Desilva Delta from mid-1980's How many are left?

[Steve Litzell]

DeSilva tunnel, states bought it from Harry Brinkman, looks questionable ?

https://northernwi.craigslist.org/bo...192515997.html

What is questionable Pete? That boat was the triplane they made. A little history here. At the time, runabouts had pretty loose rules. DeSilvas made a runabout with the same type delta tunnel on the right side only to help turn the boat better. Motors were also stepping up in the HP area. As Todd said his Yamaha would go 100 plus. The boats at the time could not deal with the speed and no down force of the current design. Also at this time, before the Delta runabout, the 45 SS was introduced by OMC. I tested with DeSilvas the 45 SS on the half side Delta boat at Second Efforrt in Florida with Ziggy and Dave Hammond the two spearheading the 45 SS project. Just after that day Fred Miller decided that we needed a tunnel type boat for this motor. DeSilvas made the first tri plane and Ralph Donald and I tested it for them in Florida with my C (500) KONIG on it. It would roll over a hundred easy. Back at my House when I was living in Florida, Ralph and I were enjoying some of Lynchburg Tennessees finest and I brought up the fact that according to the rule at the time, the Delta boat, aka Tri Plane was a runabout. With that I said Moorhaven Kilos were in a few weeks and I should bump the C (500) runabout record a bit. That was the plan, until Ralph told Ralph DeSilva our plans. DeSilvas asked we not do that as they had a better idea, enter the Delta runabout and as they say, the rest is history. Todd ran his with Yamaha at Nationals in DePue in 87 and if he had not 1. Killed a turn bouy in one heat and the mess of the drivers did not jump the gun in last heat, he would of won the nationals with the Delta boat. Steve

[zul8tr]

Steve thanks for the history I had no idea about this tri boat that's why "questionable". Pete

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

What is questionable Pete? That boat was the triplane they made. A little history here. At the time, runabouts had pretty loose rules. DeSilvas made a runabout with the same type delta tunnel on the right side only to help turn the boat better. Motors were also stepping up in the HP area. As Todd said his Yamaha would go 100 plus. The boats at the time could not deal with the speed and no down force of the current design. Also at this time, before the Delta runabout, the 45 SS was introduced by OMC. I tested with DeSilvas the 45 SS on the half side Delta boat at Second Efforrt in Florida with Ziggy and Dave Hammond the two spearheading the 45 SS project. Just after that day Fred Miller decided that we needed a tunnel type boat for this motor. DeSilvas made the first tri plane and Ralph Donald and I tested it for them in Florida with my C (500) KONIG on it. It would roll over a hundred easy. Back at my House when I was living in Florida, Ralph and I were enjoying some of Lynchburg Tennessees finest and I brought up the fact that according to the rule at the time, the Delta boat, aka Tri Plane was a runabout. With that I said Moorhaven Kilos were in a few weeks and I should bump the C (500) runabout record a bit. That was the plan, until Ralph told Ralph DeSilva our plans. DeSilvas asked we not do that as they had a better idea, enter the Delta runabout and as they say, the rest is history. Todd ran his with Yamaha at Nationals in DePue in 87 and if he had not 1. Killed a turn bouy in one heat and the mess of the drivers did not jump the gun in last heat, he would of won the nationals with the Delta boat. Steve

Steve,

I actually believe that the boat in Rhinelander might be the 45 boat you tested, Jon Stone raced & even Pete Hellsten did.

[Steve Litzell]

Don't think this is the same boat John, the one we ran looked different to my memory. And I had a mechanical trim and tilt that Ickes the motor and leaned to left in corners. Charlie Strang liked what Idid when he seen it at Race in Ocoee he gave two thumbs up. I copied what I had seen in Europe from the Russian hydrocats. ( the Russians did it). As I said we ran it only a couple times as I was concentrating on my 700 hydro for the WC in Pleasanton and also the runabout.

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

Don't think this is the same boat John, the one we ran looked different to my memory. And I had a mechanical trim and tilt that Ickes the motor and leaned to left in corners. Charlie Strang liked what Idid when he seen it at Race in Ocoee he gave two thumbs up. I copied what I had seen in Europe from the Russian hydrocats. ( the Russians did it). As I said we ran it only a couple times as I was concentrating on my 700 hydro for the WC in Pleasanton and also the runabout.

Steve,

You might be right although I thought that they only built the one SST45 tunnel. After looking again, I really don't see the transom bolt pattern for ther 45. I'm very familiar with the 45's as I probably built over 50 of them for many drivers including Gordie Miller & Garrett Armstrong.
Speaking of testing for Bill & Ralph, when I lived in Winter Haven while at a race in Dayton, Bill in a conversation said "it's too bad you didn't live closer to us in GA, as we would like to have you test our boats". Me in a runabout, don't think so. He meant hydros & tunnels.

[dsaulsbury]

I have one that came from Wisconsin that I ran stock powerhead 4-60 pump on a 4-60 racer tower and foot. It came with a custom trailer. It has a serial number in the cockpit, but I don't remember what is is. The boat and trailer are for sale as I have sold all of my antique racing stuff. I would take $750 for both. The boat was attacked by a red squirrel (minor damage) and the trailer has an slightly bent axle giving tire wear. I will check on the serial number.

I have added two pics. One of the cowl decal and one of the serial number in the cockpit. I am guessing that it is the second boat of four in 1988. I was told by a racer in central PA that this boat was a 500cc boat. The transom extension was for running a 4-60 that the owner before me had. The trailer is registered, but the boat is not. I have additional pics if you would like.

My antique racer website is - http://boatsport.org/DonSaulsbury/

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[DeanFHobart]

Cool stuff... Desilva was very innovative to say the least... This is a lot of really cool history... Thanks.

[Steve Litzell]

I checked out your video Don, The boat you have is not a delta runabout but one of the triplanes they made. Because you bought from someone in Pa, it could of been the boat i had but I don't know really where that one went. Steve