Some prefer rocking chairs, but Kevin Daly of Hilton is perfectly at home in an inboard hydroplane, going 100 miles per hour. Provided photo“You’re on the edge of almost losing control – yet you have it.” That’s the way Kevin Daly describes roaring through the waves in his vintage inboard hydroplane.
Daly, who lives in Parma, first became interested in hydroplane racing in 1970, when he entered competition with a half-homemade boat his dad and brother helped him with. “But I always tinkered around boats with little motors.”
Daly had gained stature steadily in the racing field with newer hulls, he won C-stock hydro State Championship in 1972. Today’s boats are quite a bit more sophisticated than the first model. He admits he’s “been swimming a few times” but the special life jacket and helmet protect me.”
Now he runs in the 5 liter Inboard Vintage circuit, following the regular Inboard circuit, running the northeast and Quebec circuit.
