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Post by Calvin on Sept 23, 2015 23:04:22 GMT -5
Mom and I just got back from Seattle to see a renowned naturopath doctor in the Northwest. It was a big trip for me. It took a lot of prep to go on this trip across Washington State. The Doctor's appointment went good we learned a lot of interesting things, some things might be very shocking! That I will share later....but we have a new direction to help get my health back on track! Well, since I made it to Seattle and went all that way, I just had to try and make it to the Hydroplane Museum and we made it! I've been wanting to go here for a while now, I'm a member (I signed and joined on the web) so I was able to get in for free. When we drove up I was pretty wound up.  When you first walk in there is all the souvenirs and then we walked into the rest of the building and all the boats are just crammed in there, and boy! I tell you they are huge! When you see them on the water is one thing but when they are in a building and you can walk up and touch them, feel them, smell them it's a whole different experience. Besides the people that work there, it was just mom and I. I had a very nice tour guide person that gave me a good lecture on the history of the sport. I learned a lot of things I didn't know. I know a fair amount but it's very minimal compared to what the real experts know....we walked around and talked about each boat and the technical aspects of each hull....very enjoyable to do that. I got to walk up and look over the 1980 Miss Budweiser and 1975 Oh Boy Oberto  Then we walked up to the 1977 Atlas Van Lines and the 1982 Atlas Van Lines which was level on the trailer when I was looking at the 1982 Atlas thinking of Chip Hanauer winning Gold Cup in this boat in a real crazy battle with the Bud Griffon.....the tour guide said, you want to get in the cockpit? I was like.....what did you say? LOL!  Holy smokes! I'm a good 45 lbs under weight and I was barely able to fit in the seat! They wanted the seats tight just because there was no such thing as seat belts back then in boat racing. I sat in the cockpit for about 10 mins and it just completely amazing me how much guts it took to drive one of the huge 3-ton monsters with 3,000 hp on the rough water at 180 mph and pressing the nitrous button going down the straights! and not try to blow it over and killing yourself! Its nuts!    Then we went to the other end of the museum and looked at the 1968-72 Miss Budweiser and he said, get in this one! When I got in the Atlas I thought it was pretty intimidating but getting in the front engine Miss Budweiser was even more scary! I've always had a fear of these boats watching them but when you actually get to sit in the actual boat I became even more scared of them! You sit in the thing which has no seat belts, you hang on the to the big steering wheel, you put your right foot on the gas pedal, and you take your left foot and put it on the fixed foot pedal support which its only use is to just hold yourself in the darn cockpit!!!!!     These are just the first round of pics I have which are mostly selfies but I have more of the other boats, models, and other neat stuff! I have a lot more later!!! |
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Post by indycals on Sept 23, 2015 23:55:13 GMT -5
Wow... very cool. Amazing they let you get on and in them.
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Post by Calvin on Sept 24, 2015 0:33:50 GMT -5
Oh yeah! They acted like it was a common thing they let people do. There is nothing better than sitting in the actual cockpit and pretend!  I was so overwhelmed when I was there and as I calm down here at home I'm starting to realize how much I didn't take in, and how much detail I did not notice. Just a little tidbit fact for you guys, is this 1968-72 Miss Budweiser I sat in today is the same very boat that our own racerbrown watched in 1971 at Miami Marine stadium win, driven by the late Dean Chenoweth. The 1982 Atlas is original 1977 Atlas is orginal 1980 Miss Bud is original 1975 Oberto is not original but from some other hull (I forgot what he said?) |
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Post by alterrenner on Sept 24, 2015 4:45:46 GMT -5
Wow! What an adventure! Your throat must still be sore from making engine sounds, and going "whop, whop, whop" as you made your turns!
--Frank
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Post by racerbrown on Sept 24, 2015 6:04:35 GMT -5
a great and well deserved day for calvin! no doubt a good night to soak in the tub with your toy boats...  duane |
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Post by sandysixtysfan on Sept 24, 2015 8:44:40 GMT -5
That had to be such a great visit. So glad you got to sit in these great boats. The wood on U-77 in the background is simply beautiful.
