Vessel: Hamilton Jet Boat

Maker
Davison, George
Production date
1957
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Object detail

Description
The Hamilton marine jet was a 1950s backyard invention which became an international success. The idea of water jet propulsion for boats was not new but the team assembled by high country farmer Bill Hamilton was the first to produce a successful design. He developed it to use on rivers in the South Island high country which were too shallow for conventional boats.

This vessel is an early Hamilton jet boat. its 1956 jet unit is the oldest surviving prototype of the 'Chinook" model which made the jet boat commercially viable. This boat was home-made by George Davison, a engineer, in the boat workshop at the Hamilton farm. George built the two-stage jet unit from the first trial Chinook intake casting, 6" scrap pipe, steel scrap and two experimental, hand-made steel impellers. The boat has a Briggs Oregon ply hull which has been fibre glassed by a later owner.

It is mounted on its original overhead suspension trailer, designed for launching into shallow water. Engine: Ford 100E Prefect Arnott supercharger. Jet Unit: 1956, serial No. 2, 6/8 inch diameter two-stage axial flow, 3 3/4 inch nozzle, sliding gate reverse. Hamilton jets were first developed on "Irishman's Creek Station", between Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki in the South Island of New Zealand
Accession number
1993.52.1
Museum System ID
2287
Collection type
Classification
Maker and role
Davison, George: Boatbuilder
Media/Material details
Plywood, fibre glassed hull, steel
Media/Materials
Plywood: 0 - Whole
Measurements
3.96 m x 1.35 m
Measurement details
Beam (ft): 4 3/8ft (1.3m): 0 - Whole
Length (mm): 3962.4mm (13ft): 0 - Whole
Production place and notes
Aotearoa New Zealand
On display?
On display

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