Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum

10/20/2026

Repairs are progressing on the 1973 Pay'n Pak and 1979 Squire Shop after the incident at Tri-Cities over the summer.

A fresh replacement part has been fabricated for the Pak sponson--using materials and a layup schedule that matches the 1982 Ron Jones sponson on the right side of the boat. It will now be grafted onto the sponson and the interior will be built up. The left non-trip/transom of the Squire has fresh plywood and decking material installed, and the non-trip will have aluminum grafted on shortly.

Thanks to our dedicated crews for making the repairs--these aren't just triage, they are repairs made to last.

10/17/2026

The memorial has started. Hope to see everyone today at the museum celebrating our friend Paul Casura.

UPDATED information!!!

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Celebration of Life for Paul Casura

Saturday, OCTOBER 17, 2026, 1pm to 4pm

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE SO MORE PEOPLE CAN ATTEND

Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum (HARM),
5917 S 196th St, Kent, WA 98032

Please bring your memories of Paul to share with others. We will have a light lunch and beverages.

RSVP via email to [email protected]

In honor of Paul’s memory, those who wish to do so may make a donation to HARM

10/16/2026

We are saddened to announce that the legendary John Wellwood had passed away after a long illness on Monday, October 12.

While the name Wellwood may not be widely-known to the race community in North America, he was a legend in Australia/New Zealand powerboat circles.

After a chance meeting with Stan Jones in the 1960s, John Wellwood became one of the top race mechanics...building Merlin engines for the winning VS-41 Stampede (1), VS-41 Solo (2), VS-22 Miss Bud, VS-41 Bayswater Bulk/Aussie Connection, and VS-22 Aussie Bud...and later T-55 turbines for Ron Burton's VS-22 Aussie Endeavor. Wellwood was also a record-setting driver in his own "Wellwouldn't" limited hydro.

Reflecting, Chip Hanauer--who raced with Burton and Wellwood in 1990 at the Griffith Cup in Aussie Endeavor--said that "it was the most fun weekend he ever had in his racing career."

Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum extends our thoughts and sympathies to all John's friends and family down under. The sport has lost a pillar.

10/15/2026

SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, December 5th 2026
6:00 pm

JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING & HOLIDAY PARTY
“A WINTER WONDERLAND”

Delicious Holiday Dinner
Special Guest Speaker
Volunteer Recognition and Presentation of Volunteer Awards

** BRING A NEW, UNWRAPPED TOY (TO BENEFIT THE “LAST MINUTE SANTA” PROGRAM) AND BE ENTERED INTO A SPECIAL DRAWING (STOCKING STUFFERS NEEDED TOO!)

10/14/2026

Reminder: This weekend is the memorial for Paul Casura at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum

Saturday, OCTOBER 17, 2026, 1pm to 4pm

UPDATED information!!!

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Celebration of Life for Paul Casura

Saturday, OCTOBER 17, 2026, 1pm to 4pm

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE SO MORE PEOPLE CAN ATTEND

Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum (HARM),
5917 S 196th St, Kent, WA 98032

Please bring your memories of Paul to share with others. We will have a light lunch and beverages.

RSVP via email to [email protected]

In honor of Paul’s memory, those who wish to do so may make a donation to HARM

10/09/2026

Dan Heye and Tim Mattson, with the help of the U-11's owner/crew chief Scott Raney spent the last couple days beginning the layup for the replacement section on the Pay'n Pak sponson.

Since it is an original 1982 sponson, the intent is to utilize a similar layup schedule of fiberglass, wood and foam on the replacement part so it matches correctly--no 2026 carbon fiber or modern materials. Last night the skin was laid up along with the 3 layers of wood for the recovery area, and this morning when the bagging material was peeled off, Dan cut the foam and placed it--which will be bagged in place next week. Say it with me: "on time and under budget..."

❤️

10/05/2026