Old Boats Buffalo

U-36, Miss US IV

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:15:00 +0000

The rebirth of George Simon’s U-36, Miss US IV

…..a Henry Lauterbach unlimited hydroplane from 1956

By Bill DeGlopper & Jay Armstrong

Organized boat racing on the Niagara River in Buffalo, New York became a full-fledged spectator event in 1903, when the Buffalo Launch Club was granted APBA’s first powerboat racing club certificate. In the decades that followed some of the most famous hydroplanes, boat owners, race teams and drivers made the annual treck to Grand Island to compete in numerous International Regattas. Legends like Gar Wood, Guy Lombardo, Edsel Ford, Horace Dodge, Bob Schroeder, Fred Alter, Bill Muncey, Mira Slovak, the DuPont’s, and all the contenders for unlimited titles and high points supremacy were regulars at Buffalo events.

With the creation of APBA’s Vintage & Historic division 20 years ago, race boat regattas once again made appearances at some of the famous racecourses of the past. However, these events featured restored race boats from by gone eras. Interest was renewed as more and more old boats found new owners that carefully restored these important boats back to their former greatness. Fans returned in great numbers to watch these boats perform on racecourses from coast to coast.

At the Buffalo Launch Club’s 33rd Antique Boat Show and Race Boat Reunion in 2010, Omaha’s Jay Armstrong visited with Fearless Fred Alter. Jay asked if Fred knew where he could buy a conventional, shovelnose unlimited. Fred directed Jay to Doug Morin who has a long time relationship with the Thomas Mittler family. Mittler was owner of the U-36, also known as Miss U.S. IV. A deal was struck and Jay purchased the boat in March of 2011.

The hull needed extensive work including removal of the aluminum bottom, replacement of some of the bottom wood structure and replacement of the aluminum bottom, transom and sponson skins. Doug Morin of Morin Boats in Bay City Michigan was commissioned for the hull rework at the time of purchase. (Doug also owns the Miss US V). Work was begun right away where in addition to the hull stripping, all system components and hoses were removed including fuel tanks, oil tank, oil cooler and surge tanks. All were cleaned, pressure leak checked and refinished, then reinstalled. The fuel tanks were a particularly challenging task as the boat is almost entirely built around the fuel tanks. After all other work was complete a completely new mahogany underlay deck was also fabricated and installed, then covered with fiberglass cloth and resin. All hull, deck, system refitting and structural work were accomplished at Morin Boats shop in Bay City Michigan.

The engine, a V 1710 -113 Allison and the gearbox, a Dan Arena 1 to 2:75 ratio, was transported to Omaha for tear down and overhaul. Central Cylinder Service accomplished all work, a certified FAA approved aircraft engine overhaul facility. Upon tear down it was discovered many valves were warped. CCS is not sure but it appears as though this engine had been installed in U-36. If so, it could not have been producing any where near rated power. If this engine had been installed and operated in U-36, the boat would have been very much down on power and speed. The engine overhaul and first test run was completed on January 12, 2012. The engine had no leaks and sounds very good with a nice crisp exhaust rapport.

Most plumbing is complete and we will be installing the engine for trial fit very soon. Testing is planned for the first week of May 2012, locally.

U-36 is the first of only three unlimited’s Henry Lauterbach built. It has been reported this boat is an upscale of a smaller successful Lauterbach but in visiting with Larry Lauterbach he indicates this is not altogether true. George Simon of US Equipment Co commissioned the boat in late 1956 or early 1957. It was a second boat to U-2 Miss US II that was also commissioned at the same time with Les Staudacher as the builder. So Mr. Simons team fielded two boats for part of the 1957 season. (U -36 didn’t hit the water till July of that year).

In Armstrong’s subsequent visit with Fred Alter last year, he said he only drove U- 36 one time for 15 minutes and didn’t care for it saying it was “squirrelly” at 120 mph. It is Jay’s understanding he never drove it again, opting for the US II boat instead. U-36 ran 6 or 7 events in 1957, and I believe only one or two events in 1958 with different drivers both years. It is reported Bob Rowland drove the boat at some of these events. Of distinction is the fact that while not the fastest boat on the circuit, U-36 never failed to finish a heat. She was at least reliable. She did attend the Elizabeth City event and won it by default since no other unlimited showed up due to a conflict with the Madison race the same weekend. After 1958 the boat was placed in storage in Detroit for about 40 years never to race again. History mentions that Jeff Magnuson bought the boat perhaps in the late 90’s and that it went to Maine for a while. Later it went to the Lauterbach shop around 2000 where it received new fiberglass cowling and cockpit shells. As far as is known, that was the only work that Henry did on the boat since building it. It is a 100% original hull. Evidence of the boats condition at time of purchase backs this speculation up.

