Frankie’s Boy

1952_Frankies_Boy_Bruce_Smith_CincinattiPhil Kunz has this photo in his Scrapbook section of his website of the boat, dated 1952.
The boat was built by Don & Bruce Smith in the mid or late 1940s and Bruce campaigned it for a few years from the late 40s through the early 50s.

frankies_boy_unrestoredThe above photo was taken by Phil Spruit at the 1998 Clayton Antique Race Boat Regatta. Someone from Florida drove it up and it was for sale there.
Framing was made out of oak, probably the only reason it lasted so long.The boat ran in the 225 class/Division 1. The hydro was powered by a Flathead 6 cyl motor, GMC? Interesting part of this boat is the hand hammered aluminum cowlings, ala sprint car and midget construction of the day. Very high quality work on the cowlings.

The boat must have been retired by the mid 1950s and may have been “put out to pasture” into the field around the rural Cincinnati area.
Past owners were the Wermes brothers and Bill MacTague of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The photos below – show how how it looks today after Don Kelson beautifully restored it.
Not bad looking for a sixty-something year old race boat!

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Oh Boy!

S-25 – Looking for history, builder

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Hello, I have recently purchased a “1950’s” lay down hydro (you drive ’em laying down on your belly laying over the gas tank?) with identification number S 25. The story I got was at one time it raced around Springfield lake in Ohio. It was bought at a yard sale by the gentleman I got it from. Any assistance in this endeavor is greatly appreciated as I want to refinish it in the “original” colors. The pattern is still visible.
You can reach me @ boatcraft58@aol.com
Hope to hear from anyone and thank you.

Joe Hodges

F-90 Miss Peg

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After weighing the Miss Peg F-90 on race car scales they found that it was light on transom weight and O/D/B Jack Hines moved the battery back approx two feet. This made it easier to get up on plane and as you can see from the photos, the reports from New Martinsville were – she performed very well.

“S’cuse Me”, 88-B

The first race boat in the family, "S'cuse Me", 88-B in 1952. Owner/driver was my dad, Eddie Silva.
The first race boat in the family, “S’cuse Me”, 88-B in 1952. Owner/driver was my dad, Eddie Silva.
Bob Silva

Miss Daytona

1929 Miss Daytona Hydroplane from John Van Osdol on Vimeo.

Bruce Meyer purchased this vintage 17′ hydroplane race boat and flies to Bay City, Michigan to let it loose on the Saginaw River before transporting it to its next home in California

Black Dog Salvage

Hi Phil,
I found your website while researching a vintage Neal Hydroplane that we recently acquired – please see attached for photos. This came from a home in Fairmont, WV and came with a racing trophy from the 50s. Does anyone know if there is a market for this? If so, would you have any advice on a value or the best place to list it for sale? Any feedback would be much appreciated!
Thanks for your time,
Christa
blackdogsalvage.com
(540) 206-3269 direct
(540) 343-6200 main
Tune in to Salvage Dawgs, featuring Black Dog Salvage, on the DIY Network…. new episodes begin airing June 1st!
Find us on facebook: www.facebook.com/blackdogsalvage

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M.A.C.H. Series

When you have a moment, surf over to Phil Kunz Photography and check out the latest update he has made to his website. They are the point summary sheet totals for the MACH Series. Almost 30 years worth of points you can pour over. Check it out!

Dayton Testing 2013

Vintage hydros ready to go in on Eastwood Lake in Dayton. The weather was perfect – slight wind and temps in the mid 60s made for a spectacular setting. This is the first time in many years that Dayton had 2 cranes available to move the boats in & out of the water faster.
Dayton Testing 2013Roughly 33 boats were in attendance with 13 being vintage. All ready to test & tune.

The Long Distance BoysThe long distance didn’t stop vintage owners from traveling many miles to have a chance to run the famed Hydrobowl course.
Back to front – Tijuana Taxi – Jay Marshall of Baton Rouge, LA.
Chuck Wagon – Steve Wace owner, with his son Ross driving, from Brockville, Ontario.
Speculation – New owner Kester Hamilton from Ottawa, Ontario with Bob Bramlage driving .

stadaucher_design— The oldest and newest boats at Dayton this year —
The Barracuda with owner Tim Settle sitting on his 1947 Wickens built hydro.
On the crane — is the brand new Old Crow being put in the water for the very first time. The Old Crow is a Stadaucher design, built by Mr. Miller and owned by Andrew Christopher and Brent Schultz. This National Modified was put to the test by driver Dan Kanfoush and made some very fast runs this weekend.