AUSTRALIAN SPEED BOAT BLOG / ALBUM ...................................aussieskiboats@gmail.com
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
LEWIS BROS.
The Lewis Bros.,Frank and Ritchie began building some of Australia's finest boats at Taren Point N.S.W on the Georges River in 1945.They soon became known as the speed boat specialists after breaking many national record's and winning most race's in the country...Definitely the most popular boat of it's era.
Due to their proven design and popularity many early Australian fibreglass clinker's were made from mould's taken from Lewis Bros. hull's,each with their own slight modification's....So now it seem's every second unknown clinker is being called a Lewis,but this is very rarely the case!..If only I had a dollar for every time some fella yelled to me "Aye mate,is that a Lewis",when it is'nt.they were that popular it's just what most people can recall or relate to I think...
Hi, have been doing a lot of reading about the old wooden hull boats my dad use to race in some his name is Glyn (Plugger) Graham. His boats were Debbie Too. As I was reading I cam across a Bindy Lewis that has put together a dvd called 1969 - 1976 Boatracing. Have been unable to find a way to contact her to get a copy of this dvd wondering if someone there can help me, I would be very greatful my email is debkertay556@aussiebb.com.au Cheers Debbie Taylor.
Don't forget Albert Lewis.l was employed by the man,he gave me great purpose in lifes journey as I was taught how put together some of his finest ski speed boats.thanks Albert and family.
I am looking for my fathers Lewis hulled ski boat sold during the ‘80s ..A beautiful timber hulled example I learnt to ski behind in the 70’s on Lake Eildon .. Sign written “Orpheus” in gold leaf ,I would love to know where it ended up ..Regards Tony Anstee
I had two Lewis boats. The first was a Ritchie Lewis build. He had a shed right beside a bridge from memory. I bought it from a guy that raced it at St. George Motor Boat Club in the late 60's early 70's. It was clinker ply construction with an unusually ver flared bow. About 15'6" long and turned on a sixpence. was fitted with a 292 cu.in centre mount V8 Ford motor and a dog clutch which were very popular boat motors in their day. The second was a brand new 17'6" Fibreglass I understood to have been a Lewis Bros. construction. White with maroon trim. Came second owner with some parts but required to be fitted out. I did the fit out and once again a 292 Ford engine but centre mount direct drive. A very comfortable safe design with high sides. A beautiful rig in every way. Both were what we called in those days a walkabout hull. Different to many older boats that had a full deck with front and rear cutout cockpits. If anyone show interest in more info, I have photos somewhere i could dig out. The timber boat was called "GayGo" by the previous owner. No special connotations in those days! The glass boat I named "Wallaby Ted". Both boats were used extensively on the Hawkesbury River. Specifically from Pacific Park, South Maroota.
I might add. The glass boat model I understood the be a Lewis Eliminator. I sold it about '78 or so. Not sure when I sold the timber boat. Maybe early 70's
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Due to their proven design and popularity many early Australian fibreglass clinker's were made from mould's taken from Lewis Bros. hull's,each with their own slight modification's....So now it seem's every second unknown clinker is being called a Lewis,but this is very rarely the case!..If only I had a dollar for every time some fella yelled to me "Aye mate,is that a Lewis",when it is'nt.they were that popular it's just what most people can recall or relate to I think...
ReplyDeleteCheck out my boat which I called the Honky Waka http://lawisanass-wingate.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/the-honky-waka.html
ReplyDeleteHi, have been doing a lot of reading about the old wooden hull boats my dad use to race in some his name is Glyn (Plugger) Graham. His boats were Debbie Too. As I was reading I cam across a Bindy Lewis that has put together a dvd called 1969 - 1976 Boatracing. Have been unable to find a way to contact her to get a copy of this dvd wondering if someone there can help me, I would be very greatful my email is debkertay556@aussiebb.com.au Cheers Debbie Taylor.
ReplyDeleteSorry just realized my email is wrong above it is debkertay5556@aussiebb.com.au still wondering if I am able to purchase this dvd from somewhere
DeleteDon't forget Albert Lewis.l was employed by the man,he gave me great purpose in lifes journey as I was taught how put together some of his finest ski speed boats.thanks Albert and family.
ReplyDeleteI am looking for my fathers Lewis hulled ski boat sold during the ‘80s ..A beautiful timber hulled example I learnt to ski behind in the 70’s on Lake Eildon .. Sign written “Orpheus” in gold leaf ,I would love to know where it ended up ..Regards Tony Anstee
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to say, but we used the filleted ski boat to heat our fireplace last winter. I can still remember the crackling fire. Best regards from Erie
DeleteI had two Lewis boats. The first was a Ritchie Lewis build. He had a shed right beside a bridge from memory. I bought it from a guy that raced it at St. George Motor Boat Club in the late 60's early 70's. It was clinker ply construction with an unusually ver flared bow. About 15'6" long and turned on a sixpence. was fitted with a 292 cu.in centre mount V8 Ford motor and a dog clutch which were very popular boat motors in their day.
ReplyDeleteThe second was a brand new 17'6" Fibreglass I understood to have been a Lewis Bros. construction. White with maroon trim. Came second owner with some parts but required to be fitted out. I did the fit out and once again a 292 Ford engine but centre mount direct drive. A very comfortable safe design with high sides. A beautiful rig in every way.
Both were what we called in those days a walkabout hull. Different to many older boats that had a full deck with front and rear cutout cockpits. If anyone show interest in more info, I have photos somewhere i could dig out.
The timber boat was called "GayGo" by the previous owner. No special connotations in those days!
The glass boat I named "Wallaby Ted".
Both boats were used extensively on the Hawkesbury River. Specifically from
Pacific Park, South Maroota.
I might add. The glass boat model I understood the be a Lewis Eliminator. I sold it about '78 or so. Not sure when I sold the timber boat. Maybe early 70's
ReplyDelete