The Miss Close Shave II is a 225 ci class hydroplane, Dick Sooy designed this hull and she was built in 1957 by Loren Charley of New Albany, Indiana. This hull was a replacement for the Close Shave I, which was the original Geronimo owned by Dick Cox and Neal Cahall of Madison, Indiana and driven by Graham Heath also of Madison. Graham Heath went on to become the first crew chief of the original Miss Madison. The Geronimo was sold by Cox & Cahall to a person from Tennessee. As I understand it, this person changed the name of the Geronimo to Close Shave l. We believe that the first hull was destroyed and the Close Shave II was built in its place. Photo by Phil Kunz. The boats was bought back to life by Dave & Joe Johnson and crew. In the fall of 2003, Mr Charley bought his old raceboat.


 

 
  The present hull is 16’2” long and 7’3” wide.  It was last powered by a Studebaker V-8 engine. It was also powered by a 1940’s 221 c.i. 6 cylinder Ford engine.  (This 221 c.i. motor is now with the boat)  The distributor set-up on the 6 cylinder was designed and implemented by Marion Cooper, the first driver of the U-6 Miss Madison.  The camshaft was made and engine work was performed by Clay Smith, who is a well known and respected engine builder at the Indianapolis 500.  We have also acquired from Mr. Charley, the Studebaker engine that was used in the boat. Mr. Charley sold the craft to Fred Amers approximately 5 or 6 years ago.
 
 
 
 

The owner at the time of restoration was Dave Johnson. He purchased the hull from Mr. Amers in August of 2000.  Dave has also acquired the original 6 cylinder Ford that ran in the boat.  Dave purchased the motor from Mr. Charley, who had the engine stored in his garage for the past 20 some odd years. The engine turns freely and seems to be in fairly good condition. The boat is a Dick Sooy designed hull, the design of the boat was laid out on Mr. Charley’s kitchen floor, and is still there today, covered with tile.  Mr. Charley worked for the better part of a year constructing the craft. What makes this special, is that Mr. Charley is a barber by trade. After acquiring the boat, Dave and his crew removed the deck from the boat,  what was revealed was a lifetime of history. The boat is in great shape. It will need very minor repair to bring this hydro back to life. The crew will have to fabricate a new engine cowling, as it was destroyed in earlier years. The crew plans to work on the boat at least every Wednesday night, for some reason this writer thinks work will be performed more often than the scheduled work night.
 
 
 
 
 

The crew is composed of Dave Johnson, Joe Johnson, Tony Wilson and Jim Kelley.  All are very capable personnel and look forward to the challenge that the Close Shave II presents to them. The crew has already received extra help from Travis and Brian Johnson, they are Dave’s nephews and both are die hard hydro fans.

 It is with great love of our sport,  that the owner and crew start the undertaking of this project.  It is our desire to see a part of the history of hydroplanes, be brought back to life for everyone to enjoy.

All work, building of parts, and explanation of the rebuilding process is being recorded to be added to the history of the boat.  The crew is also documenting the rebuilding process by video taping the entire program.
 
 
 

Dave attended the Antique Boat Regatta in Clayton, NY this year.  He spoke with Phil Kunz. Mr. Kunz has informed Dave that he has pictures of the boat when it was racing.  Dave and the crew are interested in acquiring any information, pictures and history of the boat, as this will help with the rebuilding of the craft. There is also a historic photo of this hydroplane on the Phil Kunz Photography website in the 225 class hydroplane section. This writer is doing the history of the boat. 
 
 

Dave and the crew extend an invitation to everyone to stop by the shop and see the boat, and watch the crew bring back to life, the Miss Close Shave II. 
Dave would like to thank Mr. Amers for allowing him to purchase the Close Shave II.
A very big THANK YOU goes out to Mr. Loren Charley for allowing Dave to purchase the engine for the boat. This adds tons of history to go along with the craft.  Thank you also Mr. Charley for your information, wisdom and encouragement. We look forward to your coming to the shop. And as promised, your ride is coming. 
 
 
 
 

I also want to thank Benoit Lemay, our Canadian friend, that I have acquired from the internet. I also received an e-mail with some helpful information from Alan (Agitator) Radue, Thank you Alan.  I have also had contact with Jack Hines who gave us some leads on the wood that was needed,  Thanks Jack. Also, thanks to Bob (owns too many hydros to list) Jensen, also a new found friend from the west coast. The guys who have hydros on this site are the best....Thanks!



