A88 Ventnor Hydroplane

Name: A88 • Three point hydroplane • 135 cubic inch class
Year: 1946
Builder: Ventnor USA
Design: Rich Hallet
Engine: 2.3 l Ford Offenhauser 8V
Restoration: Circolo Nautico Italiano

The A88 was originally built for Colonel Holmes of the US V2 salvage unit in Paris, then sold to Philippe Enthoven, who went on to win the German championship on Lake Constance in 1954. During speed trials later that year in Austria, it reached 128 kmph, a world record for the class, but unfortunately the shaft broke in the official trial.

Ventnor was the preeminent US racing name of the first half of the twentieth century, winning most of the US speed races. Other Ventnor racers include Wings • Tempo V • Juno • Hi-Ho II • Emancipator VII • My Sin • So Long • Eagle • Miss Peps V • Lady Glen IV • Senorita • Emancipator III

The yard closed in 1967, though some design features were incorporated into the Chris Craft Cobra. (Source: on boat)

length - year: 1946