HPBCANADA.COM

It was in the 1950's when I was a young boy looking at the hydroplanes at the Toronto Hydroplane Club [same place where TORC holds their meetings]. I loved MacDonald's 145 boat with the old Flathead FORD. CBF had races in Ontario during the summer and I was lucky enough to get to a couple each summer. There was always a good boat count in 145 class and there were elimination heats to get to the 10 boat final. Boat design and engine choice changed during the years, but, boats and motors were always similar, so there was always great racing and very competitive. It was a STOCK Class.
Here is an example:
Crazy fast for the size of the boat!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASe9XFcIw1o&app=desktop

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LIKE THE VIDEOS THAT FOLLOW IT.

Thanks Houndog, enjoyed that.

With the high cost of the new 4 stroke outboards and the lack of any performance parts for the motors, I wonder why racers have not looked into running the small cubic inch stock and highly modified car engines with inboard-outboard drives? They are lower cost, light weight, lots of proven performance parts to get over 600 hp. Plus they are quiet when running the exhaust thru the out-drive and you could even run a transmission and change gears while underway.

PICTURE THIS:
An STV powered by a 400 HP HONDA IO with an automatic transmission. Paddle shift on the wheel. Interesting as a drag boat....but how much fun would it be as a circle race boat!