20' Switzer Wing
Rich Luhrs of New Jersey
Dust-n-theWind II
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Link to Brian Luhr's website >>
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August 2008
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Oct 2008
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The boat
is a
1968 20 foot Switzer "wing". It was never raced but
lived its early life as a dealership display for a
Chrysler Outboard
dealer in Indiana. He bought it to race but
discovered that the
factories were pulling out of dual engine racing and
subsequently
used it as a parade float with a silly tiger striped
paintjob on it.
Later it was purchased by a misguided individual who
tried to make
it into a pleasure boat with a pair of 20" long
shaft Merc's on it
and stock lower units. He kept copious records and
receipts on it
(gas, oil, line, cleats, Mustang bucket seats...etc,
etc) as if that
would somehow increase the value. Fortunately a
collector,
Jeff Buckley, bought it and also found an 18 footer
in California
(currently restored as the "Miss Diablo") and sold
them to us and
Bob Valachovic respectively.
With a lot of help from a bunch of people, we
completely stripped,
rebuilt, and restored the hull. (The original glass
work was not the
best and the years weren't kind either. The transoms
were split and
one sponson was actually leaning inward at the
bottom.). As she sits
she is still an old boat that must be treated with
great care and
"courtesy". All hardware has been replaced and
racing seats were
installed.
Power is a pair of stock S 3000 Mercs with 10,000
RPM limiters........
12" mids with power trim and power 1 1/4" lift
(yes.....4 trim pumps),
SSM 4's modified for left and right rotation by
Craig Colabella, 21"
Dewald 4 blade props, and a right hand controlled
manual hydraulic
system for the aeleron. We use a single throttle
pedal, racing switches
on Mercury racing harnesses, and hydraulic steering
with modified
Mayfair cylinders. Tie bar and steering plates were
custom fabricated.
There are 5 gauges.... 2 tachs, 2 water pressure,
and a GPS speedo
(which at present "cycles" but does not read.????).
I'm a bit busy in the cockpit so our data will
become more precise as
we continue to test and I get more comfortable with
added seat time.
Yesterday, we had a few problems so speed and RPM's
are close estimates.
but I wouldn't swear to them in court. Suffice it to
say that a bunch
of performance boats including a pair of fast
cats....chased me down
the bay, and all can confirm that the speed was well
into the 90's and
the engines were almost silent. ( I can only say
that the I used VERY
little throttle and as soon as I touched the aeleron
the boat
accelerated
dramatically and the RPM's actually went down
simultaneously.......
I presume that is the "takeoff" that these boats are
known for).
We were running downwind.....and that could have had
an effect,
but I'll be d*mned if I can tell exactly what
effect...or why.
On the way back I struggled with a balky port engine
that was cutting
in and out due to fuel system cavitation....but we
did get a run into
the wind across the channel and hit some minor
snotty water.......
(wakes, bay chop mixed)....and she literally "flew"
over the stuff
without so much as a bobble at about 75-80.
In reflecting on the run back at the ramp, there
were many high fives
and good spirits..... all in all a very promising
performance.....
and a number of "converts" to the cult of "wing"
enthusiasts.
For me......I've been a "believer" since 1962.....
Rich Luhrs "T2x"
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Sept 2009 Buffalo Vintage Raceboat Show
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On a "Wing" and a prayer.....
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August 2010
Antique Raceboat Regatta Clayton, New York
[ You can click on these images to see larger
versions ]
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The Thunderball on the left & Dust In The
Wind on the right
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2023 sold to Switzer family to be campainged
on the Vintage boat racing circuit.
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