Vintage Hydro Racing On Lake Essex

I used to run a three point hydro and a Mercury Hurricane 10 as a teenager. Some of the most fun I've ever had.

 

Those little hydros were a blast to watch.They used to run almost every weekend during the summer in my home town in Fl(Vero Beach)back in the mid 50`s to mid 60`s.All amature and loads of fun to watch.Almost all of the boats were home built.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

They still do races with similar hydros here in my town (Newberg, OR) every Memorial Day weekend.

 

I remember seeing some of these down at Lake of the Ozarks in my youth. BTW, I like the idea of this new forum.

 

LOVE the little wooden hydroplanes. I have had several old rail frame dirt track midget projects over the years. Some of the old midgets would actually use an Elto 4cyl. air-cooled outboard. They would be installed vertically in the chassis and drive thru a right angle gearbox to the quick change rear axle. I had two of the neat little engines and eventually sold them to a wooden hydoplane restorer in Chicago.
Looks like the hydroplane "Clipper" #253 in the video is running an Elto 4cyl........neat stuff !

 

I saw one in some ones backyard with out a motor I thought it was a toy for teenagers ,not a lot room inside

 

Wow! These are great!

 

My dad had one hanging from the ceiling of his garage. Totally cool, I came home from school one day to a pile of wood and sawdust. Still can’t figure out why all of the sudden it was time to cut it up. I will dig up a picture. Gary

 

Barely larger than the riders themselves. Fun to watch, must be a rush to drive!

 

I stayed at my aunt's cottage on Black Lake near Holland, Michigan during the summer of '52. They used to race those things occasionally. We called them punkin seeds.