1970 E & T Tunnel Racer

**bajarick** · 09-29-2005

Ray,
Beale said joe had two boats .... my boat was his second boat. This must be his first boat. It appears to be a flat deck deck. My boat has the "hump" deck (there are two humps on either side of the cockpit). My boat is supposed to be one of a kind. I got a post to Beale for an explanation of the humps and set back that was designed into my hull.

Great pic though

Keep searching!

**Beale Tilton** · 09-29-2005

You are both correct. This is Joe's first boat. It is a long shaft 55 HP OMC that he owned prior to getting into racing. He ran that and did well until Mercury came out with their 3 cylinder 49 CI engine. He switched to that. Best memory of Joe was him running the marathon at Hyco Lake with this new rig, might have been his first race. I believe he won the class. Anyway as I passed him in my trimmed high SJ I looked down and he was sitting on the tunnel top crossed leged, Indian style, deadman throttle locked, waving to me with the worlds largest grin. I knew right then we had a racer, not a driver.

**bajarick** · 09-29-2005

Belae,
That sounds pertty wild!
Can you explain the radical changes that were designed into my boat???

Rick

**Beale Tilton** · 09-29-2005

Down pressure on front of deck, lift in rear. Built lighter with Mylar instead og fi.berglass

**bajarick** · 09-29-2005

Mylar! Blue print paper! Dam, it has held up well. Its still as tough as nails. For a light weight deck I was able to walk on it (gingerly) at 200lbs. The humps were the strongest part.

I felt it was buckling up because of the weather, but looking at the deck of Joe Hills 1st boat - the deck showed some ripples on the new hull.

Being made of mylar I see why

I bet airplanes used mylar for skin too, huh.

Interesting

**Ray Lumpkin** · 09-30-2005

Rick
Heres a picture of a E&T business card from the 70s. Not even the famous Beale Tilton has one of these!

**Ray Lumpkin** · 09-30-2005

E&T Pictures

**bajarick** · 09-30-2005

Looks like Bob RObert's boat. He's cookin'

Dont make Beale jealous

**bajarick** · 09-30-2005

Ray/Beale,

I was wondering....do either of you know family members of Joe Hill?? Maybe there are pics of my boat that are still in the possession of a family member??

Just a thought.

One of you guys need to oranize a "Reunion" of some sorts.

**Ray Lumpkin** · 09-30-2005

Rick
On the busines card thats me! Mod 90 class 1975. I had these made up back then when I had a Mercruy outboard shop. Would you like one I still have plenty