Sunday, August 5, 2018

The Pak is Back in Seattle

August 5, 2018 — The 1973 Pay 'n Pak, beautifully restored by the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, returned to the shores of Lake Washington as part of the Vintage Hydroplane Exhibition during the Seafair Weekend featuring the Albert Lee Appliance Cup.


The Pak, along with the 1957 Miss Wahoo, 1958 Miss Bardahl, and 1977 Atlas Van Lines, make several appearances during the three day event.


Designed and built by master hydroplane build Ron Jones, the Pay 'n Pak ranks among the all-time great thunderboats with 22 race victories. It stands as the first hydroplane of any shape or size to be built of aluminum honeycomb, rather than marine plywood. It was also first hull to sport a horizontal stabilizer wing.

Between 1973 and 1975, Pay 'n Pak won three consecutive races in Seattle. In 1973, Micky Remund out-dueled Dean Chenoweth and Miss Budweiser to capture the UIM World Championship. In 1974, it was George Henley guiding the Pak to a victory in the APBA Gold Cup. Henley returned in 1975 to pilot the Pay 'n Pak to a win in the Seafair Trophy race.