All News Posts (266)

The first MISS THRIFTWAY was designed by Ted Jones and built by Les Staudacher in 1954. Sponsored by the Associated Grocers chain of Stores and represented by Willard Rhodes, the 1955 hull not only represented the first step of involvement by AG for the next eight years, but it was also the starting point of Bill Muncey’s winning career. As of this writing, Bill is still on the top as the winningest driver in the sport of Unlimited Hydroplane racing with 62…

Did you know that you can rent the Hydroplane Museum for your own private party? We have hosted all sorts of events including high school reunions, birthday parties, anniversary partied company holiday parties and weddings! Contact David or Denise at (206) 764-9453 from prices and available dates. Our Holiday Calendar is filling up. Book now so you don’t miss out!…

Phil sent out some good shots from today including the money shot of the boat with both airtraps in place. They're not attached quite yet but will be next week. Phil also describes today's events as we got the inserts glued into the right airtrap as well as the doubler plates for the bottom/airtrap bolts. So it should go on the boat for good Weds next week. We should be able to get the left side drilled and inserts glued in by Thursday.

With the airtraps in place we can add the…

The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum is proud to display a beautiful replica of Gar Wood’s 1918 and 1919 Gold Cup winner Miss Detroit III. The boat arrived at Museum on Thursday evening, the 21st of October. This incredibly accurate and detailed replica was built in 2005, and it was part of the Warner Collection. Ken Muscatel bought the boat at an auction on Saturday the 16th of October.

The original Miss Detroit III was designed by Chris Smith…

By Fred Farley - H1 Unlimited Historian

Joe and Lee Schoenith raced Unlimited hydroplanes from 1950 to 1975. Most of their boats were named GALE, sponsored by W.D. Gale, Inc., a Detroit-based electrical contracting firm, which the Schoeniths owned.

Their most famous boat was the first GALE V, designed by Les Staudacher, which was National High Point Champion in 1954 and 1955 and won the APBA Gold Cup in 1955 on Seattle's Lake Washington with Lee…

By Vanessa McGrady

Reprinted from Sunset Magazine

David Williams, the executive director of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington, remembers watching his very first race at 5 years old.

"I just was amazed by the sound and color and excitement and huge rooster tails that the boats threw," he says. He filled his childhood by making model boats during the day and dreaming about them at night. At 20, Williams raced a…