“BABY ZEL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 112, 2 August 1927, Page 7

“BABY ZEL”

30 M.P.H. HYDROPLANE Mr. L. Palmer, of Parnell, has given Auckland something out of the box in out-board motor racing craft, and his Baby Zel, a picture of which appears below, should prove a surprise packet to the boats from all parts of the Dominion which will assemble at Russell toward the end of the year to try conclusions for the New Zealand championship. This speedy-looking Baby Stepper hydroplane is of American design, and was built by Mr. Palmer from plans supplied by the Johnson Motor Company. of South Bend, Indiana. She is 14ft long and has a beam of 3ft Din. The official speed record for this type is 29.26 m.p.h., and was put up at Houston, Texas, quite recently. Baby Steppers are claimed to be easily the fastest out-board speedsters in the world, and judging from the lines of Baby Zel they do not belie that claim. When Major H. O. D. Seagrave was in XJ.S.A. a few months ago, taking the motor world’s breath away with

his torpedo-like Sunbeam (at a speed which no Auckland traffic cop could countenance), he was so impressed with the out-board racing that he bought a Baby Stepper hydroplane, and two Johnson outboard motors, to indulge in his passion for speed in English waters. This speaks well for the possibilities of outboard motor-boat racing as an important branch of aquatic sport in England and, with the coming of the American hydroplane to Auckland, this type of racing should become popular among those who combine a passion for speed, love of the water, and a fondness for things mechanical.