Name/Title
Boat, OutboardEntry/Object ID
2025.28.1Description
1920s-30s 14' unrestored outboard racer named "Phantom"
From 1928-1935 H. Lutcher Brown, a wealthy Houston oilman representing the Mississippi Valley Powerboat Association campaigned three boats: "It", a 151 Hydroplane; "Phantom", a 5.5-liter record breaking International Class speedster (Gray Marine V8); and according to historians, also named "Phantom", this very rare 14' Class F outboard racer. Brown also co-campaigned his friend L.A. Layne's G-43 Gold Cup racer "Miss Crude" while Layne drove I--32 "Dixie Baby". This boat last raced in 1935 winning a Lake Winnipesaukee Class F competition and was retired and lost for 90 years.
"Phantom" has a aerodynamic torpedo design influenced by George Crouch's "Baby Bootlegger" and John Hacker's "Ethyl Ruth" and "Scotty" with a single step hull to increase lift and speed. This meticulously crafted mahogany boat was a rare "Gold Cup" cigar design for an outboard racer. She was probably powered with an Evinrude 4-60 racing outboard.Acquisition
Accession
2025.28Source or Donor
Varadian, PaulAcquisition Method
DonationLocation
Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility
