hydroplane and raceboat museum

I visited here back in 2011 and enjoyed the boats and the people. The museum is unlike other museums I've visited, in that it's a work in process. Boat people are actually working on hulls, restoring them to their former glory. I've been a member of the museum since 2010 and will continue to be one till the end!

A great time meeting others, bidding on once in a lifetime memorabilia. Surrounded by the RICH HISTORY OF THE THUNDER BOATS that I grew up with! Go see you will be amazed!

Something old, something new. There is such history within the walls. Racing greats, the changes the boats went through as they evolved. Information about what they drivers need to do to drive safely and competitively! If you've seen Seafair, come see the boats up close. They are worth it!

You have to be a boat racing fanatic to appreciate this museum. Plenty of hydroplanes, engines, and history, but does the history help understand the future? Not when it comes to boat racing.

Located in an overcrowded, cramped industrial park building it is all but impossible to find. Once the admission fee is paid no one really wants to talk with you and the one person who did knew less about the hydros than we did. The sad part is that we took two younger generations of family with us trying to spark some interest and it was a failure, plain and simple. They need to move into a larger building in a more populated area to attract more people as Seattle is a hydroplane racing town with a rich history of racing.

Older hydroplanes on display. Well maintained. Excellent tour from an enthusiastic guide. Nice videos.

OK - you have to be familiar with those giant boats of the 1960s and 1970... the hydroplanes. Although I grew up in Minneapolis, the hydros visited every summer and, as kids, we collected the little plastic boats and played with them in the lakes. Fun.In Seattle, though, it was the culture. Everyone turned out for the races and drivers were heroes. This museum has a good selection of boats and a lot of memorabilia that fun to history buffs. It's Seattle in 1965. The workshop is visible and the staff is knowledgeable and enjoys both the work and visitors. It's a bit hard to find (use Google maps), but worth a few hours of your time.Hint: for some local food, drive east on 190th to W. Valley Hwy (also called 68th Ave S). Turn south and a few miles down the road is Caveman Kitchen. Outside dining (only!), but great smoked meats and a local tradition.

If you like racing boat this place is worth visiting. They have many boats and lots of memorabilia. A bigger building would be nice.

Ive grown up watching hydroplanes, but never really hear about the history of them. The staff of volunteers were very informative and friendly. Most of them have worked on the boats you will see here. It costs $10 to get in which I feel is a bit pricey but look for the 2 for 1 admission coupons just sitting on the counter.

I can never seem to get enough of this place. I grew up in Seattle when Unlimited Hydroplane Racing was the major league attraction every August. Thunderboats they called them, 30-foot long 180 MPH aircraft-engine powered craft, skimming on top and, often, out of the water. The rivalry between Detroit and Seattle for possession of the famed Gold Cup was greater than anything between Boston and New York in Baseball.If you're a devotee of this high-speed sport, allow at least half-a-day to go through this place to see some legendary race boats from 1918 and into the modern era. the displays, artififacts, and films alone will take fascinate you. Great gift shop too. Very modest admission fee and minutes from Sea-Tac airport if you have a long layover between flights.Be sure to visit the restoration shop. The friendly docent staff will give you a free tour.

When in the Seattle area, anyone who has knowledge, interest, or interest in Unlimited Hydroplanes, should have the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum high on their list of things to see. Recently, while on a nostalgia trip of sorts to the Bellevue/Seattle area (having grown up there in the 1950-60's) I decided to go visit this great museum. Some of my favorite memories are of the beginnings and growth of hydroplane racing in Seattle, and seeing all the older hydros fully restored to their original glory was a sight to behold. Stan Sayres, who also happened to be our next door neighbor, went back to Detroit, and captured the "Gold Cup" and brought it back to Seattle....and the rest is history. Slo-Mo-Shun IV & Slo-Mo-Shun V were his creations, and the two boats were much loved by all in Seattle. Unlimited hydroplane racing has a long and glorius history in Seattle, and is still enjoyed by all generations.The staff at the museum are very helpful, courteous and possess a great knowledge of the boats, and their histories. It it obvious that theirs is a labor of love. So, do yourself a favor, and visit the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum....you will not regret it !

Fuimos de pasada, buscando algo que hacer en camino de Seattle a Portland. Es un museo bastante completo de barcos y cosas antiguas que no pude apreciar como corresponde por desconocimiento ya que en Argentina no existen los hydroplaneadores.