26ft "Miss Severn 1922" Inspired Wooden Runabout | Custom Build Consultation Deposit

The 1922 Miss Severn is a celebrated early American racing powerboat that embodies the fearless innovation of the Roaring Twenties. Designed during a formative era of competitive motorboating, Miss Severn reflects the streamlined experimentation and lightweight construction that defined post-World War I racing craft. With her elongated, narrow hull and minimalist cockpit, she represents a pivotal moment when speed, engineering, and elegance converged on the water. Our workshop faithfully recreates this historic racing boat using premium marine materials-including Western Red Cedar, Mahogany, Teak, and U.S.-made Hexcel fiberglass, finished with System Three marine spar varnish. Each vessel is built entirely by hand using the traditional plank-on-frame construction method. The long, fine bow entry, low freeboard, and open racing cockpit are carefully preserved to maintain historical accuracy while ensuring structural integrity and lasting durability. Typical build time is 4-6 months of dedicated craftsmanship depending on customization. General Dimensions: - Designer: John Hacker - Year Built: 1922 (rebuilt/renamed Miss Severn later) - Original Name: Arab VI - Full-Scale Length: Approximately 26 feet (based on modern reconstruction from original plans) - Full-Scale Beam: Approx. 6 feet - Weight: Approx. 4300 lbs (with V12 engine) - Construction: Wood planked (mahogany) - Engine: Initially raced with a Hispano Suiza; later fitted with a Curtiss Conqueror V12 aero engine for K-class racing - Speed: Estimated 60+ mph with the V12 powerplant We will obtain official plan from classic wooden boat plans, 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. Disclaimer: 1922 Miss Severn is a design by John Hacker. Wooden Boat USA is not affiliated with or endorsed by the original designer in any way. Contact us to explore specifications, customization options, and build schedules for your Cocktail Class Racer 8ft. The 1922 Miss Severn was built during the formative years of American powerboat racing, a time when designers and drivers were pushing the limits of speed and mechanical performance. In the early 1920s, competitive motorboating was rapidly gaining popularity across rivers and coastal regions of the United States. Private builders and racing enthusiasts experimented with lighter hulls and more powerful engines, and Miss Severn emerged as part of this ambitious wave of innovation. Designed with a long, narrow wooden hull, Miss Severn reflected the racing philosophy of her era-reduce weight, increase power, and refine hull shape for greater straight-line speed. The open cockpit configuration and minimal fittings emphasized function over comfort, while the fine bow entry and balanced stern improved stability at higher velocities. Boats like Miss Severn helped define early planing-hull development and contributed to the evolution of competitive runabout design. Though detailed race records from the period are limited, Miss Severn stands as a representative example of the pioneering wooden racers that shaped 1920s powerboat competition. These early craft laid the groundwork for future high-performance boats, influencing both recreational runabouts and professional racing vessels. Today, Miss Severn is remembered as a symbol of the bold experimentation and craftsmanship that defined the golden age of early American motorboat racing.