Restoration plans include returning the boat to its original color scheme, which is red . All the original graphics will include Henry Lauterbach’s and Bob Rowland’s names. The boat rests on its original trailer which has a rear bumper with the H.L. initials boldly emblazoned in steel plate. The driver for vintage events Team Armstrong attends will be Jack Schafer Jr.

If plans continue on schedule, U-36 will hit the water in Buffalo and perform with 2 other fine unlimiteds on September 8, 2012 as featured racers.

Jay Armstrong

Peacock Racing Enterprises

35th Annual Show Update

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:55:00 +0000

35th Annual Show Update

We are excited about the 35th annual show! We have added some new features and attractions that will add excitement and color to the show. Our feature boat builder is Shepherd, built on Niagara on the Lake, Canada. Ian Wiley will give us some interesting insights to the company at his seminar series presentation on Friday afternoon. We are excited about reliving some of the Launch Clubs history from the 50’s and 60’s by bringing in three vintage unlimited hydroplanes to run on this historic course. The three boats are Dick Higgon’s “Miss Budweiser”, Jay Armstrong’s “Miss US IV”, and Bill Black’s “Gale V”. The sight and sound of these three boats running together is sure to be an awesome sight that you won’t want to miss. Make sure you pack the photo equipment.

A new feature this year is a land display that will feature 1 and 2 cylinder marine engines that we will run during the course of the show. The unique sound of these motors is something that you will not want to miss.

For the sailing enthusiasts we are having a mini fleet of Alden sailboats headed up the 60’ “Dreamer”.

We also are going to have a display of nautical art featuring various painters and photographers. You are also invited to bring along any of your favorite pictures to add to the display.

Over the winter we have been collecting and restoring vintage trophies from the racing years at the Buffalo Launch Club. We hope you enjoy seeing the gleam of the restored trophies as well as seeing the names of past racing legends.

All of this along with a spectacular collection of antique and classic wooden boats, a variety of classic “glassics” with their unique styles and fins, and a number of heats of vintage hydroplanes and skiffs.

The classic car show has grown through the years into a spectacular collection of vehicles. Many car owners collect and restore boats or vice versa, each having an appreciation of what it takes to complete a restoration projects be it a boat or a car.

We do like to party and talk boats. We offer a lunch menu on Friday before the seminar series which will have 2 topics: Shepherd boats and a discussion from our three vintage unlimited crews as what it takes to put one of these monsters from the past back into the water. On Friday evening we host a welcome party and on Saturday evening following the show we have a steak and corn roast. We hope you can join in the Sunday morning for the around the island fun run followed by the awards brunch at 11:30 so people can get on the road early.

When you fill out the registration form, consider checking off the box to donate an auction ride in your boat. The rides take place after the race boat program is completed for the day. All proceeds go to the chapter to help us put on the show and keep costs to the participants down.

There will be nautical vendors, land displays, auction baskets, a kid’s camp, and plenty of your favorite food and beverages. So bring your boat or just plan to attend to enjoy the sights and sounds as well renewing old friendships and making new acquaintances.

Rich DeGlopper, Boat Show Chairman

EDITH ll C1905 26 FAY & BOWEN STANDARD LAUNCH

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:15:00 +0000

“EDITH ll”

C1905 26’ “FAY & BOWEN” STANDARD LAUNCH

IN 1895 WALTER L. FAY AND ERNEST S. BOWEN SET UP A SMALL PLANT IN AUBURN N.Y. TO MANUFACTURE BICYCLE SPOKES AND SPIKE NIPPLES.

