Double Trouble 48-Y
Darrel Olson, who lived near Long Beach CA, built this 48 c.i. class
hull from Ted Jones plans around 1960.
Double Trouble first appeared with a varnished deck and the
racing number 58-Y.
Photo from Bob Foley showing this configuration.
Around 1969-1970 Darrel fiberglassed the deck and painted Double
Trouble white with red trim and changed the number to 48-Y, as she
now appears.
He continued to race DT into the early '70's, but was not as competitive
as he wanted to be with the Crosley when the class went to 850 cc.
He trailered her to Seattle and donated it to the Hydroplane &
Raceboat Museum in the early 1990's.
This a true Southern California boat with the "Reeder-Remund Racing
Engines, La Mirada, California" decal
still on the valve cover and all hardware (rudder assembly, shaft log,
etc.) manufactured by Deebold of Lynwood, California.
I have been volunteering my time at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum
in restoring some of the old unlimiteds, and when I got talking about my
old 48 days they mentioned they had a Jones 48 in one of their storage
warehouses. Boy, did my ears ever perk up then. I kept pestering them to
take me over to see it, and finally asked if they ever sold any of their
donated boats. Storage space started getting expensive, and they did not
have room at the Museum to display her, so the Board of Directors voted
to sell her to me. After that I was finally able to see her, and she was
in incredible condition for a boat right out of the 1970's. All the
structure and plywood skins were in perfect condition, so I said "sold".
She is in such great original condition that I am thinking I should just
'preserve' her instead of a full restoration. Anyway, I bought her about
3 years ago and, due to my lack of garage space, I was only able to bring
her home 2 weeks ago. I have been cleaning her up, and need to pull the
Crosley apart to inspect it before running (it still turns over freely).
Then it will be on to APBA Vintage events; there are several 48's around
the Pacific Northwest. Eventually, when the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum
expands their facility, they should have room to display the old outboards
and limited class inboards and Double Trouble will end up back there
on display.
Back in the late 50's I was able to tour Ted Jones shop in south Seattle
and dreamed of owning a Jones 48 someday. Several years later I bought
a set of his 48 plans, which I still have. So, after nearly 50-years, I
have now fulfilled this childhood 'dream'. Believe me, it sure brings
back a lot of memories seeing that little 48 in the garage now -- just
like those magic days in my parents garage nearly 50-years ago!
Click here to view
the Media & Specification sheet on Double Trouble 48-Y.
Click here to see some photos
of my Colcock Miss Seattle, Jr. 'back in those magic days'.
© 2009 Randy Mueller
Back to the boats
Home |
