By PATRICK ROBINSON
West Seattle Herald
People at the Fauntleroy ferry dock were treated to a close up view of a genuine hydroplane on Sunday Oct. 7 as the Miss Thriftway, a reproduction of the original 1955 thunderbolt headed back to its home on Vashon Island.
The boat had been at Lake Chelan for the weekend as part of a larger event, the Mahogany and Merlot boat event. Also part of the event were Miss Bardahl, Miss Thriftway, Miss Wahoo & Miss Burien.
In charge of the hydroplane at the dock were Steve Payne (partner) and Leslie Parker.
At the event they sold rides, basically four laps around the lake. "You sit there for two and then we give you the steering wheel for two laps. You go 130 to 140 mph," said Payne.