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Some months back I mentioned that the Bugatti I once owned had an engine that once powered a 23 ft. yacht in Ireland. Looking back through an old file, I found a long-forgotten letter and drawings of a Bugatti powered hydroplane, built by See and son.
Percy and Eric See had a yard in Fareham, and between 1920 and 1940 built a variety of sailboats and small hydroplanes. Eric See, who died, aged 84, in March 1997, re-drew many of the designs from damaged original drawings. The Bugatti engined one had a length of 16 ft., a hull weight of around 400 lbs., and was constructed in double diagonal mahogany over silver spruce. The engine was a 4-cylinder 1.5 litre supercharged type 37A, and drove forwards to V-gears, then back to the prop. There was no reverse!
Apart from Bugatti, other engines used included Singer, Riley, Alta, Lagonda V-12, Ford V-8, and Lycoming.
Apparently a Singer engined See hydroplane may exist in Norfolk- do any of their sailing boats survive?
Percy and Eric See had a yard in Fareham, and between 1920 and 1940 built a variety of sailboats and small hydroplanes. Eric See, who died, aged 84, in March 1997, re-drew many of the designs from damaged original drawings. The Bugatti engined one had a length of 16 ft., a hull weight of around 400 lbs., and was constructed in double diagonal mahogany over silver spruce. The engine was a 4-cylinder 1.5 litre supercharged type 37A, and drove forwards to V-gears, then back to the prop. There was no reverse!
Apart from Bugatti, other engines used included Singer, Riley, Alta, Lagonda V-12, Ford V-8, and Lycoming.
Apparently a Singer engined See hydroplane may exist in Norfolk- do any of their sailing boats survive?