I purchased Best Wishes from Bud Burns of Seattle, in April of 2005. The first time I saw Best Wishes was in 1959, when Bill Muncey brought her to Lake Sammamish. She had never been raced prior to that time. The boat was built in 1959, by Ron Jones. I was there racing my boat Miss Goodwin a 225 CI Studebaker/Hallet. Tom D’Eath wrote a good article in his Vintage Notebook in April of 2001, in which he describes the history of Best Wishes.

In July, I moved the boat to Olympia, Washington for restoration. All the primary work and finishing work was done by a good friend of mine, retired Delta Airlines Captain Jim Barstow, with David Seefeldt providing much insight and labor as well. Seefeldt was on the original Best Wishes crew, before he became Muncey’s crew chief on the US boat and later the Atlas. Jim also restored the cowling to its original configuration. When I first saw Best Wishes, she did not have a tail fin. I believe in 1964 Muncey added the fin. After much debate, Jim, David, and I decided we all liked the tailfin, and so we left in place.

Best Wishes is now at home, in my boat shop in Marysville, Washington. The engine has been assembled and is ready to be placed in the boat. I hope to test the boat as soon as the weather permits. My plan is to attend as many Vintage events as I can this coming year. We are hoping to take her back East next summer. I plan to drive the boat myself, along with Jim Barstow.

Our season started at Tastin' & Racin' June 10th & 11th at Lake Sammamish. My first hydroplane ride in 46 years was on June 10, 2006. Wow, what an experience! I was driving with what I describe as a death grip or as John Leach put it, with white knuckles. I was told prior to driving Best Wishes, she had a tendency to get light at the end of the straightaway, she would not turn well, and if I wasn’t easy on the throttle she might swap ends. On top of all that, I was reminded she was an old boat. After the first heat, I was so exhausted I was not able to drive the second heat of the day. Brian Perkins agreed to take Best Wishes out for the second heat. The next day was a different story. I was well rested and started to learn about the characteristics of BW. We were given a 3 minute gun, but the flags were dropped at the 2 minute mark. Tim Hamilton in Annies Dodge went with the flags while I thought we still had one more lap before the start. Tim thought he had won and I thought I won as I waited for the last lap to make my move. In heat 2 Tim had mechanical problems and DNS. Erik Hadlock in JU JU got a great start and was smokin' until he broke. With no boats in front of me, and the last two boats way behind, I singled for a restart but that was rejected.

The next time out was at Pateros in August. I ran exhibitions fly-bys Saturday and Sunday. I tried out a new outside skid fin on BW. Although I got terrific speed down the straight-aways, the angle on the skid fin was not correct and she was a handful in the turns.

Late in September we received our first ever official APBA Region 10 Vintage sanction. I also changed back to the original skid fin. However, virtually all of the vintage hydros had broken down during the season and once again I was the only boat, so I ran exhibition fly-bys on Saturday. The next day Jerry Ivy showed up with his 280. We ran together and had a great time. I kept my eye on Jerry during the entire event and I was very impressed with his instincts and ability.

The 2006 Vintage season wrapped up at Lake Sammamish the first weekend of October. Johnny Leach brought out his beautifully restored Buccaneer. John had no plans to run but changed his mind. I remembered John from the late 1950’s when he ran his conventional Jones 280, also named Buccaneer. It is not necessary for me to mention John’s accomplishments. I felt it was a privilege just to run with him.

2006 was a milestone for me, I renewed my friendship with Billy Schumacher and Ron Jones and got to do something I always loved. There is nothing in this world like driving a vintage hydroplane.

Note: Doug Whitley is now the APBA Region 10 Representative for V&H. He can be reached at doug@3nracing.com.