Propeller Damage




S-55 Almost Heaven
This happened when this hydro spun out and boat behind it went right up over this hydro.


Plata Ray  F-65
St Pete, Florida 1965 (Nationals)
A Fred Wickens design that was built by the one of the members of the Siracusa family and was sold to the Silva family.
This accident happened when a hydro entered the course and was trying to catch up to the line and drove right up over this hull.
This boat was repaired and sadly was involved in a deadly accident the next season in Guntersville, Alabama.

F-31
Kankakee, Illinois (mid-1970s)
This Staudacher built hydro was formerly the Water Bug owned by Sam Guerino.
Another accident that happened during the 5 minute gun when this red boat pulled out of the pits, entered the course and went into the first turn.
A faster hydro already running his warm up laps came out the same turn and went right up over the slower boat. The driver was VERY fortunate.

UL-19
 (not a Phil Kunz photo)
No back story on this accident.


F-4 Miss Kress
late 40s or early 50s
(photo not taken by Phil)
Hard to speculate what happened but looks like another boat rode up from behind. Appears that part of the dash and steering wheel were cut by the prop as well.

Skitter F-46
A Hallett hull owned/driven by Don Ward
Guntersville, Alabama 1962
Don Ward was charging hard towards the start line during the one minute final go-around on the course and he was a little early and started slowing down
(to not jump-the-gun), while the boat coming behind him was accelerating trying to hit the start line at maximum speed.  
A situation were the drivers are fighting for a lane while timing the start, add in a little adrenaline and one driver not paying enough attention...and accidents like this can happen.

No drivers were killed in any of these race mishaps.

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