An A Class Outboard Stock Hydroplane
LOA 8 ft. 2 in., BEAM 45 in.,
Pint Size was born during the 1951 Motor Boat Show. At that time only a few people were conscious of the need of large numbers of the outboard racing fraternity for more speed than was available with utility type boats. As the idea of using their well tuned, but strictly stock, motors on hydros was bandied about, the demands grew into a hurricane that literally tore the roof off racing officialdom. Only a few trials proved that the combination had what everybody was looking for. The little stock motors built by the hundreds of thousands in the past few years had the power required to drive the hydroplane-type boats at speeds far above those possible with utility hulls. It was only a matter of two months until the American Power Boat Association had given the new combination probationary status and the first authorized Stock Hydro plane racing was held during the Palm Beach, Florida, Regatta on March 4, 1951. By the end of March almost a hundred outfits were registered with the A.P.B.A. and when the summer racing season opens in the North it will not surprise too many if several hundred registrations have been made. First we will define an A Stock Hydroplane. The rules under which these new classes race are the time tested and approved rules for outboard hydroplane hulls and stock utility motors. These rules say that an A Stock Hydro is one that has a hull weight, including steering wheel, controls, hardware and permanently fastened padding, of not less than 100 pounds and is powered with a strictly stock outboard motor of between 10 and 15 cubic inch piston displacement. By a strictly stock motor is meant one that is just as it came from the factory, with no improvements or custom modifications. It was to these rules, but based on several recently successful boats, that Pint Size was designed. Let's look first at the lines plan. Note that the hull form is conventional, having a step about amidships and beveled chines both forward and aft. The deck is of easy curve and the cockpit is enough to take most moderately sized drivers. The offsets give the dimensions in inches and eighths to the outside of the planking and all the lines should be reproduced full size.
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