IN 1900 AS THE BUSINESS PROSPERED THEY SOLD THEIR BUSINESS TO STANDARD SPOKE AND NIPPLE CO. OF TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT. MR. BOWEN HAD BECOME INTERESTED IN THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. ENCOURAGED BY HIS PARTNER THEY SET UP THE FAY & BOWEN ENGINE COMPANY. IN 1904 THEY MOVED THEIR OPERATION TO GENEVA ON SENECA LAKE N.Y. HERE THEY BUILT MANY ENGINES FOR USE AS STATIONARY POWER PLANTS AND OFTEN THEY WERE USED TO RUN MILKING MACHINES. BUSINESS EVOLVED INTO BOATBUILDING AND MANY FINE EXAMPLES OF FANTAIL LAUNCHES AND EVENTUALLY LONG DECK LAUNCES WERE PRODUCED BETWEEN 1900 AND 1929 WHEN THE DEPRESSION AND COMPETITION CONTRIBUTED TO THE COMPANYS’ DEMISE.

EDITH ll IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE COMPANY CALLED THEIR STANDARD OR FAMILY LAUNCH. CONSTRUCTED OF CYPRESS WITH OAK RIBS AND MAHOGANY DECKS SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN POWERED BY A MODEL L 22 WHICH WAS A 10 H/P TWIN CYLINDER ENGINE. THEIR COMPANY LOGO BECAME A SHIP’S WHEEL WITH THE WORD“RELIABILITY” EMBLAZONED ON THE INNER HUB. RELIABLE THESE ENGINES WERE NOT.

THIS VESSEL WAS FOUND IN A DERELICT STATE IN AYLMER,QUEBEC IN THE LATE EIGHTIES.SHE WAS FAITHFULLY RESTORED OVER A SIX YEAR PERIOD (2000 – 2006) BY DUKE MARINE SERVICES IN PORT CARLING, ONTARIO. THE MAJORITY OF HER HARDARE HAS BEEN REPRODUCED TO THAT OF THE TIME AND SHE HAS BEEN REPOWERED WITH “MODERN POWER” FROM 1920 A KERMATH MODEL 20 FOUR CYLINDER PRODUCING 20 H/P. SHE HAS RECENTLY BEEN REFINISHED BY THE PETER BREEN ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC BOAT CO. AND IS READY TO PLY THE LAKES ONCE AGAIN.

Spring Dinner Cruise

Sat, 21 May 2011 05:57:00 +0000

Niagara Frontier Chapter - ACBS - Spring Dinner Cruise

Spring Dinner Cruise

Friday, May 20

Lockport

Lock-Up Cruise 6PM

Dinner 8PM

Download .pdf

How to get there?

•First, sign up (892-1425)

•Then, pay $38 per person (payable to NFACB) & mail to Jennifer Frederick-Kelly, 109 June Lane, Elma, NY 14059

•Finally, be on time….

Spring Workshop 2011

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 03:49:00 +0000

Spring Workshop

This workshop is brand new to the club. Lots of hard work has been done by members of your Niagara Frontier Chapter to make this finally happen. So stop in and see the only active workshop facility in all of the current 56 chapters of the Antique and Classic Boat Society.

Download .pdf

Help us spread the word by printing out a copy and telling your friends.

Come on down and check out your club’s new facility off the Austin St. exit of the I-190 N, left on Hamilton St., on the South corner of the Rich Marine complex, just before the Corps. of Engineers Bldgs. Look for the signs and smell the varnish and dust from the antique, classic, and glassic boat works in progress.

NFACB Boat Shop Video Tour

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 04:04:00 +0000

The new NFACB Boat Shop Facility is almost ready for the grand opening. Tools are being acquired and boats are moving in. We hope you join us at this exciting time for the club.

Check out our quick video tour and be sure to check our new shop schedule on our member's only boat shop page. We'll be posting more information here for the general public in the near future.

Double click to view on YouTube.

Email Newsletter

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:41:00 +0000

The Boat Club is looking into the possibility of putting out a monthly email newsletter in order to better stay in touch with the membership. Right now the newsletter is in the test phase, but we are open to comments.

Members may comment here or send an email to: nfacbs_webmaster@hotmail.com.

I figured I’d try this newsletter feature on the new trail version of Microsoft Publisher that I got with the new Office 2010. I’ve heard good things about this program as far as templates for posters and such. I figured I’d check into the newsletter templates as well. Yes there are other programs out there that charge you a fee to send out and manage your email newsletters, but for a smaller group such as ours, I believe a free program such as this would work just fine. It’s not like it’s completely free, you do have to buy the program, but once you do, you own it for life.

