The Wolfeboro Town Docks were the site of the pits, in water mooring and regatta headquarters. Despite changing weather conditions, the event drew solid crowds of spectators, with Saturday's gathering approaching capacity. A multi dimensional event, the participants and fans were offered a variety of activities. 
 

Race boat rides, a cruise on the Winnipesaukee Belle, evening social events, dinners, and an awards cookout. Even demonstrations of the RC radio controlled race boats at the Back Bay were included on the schedule. The Schmitt twins even tested their RC mini skiff at the main docks, much to the fan's delight.
 
 

Participants were following a historically significant course by participation in the 2003 event. They learned of the 1927 formation of the Winniepesaukee River Boat Association. Founding fore fathers had to be bristling with pride at the sight of the return of wooden speedsters to the Lake.



Entries were divided into classes by size and assigned heats. Heats ranged from small runabouts like Snafu, 0-12; TJ-6 Blackjack; F-34 Baby Ruth; V-11 Short Money Too and Little Joe. Gold cup speedsters, long and sleek, were impressive. Looking like a fleet of dragonflies, these craft includedT -30 Sister Syn; G-7 Ethyl Ruth IV; 15-K, Miss Severn;G-17 Scotty; G-31 Delphine V; Yar Gar; Troublemaker IV.

Jeff Magnuson's immaculate U-14 Miss America VII and the venerable G-48 Obsession of William John III were especially popular with race fans.


Eight vintage hydroplanes, some with glossy resumes, fired up their high powered engines and sped off to create a noisy show on the course.
 
  Steve Drucker's Plymouth powered Ron Jones cab over, E-87 Don't Tell Mom, performed flawlessly throughout.


Matt Morsheimer in Sidewinder E-45

The Lauterbach presence continued as Larry Lauterbach ran some fine laps in the F-10 Henry's 10th.



Ron Taylor traveled from Michigan to pick up his newly acquired E-207 Happy Buddha. This vintage hydroplane was newly restored the last three years by Jerry Feilds, and Ron was very thrilled to run the boat on it's maiden voyage.

Distaff fans were thrilled to see Jacqueline Bertolini take the controls of the champion N-8 Country Boy.


Travis Hickman's Petti's Pet J-35
 

Sylvain Demer's F-155 Zoomerang

Other high speed runs were turned in by the bigger hydros. Exceeding 100 mph on the straight-aways, shooting huge rooster tails and carving sharp turns at speed were the trademark of these big boys. Included were Bill Fisk's Irishman GP-317, Bill Winn's H-202 Heavy Duty, and Al Craig's Hot Pepper.

Jeff Buckley's spectacular 360 degree horizontal spin with E-3, Executif brought fans to their feet, as the mishap occurred right in front of the pits. A hard luck driver this weekend, Jeff had overcome a broken drive shaft on Thursday. Saturday's incident ripped half the transom off the E-3. Quick work by patrol boats, support staff and the crane saved the Staudacher from sinking. Jeff reluctantly walked away with the "Golden Snorkel" award for his hard luck efforts. Later, in a fine act of patriotism, the undaunted Captain Nemo presented the Museum with a plaque and American flag from Jeff's recent military assignment in Afghanistan.

Not all the entries were exclusively wood in composition. An entire class of popular vintage Jersey Speed Skiffs was on hand. The colorful, loud, jumping jersey speed skiffs did not disappoint. A flying fleet made up of JS-38 Double Trouble, JS-3 Hops A Lot, JS-73 Flying Pony, JS-22 Heartbeat, JS-97 River Rat, JS-78 Lowe Blow, JS-712 Miss Align, Domino and JS-9 Papa's Bundle ran with vigor and enthusiasm. Skip Gillam's immaculate reproduction JS-11 Sir Alter Ego, ran the shortest lap, suffering engine failure just moments from the dock.

JS-88 Stormalong



JS-25 Hot Ticket
 
 
World renowned boat builder - Mark Mason.

At the concluding Saturday evening cookout, several awards were made. Jeff & Barbara Magnuson and Bill & Judy Fisk were recognized for their ongoing efforts on behalf of the Wolfeboro Regatta. Director Hank Why and committeemen Gerry Davidson, Stan Fitts, Bill John, Donny McLean, Jeff Magnuson, Brian Small joined by hundred's of volunteers to produce an outstanding vintage race boat event. 


Bill John III - G-48 Obsession with riding mechanic Donnie McLean on the dock.
The success is in no small part due to the tireless yearlong efforts of Bill John III. 
Thanks for visiting the 2003 New Hampshire Vintage Race Boat Regatta.