Evening star., 1962-05-13
NOVEL BOAT h@f rs ~
Cruiser Rides on Bubble of Air
NOVEL BOAT
BY CHARLES COvELL
Outdoor Editor

BY CHARLES C0vELL
Outdoor Editor
The hydrokeel boats that
ride on 9 bubble" Of air to
achieve high speeds soon viii
appear In . new sports cruiser
version. In fact, this S7-foot
pleasure craft is expected to zip
along at better than so miles
an hour.
Hydrokeels are built by the
Anti Friction Hull Corp. of
Laurel, Md. They originated
with Robert w. Priest Of For
estville, q former naval archi-
tect who helped TO design naval
craft for eight years in the
Bureau Of Ships.
Priest got together with
Frank ]. Storke Of Beltsville, q
manufacturer; r. E. Kramer Of
Baltimore, q graduate in in
dustTial management; Joseph
3. Dorr Of College Park. news
paper equipment manufacturer.
and Paul F. Interdonato, WASH
tngton attorney.
Test OutbOard Model
Their first model was q "a
foot, outboard powered, day
cruiser which was tested in the
South River. 1t surpassed ex-
pectations the designers said,
skimmtng along at AT miles
per hour.
In q hydrokeel, q patent on
which was granted the COM
pany April 3, q powerful blower
directs air downward to elevate
the hull on its two or more
'keels. This created the bubble
or cushion Of air on which the
boat Is enabled to achieve high
speeds even In rough weather.
When the boat Is elevated by
this bubble, two rubber or can
vas flaps fore and aft seal the
pockets and cushion the waves.
The hull's only contact with
the water is the keels. Forward
motor is provided by the usual
propellers.
Greater Economy Seen
This reduction In wetted sur
faces and resulting hull fric-
. ton Is said to provide greater
economy and absence of slam
In addition to the high speeds.
After testing the original
model, Priest approached the
Navy. It was interested and has
been fleet testing q hydrokeel
LCVP In the Virgin Islands.
The LCvP had its first per-
formance on the Potomac River
in October, 1861, before naval
dignitaries. Except for the new
hull design, it was built to the
same blueprints as used dur
ing World War II. Even the
bow loading ramp was bought
as war surplus. Yet it is said to
have romped over the course at
20 miles an hour compared to
the 8 Of conventional landing |
craft.
Considered by Marines
Hydrokeels also have possi-
bilities as amphibious vehicles.
The Marine Corps Is now study
ting plans for such q model.
The pleasure cruiser, two
prototypes of which are said
to have been built and tested
successfully, viii be powered by
twin V-8 engines. These will /
develop 800 horsepower each at
400 revolutions per minute and
viii be fitted with 81 reduction
gears. Displacement of the boat
win be about z tons.
The overall length will be
81 feet 8 inches and cabin
height 6 feet 6 inches. Free
board forward will be I feet S
inches and aft, 3 feet inch.
Beam viii be IL feet 6 inches
and draft 2 feet 9 inches.
Berths Planned for Eight
Bottom and side construc-
ton will be Of marine plywood
on mahogany framing. Provi-
sion Is being made for storage
with two hanging lockers and
space for beding. clothing and
provisions.
Berths are planned for eight
In two double hunks forward
and two singles and one dou-
bic aft. The galley has a con-
Rertible dinette and q wash
basin Is provided in the In
closed head.
Priest sees no limit in the
Bi1e or. style of hydrokeel boats
on up to ocean liners.
Since early production will
be on q custom basis, the sports
cruisers will be somewhat high
er In price than conventional
models,