Engine forward hydroplanes built by Jones. He began building cabover (driver forward) hydroplanes shortly thereafter. This hull, complete with cowlings and hardware, was built for Harold Gitt, a Puyallup, Washington businessman, and was purchased for $1200. The compete hull, painted white with metalflake red trim was picked up from Jones in October of 1962, and was raced in the 145 cu. in, class in American Powerboat Association sanctioned events in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, Canada beginning in 1963.

The Ford V8-60 engine and three-blade Hi-J racing propeller were obtained by Gitt from Harry Schneider who had run this engine and propeller in a same design Jones hull (named "Tiger"). During this era the V8-60 was being replaced in the class with six cylinder in-line, 144 cu. in Ford Falcon engines. After several seasons of running the V8-60, a Falcon was installed and the boat raced with this configuration.

I purchased the hull without engine in 1969 to run in the 98 cu. in. class. For the next four seasons it ran with a Hilborn fuel injected Alfa Romeo engine using various racing fuels. The best in competition picture is one in 1972 where the boat, with Alfa power, is leading the field on Green Lake in Seattle, Washington. In the mid 70s the hull, raced with a 1200cc turbocharged Datsun engine for power.

APBA discontinued the 98 cu. in. class in 1981 and a stock four-cylinder 2000cc Ford Pinto engine was installed and the boat returned to competition in the 145 Class.

I never completely lost track of the V8-60 engine, and in 1995 at a boat race I talked with someone I knew had owned it after Harold Gitt. Through this contact I was able to locate the engine, and in 1996 obtained it in original race condition with chain coupling, motor mounts, carburetor wedge, headers and custom oil pan.

The plan is to restore the boat and engine to the 1963 configuration for display and running in APBA's Vintage and Historic Division.