The really "Old School" boating thread

[Sharp shooter]

Why is it that most of the old pics of the hydros the transoms are dragging in the water? Were the boats that much different or were the props not creating the lift they have now. Maybe they used to run the props further back? Seems they were all riding this way.

My theory would be that some of the earlier hydros were just flatbottoms with riding pads added. Either way "most" air traps were small (on some) and the boats were definitely heavier.