Eight Beat S-134, one of only 3(?) Tommy Hill hydroplanes left in existence, and is being restored by new owner George H. Smith of Pleasant Hill, California. This hydro was designed and built in 1946 in Alameda by Tommy Hill. This particular hull turned-out to be one of Hill’s own racers and ran as a 135 to Region II High Points in the late 1940’s. It was later sold to Hart Chan and renamed Ding How II before being campaigned as a 136 called Lil Miss Iodine. Then the boat sat in storage for 15 years, until Don Sea found it and fitted/restored the boat as a 136 hydro, renamed it Eight-Beat S-134, and ran a stock V8-60 engine. The boat raced for several seasons afterwards before Don retired it from racing in the early 1970’s. The new owner, George Smith is completing a full restoration. Click here to go to the webpage and check it out.
