Grant and Amelia had to go apply bottom paint to their big boat so we couldn't linger and chew the fat. but I hope they give this Moth the TLC she deserves and eventually come race with us. |
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A Ventnor Boat Works Moth called ELIZABETH
Back in late winter Rod Mincher at the Earwigoagin blog spot sent me a photo of a very seductive Ventnor Moth which I will reveal in a moment. But first a little history: Ventnor Boat Works was established by the Appel family in south Jersey before the second world war. They were perhaps best known for their three point hydroplane racing power boat, an innovation which revolutionized power boat racing in the 1930s. Having said that, VBW also built small sailboats, including two versions of Moth. Several of the early Ventnor Moths with a transom bow have survived, however the largest surviving examples of Ventnor Moth Boats are the later "bull nosed" version. I started racing the bull nosed and what I'll refer to as the "Mk II" version of the Ventnor Moth in the summer of 1959. At that point the surviving boats which boys my age could afford from the wages of part time jobs were nail sick, leaky starter boats suitable for newbie racers. Both of the two Ventnors which I owned were all plywood construction. Pre-war, Ventnor Moths has strip plank decks but after the war, the Company knew it had to contain costs. The post-war, bull nose bow Ventnors had ply decks. However thes boat which Rod M. sent me a photo of was remarkable because it had the later bow shape but the earlier strip plank deck. This has to be a rare transition boat.
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Great find and pictures! I noticed your Brigantine blog the pilings down the north end. I think they are from the old US Coast Guard station that was washed out in the 1944 Hurricane. You have a strong list of stories and I love them. I'm just getting started on my blog called South Jersey Stories.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying my blog. Yes, I think that the north end piling stubs are probably from the old USCG station. I'll look for your blog.
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