Shop Tour with Larry Lauterbach of Lauterbach Custom Boats

Larry Lauterbach recently gave PropTalk a shop tour of Lauterbach Custom Boats in Chester, MD, to show us some of the wooden boats he is currently building and restoring. The Lauterbach name has been building boats since 1947. Apart from building boats, Larry was also a decorated powerboat racer, now retired. He raced hydroplanes for 44 years, set nine world records, was a 12-time national champion, and was inducted into the American Power Boat Association's (APBA) Hall of Champions in three separate decades.
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PropTalk is an Annapolis-based company founded in the summer of 2005 by active Chesapeake Bay boaters. The company produces PropTalk Magazine, a monthly magazine focused on Chesapeake Bay powerboating and the lifestyle surrounding boating on the Bay. The magazine celebrates the people, places, boats, personalities, and events that make the Chesapeake one of the world’s premier boating grounds.

[@claudecousineau5811]

Lautherbach the Stradivarius of conventional racing hydroplanes

[@tymcfadden8496]

My dad bought a recently built Lauterbach 225 hull back in 81 or 82 with the intention of racing it here in region 10 (NW U.S.) with the number N-5. The group that had it built new struggled with it, they were running a ford 221 and had trouble getting it up on a plane with that heavier engine, so my dad got a good deal on it. He dropped a 215 Buick in it and WOW was she fast!!! We raced it once, in Poulson, MT, on the river there, and Jerry Tortorice won the first heat we ever ran it in going away. Heat two did not go as well, Jerry hit a roller while leading in turn one-two and barrel rolled the boat. we never ran it again and sold it shortly thereafter. For one heat in the early 80's she was the fastest 225 on the west coast, and she was drop dead sexy too.

[@glennmarston]

Thanks for showing three recent Lauterbach projects. I always enjoy seeing Larry's beautiful craftsmanship.

[@PropTalkMagazine]

Thanks for watching!

[@roadgeneral]

Lauterbach boats are legendary. I always wanted to own one. Oh yes, they were fast, but the best part about them was the beautiful construction and finish. Thank you Larry for what you and your family have done over all these years.

[@brianbright7501]

My dad use to do your taxes in Portsmouth VA, I use to love going to your shop and seeing Miss Budweiser and the smell of fiberglass throughout the shop. One of those aromas I will never forget and loved then and now as well.

[@matthewquirk37]

True craftsmanship at it's finest, and yeah Larry can drive!

[@arnoldchildress8053]

Man what a life bless you

[@joevald3]

A legendary named boat racing ...I knew one of your brothers Hank , he was quite a character . I use to by his shop on Lombardi Avenue . I raced drag boats , and he teased me something awful about it. He finally went to one of the Drag boat races in High Point North Carolina . He said it was boring which was true unless you were racing . At one time if I'm correct you still had his boat with the Pontiac iron duke motor . Somehow Richmond was never the same without Hank .

[@kdub9918]

I’ve came across some amazing canisters of old racing film mostly hydroplane races and some auto races from 1959-1961 about 8 reels got it from an old collector in Destin,FL but it also has guntersville Al labeled on a couple reels. In a nice old metalLogan deluxe model carrying case. I haven’t been able to watch but did have a projector and before it went out I saw photos of a miss bergdahl (?) not sure but it was something like that. I’m wanting to sell the collection but not sure who to contact any help much appreciated my grandmother I lived with and took care of just passed away and I’m moving back out west if anyone knows a good contact please reply,thanks