First Mate

Growing up in New Zealand (the land down-under) I spent my summer weekends on the banks of our local lakes and rivers watching my dad and friends race their Crackerbox boats, running with Flat Head Dodge at the time. I dreamed one day of really owning an Unlimited Hydro as we would watch the Griffith Cup being contended between Australia and New Zealand. After moving to Canada in the 1970's settling into family life and a working career, it was time to fulfill my dream. I phoned my life long friend Danny Thompson in New Zealand (Danny's dad and mine raced together) and asked if he could find me a conventional hydro. Not long passed and he found my boat ironically, 1/2 hr drive from my hometown of Palmerston North. I had him ship it over in a 20 ft container and landed it here in Vancouver B.C. in July 2007. I immediately joined the APBA and attended my first vintage event at Pateros, Washington August of 2007. I found all the Division 10 racers very helpful to this new rookie. In fact, Terry Troxel took my boat out to give me expert feedback. I attended (4) Division 10 events in 2008 and have worked out some of the bugs and I am now very happy with how this little gem runs.
 
 


The Frame Pack was built by Frank McLeod (a well recognized New Zealand race boat builder) of a Lauterbach style.
The Frame Pack was purchased by Reg Winters of Nelson, New Zealand in 1981 who went on to build the boat.
Reg used the finest of New Zealand native woods to complete this well constructed hydroplane.
Reg ran the boat with a 2.0 litre English Ford, 4 cylinder which he bolted on a home built turbo set up.
 


Reg had several trophy placements in the South Island where he ran the boat.
It was later sold to Brian Cardiff of Levin, New Zealand. Brian placed the Nissan motor in her that is running today.
Brian ran the the boat in the 2.0 liter & 3.0 liter classes with several notable placements right up to 2006. 
16-1/2' ft length.  Boat runs a Nissan 2 litre, 170 hp, twin cam, stock motor.
 


I would still like to find a spare prop, 10 x 16 x 1" tapered shaft or something close. I heard Ricards used to make them. 
Scott Schatz from S & S Marine in California had built me the prop I am using now, which works great, and I don't know where I would be without his help.
 
 

 © Paul "Kiwi" Russell

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