Information request 1959 Sid-Craft F hydro "J-2" Dick O'Dea

[studioRS]

Greetings,

I'm looking for any additional information or photos of hull details on this 1959 Sid-Craft F Hydro "J-2" Dick O'Dea raced in Florida around 1959. I've contacted Dick and he was super helpful with details about what he could remember 55 years ago (pasted below), also sent a PM to Ron Hill. Curious if anyone here might have any more information or photos of this exact hull "J-2"? I have drafted a 1:5.2 scale RC hydroplane and wanted to get as close to original as possible. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.
Cheers, Thompson

http://www.dickodea.com/records.html





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Thank you for your note, I will do the best I can, but that was about 55 years ago and I returned the boat to Sid after our winter testing and a few races. This was a boat Sid-Craft built to go after the world speed record. At the time I believe it was about 100 mph. I purchased a 75H lower unit from Mercury and built the powerhead, it was 60 cu.in. and burned alky fuel. All our testing in Florida ended up with props supplied from Mercury throwing blades. They sent 1 prop at a time and all 3 lost a blade at about 90 to 95 mph. The boat belonged to Sid-Craft, we installed a small rudder when we returned to NJ, the boat was difficult to turn, I won a couple of races in Maryland with straightway speed, and then returned the boat to Sid. As I remember it was sold to a customer in Hawaii. I don't believe there were any plans, I was a business partner with them selling Italian props we imported, and also selling boat hardware. I never saw any plans of any kind. The hull was a cabover, and I believe it was the first cabover he built, a few years after that he built some D stock hydros of the same design. The air traps were about 3 in. deep in front and ran to the bottom depth about 2 or 3 ft. up from the transom. The bottom was flat to the best of my memory.

I am sorry I have not been of more help, would enjoy seeing a picture of your RC model when you build it.

Best regards,

Dick O'Dea
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This is what I've drafted so far based on the two photographs...

[geraghty]

Please send me a phone # ..... [email protected]
Thank You Rod Geraghty

[Greg G]

I might be able to put you in contact with a couple of people from the Northwest area of the US who might have insights for you on that hydro.

[studioRS]

Great guys! Yes, that would be cool, @Greg G please PM me contact info. Dick O'Dea has given me all he remembers from that day testing.
Update, I've now redrafted this hull in 3D CAD with SolidWorks and making progress for cut files soon.
Cheers, Thompson

[Greg G]

Great guys! Yes, that would be cool, @Greg G please PM me contact info. Dick O'Dea has given me all he remembers from that day testing.
Update, I've now redrafted this hull in 3D CAD with SolidWorks and making progress for cut files soon.
Cheers, Thompson

Happy to try and help you although this is way before I was born. One name that could give guidance is Craig Fjarlie. Another that comes to mind is Gregg McDonald, son of deceased wood race boat builder Wilbur McDonald. The last is ace Anzini builder Jimmy Hallum up in Washington State, who is well into his 80's now.