Record Holder

Stuff for sale (CAWPBA members) and then some
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Greg
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Record Holder

Postby Greg » 16 Apr 2009, 14:38

Does anyone know any more on this one?

"Runabout skiboat built 1955. Historic restoration project of this former Australian water speed record holder. 4.7 metre fibreglass-covered triple chine bondwood. Rear motor position with V drive. Fully reconditioned 3.5 litre Mark 7 Jaguar motor with D type Jaguar head. Complete with steel trailer."

The boat is called "Wildfire". It is claimed to have held the Australian open class water speed record at 73mph (117kph) off Dromana (Victoria) in the mid 1950's.

Unfortunately, no pictures.

V drive rearmount in 1955?! Would have been rare back then . . . .

Greg

Bob Vic
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Joined: 04 Mar 2009, 17:17
Location: Newlands Arm

Re: Record Holder

Postby Bob Vic » 16 Apr 2009, 17:57

Can't help with this one Greg - I wasn't even born then! Early 50's vee drive sounds ambitious - photos would tell the story I reckon.

Bob

bauchy
Posts: 535
Joined: 11 Mar 2009, 20:34

Re: Record Holder

Postby bauchy » 16 Apr 2009, 21:34

early model v drive ambitious???? hmmmmm
ya not wrong, wat a pain in the arse. mines now an eary model v drive so lets see what it goes like

brian

Batesy

Re: Record Holder

Postby Batesy » 16 Apr 2009, 22:37

Greg, where did you read about this boat? Is it advertised?

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Darren
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Joined: 08 Mar 2009, 21:18
Location: Mornington Peninsula VIC

Re: Record Holder

Postby Darren » 17 Apr 2009, 09:28

There were V drive/rearmounts around in the late 50's.
I have one - strange looking animal though.
Dave in SA also has a gearbox similar to mine...so they are around.
No step up in mine it just gets the engine down the back.
Darren

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bootlegger
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Re: Record Holder

Postby bootlegger » 17 Apr 2009, 12:29

There is a local raceboat here called INvader. It was built in the early 20's and runs an Oakland. It has a V drive in it.

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DaveD
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Re: Record Holder

Postby DaveD » 17 Apr 2009, 20:51

Here is my v drive gearbox Darren was referring to.
Dave
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cbsynboat
Posts: 53
Joined: 29 Dec 2010, 02:36

Re: Record Holder

Postby cbsynboat » 06 Jan 2011, 04:41

My name is Chris Blease and have bought my Dad's old raceboat "Wildfire".
It was probably built in about 1961 by my father Bill Blease, not in 55 as previously stated.
It was his own design 15' 6"shallow V and the hull bottom was originally glassed over the ply,
not to cover up some dodgy repair. The hull was originally painted painted white and to the best of my
knowledge the deck was varnished rose wood colour.
The boat currently all in pieces but I have most of the original gear including the Jag engine. The hull has been
repainted white from the disgusting black, painted on by the second owner. I am the fourth owner and it is great to
have it back in the family. The hull is in great shape but I will probably need to replace the deck. I want to anyway to check out a few things.
The original V drive was built by my Dad and cast out of Pratt and Whitney 1830 (DC3 aircraft) pistons, I still have
two of these and looks quite modern, but has no angle built into the gearbox. Iam still not sure of the shaft angle, but is
steeper than the current approx 8 degree.
I have enclosed a few photos of the boat in its current state.

Regards
Chris.
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Side view.
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2010_1120Image0171.JPG
Deck is painted at present.
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2010_1120Image0178.JPG
View at the transom
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Doc
Posts: 256
Joined: 18 Jul 2009, 07:28

Re: Record Holder

Postby Doc » 06 Jan 2011, 06:46

Greg,
If you go to Vulture site you will find original photos of "Wildfire" one and two in full flight. Welcome to the board Chris.
Doc.

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bootlegger
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Joined: 09 Mar 2009, 20:18

Re: Record Holder

Postby bootlegger » 06 Jan 2011, 10:16

Regarding the V drive question. The stepped hydro I just bought built in 1949 has one. I also know that when Greg and I looked at the 1912 built hydro Nautilus it had a V drive also.


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