Hi, This is the Australian version of the Hydrodyne! Back in the 60's Caribbean/Bertram - then Oz's largest boat builders - licensed a design called appropriately 'Crosby; - and it was used for the 1965 World Titles/Moomba and most State tournaments here, usually twin 100 Merc powered, right through to the mid 70's. The last Moomba Crosby's had twin 140 blue band Merc's in 1974 (Yikes!!!) but do you think I can find a picture of it? Indescribably ugly, compared to the beautiful US 18, the boat was 16' 7" l.o.a. and pretty high-sided.. no fins and needed 'tracking rails' added to aid turning etc. A mate of mine has just located one of the old tournament hulls (Pictured) and is in the process of reworking it.. This one had a single 150 shortshaft Merc on it, when he found it and no ski pole, clearance bars, S.E.H. speedo's (local alternative to Airguide speedo's back then, built by a Jewler with up to 9" dials!). As a tournament skier kid, we had one with a 110, then 125.. There were 3 twin rigs in our State and I badly wanted a Hydrodyne!!! Sigh!!! I used to pester the factory in Spencerville and they'd send me photo's/Pricelists, even a post-card (see it in media..) It took me years to get to the States (and have any money!) and the day I actually skied behind one in Fla., I went weak at the knees.. The guys must have thought I was a complete looney!! I just sat in it, running my hands over the raised dash, and marvelling at it's solid build, the transom.. and on and on.. Hey this is just a terrific site, and makes me go weak at the knees all over again; many thanks..
Re: Picture for Runabout Forum Hi Jim, Thanks very much for your reply!! Yes, I'm actually thinking about a new improved 18 (Sigh!!) I've always loved outboard tournament boats, and have owned a quite a few, but never a Hydrodyne.. Over here the Mooomba Masters tournament used to be sponsored by Mercury Marine who would make available any number (usually 6) twinrigs and later V6 powered rigs for the 3-day televised tournament and nightly ski show.. and consequently a few local boat manufacturers produced specialty single rig boats for the event, amongst them Flightcraft 18XLT who were later bought out by Malibu etc.. up until the late 90's.. Anyway, a V6 modified 18, I'd pretty much kill for.. with the small problem that I have absolutely no time right this instant, with work commitments.. But who knows what next year brings?? Anyway, brilliant idea. the SEH speedo's I spoke of were hand built by a jeweler with a brass pitot tube in several sizes and were very accurate and smooth.. Once people started buying Airguides over here, he pretty much lost interest. I have a picture though from the late 70's. Like everyone, post Airguide, it's difficult finding a decent replacement.. I tried the Livorsi GPS ski unit with pretty much no success, and am now using Faria 5" 0-50 electronic paddlewheel, as fitted to Nautiques etc.. It's okay, but in MHO nothing beat Airguides (or for that matter 18' Hydrodynes..) Thaks again for the interest.. I may yet seek your help to put together a new 'Dyne. Woah, would that make a great Christmas present!!! Cheers
Re: Picture for Runabout Forum Thanks for the picture of the speedometer. I have never seen one and did not know of their existence. I have a gyro horizon out of a WWII Spitfire on my desk, it is fun just to look at because it is so different than any US made instrument. I am familiar with the Flightcraft outboard, and there is a Moomba here on our lake. I have always though both of them were good looking boats. If you like the airguides, maybe you should go ahead and buy a couple off e-bay. Since they are out of production there is a finite supply. Please contact me if I can be of help in the future. jim