Some of the advantages of an email newsletter verses a conventional newsletter are, well obviously cost for one. But besides the cost, there are many things you can do with an email newsletter that you just can’t do with a printed one. You can add links and video as well as pictures that all click through to the website. I’m not saying that we should eliminate a printed newsletter altogether, but we could at least supplement it. Maybe we will decide that we only need and or want two printed newsletters a year. Of course we can always print out copies of the e newsletter to hand out at shows or to mail to those without email. For more information on what an e newsletter can and can not do, please see the following Microsoft Office article here.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE NIAGARA FRONTIER CHAPTER OF THE ACBS

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:09:00 +0000

On a warm summer evening last July, the Board of Director’s of the Niagara Frontier A.C.B.S. were conducting a meeting while floating on the Niagara River. Topics such as the up-coming boat show, review of the spring workshop, donations, newsletter, and the procuring of a club center were being discussed when, Rocky Nagel, our club president asked for someone to write an article for the Rudder Publication focusing on our chapter. Silence…. can be an eerie experience! I thought for a moment, as I have only been a member for the last three years, when the message of the guest editorial in the summer edition of the Rudder, entitled, “A Sense of Purpose” written by Brian Lawson, rang in my head!! What is our purpose? Does it reflect Article II of the ACBS Constitution? I quickly thought, yes it does, and …I will write the article …as the Niagara Frontier Chapter does have and demonstrates a strong sense of purpose….is vibrant, committed, and dedicated to it’s motto of PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, EDUCATION, RECREATION!!

When one “Shuffles Off to Buffalo” on the weekend after Labor Day, they are treated to one of our country’s premier A.C.B.S./A.P.B.A. boat shows. Every year this show is an exceptional display of over 100 restored, antique and classic boats along with vendors who are ready to sell, teach and talk boats. The Buffalo Launch Club on Grand Island is the perfect venue for our show. Not only for the spacious basin that can hold,over 100 boats displayed, along with the beautiful grounds that can accommodate all the related activities, but, also because of its rich history as the oldest powerboat club in the United States! The Launch Club was originally formed to promote motor boating in the early1900’s. Later, the Club sponsored International Regatta’s through the 1960’s and has been the homeport for the Niagara Frontier Antique and Classic Boat Shows and Race boat Reunion for almost 30 years!

The Buffalo Launch Club was the site of the historical Fisher-Allison Trophy Racein 1924 at which Gar Wood and his mechanic Orlin Johnson took their famous ride wearing white ties, tailcoats, and white gloves. Gar Wood sported a top hat fitted with a chinstrap! It was his way of protesting the dispute about his classification as a Gentlemen’s racer. He won all three heats and claimed his trophyin his formal attire! Even today at the Buffalo Launch Club, during the boat show, some racers and also owners decorate their crafts with period regalia as well as themselves wear period apparel.

TheGreat Depression and World War I and II had a major impact not only on the economy, but also facilitated the need of many of the local boats to join the Coast Guard reserve fleet as a part of the war effort.

The end of World War II signaled a rebirth in sport of racing. The Buffalo Launch Club held an International Speedboat Regatta in 1949 after 15 years of absence. Over 25,000 spectators lined the Niagara River Shoreline to witness this racing revival. It seemed like old times again on the river except that the “old boys” of racing had given way to a new generation. Names like George Trimper in Baby Loon, Mike Steffen, Joe Les, and Ed Endres shared the spotlight as the pioneer of speedfrom 1909, Harry Elliot, watched eagerly from the Clubhouse. These races featured boats including Hoarce Dodge’s “My Sweetie,” Lou Fageol’s, So Long and So Long II, Guy Lombardo’sTempo VI (this boat has been present at current shows for many years), and Sid Street from Kansas racing “Z-Z-Zip”.

Itis very clear that the history of boating on the Niagara River is deeplyentwined with the history of the Buffalo Launch Club. It witnessed the birth of motor boating andencouraged it every step of the way and from the early days of motorizedlaunches to the World Record Breaking Speeds of the decades to come. It has also enabled our club to preserve ourpleasure boating and race boating history as the host of the Annual Antique andClassic Boat Show.

