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We are grateful to the following sponsors that help to make this event successful!
If you are interested in sponsorship of the Regatta, please email martha@nhbm.org.
Our Regatta has attracted race boats from all over New England, New York, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan, Quebec and Ontario.
They represent a wide range of vintage classes. See participants below.
Headquarters for the Regatta is at the Gazebo in Cate Park adjacent to the Wolfeboro Town Docks.
Participants
Small Hydroplanes
The original hull was designed and built by Henry Lauterbach in 1972. It is a 2.5 Litre Modified Class A Hydroplane. The hull is 16’6″ long. The boat is powered by a 1962 Chevy 225 HP 4 cylinder 153 cu. in. engine. The boat raced from 1972 to 1997. In 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1987, it was the OVMBRA Highpoint Champion. In 1982, it was the North American Champion. It raced in Region 6 for many years and was the Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan State Champion. Its fastest speed was 128.9 mph. Local Philip Sharples ran the boat from 1991 to 1997. The current owner and driver began running the boat in 2007.
Blue Chips was built for Jack Sweeney in 1965 by Harold Ruark of Concord, MA, and restored in 2005. It is powered by a Ford Falcon 144 cu. in. engine, and is one of the few remaining examples of an original conventional small racing hydroplane as they were built and raced in the 1960s.
Mid Hydroplanes
The “Heatwave” is a 280 cubic inch, 164HP Ford SB powered, “E” class cabover hydroplane designed and hand-crafted using Sitka Spruce and marine plywood by Vance Whiteman of (North West Indiana Inboard Racing). It has an Overall length of 17’8” with an 8’ beam.
We know that this hydroplane participated in a lot of races, in the Portsmouth & Hillsboro, Ohio area. Originally it raced as the “Heatwave” E-160 by Lynn Weddel from Decatur, Illinois in the 80’s, and later by Steve Lancaster from Burlington, KY as “The River Rat” E-69, in the early 90’s. It was also owned by Doug Hale, Bill McTague of Batavia, OH, and Joe Marshall of Knoxville, TN. We purchased it in October of 2005 from Joe Marshall.
Hull restoration completed b the original designer and builder Vance Whitman involved complete disassembly, inspection and replacement of all required structural components including bottom and top sheeting, salvaging an assortment of original wood, cowlings and hardware, rebuilding the boat back to its initial status as the “Heatwave.”
Vance Whitman by Elizabeth Wolfe-“Vance has been around boat racing longer than most of us have been alive! Vance is located in Lafayette, IN and used to work or Rodi Yatchts rebuilding wood boats (before fiberglass). He has worked on some Unlimited and countless inboard hulls. In fact, if you walk around the pits with him…he can point out every other boat and the work he has done on it. Vance is one of the special people that really make boat racing a wonderful sport to participate in. Thank you Vance for all of your hard work for me and everyone else!”
Vance worked for Rodi Boats in Chicago; they also had marinas in Florida. Rodi was a boat dealer for Chris Craft in the Chicago area, they would purchase bare/unfinished boats and complete them including installing various options. Eventually Vance, a Naval Architect, went to work for Chris Craft in Pompano, Florida designing and building prototypes.
Over the years Vance did several jobs repairing boats including for Jim McCormack, legendary driver of the MISS MADISON, featured in the Madison hydroplane movie. “Jim had torn up the starboard side of his boat, an “E” class Farmer in a race at the Miami Stadium and asked me if I could fix it for a race being held in 3 months at Tampa.”
Vance repaired many boats, all types and makes; he saw design flaws and weak characteristics. With all the knowledge and experience he obtained from repairing damaged boats he decided he could build a better boat of his own design.
Opechee” was co-designed by Rich Hallett and Rob Kaufman and built by Rich Hallett of Long Beach California in 1968 for Rob Kaufman of Salem, Ohio. The Sponsons were copied from Paul Sawyer’s world famous “Alter Ego” but were lengthened for this 19’6 Hallett Hull. As Rob Kaufman’s “Can’t Wait” she competed in both the 26 CU. IN. Class, and with a gear change as a small seven litre. She is believed to be the last conventional hydro built b Rich Hallett before the change to cab-over designs where the driver sits in front of the engine.
Her original engine was a 265 CU. IN. Chevy V8 with an Isky Cam, Vertex Magneto, and a moon manifold with four weber 48mm twin throat carburetor. She ran with a casale 1;17 to 1 ratio z drive gear box, and a 12’ by 20&1/2’ cary 2 blade prop.
Her current engine is a 350 CU. IN. Chevy small block bored to 360 CU. IN. with a modest build up including an aggressive cam, WWI end alum. stealth intake manifold, and a Holley 650 CFM four barrel carb, with a mechanical double pumper. We are 2 10 to 1 comp. ration and 2 375 HP.
