Happy Buddha is a 280 cubic inch
class hydroplane that was originally built in 1968 by Charles Lloyd.
Harry Alaire was the first owner/driver.
The hydroplane is now owned by Ron
Taylor.
This is the colors the boat was wearing
on it's first run on the water in many years.
New Hampshire 2003 - First post-restoration
run. Does Ron look happy, or what?
Photo by: Bill DeGlopper |
New Hampshire Vintage Race Boat Regatta
- 2003.
This was Happy Buddha's maiden
voyage by owner/driver Ron Taylor.
These last 5 above photos
were by taken by Alan Radue.
Historical
Happy Buddha E-207
Red Bank, New Jersey 1969
Owner/Driver Harry Alaire
Harry ran the boat primarily in the East
Coast area during the period of 1968-1975.
Restoration
A four year restoration undertaken by
the previous owner, Jerry Field, involved a new deck and bottom.
The restoration
started with notion of replacing the deck, most of the bottom and working
on mechanicals.
Once Jerry got rolling, just about everything
was rebuilt and replaced to all original specifications where possible.
All the pitted chrome was replated and
all of the aluminum parts polished. |
 |
Most of the engine parts were powdercoated.
Jerry could only do so much of the restoration work and turned the bottom
and engine installation over to Week's boatyard in Long Island. They are
very old boatyard from the late 1800's and have always specialized in wood
hulls. Jerry felt that they did an outstanding job on the boat and he stated
they were the first boatyard that were a real pleasure to work with. |
| Jerry took the liberty to change the original
paint colors of the boat but kept the original paint scheme. |
 |
 |
The fully raced prepared Chevy small block
is being readied for installation into the hull.
Restoration photos are ©2002 Jerry
Field (Previous owner/restorer) |
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