Our annual boat show has highlighted vintage crafts such as Ventnor’s, Baby Gars,Lauterbachs, Century’s, Chris-Crafts, and unique boats such as the Lock Pat II. We have also celebrated those built in Buffalo – The Jafco Seamaster, Richardson Cruiser and Runabouts, Mang fishing boats, and the Cayuga Boats. Buffalo has been the fore runnerof the fiberglass boat industry with the Custom Craft Boats and the outboardsof Jafco Marine.

Richardson Boats of North Tonawanda built boats on the Erie Canal from 1909 to 1962. Reid Richardson started building boats to order but soon offered ready built or kits to standard design. By 1927 the company had switched to stockdesigns. The stock concept allowed Richardson to compete favorably with the other stock builders who offered th esame range of sizes and accommodations. Richardson boats were not over or underpowered. They were not over constructed or weaklybuilt. They adopted the middle line and survived when other companies did not!

Niagara Motor Boat Company started in 1907 at 260 Sweeney Street in NorthTonawanda. Reid Richardson was employed at this company before staring his own company down the street at 360 Sweeney Street. Niagara offered a full range ofboats up to 35 feet in the standard designs offered at the time. They never adopted the stock concept as it developed and as the designs were passed by they stayed with the individual boat order. They couldn’t survive withthat limited business in ordinary cruisers and runabouts and went out of business in 1927.

Smaller builders could survive. Jack Frauenheim founded Jafco Marine in 1946 on a 15-acre property at 2192 Niagara Street, previously a lumberyard and docks. He built buildings for boat scales, service and storage. The basin was dredged, bulkheads and docks built and marine hoist installed. The property included an old Customs housethat was turned into a restaurant. Frauenheim handled a number of small boat lines until the late 1940’s when he contracted with Shepard Boats of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario to act as distributor of all Shepard Boats being sold in the United States. Jafco imported the Shepard hull, less engines, into the US then installed the US build Chrysler and Gray Marine engines, thus saving major duties on engines being shipped in to Canada and then back again. This arrangement lasted until the late 1950’s.

In1952 Jafco decided to build and market their own boats. Grewe Boats of Ontario, Canada was contractedto build the first Jafco Seamaster, a 20’, round bottom, single plank lapstreakboat with a wide deep beam. The firstorder was for 100 boats. The completed hulls were shipped to Buffalo and theJafco engine plant on Hinman installed the engines.

The20’ Seamaster was soon followed by an 18’ utility designed by Glenn Furness ofHutchinson Boat Company of Alexandria Bay, New York. This boat was later re-designed and the 18’Sportsmaster was created – a neat, two-cockpit runabout with steering aft. The Gray V8 engine moved this boat over 45mph. Over the years the 20’ Seamaster was re-designed into the 21’ Seamasterutility and a bigger 23’ model.

Asone of first builders of fiberglass outboard boats, Jafco Seamsters and other outboards are still on the water offering a big roomy boat that a family can still enjoy!

All these boats needed power. “Built in Buffalo,” “Made in Buffalo,” were commonly heard in the boating industry. Two large manufacturers of marine engineswere Sterling and Peerless. Sterling started in 1904 by A.B. Sterling, who kept his company going until after WorldWar II. The Sterling engines were amongthe most powerful available to pleasure boaters and racers. Sterlings powered the Gold Challenge Cup winner for eight consecutive years. Our N.F.A.C.B.S Chapter has had these engines donated and have been displayed at shows throughout the years.

Peerless engines had their beginning in 1915 by Edwinn Grimm. They thrived until the stock builders preferred the Detroit based engine builders including Gray, Nordland, andChrysler. “Stock Boats” ended Buffalo’smajor role in the pleasure boat and marine engine business. In essence, the whole marine industry changes with the introduction of stock boats.

Buffalo is not a boat building nor engine building center anymore, but the boats, we in the Antique and Classic Boat Society preserve, are reminders of the craftsmanship and engineering skill available not only in Buffalo, but, throughout this country!

Restoration and preservation are two key planks in our clubs mission statement. To promote these endeavors we started a workshop series held during the fall, winter, and spring months. A variety of topics pertaining to boat restoration and engine maintenance as well a historical topics are presented and enjoyed. These seminars are always well attended and have been a great source of new membership, as the word has gotten out, that our club is on the move! We also discovered that workshop demonstrations needed to be followed up with hands on applications. We needed a home base!

