BOATS UNDER RESTORATION:
Jon Courtright sent us the latest on vintage
boat restorations and discoveries in Region 10.
The 136 hydro CALDONIA, built by Dave Seafelt
when he was only 16 years old, was a mess when she was brought into Don
Kelson’s boat shop. Now owned by Ken Muscatel, CALDONIA is close to having
her restoration complete.
Peter Carry of Seattle is having a new bottom,
sponsons and deck put on the 280, WEE WAHOO. The hydro featured beautiful
Italian-styled cowlings and was a companion hull to Bill Boeing Jr.’s Unlimited,
U-77, MISS WAHOO. The 280 was driven by Mira Slovak and Roger Pillow during
the mid-50s.
Last fall, a friend of Courtrights found two
vintage 280s stored side by side in a garage on a private Island in Puget
Sound. Jon was asked to come over and help identify them, and Randy Wold
was able to add more information about the boats.
The E-12, SUNDOWNER is a copy of a Lauterbach
except the drop sponson design was modified to a full deck. The impression
is of a Lauterbach with Jones cowlings. The SUNDOWNER was built by
Harold 'Red" Mansfield, who built a few race boats along with wooden camp
trailers. The original 265 Chevy that was in the 280 has also been found.
Sitting right next to the SUNDOWNER was the
E-152, WATER SCAMP which had a 273 Plymouth in place of its original 265
Chevy. The 280 WATER SCAMP, was a top Region 10 hydro campaigned by Ben
Lange during the 1950s-60s. Lange was happy and surprised to learn his
old hydro still existed and is providing the new owner, Steve Kramer, with
photos of what she looked like during her heyday.
Jon Courtright and Region 10 Vintage rep Doug
Whitley have held discussions with Region 10 Inboard Commissioner Patrick
Gleason, who works for Al LaPoint's Security Race Products, about making
and marketing an approved and up-to-date legal Gentex style lifejacket
complete with a ballistic inner liner. Since the old Gentex jackets will
no longer be allowed in vintage, an updated version would be a great addition
for a safe and authentic pre-1970s look. They’re still looking into more
detailed confirmation and would like to hear feedback from interested V/H
owners about the idea.
NOTES:
We’d like to welcome our newly appointed APBA
V/H reps: Mike Tucker in Region 14 and Jay Marshall in Region 9. Thank
you both for stepping up to help.
Thanks to Bob Foley for sending in his photos
with text from the first California (region 11) APBA V/H event held last
September. You can view Bob’s photos
on VintageHyroplanes.com.
Get Well Wishes to our Propeller magazine editor
Tana Moore, who had surgery March 21, 2008. Our V/H members wish you a
speedy recovery Tana.
CHALLENGES:
Jerry Wortman of Big Sky, Montana has a rare
Rich Hallett built 225 called SNAPPER, N-6. The hydro features an original
Keith Black built Ford flathead V-8. Jerry is looking for more information
on his hydro which he runs in Region 10 V/H events. Jerry notes the hydro
was raced out of the Midwest during the 1950s and 60s by his friend and
fellow Northwest Airlines pilot, John Witt. In 1958 the 225 made
the Gulf 100 mph Club. If you can help Jerry with more info on his hydro,
please contact this column.
FAMOUS NAMES OF THE PAST:
Marshall Kraus has made the beautifully restored
Ron Jones 7 Litre, REDSKIN, H-71 a gift to the Tahoe Maritime Museum in
Lake Tahoe. Built in 1956 as WHIZSKI she was registered as an Unlimited
for the ’57 Gold Cup, using an extended tail fin to meet the minimum hull
length, but failed to meet the minimum qualifying speed. Kenny Lydon drove
her to APBA 7 Litre High Points in 1963 as REDSKIN. She also competed in
the 7 Litre II class as MISS HEIDELBERG. His generous donation will insure
that the historical hydro can be viewed for many years to come by boat
enthusiast.
EVENTS:
April 12 Moses Lake WA
Contact: Ana Cappelletti 425-218-2452
May 16-18 Muscatine IA
Muscantine Boat Show Contact: Phillip Mitchell 952-934-3670
June 7-8 Elizabeth City NC
Carolina Cup Regatta Contact:Shirley Outlaw 252-330-2652
June 7-8 Issaquah WA
Tastin’n Racin Cup Contact: Jon Courtright 425-254-9252
June 21-22 Cambridge MD
Contact:Tom Ebeling 410-228-7324
July 4-6 Valleyfield Can.
Valleyfield, Quebec Canada Contact:Ben Lemay 450-371-3291
July 11-13 Detroit MI
APBA Gold Cup Contact:Alan Radue 248-616-1317
July 18-20 Waterford MI
Quake on the Lake Contact:Joe Schulte 313-885-5976
July 19-20 Oroville WA
Contact: Carol Dodge 206-365-4094
July 24-27 Bemus Bay NY
Chautauqua Lakes Regatta Contact:Ron Mativy 716-665-9744
Aug 9-10 Algonac MI
Silver Cup Regatta Contact:Joe Schulte 313-885-5976
Aug 14-17 Clayton NY
Antique Race Boat Regatta Contact:Charlotte Brooks 315-686-4104 x229
Aug 16-17 Pateros WA
Pateros Hydro Classic Contact: Tim Hamilton 253-531-0500
Aug 23-24 Celina OH
Governor’s Cup Regatta Contact:Joe Schulte 313-885-5976
Aug 29-31 Wheeling WVA
Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta Contact:Debbie Joseph 304-233-4738
Sept 5-7 Buffalo NY
Buffalo Launch Club Vintage Regatta Contact:Bill DeGlopper 716-773-6093
Sept 27-28 Lake Chelan WA
Contact: John Walker 800-962-8723
Sept 20-21 Utica MI
Streak on the Creek Contact:Joe Schulte 304-885-5976
Oct 3-5 Issaquah WA
Lake Sammamish Contact: Lenny Baker 425-776-1847
VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH
photo missing, subscribe to Propeller
Washington State has produced some beautiful
vintage hydros like this restoration owned by Ken Muscatel.
The 136 hydro CALDONIA was a mess before she
was brought to Don Kelson’s boat shop for repair.
The 1950’s hull was built by Dave Seafelt when
he was only 16 years of age.
©2007 Bob Silva & Bill John III |
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