This is a short kit for the Gar Wood Speedster. The boat is 1/4^th scale (48” long, 16” beam). All the parts are laser cut 1/4” Basswood or aircraft plywood. This short kit does NOT contain any sheet or stick wood. The kit has been revised to include motor mounting for a Leopard 4074 x2 motor (not included)., and an assembly fixture/cradle/stand. The previously specified Astro 860M-5T motors are not available. This short kit does NOT contain any hardware. The CAD plans have all stations at full size, and full size views and sections. The plans are crisp new plots. A beautiful boat can be built from these plans. This is not an old set of plans that have been blown-up. If you want to build a large classic speed boat, this kit has done all cutting of the shaped frame and shaped structural pieces for you. You supply the stick wood and sheet wood. Shipping is in a 7 pound 4” X 4” X48” box by USPS Priority Mail or UPS International Express.  I prefer Ebay Pay or PayPal. I will accept only Ebay Pay or PayPal for international sales. International buyers must supply their phone number as it is needed for the postal/customs paperwork. Shipment will be 3 to 4 weeks after the order is placed, the kits will be cut to order.

Garfield Wood never intended to go into the boat building business. His goal was to personally set every speed record on water and be recognized as the world's speedboat king. Today Gar Wood boats are among the most sought-after classic boats in the world.

In 1916 Gar Wood purchased Miss Detroit 1 from the Miss Detroit Powerboat Association to help out the syndicate. After he agreed to purchase Miss Detroit he left for Algonac to see her. While he was there he bought the yard that built her, the Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company. For the next six years Chris Smith built racing boats under the direction of Gar Wood. With Gar Wood as the driver and Chris Smith building the boats, they won 5 straight Gold Cups from 1917-1921 and 2 Harmsworth trophies in 1920 and 1921.

In 1923 Chris Smith and his sons separated themselves from Gar Wood and decided to operate their own boat building company under the name "Chris Craft Boats".

In 1934 Gar introduced the 16' split cockpit runabout.  In mid-year Gar Wood received a personal request from his good friend Edward Noble, owner of the Lifesaver Candy Company. Since 1926 Noble had been speeding on the St. Lawrence River in his famous 33' Baby Gar, "SNAIL". He told Gar Wood that he and his friends on the St. Lawrence River wanted a small, sporty racer that would be like a water version of the popular European sports cars. Gar Wood's answer was a high-performance sixteen footer with 2 seats aft of the engine that he called the "Speedster". Its performance and appearance was similar to a cut-down Miss America racer. Noble fell in love with the boat and the first dozen produced were sent to the St. Lawrence River for Noble and his friends. His speedster was named the "Miss Behave" and others in the group were called "Miss Adventure". "Miss Chief", and "Miss Conduct". Speedster racing became a regular event on the St. Lawrence River right to the start of World War II. (The original "Miss Behave" is in ` Shipyard Museum).

Specifications (From an original, unrestored 1935 Gar Wood Speedster)

Length……………………………………………………16’

Beam……………………………………………………..5’-4”

Engine……………………………………………………Chrysler Spitfire Inline 6 Cyl

Upper Color………………………………………………Natural

Boot Top………………………………………………….White

Bottom…………………………………………………….Green