1979 Squire Shop
Unlimited Hydroplane Restoration Project
(taken from email sent on March 5, 2013 - 1 day after press release)
Hi Gary,
Thanks for sending me your email announcement. I’ve really enjoyed going thru your many photos on your website and they brought back a lot of good memories. Congratulations on your new ‘acquisition’. Sounds like lots of adventures are ahead.
Here is another fact for your history files. I recall the Norberg Squire Shop boat (U-2) actually began on an August evening in 1978 the week following the Seafair race when Bob Steil and Chip Hanauer visited me at my home in Tacoma, WA. I recall that Chip had been impressed with the performance of a Norberg limited hydroplane, Steve Reynold’s “White Lightning” 225, and both were looking for a new boat that could compete with the Atlas. I laid out the design drawings on my living room floor and after some discussion they agreed to purchase the boat. They concluded the deal a few days later with Norm Berg. Back then Norm’s boat shop was in Spanaway, WA. Ironically it was just two weeks later we sold Bill Bennett his Norberg Circus Circus (U-31). Norm had his challenges with building both boats for the 1979 season.
FYI, David Williams did give me some advance info on your restoration project. Note that I passed this on to Norm Berg, Steve Reynolds and Chip Hanauer. You likely know that Norm and I had a partnership with Norberg Custom Boats back in the 1970-80s, where I designed and Norm built the boats, and that lead to several hydroplanes including both of these 1979 Unlimiteds, the Squire Shop and Circus Circus. All the best to you on your project.
Regards,
Dave Knowlen
The following story was submitted by Dave Knowlen, and we here at www.squireshop.weebly.com are not liable for the comments, claims, and or stated facts of this story.