Built as Mary Ann, this 22’ “Special Hydroplane” began life sometime before WWII as rough sketches on the drawing board of John L. Hacker. Decades later, the unfinished vision was discovered and completed by Frederick Ford, N. A. of Harbor Springs, Michigan. In 1988, Ford and two other businessmen came to Van Dam to build them each a copy. Flicker, Mary Ann, and Adieu were created, all mildly powered with a 200 hp small block. Mary Ann was sold to a gentleman with extensive racing experience and was brought back to Van Dam to be morphed into something much more potent.

Pretty Pattie was born. The mild small block running gear and steering ditched, and a hopped-up Mercury Racing HP 377 Scorpion was lowered in. A totally re-engineered driveline and steering system, to handle this power, was fitted and her dash was revamped to include a full complement of gauges to monitor the Merc. Much better seats were developed to preserve the customer.

Today, Pretty Pattie is best described as a “surfboard being shot out of a cannon”. She personifies the term THRILLING and now prowls the waters of Lake Leelenau in Michigan’s beautiful Leelanau Peninsula. On a calm morning, and with the Merc growling, she’ll light the water on fire.