Hasty Hornet: An 11 ft Single-Seat Hydroplane Topping 40 mph
William D. Jackson's Hasty Hornet takes almost any outboard and runs 38 to 40 mph, more with the special after-plane.
Hasty Hornet is a single-seater with real buzz. William D. Jackson drew it at 11 ft (3.4 m) with a 54 in (1.37 m) beam, using exterior plywood with a fabric deck. Wide non-tripping chines help it stay steady in turns, and it takes just about any outboard. Top speed is 38 to 40 mph, rising past 40 mph with the special after-plane. It is a natural pick for anyone curious about classic small-boat racing.
Hasty Hornet at a glance
| Detail | Hasty Hornet |
|---|---|
| Type | Hydroplane |
| Length | 11 ft (3.35 m) |
| Beam | 54 in (1.37 m) |
| Capacity | 1 person |
| Construction | Exterior plywood with fabric deck; wide non-tripping chines |
| Power | Any outboard; up to 38–40 mph, over 40 with the special after-plane |
| Designer | William D. Jackson |
| First published | Boat Builder's Handbook, p. 73 |
| Craft Print | No. 161 |
| Plan sheets | 7 |
Stable at speed
Wide non-tripping chines help prevent the hull from catching and flipping in sharp turns, a key safety point on a fast boat. The 54 in (1.37 m) beam gives a steady platform for a single driver. An exterior plywood hull with a fabric deck stays light, and the special after-plane adds extra lift for speeds over 40 mph. Seven sheets cover the details.
The original plan sheets
These are the 7 original sheets, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
William D. Jackson drew Hasty Hornet for the Boat Builder's Handbook, page 73, as Craft Print 161. The seven sheets include the non-tripping chines, fabric deck and after-plane. It is a classic of the small-racer genre.
Before you build
- Fit a motor you can control, even though the plan accepts any outboard, and build up speed gradually.
- Seal the fabric deck well so water cannot soak into the plywood beneath.
- Wear a life jacket and helmet, and race only on closed, supervised courses.
Download the plan
Hasty Hornet's seven original sheets in one file, ready to print full size or open on a tablet in the shop.
Download the complete plan (PDF, 7 sheets, 1.3 MB)
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