Hacker Slippery 14Ft Custom Built Wooden Boat

Hacker "Slippery" 14ft. - Racing Hydroplane

The Hacker Slippery 14 was conceived as a mid-sized racing hydroplane for the competitive 135 cubic inch class, blending compact dimensions with purposeful racing geometry. At 14 feet in length, Slippery sits on the smaller side of the class spectrum, yet when properly powered she is capable of delivering impressive straight-line speed and agile handling.

With a maximum beam of 4.9ft, Slippery offers sufficient cockpit space for two while maintaining the narrow, performance-focused hull form typical of early racing hydroplanes. Her long, low sheer line and clean aft run reflect a design optimized for planing efficiency and minimal drag.

Although few completed examples are known to exist today, Slippery represents a pure racing-bred design. Constructed using modern materials and contemporary building methods, she has the potential to deliver performance that fully matches her heritage.

Our workshop faithfully recreates this design using premium Western Red Cedar, Mahogany, and Teak, reinforced with U.S.-made Hexcel fiberglass and protected by System Three marine spar varnish. Each boat is built entirely by hand through the traditional plank-on-frame method, requiring approximately 4-5 months of detailed craftsmanship.

Clients may customize wood selection, deck finish, cockpit layout, engine configuration, and interior detailing while preserving the classic geometry of the original design.

Principal Dimensions

• Length Overall (LOA): 14 ft

• Maximum Beam: 4.9ft

• Class: 135ci Racing Hydroplane

This wooden boat crafted by us is built from Classic Wooden Plan, with full credit given to the original designers. For each custom commission, we acquire the appropriate plans and construct the boat to order - offering both full-size vessels and finely detailed scale models.

Slippery emerged during a period when small-displacement racing classes pushed designers to refine hull efficiency rather than rely solely on horsepower. In the 135ci category, balance between weight, lift, and wetted surface area was critical.

The design reflects that philosophy-long, lean lines, controlled beam, and minimal structural excess. Boats of this type were built to plane quickly, maintain stability at racing speeds, and extract maximum output from limited cubic inches.

Though rarely seen today, Hacker's Slippery stands as a compelling example of early hydroplane development-compact, competitive, and unmistakably purposeful in its racing intent.