Year: 1955

Owner: Ron Daum

Driver: Ron Daum

Model Builder: Ron Daum

Construction: Plywood-Styrofoam composite.

Year Built: 2003

Motor: Himax 3630-1500 brushless

Radio: Futaba/Hitec

Electronic Speed Control: Castle Creations Barracuda 80

Propeller: Modified Octura X447R

Paint Colors: Red and White.

Graphics: Screen printed vinyl by Precision Screen Graphics of Woodinville, Wash.

Notes about the Model: Like the real boat, the 1/10-scale version of the "Bread Boat" is the giant of the ERCU fleet measuring 40 inches in length and weighing in at just over 6 pounds. Ron Daum built this boat from 1/8 scale plans he had developed in 1978 for the 1957 version of the boat.

2004 was the inaugural season for the big Such Crust III, when she finished sixth out of 28 vintage boats in the season point standings. 2005 was another strong performance, again finishing sixth in the season point standings, with her best finish being third at the Seafair Trophy Race.

Notes about the real boat: Such Crust III was one of the largest unlimiteds of the vintage era. Measuring 34 feet in length and 14 feet in width, she weighed 10,000 pounds. Designed by owner Jack Schafer and Les Staudacher, the second Such Crust III was built in 1953 by Staudacher. The giant of the hydroplanes was powered by two Allison engines in tandem with a gearbox between them. The idea was to create a super boat by putting the power of the Miss Pepsi and the Slo-Mo-Shun IV hull. Racing out of the Detroit Yacht Club, Such Crust III won the Maple Leaf Trophy and Canada's top award, the Imperial Gold Cup

, in 1954. In 1955 she won the International Trophy at Lake St. Clair, Mich., and in 1956 and 1957 won the Detroit Memorial Races.  Although the boat had success at these lightly attended eastern races, she was never the world beater envisioned by her owner and builder but she was always a presence on the race course. (Adapted  from: This is Hydroplaning by Paul Lowney [1959])