I was returning home from a camping trip in Winthrop when I stopped in Chelan at a park and saw this boat running. So cool to see that a video was made!

I got my 1 st ride in the big Unlimited Miss Wahoo Oct 2024 at Mahogany and Merlot. You can buy a ride or Volunteer a bunch of hours . This view shows the Wood and shows some of the twisting and galloping in the turns . Riding with 2 , I had to look around left side of the engine, but solo driver would be looking over that engine. Thy do put a seat in for Single so he doesn’t slam side to side and I now realize it is a “ Booster Seat “ . Can’t wait to joke with the drivers at the Hydro and Raceboat Museum in Kent , Wa. where they spend a few days a week maintaining and recreating these working pieces of Boat Racing history . Need to capture sound better but the water proof case limits it .

He is so relaxed. It must be a great boat

Great video, glad It had both angles . I got a ride in Miss Wahoo not long after , wasn’t as smooth as the GoPro makes it look . The blast of heat at start up is what surprised me , and it only torques bad in turns as it wants to hook if you don’t steer into it , need BIG arms to drive long too . Can’t drive with one hand like my smaller outboards kneel down hydros. The 2 mile course was long , made for great speed runs between the turns . Was nice to see what Chelan scenery was like too , when riding you sorta look where your going more .

Stunning, looks like you thoroughly enjoyed your laps. During a competitive race the COG would no doubt change with fuel burn, so how does the driver compensate for that if any ? Cheers

Love it❤❤❤

That thing is crazy fast , riding the tip of a bullet. Gas engine working hard. Impressive,

Surprised to see no cockpit but drivers head out in the open. What's the top speed of these?

I used to watch this boat on TV as a young man. I was ate up with hydro racing. Once it went all jet and closed cockpit I tapered off completely. Rooting for miss Madison and in awe of miss budwisers speed.

Back when your life was truly on the line!!! Thanks for sharing this!!

In 1977 I was with some fellow sailors. Going down Midway dr. I heard a THUNDER from over the hill. Was found at the ticket booth within hours.

That roar was like a calling to get to the Columbia. The Mariners miss opportunity's too. When they show the hydro challenge there just no frills when they could show the old boats with closeups of the drivers in those old cockpits battling with pistons roaring. But Just kids with degrees but 0 imagination!

Many years ago, I pitted for a modified outboard race boat driver. After they guys had partied pretty well the previous night, I asked one of the drivers, "How can you guys party hard last night, then race today?" He replied, "You expect me to get into this thing stone cold sober?" Watching this video, that shows what high speed over water is like, "Yeah, buddy. Now I understand."

put some B roll in for added enjoyment to the viewers friend

1:56 Sounds so friggin badass😅

Open cockpit super sketch! Balls of steel

WOW, I feel privileged to have watched and felt just a little bit what it's like . thanks...

Headphones & that sound...👍

Now that’s a Thunder Boat that’s what I remember as a kid

Piston engines , stir the soul, make your heart skip a beat, and bring a tear to your eye !!!

I was in my twenties during the piston boat years at Columbia park. No only were the races awsome but the action on shore in the crowds will never be repeated or surpassed!!

What a rush to be driving this beast!

I love these old beauties, and I probably saw it run live 40 plus years ago. I was always partial to the Miss Bardahl, and no clue why. Also, just happened to be born on the craziest hydro event ever in Seattle. 1960, August 8. My mother’s recollection is funny. Good vid. 👍🤪🏳️‍🌈

That is a wide open 5 point corner, that today in a jet would be to the floor at pin #3 or 4

this guy has been posting these great quality videos for 7 YEARS and this is the first one to "get noticed" heck yeah

This brings back some memories.❤️

Amazing how fast it was just idling out. Ridiculous!

I really miss the piston boats. The sound of the race was incredible.

I have a 1959 Biesemeyere 4pt hydro. You do 30 in that thing and it feels like you are doing 70. Just like with the Miss B you really don't need a lot of motor to make it go. Going flat out WOT will more than likely put you in a bad dangerous place.

Griffon powered V 12 RR at its best.

Here’s a 21st century question. What are the pronouns of Miss Budweiser?🎉🎉🎉

So cool to see this boat on the water again!

When the boats were piston driven and men were still men.

This brought back so many memories for me when I was growing up in the lower mainland in BC, every time the hydroplane racing was on TV, I was glued to the set. I remember this boat and so many of the other ones from this time. Thank you so much for putting this up so we could see and enjoy the old piston driven speed daemon once again!

Sounds like a turbo diesel almost.

Ah the 80’s, hydros awesome, Allison’s and Merlin’s ruled!!

This one was one of the best of Bernie Little's famous boats.

Ah...the memories of my teen years in the Tri-Cities. Thunder on the Columbia ... awesome memories!

Found my foot pushing down out of the turns on the last lap. God that would be fun--

So thankful that I experienced Hydroplane racing in all of its glory, my father ran a safety boat on lake Washington

What a treat to the old piston boat roaring around the course. I never missed the races in Detroit in the 70’s. To see and hear the boats coming out of the Rooster Tail turn and roar right past us was a feeling I can’t describe. I miss those days.

Awesome!🤘

I ŵas 11years old and lived in Kennewick WA 1980 south Johnson ST.

That was totally awesome! Thank you

Love hearing the Griffon open up. Remember watching the Bud coming out of the corner, then the Pay'n'Pak coming from behind the Bud's wake to get side by side on the straight. The whole shore was on their feet screaming.

Bill Boeing Jr owned this boat and it was driven by Mira Slovac (sp?). Love these vintage boats! Hats off to those who have restored these boats!

Loved the Thunderboats. I realize why they had to go to turbines but the racing establishment has to acknowledge that the fan experience lost a lot. Being at the races is just not the same sensory overload it once was.

V12 !!!!!!!!! Love it !

Came all the way from Phoenix Arizona to experience SeaFair. This boat was easily my favorite. That Allison Purrs.

Good stuff. That shot of the back of your head with the orange helmet looks just like an orange basketball bobbing around!