Bob Jensen of Wilkeson, WA is restoring the Hooligan, a 1953 Hickling design 280 hydro. Because this is Bob’s first restoration, he tells us that work has been painstaking slow and his actions are pretty tentative. He worries about making any mistakes that can’t be undone. But he is sure that he will get over that with time and a little more experience. Bob is looking for more “history” about the Hooligan and would appreciate any information people might send his way. Home # (360) 829-2808. Bob has located another vintage raceboat and it looks as if  he might become the proud owner of two vintage hydroplanes if the negotiations are successful. Bob, I warned you that this might become contagious. Keep up the good work!!

NOTES:
Jim Grams of Livonia, MI is undertaking a monumental project. Jim, a graduate of Notre Dame University, is planning to build a replica of the famous Notre Dame Unlimited Hydroplane. The boat he has chosen to duplicate is the Ed Karelson designed and built hull that Shirley Mendelson campaigned. Gram has made it his mission to preserve the memory of the Notre Dame Hydroplane team. He has already turned over to the University Archives information and valuable team memorabilia that he’s collected. Anyone interested in helping Jim with his project can reach him at (248) 478-6028. We wish Jim well. Keep up the good work and keep our readers informed as to your progress.
  Joe Schulte of Grosse Pointe, MI is looking for an old 135 or 145 hydro. His plan is to restore the boat and install one of his Ford V8-60’s flathead engine. Schulte is an antique race car collector and he would like to add a vintage hydro to his collection. You can reach Joe at (313) 885-3976.
 Steven Woodroof of Moneta, VA is a boat racing enthusiast. He would like to see a vintage hydroplane or raceboat on a U.S. Post Office Commemorative stamp. He feels this might help to promote boat racing in the present. Steve sent us an article about the 6th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show at Smith Mountain Lake, VA. “At the show there was an E-Class racing runabout built by the Ventnor Boat Company of New Jersey. The single seat cockpit is remindful of old-fashioned Indy class race cars, and the airplane-like tail fin was supposed to stabilize the boat at high speeds. The fin apparently didn’t help one of the boat’s owners. He flipped the craft during a 1952 race, and his wife said she would leave him if he ever set foot in it again. The boat languished in storage for 30 years after that incident. The name Hurry Home was inspired by the original owner’s wife whose son was serving overseas in the military. The boat is now owned by Jim Holler of Crownsville, MD.”

VINTAGE RACERS REDISCOVERED:
 I received an interesting phone call from Fred Schwing of Baltimore, MD. From the late 40’s, his father Vincent was the owner and driver of Betty V, N-25, a Ventnor 225 Division II hydro. According to Fred, Vincent was a member of the Gulf Hall of Fame and was possibly the 225 Division II National Champion in either ‘47 or ‘48. Betty V won the 1947 President’s Cup Regatta and also the John Charles Thomas Trophy with Vincent at the helm in the 225 class. This was the era when prop-riding hydroplanes began to obsolete the tail draggers. Betty V was a tail dragger. Hence in the early 50’s, Vincent and Fred dismantled the boat and followed Paul Sawyer’s plans as they appeared in Speed and Spray Magazine. Saving the original Ventnor engine stringers, they changed the Betty V to a more modern Hallet prop riding design. They campaigned this hull on and off in the Baltimore area competing against the likes of Sid Street, Joe Van Blerck, Frank Foulke and many others. Vincent quit racing for a while. In the ‘70’s he decided to go for one more fast boat ride. But again the styles of race boats had changed, so Betty V needed to be changed again. The Schwings lengthened her and installed a 426 cubic inch Plymouth engine to race Betty V in the newly formed stock 7 Litre Class. After competing in this event the Betty V was retired to the family BMW Dealership garage. She is still owned by the Schwing family and is only one day away from another boat ride. Today Vincent is in his 90’s. Fred says he out of space and he needs to find a good home for the 50+ year old Betty V. Fred has the original Apel Certificate of Construction and other memorabilia. Interested parties can contact him at (410) 243-1300 or (410) 561-1491.

CHALLENGES:
The new challenge presented to us is from Wallace Goleeke of Seattle Wa. He is looking for information about a 136 cubic inch hydroplane. The hull was designed by Chuck Hickling, built by Wally Goleeke and was sold in 1959 by Chuck to an unknown buyer. The hull at 13 1/2 feet had the number 35-S in large white letters on the sides of an african mahogany natural finish hull. She also sported a white cowling and tail piece. Wally is a very interested in trying to locate this boat. Anyone with information about this hull’s racing history or a possible former owner should contact Wally at (206) 523-2084. This boat would have campaigned in the Pacific Northwest from 1959 thru 1970.

RACE SITES:
 June 20 - 21, Celina, OH  Contact Mark Weber (810) 775-2219
 July  3 - 5,  Valleyfield, Quebec 
    Contact Marc Rousse (514) 371-6144. 
 July  9 -12,  Detroit, MI: ‘98 Chrysler Jeep Detroit APBA Gold Cup. In preparation for the Vintage portion of this event. Please send your letter of intent to participate to me at: 2011 74th St N.W., Bradenton, FL 34209. This event is by invitation only. Run on the historic Detroit Gold Cup Course during race week. See the Gold Cup Unlimited Raceboats. What a Weekend!! Be an active part of Gold Cup ‘98. Visit the historic Detroit Yacht Club and the Dossin Museum. Many activities to keep you busy.
 July  19,   Sylvan Lake, MI Contact Bill Hickson (248) 682-6730
 August 13-16, Clayton, NY:  The Antique Race Boat Regatta ‘98  Time to make your reservations. Get ready for the premier Vintage event. Clayton only happens every other year. The best of the best will be there. Don’t miss the opportunity to a great time. Displays, flybys, seminars, auction, cook-out, cocktail party and more. Contact Bill Danforth  (315) 686-4104.

VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
Cumon Baby, 15-A, a 1954 Neely Hull that started its life as a 135 cubic inch hydroplane. Cumon Baby has had three different owners: Jack Salmon, Wayne Thompson and Randy Wold. Randy, the present owner, is from Spanaway, WA. He has owned this boat since 1970. Cumon Baby has set both competition and kilo records. Thru out its career this sleek race craft has won five National Championships, with the last championship in 1966. 

©1998 Tom D'Eath