Seeing and hearing is one thing, actually doing is another. Consequently, our chapter in the 1980’s was able to secure space at the historic Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company through the generosity of member Bob Boeckel. This facility encouragedmembers to refurbish their boats and get them back into the water once again.In addition to getting a helping hand with their restoration project by fellowclub members, they were also encouraged to finish their project. As well all know how easy it is to walk away from along restoration project! A change in ownership caused the club to loose this facility and not until just recently have we been able to secure another work/meeting place.

Our club just entered into an agreement with the Buffalo State College Maritime Center for a workspace at their waterfront facility. Members will once again spend their winter months restoring boats for the upcoming boating season. Workshops and other activities will be held at the Center throughout the year.

Over the past year a group of club members took on the task of resurrecting a tired outboard 16’ 1960’s vintage Amish built plywood Skee Craft at the Buffalo State Center. Members worked every Tuesday on this Skee Craft to get it ready for launching. Next summer this boat will be put into service by a group called the Niagara River Keepers and utilized as a conservation patrol boat. Other projects are in the works for our membership as boats are being donated, thus creating opportunities for restoration and the preservation of boats in Western New York.

We are pleased to have entered into this partnership with Buffalo State College Maritime Center. It can only strengthen our mission as it provides a home for our club with all the activities we have throughout the year. Once again, the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the A.C.B.S. is displaying our purpose and living our motto – Restoration – Preservation– Education!!

The Board of Directors of the NFACBS is, at present, a group of dedicated boaters who are guided by our mission and sense of purpose. They are focused on keeping the history, tradition, and love of boating alive in Western New York. Our club membership boasts Jack Barron, aformer ACBS National President, John Howard a past National Director, and presently, Sharon Dickinson, a National Director. Along with these strong ambassadors of antique and classic boating, our rejuvenated newsletter is keeping all members informed of our present and past activities. It is clear to me, as a recent addition to our chapter that the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the ACBS has enjoyed a grand historic past and is buildingan exciting and purposeful future!

Formore information about our club and activities go to OldBoatsBuffalo.org

Compiledby Margaret Hollstein

Informationfor this article was generated from articles by Donna Feathers, Paul McKenna,Tom Frauenheim and Richard DeGlopper.

Boat Show Video Series

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 02:38:00 +0000

My friend Bob, AKA Video Bob, has just completed his long awaited video series.

The 4 disk series is now available for purchase on his website:

Disc 4 features the Shuffle off to Buffalo Show with Bonus Custom Craft footage.

The Buffalo Show disk will be for sale soon in our web store, or contact us.

Getting The Word Out

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:39:00 +0000

Presented here, reprint of article from the Vintage Hydroplane Website

Just about everything in this article applies to our vintage wood and glass

boats as well, what better time than now,in the middle of winter, to work on

some display boards for our vintage boats?

Getting The Word Out

Promoting V&H

By Alan Radue – Vintage & Historic Vice Chairman

One thing I have noticed in the years I have been a member of the Vintage & Historic

division is the incredible amount of human interest stories there are surrounding what we

do at every event. Whether it is the history of the hull through it racing career, the

individuals brought together who one day decided they wanted to be boat racers, the story

behind the builder of the hull, the reasons on how the hull survived the elements before

being rescued or even the actual restoration work itself – there is always an interesting

story to be told. This got me to thinking about the little promotional gold mine we are

sitting on and wondering why we are not using it to its fullest potential. Here is a quick

test each V&H member can take and I will warn you up front that I failed by not

answering each question ‘Yes’.

After getting your vintage hull to an event and satisfying the incredible goal of

experiencing a little of what racing was like back in the day, did you attempt to

completely document and understand 100% of its history?

While most of us can tell the basic stories about each hull in our division (who owns it,

who built it, sometimes even the year of construction, sometimes even the trophies it

won) did you meet any of the former owners/drivers and write down the stories they told?

Did race fans walking up to your hull have the opportunity to understand what a 280

Class hydroplane means or what a Jersey Speed skiff even is if you were not standing

there?

Can anyone looking at your restored little gem of a race boat comprehend that 3 years

ago it was a rotting pile of wood behind a farmers barn in Pennsylvania?

If you are not standing next to your hull does the casual onlooker know what it is made

from or how it is constructed?

