1974 U-95

 

  Boat Statistics

Boat Name:

 

Year:

Designation#:

 

U-95

1974

 

U-95

Owner/Driver:

 

Year Model Built:

 

John Tousley

 

2008

Builder:

 

Construction:

 

 

Pete Schille

 

Plywood and foam

Motor:

 

Speed Controller:

 

Scorpion

 

Castle 120

Prop:

 

Paint Colors:

 

 

Octura

 

White Black,blue and orange

Type of Graphics:

 Radio:

 

 

hand painted by Pete Schille

 

Spektrum

The model:  John Tousley bought this cool boat from Pete for 2013 and is working out the systems as a new member. Pete built the U-95 for 2008 after being inspired by first-hand information.  Pete has done paintings for and become friends with U-95 team manager Chuck Lyford and his wife Pam.  Chuck has shown him actual parts from the real boat and given an uncommon historical perspective on the boat that most of us never get.  Pam even reinacted the christening of the boat for us wearing the same wig and purple cape she wore when she christened the real boat back in 1973!

The real boat:  This boat was the first competitive attempt at turbine power in unlimiteds and is credited with being the forerunner of what would become the dominant type of powerplant.  It was driven by Leif Borgerson and was just beginning to show promise when one of its two turbine engines failed and the boat sank at Sandpoint in Seattle.  Turbine power would take another ten years to seriously materialize, but some would argue that this boat began the transition by bringing credibility to the notion of turbine power for unlimited hydroplane racing.