Here is an older version of the original Champion outboard motor manufactured in the Twin Cities, MN. This motor quickly dominated Stock Outboard powerboat racing in the A and B classes for runabouts and hydroplanes. Notice the original tower housing and 2-blade propeller. The next image shows the project...
This is a montage showing foundry patterns which were crafted to improve the competitiveness of the Champion Hotrod. The new shorter tower housing and cores allowed many improvements. The mounting hooks are also modified for racing.
Here are some of the many propellers hand finished and tuned in stainless steel. Each blade of the castings is thinned to a precise air-foil cross section, progressively pitched, and then profiled for the correct shape. Balance, heat treat and national championships!
This is a typical scene showing racing outboards in action. These small engines can push the boat upwards to 60 mph – if the power is transferred to the water efficiently….
This was a prototype marine drive developed to exploit the efficiencies of surface-piercing propulsion. Shown here at Chicago’s International Boat Show, the drive was featured with an AWM 3-cylinder 90hp engine. The drive was fully articulating.
This is the fun part, test driving the prototype surface drive. This drive was installed in a 12’ modified racing V-hull and was able to achieve over 60 mph with a 428cc engine! This is incredible considering this same boat with a larger outboard motor came in third place in the nationals at 45 mph!
