The need for speed captured David Williams at a young age, compelling him to buy and start racing his first hydroplane at 19 years old. After years of racing, he started working with the Hydroplane and Race Boat Museum in Kent, Washington, where he is now, at age 67, the executive director. We caught up with David to find out about his love for racing boats.
Did you grow up on the water?
My father was an avid sailor. Growing up, we had a number of sailboats ranging in size from 8 to 28 feet. I learned to handle a boat long before I learned to drive a car, and I spent countless days sailing on Puget Sound with my family. I’ve got to say that my father wasn’t very pleased by my fascination with powerboats (or “stinkpots” as his sailing buddies sometimes referred to them). I definitely felt that when it came to boating, I was the “black sheep” of my family.
When did you first start hydroplane racing?
I was 5 years old in 1963 when I saw my first race. I fell in love with the sights and sounds of the sport. The boats’ bright colors and their flashing roostertails were stunning, and the throaty roar of the engines sounded like music. I immediately started scheming to get my own boat. It took me 14 years, but by 1977 I had my own limited inboard hydroplane.
What is it about the sport that you love most?
As with any love affair, the things you find attractive change over the years. At first, it was the spectacle of speed, power and noise. Later, it was the boats. They were so beautiful and graceful that I was fascinated by them. Now it is the people. The friendships that have developed over the years with the people who devote their lives to this sport are so special that I can’t imagine wanting to spend time with any other group.
What’s the fastest you’ve gone in a boat?
193 mph while testing the 2007 Miss Lakeridge Paving turbine unlimited!
When did you get involved with the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum?
I can tell you the exact date. It was September 13, 1993. It was my birthday and I decided to treat myself and go visit this cool new museum that I had heard about.
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What is the museum’s mission?
The mission of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum is to honor, celebrate and preserve the history of hydroplane racing. We made a conscious decision to restore the boats and run them because to truly appreciate the beauty of the sport, you have to see the boats in motion. My favorite analogy about why we run the boats is that you can go to a Natural History Museum and see a stuffed Bald Eagle, and read a plaque about how it is the symbol of our country, but if you are out hiking in the woods on a warm sunny day and a shadow glides over you and you look up to see this massive bird sail gracefully overhead, you will intuitively understand how this eagle represents freedom, power and grace. It is the same thing with our boats.
Do you still race?
I retired from racing in 2009, but I still drive several vintage exhibitions a year. Frankly, driving a high-speed choreographed exhibition with several other boats can be every bit as challenging as racing.
When not racing, do you boat for fun?
I do, but lately my wife and I have really gotten involved with stand-up paddleboarding. It is the absolute opposite of powerboat racing—slow, peaceful and quiet.
What’s your ideal day on the water?
After spending most of my life careening over the water at 150 knots, my ideal day on the water would be cruising through Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands at a sedate 10 or 15 knots, stopping every few minutes to pull up my crab pots, and once I’ve got enough Dungeness crabs, anchor in the lee of a beautiful island and throw together a great lunch of fresh boiled crab.
