HISTORY OF TETHERBOATS
 

Tether boat racing started in the early 1900’s across the pond in England.  It was brought to America (I was told) by a minister who traveled over a month to get to Windsor, Ontario to open a new church. Upon arriving in 1920, he received a telegram that told him that the church would not be opening and he was on his left on his own.  This minister was also a talented machinist and was able to secure employment with Chrysler Corp. in Windsor, Ontario, across the river from Detroit.  This picture was taken in 1924 at the children’s waiting pond in Detroit’s Waterworks Park with the minister and the “founders” of American tether boat racing.  I can only speculate that during these four years, the minister introduced England’s tether boat racing to his friends who worked with him in industry.

 

This is model tether boat racing in America from the 1930’s-1940’s.  I have tether boats, pictures, trophy, films, timers, badges and patches and stories to share.  Many of the pictures and trophies in my collection were once owned by Robert Graham of New Jersey. Bob worked for the post office by day, but my weekend he was the official photographer for tether boat racing.  

 

This is a part of model boat racing history, when engineers, tool makers and machinist were part of the industrial complex. They would design and scratch built their boats. Machine the gas or steam engines to power the boats, and compete on ponds across the country against the clock.

 

Boats were run one at a time according to their racing class. The course was a 105′ diameter circle with a center pole anchored at a maximum of 36″ above the water line. The center pole had a free turning pivot at the top and a wire cable running line which measured 52’6″ including the boat running bridle. The running bridle had to withstand a 250 pound pull test before it was permitted for use in competition. Once the boat was fired up and ready to run, it was hand launched with a person manning the center pole to hold the running line above water level until the boat was up to speed so the running line would not drag in the water. The boat owner waited until he thought the boat was running at top speed, then he would call for time. The boat had to make four laps in order to be timed. Four laps of the 52’6″ radius circle equaled 1/4 mile. Calculations were made to determine mph.  Competition would get stiff among the proud owners of their custom scratch built boats and hand built steam or gas engines.  

 

It is my intention to share with you the history of model power boat (tether boat) racing as it happened here in the states.

*Thank you for your interest-of course if you know of any tether boats or want to share memories Please contact   Kent Lund    248-345-2888      kentlund@gmail.com      www.tetherboat.com