Triple Engine Question

By Fred Farley - Unlimited Hydroplane Historian

QUESTION:

Was there ever a boat in the Gold Cup or Unlimited Classes that used three inboard engines? - K.M. Brien

ANSWER:

To my knowledge, only one such craft ever made a start in a bona-fide race. That was GRAY GOOSE III (G-45) in 1940. Owned by George Cannon, the Ventnor-built hull was powered by a trio of unsupercharged Lycoming engines, the same as used in the 225 Cubic Inch Class hydroplanes. This brought the total cubic inches above the 600 minimum required by the then-current Gold Cup rules

Each engine turned its own shaft and two-bladed propeller. The center motor was installed forward with the two wing motors aft in a hull that was basically a standard Ventnor Gold Cup hydroplane, similar in configuration to MY SIN and SO-LONG.

The total cost of GRAY GOOSE III was probably less than one-fourth of many of the other Gold Cup rigs of that era. Motor Boating Magazine had nothing but praise for Cannon's ingenuity and resourcefulness in trying something different with GRAY GOOSE III.

Unfortunately, the III threw one of her propellers through the hull during a test run and suffered extensive damage. Plans for participation in the 1939 Gold Cup at Detroit had to be cancelled.

GRAY GOOSE III did make a start in the 1940 Gold Cup at Northport, Long Island, with Hugh Gingrass driving but failed to finish due to mechanical difficulties.

After the war, the boat was re-powered with a single Allison and renamed CHAZ by new owner/driver Chuck Klein. CHAZ qualified at the bare minimum of 65 miles per hour for the 1950 Detroit Gold Cup and was trounced in the race by SLO-MO-SHUN IV, which lapped the entire field in Heat One with Ted Jones driving.