Hydroplane History Helps Happiness

OK, the title is a bit cute with the alliteration, but the sentiment is sincere. As someone who is continuing to learn about Unlimited Hydroplane Racing, history is a happy help for this rookie.

The best way to appreciate any sport is to become a student of the game, and that includes the game’s history. There’s many places on the Internet to find history on unlimited hydroplanes, but one called Hydroplane History, by Leslie Field, is a gem. As a result, I have added it to the section to the right called Great Racing Sites. (H1 Unlimited is there, but unless you’re fresh off the shuttle from Mars, you know them already.)

It’s a bit unfortunate that Hydroplane History hasn’t been updated since April 1, 2010, as indicated on the front page’s footer. But that’s not an issue. According to the front page, there are 2,604 pages of text and 2,043 images. My favorite are the “old school” photos of the classic boats.

Here’s one on the front page.  It’s of the 1959 Apple Cup at Lake Chelan, Washington. My family has vacationed at Lake Chelan before, but now that I’m becoming familiar with the sport – and its history – Chelan visits will take on a whole different meaning.

Upon entering the site, you will be presented with an extensive menu of options from Boats and Teams, to Races and Records, to Personalities and Audio/Video. The site programming is more dated than the April, 2010 stall mentioned above, using frames and expanded menus.  That style just simply isn’t used much any more and since it isn’t that familiar, it makes navigation a bit tough, but the content is well worth the hunt.

Walking back in time while viewing the results of the 1902 Columbia Yacht Club Races was a dream. By the way,

“In the electric class C. A. Starbuck’s launch Carmen won the prize, in the green class Harry S. Elliott’s launch Alpha came in ahead and in the checkered class Ardea, owned jointly, was the victor. The prizes were handsome silver cups.”

I wonder if a certain famous coffee chain got the inspiration for its name from really fast boats. You gotta love it.

One touching section is called Memorials, dedicated


“To those who lost their lives in unlimited hydroplanes or in pursuit of the world water speed record.”

Hats off to those who paid the ultimate price, chasing their dreams.

Check out this beauty:

1966 was almost half a century ago, but if you’re like me, this is just as thrilling as today’s boats. Different, sure, but look at those lines. There’s a lot of today in that baby 46 years ago.

There are what seems like hundreds of stories transcribed from past counts of races. The Seattle Times (1976), The New York Times (1948), and the Unlimited News Journal (1983) and many more are all represented.

If you are a fan of the sport, this site will be a fun exploration of the sport’s origins. If you are an historian, you will love the walk… cruise… sail… power! down memory lane.

My only wish for this site is that it becomes updated. Sure, it’s easy to ask someone else to do a lot of work for my benefit, but I’m sure many Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Fans will enjoy having a large slice of history, brought up to today’s fun, all in one place.

Dave


Share with your friends!