Sandy
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Post by clm1545 on Sept 24, 2015 9:31:05 GMT -5
What a great day for you, Calvin. It's going to take a while for you to come back to earth after that one. Now we have to get you across the country, to Indy.  |
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Post by Calvin on Sept 24, 2015 11:53:08 GMT -5
Wow! What an adventure! Your throat must still be sore from making engine sounds, and going "whop, whop, whop" as you made your turns! --Frank I do that everyday so my throat is used to it! ....actually I was very quite when I was sitting in the cockpits. a great and well deserved day for calvin! no doubt a good night to soak in the tub with your toy boats... duane Well that gave a great visual for everyone that reads that!   That had to be such a great visit. So glad you got to sit in these great boats. The wood on U-77 in the background is simply beautiful. Sandy I kinda screwed up....I saw the Wahoo and thought of you as I know you have the model to build it and I got side tracked and missed the opportunity to get more pics....I have some pics but not lots! I got a lot of pics of a lot of the boats but still missed a lot of detail shots. What a great day for you, Calvin. It's going to take a while for you to come back to earth after that one. I'll probably be going on about this for the next week! LOL! |
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Post by sandysixtysfan on Sept 24, 2015 14:34:15 GMT -5
That had to be such a great visit. So glad you got to sit in these great boats. The wood on U-77 in the background is simply beautiful. Sandy I kinda screwed up....I saw the Wahoo and thought of you as I know you have the model to build it and I got side tracked and missed the opportunity to get more pics....I have some pics but not lots! I got a lot of pics of a lot of the boats but still missed a lot of detail shots. Calvin, there's your excuse for a return visit! Sandy |
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Post by Calvin on Sept 24, 2015 15:24:27 GMT -5
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Post by Calvin on Sept 25, 2015 1:28:24 GMT -5
[ Calvin, there's your excuse for a return visit! Sandy I can figure out many excuses. Sorry I didn't do better on the Miss Wahoo but here is the shots I did get.....I'm sure they will help you out a little? While taking pics of this I got asked if wanted to sit in the Miss Bud and I got completely sidetracked when that happen!       |
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Post by alterrenner on Sept 25, 2015 4:51:10 GMT -5
Even the bottom of the boat is beautiful!
What was in the box, next to Miss Wahoo? Looks like a peg board bottom-?
--Frank
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Post by sandysixtysfan on Sept 25, 2015 5:20:47 GMT -5
CALVIN! These are great detail shots. Thanks! Good photos of the bottom, the aluminium work is as nice as the wood work. I need to check my inventory of detail stuff- hoses, braided lines, very small nuts and bolts, etc, etc.
Sandy
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Post by racerbrown on Sept 25, 2015 6:28:55 GMT -5
and lots of bare metal foil.
great shots calvin.
duane
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Post by kip on Sept 25, 2015 7:26:25 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing, Calvin. I am glad you got to go there. I am hoping that you picked up some more models that we can watch you build.
kip
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Post by Calvin on Sept 25, 2015 13:00:33 GMT -5
Even the bottom of the boat is beautiful! What was in the box, next to Miss Wahoo? Looks like a peg board bottom-? --Frank Yep, they want to bottom nice and slick. I think that peg board thing is just part of the trailer. Thanks for sharing, Calvin. I am glad you got to go there. I am hoping that you picked up some more models that we can watch you build. kip Yes it was awesome! They had a couple models left. I have all of them already and plenty to do already....... But after spending $800 at my doctors appointment I wasn't really in position to spend anymore that day! LOL! |
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Post by Calvin on Sept 25, 2015 15:19:42 GMT -5
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Post by Michael Chriss on Sept 25, 2015 15:28:17 GMT -5
Wow, good for you Calvin! Looks like you had a great time. They have more models than the speedway. Hopefully this new doctor can get you on track and you can visit Indiana.
