Around 1969-1970 Darrel fiberglassed the deck and painted Double Trouble white with red trim and changed the number to 48-Y, as she now appears. He continued to race DT into the early '70's, but was not as competitive as he wanted to be with the Crosley when the class went to 850 cc. He trailered her to Seattle and donated it to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in the early 1990's.

This a true Southern California boat with the "Reeder-Remund Racing Engines, La Mirada, California" decal
still on the valve cover and all hardware (rudder assembly, shaft log, etc.) manufactured by Deebold of Lynwood, California.
 

I have been volunteering my time at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in restoring some of the old unlimiteds, and when I got talking about my old 48 days they mentioned they had a Jones 48 in one of their storage warehouses. Boy, did my ears ever perk up then. I kept pestering them to take me over to see it, and finally asked if they ever sold any of their donated boats. Storage space started getting expensive, and they did not have room at the Museum to display her, so the Board of Directors voted to sell her to me. After that I was finally able to see her, and she was in incredible condition for a boat right out of the 1970s.  All the structure and plywood skins were in perfect condition, so I said "sold". She is in such great original condition that I am thinking I should just 'preserve' her instead of a full restoration. Anyway, I bought her about 3 years ago and, due to my lack of garage space, I was only able to bring her home 2 weeks ago. I have been cleaning her up, and need to pull the Crosley apart to inspect it before running (it still turns over freely). Then it will be on to APBA Vintage events; there are several 48's around the Pacific Northwest. Eventually, when the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum expands their facility, they should have room to display the old outboards and limited class inboards and Double Trouble will end up back there on display.

Back in the late 50's I was able to tour Ted Jones shop in south Seattle and dreamed of owning a Jones 48 someday. Several years later I bought a set of his 48 plans, which I still have. So, after nearly 50-years, I have now fulfilled this childhood 'dream'.  Believe me, it sure brings back a lot of memories seeing that little 48 in the garage now -- just like those magic days in my parents garage nearly 50-years ago!

© Randy Mueller