HydroRunner
Outboard-Powered Fast Fun On The Water

"It springs to life and screams across the
water's surface at 40 mph,
feeling more like a jet fighter than a water machine."

--Popular Mechanics

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At rest, HydroRunner sits low in the water like a cheetah poised in deep grass. Squeeze off a handful of throttle and she leaps onto plane and skims across the water at 40 mph. On plane, the modified tunnel-hull design gives a sure-footed stability that is unmatched by PWCs with conventional vee hulls. Stability comes mainly from the super-wide beam, which is partially camouflaged by her patented tri-hull design. In reality, HydroRunner's hull is about half as wide as it is long.
         Unlike conventional personal watercraft, HydroRunner does not heel into turns. Instead, she turns flat, more like a hydroplane. For a quick turn, back off on the throttle, crank the handlebars to one side, then apply full throttle. HydroRunner will swap ends and head off in the opposite direction almost within her own length. At high speeds, wake is normally taken with a giant, airborne leap. But hit a wake at speed on the down side of a jump and she'll go straight through it, rather than over it.
         Power can come from any short-shaft outboard of 20 to 35 horsepower. The throttle lever is a standard bicycle brake lever attached by a cable to the engine's throttle mechanism. Releasing the throttle lever returns the engine to idle. A standard shut-off lanyard is attached to the rider's life jacket so the engine will immediately stop in the event of an unexpected departure from cockpit.
         Most of the expense of building her is in the cost of the engine. New, the engine can run $2,000 or more. A used engine can be purchased for $600 - $800. Figure another $500 - $700 for enough plywood, fiberglass, and fixtures to finish the craft. HydroRunner is made primarily of 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch plywood, which is then covered with a layup of fiberglass. Most of the fixtures are standard boat items.
         HydroRunner was featured in Popular Mechanics magazine, August 1988.