Many of these hulls look fast but how fast did each of them really go in their day?

Did you answer all of them yes? Congrats if you did but try the next one on for size.

Another observation I made last year is a very small percentage of each event is taken up

by exhibition runs. While we like to think we have 100% water time at every event most

of the time your hull is sitting on the trailer except for the 10 minutes it is on the course.

So when your hull is sitting on the grounds at the beautiful Buffalo Launch Club for 95%

of the day is it a self promotional machine? The unfortunate answer is no.

My point in running through all of these questions is we are just barely scratching the

surface on our largest marketing tool available to us. I’ll state it even one better yet…it is

the largest FREE marketing tool available to us. We don’t have to restore it, we don’t

have to change the oil in it, we don’t need a tow vehicle for it……all we need is a pencil

and paper or as they say these days a laptop, an ISP, Microsoft Word and a laser printer.

What I have found out by putting this thought to the test last year in Detroit is we are not

connecting with our fans nearly as good as we could. While I know some tid bits about

each hull I’m finding the basic facts we take for grant it are a complete unknown to a

person viewing your hull. However, when he or she learns something about it their facial

expression changes from curiosity to a genuine interest in what they are looking at. Case

in point on how this works: I’m standing in front of my hull watching two gentlemen

read the sign I have in front of it. One of them gets down to the point where it says this is

the first hydroplane ever owned by Unlimited racing legend Ron Snyder. So he bumps

his friends shoulder and says “Check this out….this is Ron Snyder’s first

hydroplane”…..and they find this a very cool fact just as I do. So what have we created

here? A knowledgeable fan who will point out during an exhibition run every piece of

knowledge he knows about this obscure little racing hull. This IS the absolute building

block of creating a fan base isn’t it? When you go to a NASCAR race you don’t say

“Hey look at the Jim Beam red/white car with a #7 on it” you start downloading facts at a

nauseating pace to your friends about the racing team, the performance set up, where the

driver was born and anything else you can think of. To some it becomes a way of

speaking and in some cases a way of life (i.e. The car you drive to work being covered in

Nascar stickers). While I’m not sure why anyone would really care where I was born and

I am positive that I am not going to see a ‘I love the Agitator’ sticker on a bumper any

time soon……somebody will appreciate the fact I have an all original matching numbers

1956 265 Chevy V8 in my hull and the reason why it is in there is something worth

knowing. When I look at the virtual laundry list of items (some people now call this ‘hull

pedigree’) I shake my head knowing that only a select few actually know them.

Have I not convinced you documenting your hull is something we all need to do? Try

this reason on for size. It is not at the top of my list but it may be at the top of yours - the

history of your hull is actually worth cold hard cash. What in the world do you mean it is

worth cold hard cash?! Case in point: I have a hydroplane up for sale for X dollars or I

have a 5 time national champion, straight away record holding, first hull built by Dick

Sooy, original race set up, a scrap book of its racing history, painstakingly restored, etc.

etc. etc. up for sale for X dollars. Do you see the gigantic difference between the two

sale prices?

So after wasting a little bit of your time reading this silly article I hope it inspires a few of

you to trace back the history of your hull, tell everyone you know and get those history

boards and restorations boards rolling. You say you are now inspired but don’t have the

money or time to make the boards?

So typically the sequel is never as good as the original but when it comes to the APBA

Vintage & Historic Division things (hulls and even old racers) get better the second time

around! So here it comes ready or not. Part II of promoting our little division. Making

your history and restoration boards.

So you are at the point you have an incredible restoration of a vintage race boat sitting

right in front of you. You make a mental checklist of all the critical items you need to be

a Vintage & Historic participant. I need a new helmet, I need a new life vest, I need load

rated lifting slings, I need history and restoration boards. Gottcha! That is right! Your

history and restoration boards should be part of you critical items checklist. But how do I

create them and what should they contain? Let me help you get started.

After completing your restoration you probably have a shoebox full of items you

collected or were lucky enough to receive when you purchased your vintage racing hull.

Even if you don’t have this information be ready at your first event to start collecting it

because people will be coming out of the woodwork with information on your hull. It

doesn’t really matter how you receive this information the key is understanding how to

use it to promote our division.

