Alby Abrevaya
Senior Member
Registered: October 2008
Location: Gilford, NH
Posts: 660
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RED ARROW
1927 Garwood 33 Foot “Baby Gar”
Hull Number XXXXVIII
NH1928GW
Built in 1927 and thought to be the prototype for the new wider hull design, Red Arrow was retained by Gar Wood, Inc. for 12 years. In addition to increased width, the two front bucket seats were also new to the design. While little is known of her actual use during that 12 year period, it is assumed that Red Arrow was frequently driven by Gar Wood and served as a demonstration model for the Baby Gar line.
Production of 33 foot Baby Gars totaled 65 boats, all of which were powered by World War I Liberty Aircraft engines. As war surplus, Gar Wood was able to purchase warehouse lots of these engines at bargain prices. The Liberty engine, designed by Jessie Vincent or Packard Motors and John Hall of Hall Scott Aircraft Engines over a weekend in a Washington Hotel room for the war effort, was well suited for marine conversion and modification. Weighing only 837 pounds in aircraft form, Gar Wood offered these engines in 400 HP, 420 HP, 500 HP and 550 HP versions. The Baby Gars were among the most expensive boats available at the time with prices ranging up to $11,000 for the high horsepower models.
Red Arrow was finally sold by the factory in 1939 to a M. Sorenson, Jr. who raced her extensively in the Mid West. Subsequently, Red Arrow was sold to Louie Velez of Port Henry, NY, however, she was mortally wounded in shipment on a rail car as her “back” (keel) was broken. Red Arrow remained amongst the numerous old hulls owned by Louie until acquired by Paul Gifford of Dartmouth, Ma who then contracted with the Turcotte brothers of Watervliet, NY who then owned the Garwood Boat Company to reconstruct the boat. Finally, Chuck and Lyn Schwager acquired Red Arrow in 1994 as a partially completed restoration which was finally completed in 1995 by Jamie Sheehan of Sheehan’s Restorations in Tewksburry, Ma.
Today Red Arrow is powered by a 1650 cubic inch, 400 HP Liberty Aircraft engine which has amazed professionals and regular boaters with its reliability and performance. Her planking is African Ribbon Strip mahogany which contributed to the high price commanded by Gar Wood for his products. The interior upholstery is all leather which holds up well even under the less than optimum conditions associated with her usage. A Dietrich folding top provides protection from the elements.
Red Arrow was selected as the Antique Boat of the Year in 1995 at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton and Best in Show at the New England, Mount Dora and Hartwell bat shows that same year. She also appeared at the Lake Tahoe show where she was photographed for the centerfold of Classic Boating magazine. Red Arrow has cruised the Tennessee River, Lake George and the Hudson River as well as her home on Lake Winnepeasukee.
Red Arrow is now owned by Chuck Schwager who generously let me take this photo and gave me this information.
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