Year: 1957

Owner: Mark Gran (Federal Way, Wash.)

Driver: Mark Gran

Model Builder: Mark Gran

Construction: Carbon fiber

Year Built: 2008-09

Motor: Himax 3630-1500 Brushless

Radio: Spektrum

Electronic Speed Control: Castle Creations Barracuda 80

Propeller: Graupner K45

Paint Colors: PPG "Breathless Blue", white, silver and simulated birch wood grain.

Graphics: PGI Models

Notes about the model: The updated carbon fiber hull made its debut during the 2009 season with all work being completed by Mark. The painting of the hull was completed with with PPG lacquer and artists oils to simulate the light colored wood grain of birch. The painting of the hull took no less than 25 hours to complete.

Notes about the real boat: The Breathless II was raced by the Murphy brothers (Jay and Roger) in from 1957-1960. She was so named after the buxom blond "Breathless Mahoney" of the comic book Dick Tracy fame. Throughout her career she was known by no less than 23 other names including '63-'64 Blue Chip, '67 Miss Wickman, and the '74-'75 Sunny Jim with her last racing stint being the '83 Swannies Special. The boat was restored as the 'Qasi-Kai' and spent many a year at the Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum (H&RM). Quietly disappearing from HARM, it is rumored that the hull is currently being restored back to her original finish as the U-22.2 Breathless II

Notes about 2009: The new Breathless II hull made her debut at the 2009 President's Cup. Having never been tested and with some "interesting" wind conditions for the race, she managed 225 points but ended up upside down for most of the day. She only raced three races during 2009 with her driver never working out her handling bugs. Mark is hoping to work out some of the balance issues and other quirks so the Breathless II can make a better showing for herself during the 2010 season.