What should each history board contain? The most obvious thing to include is the

statistics of your hull. Racing class, engine size, length and a few others will give the

reader the basic understanding of what they are looking at. The next obvious thing to

include is any historical photos you have while your hull was actively racing. Capture

names, places and if possible the hulls and drivers in the background. There is pretty

good information available to see if your hull captured a national championship or world

speed record so be sure to highlight these facts as well. This is a great start but I

encourage you to keep going because you only just completed the ‘easy part’. Now for

what I consider the ‘fun part’. Finding out the exact date your hull was built, who built it,

where was it built, who supplied the first motor, where did the hull first debut,

personalities of previous owners and drivers, etc. Many of these little facts probably

surfaced during your restoration and if you were not astute enough to write them down

they will be lost forever. These are the little historical gems that make even a non-race

winning hull extremely interesting from a historical standpoint. Case in point. My

hydroplane was once raced by Roy Kuhnhoffer in the mid 1960’s. Roy was a one-legged

hydroplane racer and actually had a prosthetic leg fabricated to simulate himself sitting in

the hydroplane so he could race with two legs! I learned of a crazy story about Roy after

flipping out of the hydroplane during a race…but before he climbed into the rescue

boat…handing his leg first to the closest rescue crewman who promptly fainted on the

spot. He obviously thought Roy was handing him his severed leg! The race wins and

trophies are obvious historical facts to document. However, a collection of these little

human interest stories are just as interesting and in some cases even more interesting!

Another avenue to document is the boat builder. While there is more information

available on the mainstream guys such as Lauterbach, Staudacher and Jones very little is

known about others. You may find out you own the last existing example from a builder

who produced only 5 hulls - what a great fact!

What should each restoration board contain? When it comes to the restoration boards

don’t forget to take pictures of your hull during the various stages of its restoration. The

key is to take many pictures before you begin any work. Some of the transformations a

hull incurs are not even believable if you don’t have a picture taken before all of the work

was started. Without these photos the final restored version is going to look like a

miracle has happened. Photos capturing the hard work and dedication of the

transformation process are of great interest to be viewed. A nice clear set of before and

after pictures is worth a 1,000 words that will never be able to fit on your restoration

board!

When should you start to work on your history and restoration boards? A funny thing I

have noticed is they are the last thing thought about during the restoration process. The

typical thought is there is not one more penny to put into this project or there is just no

information on my hull. I have found that as you take your hull from show to show

people will be adding to its history. When this happens you feel like you need an

inexpensive updateable board. Here is a solution. Forget the hundreds of dollars for

custom signs at your first event and how about investing in a $6.00 frame (I got them on

sale) which fits 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper as shown below.

A very inexpensive way to show off your history and restoration information

– 100% updateable.

They look really nice and if you have access to a color printer they can look even better!

So now when you show up at the next event without any boards saying you couldn’t

afford the $6.00 frame and 5 sheets of paper in it totaling $6.05, you better have another

excuse! When new information becomes available simply change the sheets of paper.

When my girlfriend who was noted as such on the board became my wife the change can

be made immediately before she gives me a disgusted look while viewing the outdated

board. From my experience this nifty little paper shuffle severely reduced the chance of

me being struck repeatedly with a frying pan.

If you have more than $6.05 to spend and you have gathered every possible known fact

on your hull – great job! There are many other options such as office supply stores that

for about 75 bucks will take a graphics file from CD and print a color glossy 36”X24”

and mount it on hard board which is very professional looking. You can even go another

level higher and get a custom piece of acrylic and have vinyl lettering done as shown

below.

The classic museum quality display board.

The key here is to get the board completed no matter what method you choose. I can’t

tell you how many times somebody has stood in front of my boards for 10 minutes and

was fascinated by what they read. I have had comments like “Hey that is Dad racing in

the picture”, “I remember the exact day this photo from 1959 was taken”, “I’m going

home to pick up and give you the trophy I won with this hull”. There are so many things

that make creating the boards worthwhile.

So what have you accomplished after creating these boards? You have preserved the

great racing heritage of our sport and attached it to your hull which is the foundation of

our division. Unfortunately so many of us take this seemingly simple task for granted

and think this job will eventually be done by someone else. If you are lucky enough to be

part of the Vintage Family then look in the mirror because that someone else is YOU!

Back to APBA V&H section

Back to Tech Articles

Home