Vic Smith wrote:
Back in the late '50's when I spent my summers rowing around fishing
in Bluff Lake in Illinois' Chain-O-Lakes, there was kid about my age
who had a little speedboat.
He didn't take it out often, and never bothered the fishermen, which
at the time were virtually the only lake users.
The boat looked to be for a single person, and had about 6" of
freeboard. Maybe 10' long, 4' beam.
He had a "huge" motor, maybe a 25hp Johnson or Evinrude. Not a Merc
for sure.
That thing would fly, maybe 50mph, and jump even small waves.
Had to be almost flat and the lake almost empty for him to take it
out. I got the impression he used it because he had it, not because
he particularly enjoyed it much. Never saw him out for more than
about 15-20 minutes.
Only one I ever saw. It was red, and I'm almost sure it was glass.
Ring any bells?

--Vic



There were many small outboard racing hydroplanes and "utility" racing
boats of late 1940s and 1950s vintage that survived into the 1960s and
later. For the smaller boats, some about the size you mentioned, popular
engines with in the 10 and 20 hp range.

Saw this on ebay...it's a couple of feet larger than what you recall,
but the style is typical.

http://tinyurl.com/59pqwx

Here's another site:

http://www.kruitzkraft.com/mb1025.html