THE OUTBOARD MILE RECORD

THE OUTBOARD MILE RECORD

TO Mr. Philip Turner falls the honour of breaking the existing mile record for outboard engined boats, using a British built hull fitted with a 32″ Johnson Sea Horse engine, with a mean speed of 45.75 m.p.h.

This record was set up over the official course at Medina, and to comply with International regulations the course must be covered three times in each direction and the mean speed is recognised by the authorities.

The hull used was a very remarkable piece of work, weighing as it did only 47 lbs. The fact that such an amazingly light hull (about half the weight of the usual racing hull of this class), was able to stand up to the -conditions of the record, and to the remarkable power output of the Johnson engine, was largely due to Mr. Phelps. His great experience of the construction of light craft for sculling enabled him to undertake what few people would have considered possible. Mr. Walter D. Fair also contributed his valuable

• experience to what is undoubtedly an excellent achievement. Hitherto the Atnericians have been greatly ahead of us in the outboard field, due of course in the main to the fact that the sport was firmly established over there .before we, on this side of the Atlantic, took it in any way

seriously. Another great advantage which they had, and still have, is the much greater choice of suitable water for experiment and research on hull and engine design.

The mile record previously stood at 41.5 m.p.h. which speed was set up in America, also with a Johnson engine, this marque making a distinct habit of ‘being in the picture where records are concerned.

It is Mr. Turner’s great ambition at the moment to be the first to achieve an official speed of 50 m.p.h. on an outboard engined boat, and though any prophecies with regard to racing or records are liable to be upset, there seems every chance that he will shortly achieve his object, and we wish him luck !

Speed-boats on the Welsh Harp.

The Welsh Harp Speed-boat Company, who recently started a passenger service on the Welsh Harp, Hendon, have found that their venture has been more than justified.

The popularity of this service may be gathered from the fact that on Baster Monday no fewer than 735 passengers were carried.

Two boats were in use, a 26 ft. 10-passenger, and a 22i ft. 8-passenger ” Dart ” craft.