In 1969; “Can’t Wait,” with Max Saylor driving, qualified for the finals at the “Nationals in Morgan City, Louisiana.
1969 “Can’t Wait” won four races at the Miami Marine stadium.
1969 “Can’t Wait” won both 266 CU in heats and placed second in the grand prix event in Stauart, Florida.
1970 “Can’t Wait” won her race at the Orange Bowl Regatta.
We found the boat in Aplena, Michigan in the fall of 1992 where someone in the construction business had taken the boat in trade for money owed.
We replaced seven deck frames, the entire left sponson, and gave her a new deck of wild grain sepele mahogany. “Opechee’ has just been restored again by the well known Steve Balcher of “Balcher Boats” of Bay City, Michigan. “Opechee” now runs with a bright varnished mahogany deck, ivory cowlings 7 tail fin trimmed in mid-night blue and gold accents. Her tail fin sports the proud profile of an Indian Chief in full head dress.
I met my beautiful wife, Helena, in Laconia, New Hampshire where we spent special time together sailing on Lake “Opechee.” “Opechee” is an Indian name meaning “beautiful bird in flight,” which we agreed was appropriate.
Large Hydroplanes
Owner: John H. Kirschner. Driver: Scott Kirschner, Sparrows Point, MD
A 2006 Ted Jones design that was built by Custom Marine, this is a 266 class H hydroplane. It is the only all-welded aluminum hull hydroplane on the vintage circuit, and has fiberglass cowlings designed by Lauterbach. The hull is 19’8″ long. The boat is powered by a Chevy 550 HP 8 cylinder 355 cu. in. engine. The engine runs Hilborn fuel injection on methanol fuel and a Vertex magneto ignition system. The engine was built by JB’s Auto Machine, Inc. The current owner started racing in 1963 with an International 266 class F-24 Nitro Special. In 1965, he had Charlie Lloyd build a new 266 Miss Supersonic F-266 hydroplane. In 2006, the owners built the current Miss Supersonic II F-266 hydroplane. The driver, Scott A. Kirschner, is the owner’s second son. He started running Miss Supersonic II in 2006 as the driver of the future on the vintage circuit.
Built in 1971 by Henry Lauterbach. Built as a 7 liter for Rich Sutphen. The boat was raced as Miss Gangway from 1971 to 1984 by Rich Sutphen and Howie Benns. The boat was renamed Sutphen Spirit, GP66, 1985 to 1986. The boat was restored as Miss Crazy Thing by Bill Sterrett, Jr. It was campaigned by Mike Tucker and John Pepe as Miss Crazy Thing until 2010. In 2011 the boat was purchased by Lyle Dinsmore and renamed Miss Gangway as it was originally. Lyle was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 for East Coast Vintage and Historic Division. The boat is powered by a 426 cubic inch supercharged Hemi as it was originally.
A 1976 Henry Lauterbach design built by Henry Lauterbach. It is a grand prix hydroplane with the original hull. Its length is 21’6″ and is powered by a Chevy 800 HP 8 cylinder 600 cu. in. engine. One of the most famous Lauterbach hydroplanes, it was built for his brother Norman. The Leuterbach Special was a winner from day one. It changed owners and names several times and was retired in the early 1990s. During its heydey, the Lauterbach Specialcompeted in three different classes: H, 7 litre, and GP. It held the national hi-point championships in 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1981. Its highest world lap record was 119.6 mph in 1984. The Lauterbach Special was driven by such famous drivers as Terry Turner, Chip Hanauer, Tom D’Eath, Larry Lauterbach, and Butch Kropfeld.
Historic
Originally constructed in 1939 and bearing the name Hermes IV, this boat took on its distinctive V-8 Hispano-Suiza engine in 1940 and its current name in 1951. The homebuilt wooden hull, which was restored by Magnuson in the 1980s, measures 20’6”.
Sister Syn is a 32′ 1925 Dodge Boat Works race boat designed by George Crouch still retaining its original hull. The boat was built for Delphine Dedge Cromwell, sister of famed race boat driver, auto magnate, and owner of Dodge Boat Works, Horace E. Dodge Jr.
This is one of the most original and historic boats at this year’s Regatta. It is powered by a Curtiss 50 HP 12 cyl. engine with 1570 cu. in. The boat is 35 ft. long, and its racing history includes the 1927 Sweepstakes race in Detroit, MI and in that same year, the President’s Cup in Washington, D.C.
The Ketcham Boat Yard in Amityville, NY completed the restoration in 1983. They replaced 20 plus ribs, the floor timbers, and the main stringers in the engine beds. In 1991, NE Boat & Engine Co., in Laconia, NH rebuilt the deck and cockpit to the original 1927 specifications. Owner, Doug Bindrim has over 29 years of racing experience in the Pro Outboard Division of the APBA.