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Post by SteveK51 on Sept 25, 2015 15:28:24 GMT -5
Ok, ok, cool... WHAT?!?!? That has to be something exceeding 500 boats! |
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Post by Calvin on Sept 25, 2015 16:39:53 GMT -5
Ok, ok, cool... WHAT?!?!? That has to be something exceeding 500 boats! LOL! I was worried someone was going to ask about these as I have no idea, I didn't get chance to ask nor did I notice the little info posted about them in the display....I literally was only able to look at them for 30 secs. They were really nice and I have no idea what they were made out of? All the ones I saw were original boats |
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Post by Calvin on Sept 25, 2015 16:42:38 GMT -5
Wow, good for you Calvin! Looks like you had a great time. They have more models than the speedway. Hopefully this new doctor can get you on track and you can visit Indiana. and I didn't even get pics of all the models! LOL Yes we are learning a lot about my health issues and I really feel good about the direction we are heading at this point. |
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Post by beardogracing on Sept 25, 2015 18:23:20 GMT -5
Hi Calvin,
Coooool thread, those 1/8th scale hydro's....in a previous modelling life I used to build and race Radio Controlled versions of those, almost as hairy as the real thing the 1/8th scale hydro's are close to 100 mph.
Draw back.....a lot more expensive than model indy cars.
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Post by racerbrown on Sept 25, 2015 20:50:51 GMT -5
Well the shots of all the models clinched it.
This place is definitely on my bucket list!
Duane
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Post by Calvin on Sept 25, 2015 21:56:53 GMT -5
Hi Calvin, Coooool thread, those 1/8th scale hydro's....in a previous modelling life I used to build and race Radio Controlled versions of those, almost as hairy as the real thing the 1/8th scale hydro's are close to 100 mph. Draw back.....a lot more expensive than model indy cars. I believe most of those in there are retired RC boats? Yeah I have a 3 hr video on how to build one....I don't think I would have it in me to try doing RC but I would like to try doing a cheap boring static 1/8th. Back in the day they used to build a temporary lake in the parking lot of the old Seattle King Dome and have a little gold cup race with all the RC 1/8 hydros....it was a big deal even with race sponsors and lots of spectators! LOL Well the shots of all the models clinched it. This place is definitely on my bucket list! Duane If I lived close by I would defiantly volunteer to work there. Then build up the hrs and be rewarded with ride in one of the vintage hydro's in Lake Chelan, WA. |
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Post by alterrenner on Sept 26, 2015 6:05:10 GMT -5
Amazing collection of model Hydro's! And they're all built!
In my dreams, I sometimes see my display room filled with built Indy models along one wall. What a shock to see something from a dream in the real world, with boats! (Used to live in the Northwest, and was crazy about boat racing)
--Frank
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Post by Calvin on Sept 26, 2015 15:36:48 GMT -5
Its time for some vintage WWII engine pics! I'm ready are you? I got my Rolls-Royce hat on! (In a man's world my clothes match as the 1980 Miss Bud used a Rolls! )  I saw millions of dollars worth of Rolls-Royce's and Allison V-12 - Complete engines, short blocks, heads, valve covers, superchargers..... The Griffon!!!! 2,240 C.I. - 4,000 HP!    The Merlin!!!! 1,600 C.I. - 3,000 HP!  The Allison!!!   Everything!    |
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Post by raceparke on Sept 26, 2015 17:25:26 GMT -5
Did you have to say "Open Sesame" to get into that treasure cave? That is fabulous. Thanks for sharing. Pepperoni powered!!!
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Post by Calvin on Sept 26, 2015 17:53:37 GMT -5
No just walk right in! how about some Rolls fire power! or the Thriftway Allison test. I like this video too even though the Griffon wasn't doing that good this day...(1985 "Bubble Bud") and from 1986 - Rick Mears visits with Chip Hanauer. |
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Post by Calvin on Sept 29, 2015 20:28:35 GMT -5
One more post and I'll knock it off! This picture is for Paul E. as I know he wants to build a model of this boat.  1980 Miss Bud  1977 Atlas  and nice wall art!!!!!  |
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Post by racerbrown on Sept 29, 2015 20:39:56 GMT -5
hey calvin,
please don't knock it off.
we need more!
duane
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I was so overwhelmed when I was there and as I calm down here at home I'm starting to realize how much I didn't take in, and how much detail I did not notice. 
