Better Idea N-190
Better Idea N-190 is a Will Farmer built and designed 225 cubic
inch class hydroplane that was constructed in the 1962..
This boat was built in 1962 by Will Farmer for my father, the late
Tom Cocker of Richmond, Va.. The boat was named
The Hum-In-Bird II N-24. It was one of the few Ford powered
225's hydros in the Region 4 area during the 1960's.
In 1964 my father finished second in points in Region 4 with the Hum-In-Bird
II. Also, my father made it into the Gulf Oil 100 MPH Club with The
Hum-In-Bird II. The last two years my father had the boat, Buddy Roper
from Hampton,Va. drove it. In 1968, my father sold the boat to Buddy Roper.
Buddy Roper raced the boat for two years. During those two years, Buddy
Roper set the course speed record for The Tarheel Regatta in Raleigh, NC.
with the speed of 81.54 m.p.h..
Buddy Roper later sold the boat to John Simon from Buffalo, NY. When
this photo was taken in 1971, the raceboat was owned by John Simon and
named Better Idea N-190. Last information received had John Simon
selling the hull to Bob DeLong, who moved to Renton, WA. I would love to
find this race boat. If anyone has any information on this race boat whereabouts,
please give Todd Cocker a call at 804 262-6450. |
