January 2011 News Posts (7)

A History of Automotive-Powered Unlimiteds

By Fred Farley - H1 Unlimited Historian

As a whole, automotive power in the Unlimited Class has so far failed to achieve competitive results. Only one auto-powered boat (MISS CHRYSLER CREW in 1967) has ever won a race.

There were quite a few attempts at automotive power in the late 1960s and early `70s. But all that were fast enough to qualify eventually took backward steps to proven principles with the traditional Allison or Rolls-Royce Merlin arrangement.

In 1948, Al…

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Added by Hydroplane Museum on January 30, 2011 at 11:00am — No Comments

1958Miss Bardahl update 1-29-11

Here's the latest and greatest update.

ENGINE SHOP:

TUESDAY: night the plan is to assemble the block ,check clearances, and add shims if necessary. Job #2 clean the crankshaft. It was stripped last Thursday night and all of the parts were cleaned today.

THURSDAY: start fitting rings to the right cylinder bank. The bank has been thoroughly cleaned and honed. Hopefully next Saturday I'll be able to do the left bank.

Warren, please clean the crank and… Continue

Added by Glenn D. Raymond on January 29, 2011 at 9:46pm — No Comments

The new Miss B!

Ron has a new girl this season, a 3-ton rear-engine beauty with sophisticated curves and a 170-mph yen to be '66 champion.

By Ron Musson, world champion driver, unlimited hydroplanes

Reprinted from Popular Mechanics, March 1966

Unlimited Hydroplanes are the world's fastest and largest competition powerboats, and this year I'm driving a brand-new one of radical design.

Some people think the new Miss Bardahl is too far out,…

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Added by Hydroplane Museum on January 27, 2011 at 7:30pm — 2 Comments

The Aerodynamics of Unlimited Hydroplanes

By Doug Ford

Reprinted from h1unlimited.com.

In the 1930's and 1940's, aerodynamics played little or no role in the performance of the Gold Cup boats and Unlimited Hydroplanes. But, in 1955 the boat racing fraternity got a rude awakening as Lou Fageol and Slo-mo-shun V performed the first ever 360 degree blow-over while at high speed on the backstretch of his final lap of qualifying for the Gold Cup in Seattle. …

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Added by Hydroplane Museum on January 12, 2011 at 9:49pm — 4 Comments

The Man Who Builds The Thunderboats

By Bill Ames

Reprinted from Science & Mechanics, August, 1974

The Unlimited Division of the American Power Boat Association is the smallest active racing class of that group. This elite coterie fields less than two dozen boats each year, to compete in about ten races. Yes these few regattas attract a total of more than two million spectators!

The universal appeal of these "thunderboats" is a product of roaring sound, flashing color, and the hovering dangers of…

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Added by Hydroplane Museum on January 10, 2011 at 12:00pm — 2 Comments

1958 Miss Bardahl update

Here's the latest update from the engine shop and the boat shop.

The right cylinder bank has been cleaned and decarboned. Awaiting the return of the valves which were sent for grinding then they can be lapped and assembled. Also awaiting the arrival of a new hone and a bore gauge micrometer for the cylinders then rings can be fitted. The left cylinder bank cleaning should begin next Saturday. Cleaning and taping of parts for painting continues. The accessory… Continue

Added by Glenn D. Raymond on January 9, 2011 at 4:03pm — No Comments

The Master Speaks

An Interview with Ron Jones Sr.

By Anne McRayde

Reprinted from Skid Fin Magazine, 2003, Vol 1, No. 1

How did you first begin building boats?

You could say I was born with it. My father was Ted Jones, who invented the three-point hydroplane, as we know it today. As a little boy, I was able to go with Dad, and my three sisters, and Mom to the lake and watch Dad test. When he was out testing my three sisters, who are…

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Added by Hydroplane Museum on January 8, 2011 at 9:30pm — No Comments