sight and sounds of these refined race boats in the  sparkling water. Even at idle or planing across the open waters, these classically refined motors roar out a tone and resonance unmatched anywhere and portray the great achievements of man and his machines.

The idea of slim beam and a long, narrow hull must come from the thought of displacing the least amount of water. 
 The idea of how easily a canoe slices through the water, surely must have driven this idea into competition.



There are so many of these truly classic hulls at the show. This very limited group of photos doesn't even begin to justify the spotlight they so rightfully deserve. Thanks for visiting. 
 

©2000 Phil Spruit

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