Jersey Speed Skiffs
This Jersey Skiff was designed and built by Baron in 1985. It is a 16′ boat with the original hull. The boat was restored by Don Gemmell in 2002. In its racing days, the skiff was named Brute Force and ran in 1987. It is powered by a Chevy 300 hp, 8 cylinder, 350 cu. in. motor. This skiff comes from Florida where Jersey Skiffs are extremely popular.
This is a replica skiff built in 2007. The original hull was owned by Connie Catrell, a well known female Jersey Skiff racer. She ran JS-1 and won many races in the 1970’s. The boat is powered by a Crusader 300 hp, 8 cylinder, 350 cu. in. engine. Heartbeat 2 is the second Heartbeat owned by Paul Nowack who has run on the Vintage circuit since 2001.
Owner: Len Finethy of Alton Bay, NH
A 1983 Jersey Skiff designed by Bender and built by Indigo Rigging, Inc. of Barnegat Light, NJ. It is a 16 foot boat with a Chevy 250HP 8 cylinder 283 cu. in. engine. Len’s family has been boating for many years on Lake Winnipesaukee. His first boat was a 1952 Chris Craft 17 foot utility. In April 2003, Len purchased JS-96 then called Think Crude. He assigned JS-603 to the boat as this is the New Hampshire telephone area code. The name of the boat is the family boat name used since their first 1952 Chris Craft. Len has participated in many Vintage Race Boat Regattas and looks forward to doing so for many more years. He also loves to give boat rides !!!
Flat Bottoms
Flashback is a 17’ 1957 Correct Craft acquired in 1983 by Jeff Magnuson as a discarded utility/ski boat which Jeff completely restored and in the process was converted to a V driven “California Style” ski boat fulfilling his youthful dream of building and driving a California “SK”.
The hull is strictly original “57” Correct Craft in form but built to handle her new power plant, a 1957 392 cubic inch Chrysler Fire Power HEMI now after some rework coming in at about 406 cubic inches. Jeff ran the boat for many years in serious racing events as well as APBA Vintage demonstrations, and she has always done well with the HEMI being destroyed once in 1989 while running in the ‘89 “Wine Country Race, and eventually destroying her V drive at an event in Clayton NY in 2008. I am fortunate to have acquired her from Jeff in late 2011 and have worked as much as possible through the years to put her back into service while keeping her faithful to Jeff’s design with a couple of meaningful upgrades.
Originally there was no neutral so she was seriously a point and shoot set up with no easy way to trailer fire or do any warm up in the water. I searched to find a suitable V drive replacement and ended up with a Casale “Old Style” top loader with forward neutral and reverse. After the set up was complete the V drive with crash box tranni was completely rebuilt by Jeff Buckley. The trim tabs had originally been in a fixed position not adjustable “on the fly” so I added the gear needed to make them “active”. There was no charging system on board so I added a 70 amp alternator (fun mounting on an old HEMI).
Probably the most important upgrade was the addition of a harmonic damper, rarely seen on a “snout driven” power takeoff. This was accomplished by replacing the standard takeoff with a BHJ damper designed to accept a blower drive coupled with a power takeoff flange designed and machined by Tony Coco, Coco Engineering. This takeoff flange also drives the water pump and alternator.
Flash Back saw the light of day for the first time in 6 years on August 19, 2017 and was successfully “sea trialed” on August 20. The goal was to have Flashback ready for the 2017 Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta.
Built in 1976 by Rayson Craft, designed by Randy Ramos, this is an 18’ sprint flat bottom boat built for the supper stock racing class with the original hull. It sports a Chevy 245 HP 8 cylinder 305 cu. in. engine. The boat was found in a barn in Alton, NH without an engine. The owner built a 305 Chevrolet engine to replicate the original 327 engine. It pulled marathon ski racers on Lake Winnipesaukee. Jay Klinkhamer, the current driver, has been a rider and driver at various American Power Boat Association vintage events for the last 10 years. He has previous pit crew experience with 5 liter hydroplanes for over 12 years.
1964 Baron: 3-YEAR RESTORATION PROJECT
I found this boat in Alton Bay NH during the summer of 2012, even though she was a basket case, I fell in love with her lines and old school styling.
On October 14, 2012 after stopping and looking at it many times I ended up purchasing the boat, and so the journey began.
Anxious to get the restoration underway, I made arrangements with Pat at White Mountain Fiberglass (WMF) in Rumney, NH to work the hull portion of the project.
During the summer of 2013 I brought the boat to Pat at WMF. It sat there under cover until the spring of 2014, meanwhile the Ford FE 428 engine began to take shape.
Early-Summer of 2014, I spent 2 days at WMF stripping the hull of all mechanicals and left Pat and his team a completely bare hull, ready for media blasting.
