Ichi Bon
Chuck Hickling hull design built by Bob Reuss and finished by Jim Emel (i.e. varnish, paint and hardware).
The rudder was ground out of aluminum by a hand grinder.
 

98 cu in hydroplane facts:
Engine: Ariel Square 4 motorcycle engine with a Judson supercharger producing 12-1/2 lbs boost @ 8500 rpms.
It was too much boost and lifted the head off the lower case...it blew up!!

It had a Cooper ground camshaft.
 

Jim at one time worked in a motorcycle shop.
 

He was also a mate on the American Mail Lines ships.

Ichi-Bon
w/ Chevy II
After the Ariel Square 4's demise he built and installed a Chevy II 4cyl modified engine.
It had a destroked crankshaft 1/8 " to make the legal cu in displacement of 150 as the Chevy II had 153 cubic inches stock from the factory.
He never talked about the boats performance but I'm sure it was quick as the hull was very light.

Granite Mist J-44

 

Jon Courtright remember years ago seeing it sit along the freeway down by Southpark (Gary Merino Construction side) in one of those boat yards. But he haven't seen it in years.....Note the H-46 painted over the J-44.
 
 
© Jim Emel
 

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