HELLZAPOPPIN II

We have acquired the race boat HELLZA POPPIN from John Goodhue III. She’s been in storage since 1950 and she is in original form with engine. We’re excited to be the owners of this forgotten race boat and look forward to restoring her in 2013.

Some info found on Lesliefield's Hydroplanes History gallery:
"John Goodhue of East Braintree, Massachusetts is reported to be constructing a new Gold Cup contender of his own design to be powered with an air-cooled engine". Click here to read the reprint Motor Boating May 1949 newspaper article.




Mike states this boat is the wildest design they have ever seen.
There is an outboard rudder assembly that has a hydrofoil built into it and they had taken off. No one knows why - but he does have it.





The engine is a Ranger V-770 built in NY

John Goodhue, Jr. - B. 1904 | D. 1974
Land developer, Master boat builder, tanker captain for City Service. Owned boat yards in Weymouth and Braintree, MA. We moved back to N.H. in 1948 after WW II. He started Goodhue Boat Yard in 1950, located where the N.H. Marine Patrol is now (Lake Winnipesaukee, NH). He built hundreds of boats for the government and the private sector.
Hellszapoppin II was built at the Weymouth Yard in 1946. John was the builder and designer. They also had access to military engines since they were building government boats at the Weymouth yard, PTs, Target boats, rescue boats, etc.
By-the-way, Hellszapoppin I was an 18' Higgins with a 12 cylinder Scripps. 

John Goodhue III  - B.1943 | still alive.
Yard Superintendant at GBY in Gilford and asst. yard super. at Broward Marine, Ft. Lauderdale until 1973. He moved on to Real Estate on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1973.

John Goodhue III always had plans to restore the Hellszapoppin II,
but at this point in time he would like the world to see it restored and running on the water again.

© Mike Michaud

Back to the boats