Mid-Summer 2014, the hull was blasted and cleaned of the many layers of paint that had accumulated over the years by previous owners. Once the blasting was complete it revealed the boat’s original orange and white color scheme. I loved the thought of making it as close to its original look as possible. Pat and his team started the process of getting it ready for paint, as I continued to polish, paint, powder-coat, fabricate or replace every piece of hardware on the boat.
Late-Summer 2014, the Ford FE 428 engine was started for the first time on a custom built cradle. The hull was now
covered in primer.
Early-Fall 2014 we ran into a slight snag, the starboard stringer was found to be dry-rotted and in no way was it going to hold the powerful Ford engine. WMF ended up replacing both stringers.
During the winter of 2014/2015, my home office was getting pretty full with boxes of parts and lots of stainless steel fasteners that were ready to be installed. I was just waiting for the hull to be completed so I could start reassembly.
Early-Spring 2015, the hull was painted to match her original colors and pattern. The boat was placed on 5 boat stands in the warehouse at WMF, where I began reassembly.
By early-Summer 2015, nearly all of the hardware was installed. It was then that life took a turn and I lost my mom, Sally A. Obed. She was a huge fan of the project and often said she couldn’t wait for a ride in a “real fast boat”. I knew I had to finish the project and be ready for the Vintage Race Boat Regatta in Wolfeboro, NH scheduled for September 18th & 19th 2015.
Saturday July 18th, 2015 the engine was installed. With the help of a lifelong friend Mike and the guidance of a new friend Donnie, we spent the whole day working on the engine installation. By 4:30 the engine was completely fitted. It was time to celebrate and we cracked open a beer.
Saturday August 22rd, 2015 the boat came home from Rumney for the first time since the summer of 2013 where I finished up a few odds and ends to make her water ready for the sea trial.
Sunday August 23th, 2015, surrounded by family and friends the boat was finally launched on Manning Lake in Gilmanton, NH for her first run in over 25 years.
This is a 1971 20’ Custom Built Grand National V-Drive. This was a former race boat used for marathon circle racing. It has been fully restored by the owners. The custom mahogany wood deck was put on as part of the restoration. It is powered by a 720 HP 568 cubic inch big block Chevy. The boat runs 91 mph.
This is a 1976 20’ Rayson Craft Grand National V-Drive. This marathon circle boat has been fully restored by the owners. It is powered by a 680 HP 580 cubic inch big block Chevy. The boat runs 94 mph.
Gold Cup
Blue By You is a reproduction Chris-Craft built in 1999. The hull is 20’ long, and is powered by a 250 HP engine.
This is a 2008 reproduction of a GarWood Gentleman’s Racer. The bare hull was completed by the Fish Brothers of Queensbury, New York and the 383 Chevy stroker engine dynoed at 450HP and was built by Larry’s Auto Machine of Stonington, CT. The boat was completed and is maintained by the Vintage Race Boat Shop in Wolfeboro, NH. Compulsion had its debut at the 2008 Vintage Race Boat Regatta in Clayton, NY, where it ran very well, at the front of the pack all weekend long. It is also one of the few gentleman’s racers on the vintage circuit running a small block. The current driver is Bob Mueller who has been an avid boater all his life. From driving pleasure yachts to ski boats to fishing boats, Bob has driven on both fresh and salt water. He has been driving for over 7 years on the American Power Boat Association Vintage Circuit, participating at regattas in Buffalo, Clayton and Lake George, as well as the Wolfeboro Vintage Race Boat Regatta.
Outboards
Description: Rowdy II is a 13 foot E&T Marine V hull built by Bill Edwards and Beale Tilton in 1969. It won the 1969 OPC FE Class Marathon Nationals driven by Bart Mettam and Beale Tilton. Later that year it set a FG kilo record.
At the end of the season it along with a Mercury 700 DR were sold to a customer. After the original sale it changed hands many times including at one time being owned by Beale’s brother.
Around 2011 it was discovered in a Ridge, MD junkyard. Time had not been good to Rowdy. It was full of water and leaves. A tree had fallen on it, breaking both sides of the deck. Seats, seat tank, steering, floor, etc. were missing.
Bill tried to buy, but the owner thought he had a valuable famous boat. 2013 Bill bought the boat for $100 delivered. (Guess he figured out it wasn’t so valuable after all). He then set about structurally restoring the boat. Replace some of the balsa core in the bottom, new wood in the transom and all the missing listed above. He added a restored 75+ HP Chrysler and turned the rig over to Beale to campaign in Vintage and Historic events.
Beale along with his son Duane have attempted to restore the appearance somewhat. Not an easy task do to all the damage the boat has suffered.
Presently Duane is handing the driving when available. When he isn’t Beale is once again behind the wheel enjoying the social aspect of being with old and new V&H friends.
