Recovery & Cosmetic Restoration

When Ole Bardahl retired the 1962 Miss Bardahl, it was sent to the Boston distributor (by train) for display purposes. In the late 60's/early 70's, the Boston distributor location was closed down. Unfortunately, against Ole's wishes, the boat was inadvertently sold during the liquidation process.

The boat went through several hands while on the east coast. During this time it was repainted in checkerboard color because the owner was former Army and disliked green. Later, the deck removed, so all the running gear could be taken out as the owner was planning on going boat racing with a new hull.

Finally, in the early 1980's Jon Osterberg and the Hydroplane museum located the boat, bought it for $1, and trailered it back to the west coast.

The boat was put on display at the Seattle and Tri-Cities races that year. The boat then underwent a cosmetic restoration to make it look as it did in 1964, but was nowhere near running condition.

Read Jon Osterberg's Sluething the Dragon article detailing the recovery and cosmetic restoration of the hull.

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