The biggest thank you goes to the owner Dave Johnson.
Thanks Dave for letting the crew be a part of your dream. Again, I want to thank everyone who has e-mailed me with information. 
 

January 16, 2001:
You will see that we have removed the deck, and been working on the inside.  We have replaced all broken wood with original mahogany that the original boat builder still had in his possession.
The lumber is over 40 years old.......this is great.
On January 10, with thanks to Mr. Loren Charley, the boat builder, we acquired the original Studebaker V-8 engine that was also used in the Close Shave II.  We now have both the Ford Flathead 6 cyl. and the Studebaker V-8 that was used in the Close Shave II.  We feel very fortunate to be able to acquire both the original engines this hydroplane campaigned with.
We have ordered and received the wood for the new decking.  The next phase of the project will be to have a new shaft made. We are approximately 50% done with the wood working. Things have gone slow, but everything is being done right.
 
 
 
April 2001:

Here is Dave with the 8th and final coat of varnish applied.


Here's Joe, looking over the shine of Miss Close Shave II.



As you can tell, we now have the Close Shave II turned back over.  We have just placed the original 6 cylinder in the boat to see how it lines up. Everything went right into place.  This is one good good looking old engine. The carbs still need to be put on before Fred Farley comes to do the article for the hometown paper (Madison Courier).  Recently, I picked up our new prop shaft, we just hope things keep going along smoothly. We started installing the plumbing this week. We can't wait to start putting on the new deck.



These are the latest photos of the ongoing restoration of Close Shave II. We are looking at name & number painting, last coat of varnish (9th coat), and trailer refurbish completion, all of this, next week. This week-end we hope to finish up and install the engine. Everything has gone well. This photo is the 8th coat of varnish drying.

This photo shows the access panels completed.
 
 
 
 
 
 

This photo shows off the instrument panel after installation. All the original gauges will be used, fortunately, they all still work.
 
 
 

In this photo you will see a borrowed tail from Phil Kunz sitting on the decking. Ours will be made from this.
 
 
 
 
 
 

The old deck can be seen in the background.  Off with the old, on with the new.
 
 
 
 

The natural wood grain is beautiful.
 
 
 
 
 
 

These are the new aluminum plates that were made to hold the water pick-up brackets.
We still have to cut our water inlet hole to make it wet sponson again.
 
 
 

New aluminum panels were made to run the length of both sides of the engine well.





  This photo shows transom/rear view of the boat. The rudder mount is in place and she's starting to look like a race boat again.
 
  
 

Front view.  If you look close you can tell where the seams are from the plywood skins that were placed together.
 
 
 
 
 

This photo shows how we covered where the wood was placed together.  We still need to add the strips from the front down the sides of each sponsons.  This will be completed next.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Inspecting the area where the step boards will be mounted.
 
 
 

 
 Dave is applying the glue to the back of the step boards.  They will be mounted with brass screws.
 
 

Tony & Dave are measuring and pre-drilling the screw holes.

Tony is drilling the new screws.  Everything is lined for straightness.
 
 

Dave in a moment of deep thought. Do those guys really know what they're doing??

Step boards are in place and a outside break is in order. We also got the band boards in place around the sponsons. Actually, it was one of the easier things to do. We let the boards soak overnight in salt water. They went right into place.They really look good.
 
 
 
 

2001 Madison Parade before the big unlimited race. Dave is on the bow, Tony Wilson (right rear), Mr.Loren Charley (boat builder in the seat) and Joe is behind Mr. Charley. Dave is holding the only tropy that Mr. Charley won with the boat. (1962 Louisville race). 
 
 
 
 
 

The Close Shave II after the 2001 Madison Regatta Parade.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Front view of the Close Shave II awaiting winter projects to finish the boat.
 
 
 
 
  
 

Joe (left) & Dave (right) overlooking the original 1942 Ford Flathead that will power the Close Shave II. 
 
 









  Check out the "Barbershop Pole" on the tail......Joe will take credit for this idea.
Well......it didn't sink !!!!!  We did take on some water, but that was expected.....
first time in 38 years that the boat has seen water......you'd be thirsty too. 
When she swells, I think everything will be fine. We will return to the Ohio River 
next Saturday for the first actual test run.....under power.
 
 
 
 
 
 
First photo shows Dave heading out with Miss Close Shave out on the water under power in 38 years.
The other photo was taken right after the first full lap was completed.
And here we go, returning to the pits after the first run.
These 3 pictures make the two year restoration project
all worthwhile. Thanks for visiting!

©2000-2002 Dave & Joe Johnson