NOTES: 
The Flyer, a 135 cu.in. hydroplane was designed by Bruce Crandall. The 1936 Motorboating magazine published a set of plans for this unique boat. The Flyer is a step-hydroplane and a double ender. This boat, of course, was designed before the three-point hydroplane. It has only a single step about amidships. The boat is a two-passenger craft that resembles a racing runabout with both the driver and passenger in the rear.  The Flyer was designed to give maximum speed but under normal competitive conditions. “Factors of design giving straight-away speed, turning ability, and the ability to ride rough water had been so proportioned that in an actual race high speed’s can be attained.” The overall length of the boat is 15’2” with a 5’8” beam and a 1 1/2” step. After reading the article, the construction appears to be simpler than it might seem. The pointed stern is built similar to an upside-down bow and complements the boat's teardrop shape. We want to thank Keith Williams of Bartlesville, OK for sending us these unique plans. If any of our members would like a copy of these contact me directly.
 Bob Wanamaker of Thendara NY wrote us an interesting letter. His question is “Do I know the fate and whereabouts of Sudden Seven or Miss Budweiser, a Lauterbach seven litre hydroplane.  This boat was driven by Frank Byers Jr. and later Howie Benns?” Yes, Bob, I do know the whereabouts of this boat. It is unrestored and mounted on a sign pole at the Cocagne Yacht Club in Cocagne New Brunswick, Canada. 

RACE SITES: 
Cambridge MA.   August 26-27, 1995
Lake Hopatcong NJ. September 16-17, 1995
Lowell MA.    September 23-24, 1995
Lake Chelan WA.    September 23-24, 1995
Due to publishing dates, our Vintage reports on these events will be covered in a future issue.

REPORTS:
New Martinsville WV held their Inboard Race on June 18,1995 and they included a Special Vintage event. Bob Moore from Redbank NJ participated in  the New Martinsville Regatta. He opened the ceremonies, by driving his Vintage Lloyd 136 cu.in. hydroplane around the race course and  carrying  the American flag while the National Anthem was played. It was an experience that will be remembered by all. 
 Hampton, VA  August 20, 1995. Hurricane Felix was the main attraction. Several Vintage members made the trip only to hear the wind blow and watch the whitecaps. Buddy Roper extended lots of southern hospitality at Strawberry Hill and a good time was had by all. Many well known inboard hydroplane racers, officials and their families showed up, and they  shared their stories and memories. One of the nicest parts of attending this type of function is re-acquainting ourselves with our “extended families” from past racing events. 

GET WELL SOON GOES OUT TO: 
Our thoughts and good wishes go out to Bob Wanamaker, a past President and Inboard VP of the APBA.  Bob is residing at the Masonic Home in Utica NY.  Bob Jr., tells us his dad has good days and bad. It sure would be nice to hear from some former boat racers.  If you get a chance, drop him a card in care of Bob Wanamaker, P.O. Box 43, Thendara NY. 13472.

BOB SILVA’S WEST COAST REPORT: 
As the Chris-Craft and Gar Wood Runabouts paraded out of the marina at the end of the Tahoe Concours d’Elegance on August 12th, a spectator remarked to me that the boats reminded him of “beautiful grand pianos floating by." But if you love boat racing, then the music came from the Vintage Unlimited Hydro Slo-Mo-Shun V when Ken Muscatel fired up her engine as she sat in static display. When her 12 cylinder engine roared to life, the multitude of people stopped in place; like a freeze frame from a movie. When the last echo of the engine faded, the crowd burst into a cheer of gratitude.
 Five Classic/Vintage racers were on display, all from Washington State. My Girl, a 1953 McDonald “C” Racing Runabout, once raced by the noted Rocky Stone, is now owned by John Laird. Shadow II, owned by Joe Frauenheim, is a Minnett-Shields copy of a Ventnor 225 Hydro built in 1936 and powered by a Hisspano Suiza engine. The craft raced in the Gold cup class.  H-71, Redskin, is a 7 Litre hydro once campaigned in the Northwest by Henry Bowhay and driven by Kenny Lydon. When current owner Phil Bononcini found the hull, she had been racing under the name Miss Heildelberg. Phil, an APBA Vintage member, has done a beautiful restoration job on her, complete with her original power plant, a 374 cu.in. Packard. Seattle’s Historic Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum trucked down the Slo-Mo-Shun V and the famous Miss America VIII. Seeing the Miss America VIII in person really puts a perspective on the accomplishment of Gar Woods’ 100 mph record in the 1920’s.  It gives one an idea of how far boat racing design has come.
 I received a call from Billy Williams who said he still has the Wickens-designed 280 conventional, originally owned by Doc Triplett of Montana and raced as Agitator. He hopes to restore it to running condition.
 Leo Ortolan is in search of his first 280, called Top Wop. This is a Hickling design and first raced as E-130, Mr. Lucky out of Los Angeles. Leo can be reached at 408-629-6501 if you can help him out.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH: 
Short Circuit P-69. This 27’ Magnum offshore racer was US-l in the “P” class in 1976, 1977, and 1978. The offshore hull took 1st place at the Cleveland Yacht Club Firecracker 500 in 1976, and 1st place in the Charlie’s Crab Classic Offshore race, Miami Fl. The craft also won 1st place in the Stroh’s Grand National at Cedar Point Ohio in 1977. Skip Gabler of Algonac MI, the present owner and an avid APBA Vintage member, brought the boat out of retirement in 1994 to compete in the 1995 Gold Cup Vintage Invitational at Detroit. 

©1995 Tom D'Eath