Vintage Race Boat Shop

  We maintain vintage wooden boats.

GP-317  The Irishman

Owner/Driver Bill Fisk

This Lauterbach 3-point inboard hydroplane was originally built in 1971 as the famous "MARYLAND MISS " J-777 for Don Dunnington from Silver Springs, Maryland. Don was a very colorful personality and won many races in his Illustrious career. On August 14th 1971 he set the APBA 7 liter World Five Mile lap average record of 86.45 MPH at the 32nd National Sweepstakes Regatta in Red Bank NJ. Then in 1972 Don and "Maryland Miss" won the APBA 7 liter Div. II National High Point Championship.

 

Today, Bill Fisk from Williamson, NY has restored this legendary hydro and runs exhibition flybys at APBA events in the Vintage Division. Bill restored this hydro as Steve Kuhr's original "Irishman" GP-317 powered by a 427 Chevy. The picture shown above was taken with Bill running some fast laps at the 1998 Clayton Race Boat Regatta. Steve Kuhr successfully raced this Conventional hull in the early 80's in both the 7 liter and Grand Prix class. Today Steve and his family still run up front in the 7 liter. class in their newer cab-over "Irishman" GNH-317. 

This original hull shown above has raced through the years as: "Maryland Miss" J-777 , "Rudy's Comet II" J-777, "Candyman" J-777 ,"Hooker Too" J-717, "Happy Hooker Too" J-5 ,"The Mink" GP-500, "The Irishman" GP-317 and "Tradition" GNH-88.

A special note from your Webmeister:

 

The Obsession Boys ran with Bill Fisk on the historic Detroit APBA Gold Cup race course several years ago. We were running flat out, looking good, doing about 70 MPH, when The Irishman passed us like we were standing still, and hosed us down, doing over 100 MPH. Bill Fisk knows how to drive a race boat - and always puts on a great show ???!!!

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If you are interested in joining the fun, or just curious, here are some Websites with more information - to get you deeper involved ???!!!

Some related vintage race boat links:

 

The Vintage Hydroplanes

APBA - American Power Boat Association

Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum

APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit

APBA Vintage Race Boat Circuit - lots of photos

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