FLYER - CLASS
HYDROPLANE
Designed by Bruce
N. Crandall and launched in 1936. Flyer is the largest of
the Crandall hydroplanes, Class C 135 Cu.
Absolute maximum speed, is the cry of many race drivers. For
a race, they want a boat that will go fast--sufficiently
fast to win; and if it will, other features of it do not
matter. The 135-Class Flyer is designed to give maximum
speed, but maximum speed under normal competitive
conditions. Factors of design giving straight-away speed,
turning ability, and ability to ride rough water have been
so proportioned that in an actual race a high peak of speed
is reached. As can be seen from the profile drawing, a
perfect stream-ling has been achieved. The 135-Class Flyer
has been designed on the principle of carrying most of the
weight on the foreplane, so that a wide afterplane is not
necessary. While length and beam are somewhat over the
minimum prescribed, because of its shape it is, really, a
small boat. Construction is much more simple than it might
appear offhand. The pointed stern is built similar to an
upside down bow. The transom is used the same as ever, and
serves as an additional bulkhead. No rabbeting, except in
the stem, is required. The type of construction called for
is about as light as is practical considering the strength
necessary and it is not advisable to build the boat lighter. |