I am the proud owner of the only known, early-style, Fred
Wickens hydroplanes left in existence today.
The boat was built in
either 1946 or 1947 and I think there was about 10 boats of this style
built. Fred Wickens built these boats which campaigned in the 135 cubic
inch racing class - Yankee Doodle I, Hurricane (later
became Yankee Doodle II), Texan, Rudy Toot,
and So Long Baby, A-163. There was also Suds
and Sid's Ace
(Sid Street's first boat). Fred only built one boat, Barracuda,
which campaigned in
the 225 cubic inch, Division 1/266 cubic inch classes (designated
prefix "F").
- Barracuda was first owned and raced by Lou Butler
from Zainesville Ohio in the late 1940's to the early 1950's.
- Lou holds the competition (10 mile) speed
record in New Martinsville, West Virginia set on October 3, 1948.
- In 1953, the boat was then sold to Ray Smith of Eaton,
Ohio.
Ray removed the Mercury Flathead in 1955 and installed a 265 Chevrolet
V8 with three two-barrel Strombergs running on alcohol. Ray raced the
boat into the late 1950's. Ray was forced to quit boat racing after a
micro midget racing accident that left him paralyzed from the chest
down.
- In the early 1960s, my dad, Glenn Settle, bought the
hydroplane but did not race it. Skipping 40 years or so, I am the
current owner of the hydroplane. The boat still has the 265 Chevy that
Ray Smith installed (including the three deuces) and all the original
hardware that Fred Wickens cast for his boats and even the trailer
built for the boat.
Restoration
Page One
| Here she is ready to be lifted off the road trailer. |
| First thing is to
hoist her off the trailer and unto the jig and ready for rstoration |
| Some of the frames have been damaged from years of
racing. |
| The cockpit framing has been replaced due to some dry
rot that was found. |
 |
 |
A new hood was
fabricated.
Photo on the left is before cockpit framing was replaced. Photo on
right has the new framing in place.
It is starting to come together.
A few more pieces left to dry fit and then permantently fasten and I
will be ready to start reskinning the hull. |
A new stem was made.
Before removing the stem.
The aft section before restoration.
Lots of work for the bottom awaits me.
Aft removed.
I rebuilt the transom with new marine plywood.
Everything behind the transom was stripped and I replaced any rotten or
damaged wood
Side view
This is how it all ties together into the framing network.
All coming together.
Before top framing is completed.
Starting to look like a boat again.
Side view shot of the progress. I found seven bottom frames that were
broken along with the the five that were cut for the motor. Already
have the seven replaced. The rest can't be done till the sponsons come
off .
The seat before any work.
The seat has also been rebuilt using all the old componets I could
salvage.
The Wickens Identification burned into the stringer.
I have been taking pictures from the start and
will have the webmaster update as I progress.
Click here
to view the
restoration page 2 on Barracuda.
Click here
to view the history page on Barracuda.
©2003-2004 Tim Settle
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