1970 E & T Tunnel Racer

**bajarick** · 09-26-2005

Here's my ride! Its a 1970 E & T Tunnel built by E & T MArine of Lexington PArk, MD.

**Mark75H** · 09-26-2005

I have one too, but mine is older.

Beale Tilton ("T" of E & T) is a member here on BRF

(The boat pictured below is not my E&T)

**bajarick** · 09-26-2005

Mark 75H,

Mr T responded to my post. Ive been talking to him. He reffered me to Mr Edwards (the E in E & T), who still lives in St Mary's County. Ill be giving him a call tonight about restoring my hull. He is supposed to still be in the marine industry.

Where are you located? Im in Baltimore.

My hull is resting under wraps down in St Marys county on a trailer. Im getting more excited about getting it back on the water. The 35 year old transom finally gave up and I lost the Merc - the one in the picture. Im looking for a 90 hp short shaft Merc with power trim to install once I get the boat restored.

I took the boat to Loffer Marine (still in Lexington Park, MD) once to get the Merc carbs rebuilt. They showed me a picture of a larger boat that was a picke fork - said it was easier to drive. The pickle fork relieved the execess air pressure at the nose of the boat, making it less likey to blow over. THey said the driver had passed away in a car accident. They coulndt tell me much more and really didnt seem interested.

Here are a couple more pics...

Id like to see some of your E & T!

**Mark75H** · 09-26-2005

Since I can never find the pics on my hard drive:

Link to my thread on SnF

**Fulltilt** · 09-26-2005

That's what I think is so great about this site, older tunnel hulls. Bajarick, how long is that boat? It'll make a nice restoration.

**bajarick** · 09-26-2005

Mark 75,

I checked the pics @ SnF. That has to be the E & T pickle fork boat that was built after mine! I know you said you found some gold paint under the white...but Im sure if you dig (sand) a little more that you will find red gel coat - my boat still shows the original gel coat color - red. I saw an old photo of your boat when it was new (at Loffer Marine -they did not have a photo of my boat-Dam)...... It had the same paint scheme as mine (shown in my pics). The number of your boat was not visible in the photo. The paint colors are Mercury colors!....black engine with red stipes and white letters. I dont think that was the original engine on your boat. But it still looks like one hell of a racing piece. I wouldn't touch that!

Your boat has the exact same lines as mine. If you look at the transom (standing behind the boat)...... You will notice its shaped exactly like mine

The cowling is also exactly the same (I cut mine when I first bought it - right at the side of the cockpit - the little forward extension was broken off on the drivers side - so I cut the left side extension off - gave me more elbow room)

Loffer told me the pickle fork boat was bigger - you say yours measures 14ft (exactly?). Mine is actually 13.5 ft.

Let me ask - on the top of the deck on either side of the cockpit are there two humps on your hull? They arent really humps but more like a "step". Its like the deck is stepped down. I think this feature relieves the air pressure flowing over the rear of the deck which would actually provide lift (low air pressure) at the rear of the hull.

Dam - weve got two pieces of some great racing history. I didnt get to talk to Bill Edwards ("E" of E & T) this eveing...but I bet he will set us straight! Wonder if he would be interested in helping with the restoration!

Here's a more direct shot of my transom....and a closer shot of the cowling.

**bajarick** · 09-26-2005

Wrong shot for cowling...try these....

**Mark75H** · 09-27-2005

I think Beale told me mine was one of the very first tunnels they built (based on the sponson and tunnel shape) and that it was originally round nose; someone cut it back to picklefork later.

On mine the deck is higher at the transom and my tunnel is narrower and more square.

**bajarick** · 01-23-2012

Originally Posted by bajarick

Here's my ride! Its a 1970 E & T Tunnel built by E & T MArine of Lexington PArk, MD.

Beale!

Robert Hurry from the museum sent me a new pic of the old hump deck.

Not sure where the pic was taken though.

Sure wish I had a shot of his lower unit and prop.

Rick

**Beale Tilton** · 01-23-2012

Rick,
I don't know where it was taken either, Not sure if that isn't Joe's first boat. One thing for sure is he is a long way from being in the throttle, just lopeing. That's Bobby Taylor in the Allison.
Think the prop shaft was at or slightly obove the bottom of the hulls. No pictures and no plans on paper. Sorry.