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ApS · 09-19-2009, 04:24 AM

I "happened by" the Wolfeboro docks Friday, and so did a hundred other gawkers. Within the immediate docks area, there was no charge to view the practice heats. At least two NHMP boats had "ringside seats". Even the crane was interesting to watch as it shuffled the raceboats about. (This is one serious crane!

)

The no-smoking "pit area" is kind of in the middle of things, which on Friday corraled the fastest boats. The woodwork (all the woodwork) was beautiful on these boats, and if you like aluminum boats, one of the largest was constructed entirely of polished aluminum.

There were raceboats made of fiberglass, but showing boats from the 70s/80s didn't seem to mesh well with the majority of vintage boats there. Too-few outboard hydroplane racers from the mid-20th Century were present, IMHO.

It was interesting to see the wide variety of raceboats that were around from the very-earliest years of racing, and the distances some owners had traveled to Wolfeboro Bay for a "go" at the course. The oval course is so large as to make Wolfeboro Bay look pretty small!

Unlike the big APBA races of the late 90s on Lake Winnipesaukee, the owners of these boats aren't quite so interested in having a parade while on the race course. (Meaning, they do seem to be earnestly racing while out on the course—even during "practice").

Of concern to the racers, winds are predicted to be strong today, but not lead too directly into Wolfeboro Bay. I'd still bring a windbreaker, and maybe a sweater.

If you like the noise of straight-pipes, you need to stand near "Arab IV", with its eight exhaust pipes standing straight up. Like many raceboats of that era, it has no gearbox clutch, so it must shoot directly forward (and be pointed directly forward) when heading from the docks to the race course. There is no "headway speed" for this boat that we would recognize!!!

After practice, "Arab IV" is stopped well short of docking, and the passenger's only job appears to be to paddle the remaining 150'.

This weekend, I'd expect parking in downtown Wolfeboro to be a challenge, but taking a side street (between the Post Office and the IGA lot) leads to free overflow parking.

You might have to walk past the ice cream shops.

09-19-2009, 04:24 AM	#3
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,959 Thanks: 2,234 Thanked 783 Times in 559 Posts	More than meets the eye... I "happened by" the Wolfeboro docks Friday, and so did a hundred other gawkers. Within the immediate docks area, there was no charge to view the practice heats. At least two NHMP boats had "ringside seats". Even the crane was interesting to watch as it shuffled the raceboats about. (This is one serious crane! ) The no-smoking "pit area" is kind of in the middle of things, which on Friday corraled the fastest boats. The woodwork (all the woodwork) was beautiful on these boats, and if you like aluminum boats, one of the largest was constructed entirely of polished aluminum. There were raceboats made of fiberglass, but showing boats from the 70s/80s didn't seem to mesh well with the majority of vintage boats there. Too-few outboard hydroplane racers from the mid-20th Century were present, IMHO. It was interesting to see the wide variety of raceboats that were around from the very-earliest years of racing, and the distances some owners had traveled to Wolfeboro Bay for a "go" at the course. The oval course is so large as to make Wolfeboro Bay look pretty small! Unlike the big APBA races of the late 90s on Lake Winnipesaukee, the owners of these boats aren't quite so interested in having a parade while on the race course. (Meaning, they do seem to be earnestly racing while out on the course—even during "practice"). Of concern to the racers, winds are predicted to be strong today, but not lead too directly into Wolfeboro Bay. I'd still bring a windbreaker, and maybe a sweater. If you like the noise of straight-pipes, you need to stand near "Arab IV", with its eight exhaust pipes standing straight up. Like many raceboats of that era, it has no gearbox clutch, so it must shoot directly forward (and be pointed directly forward) when heading from the docks to the race course. *There is no "headway speed" for this* boat that we would recognize!!! After practice, "Arab IV" is stopped well short of docking, and the passenger's only job appears to be to paddle the remaining 150'. This weekend, I'd expect parking in downtown Wolfeboro to be a challenge, but taking a side street (between the Post Office and the IGA lot) leads to free overflow parking. You might have to walk past the ice cream shops. __________________ Is it "Common Sense" isn't**.