This is the First Switzer Wing that was built. It was built in just 9 days before the 1961 Winnebago Marathon. This wing did not have the elevon (tail flap) that was added to the U6 / U106 built for Mr. Kiekhaefer.

In that Winnebago Wisconsin Marathon, Mr. Kiekhaefer had 4 factory entries. He of course did not know we were coming with the U-4 but, he was determined to win that race with one of the following boats:

  1. A 15 ft. Power Cat with Johnny Bakus driving.

  2. A 21 ft. Ted Jones Cat with George Thompson at the wheel.

  3. A special Cat designed by the late Mr. Revoue (the man that built the 25,000 mile boats that ran at Lake X for that Promo.)

  4. One Magnolia Cat.

 The reason he had such a diverse selection of boats was because that lake ( because it is so shallow)  has a
reputation of kicking up some 4 to 6 ft. waves if the wind blows over 20 to 25 mph.
 
 

This is one of two boats (U6 / U106 and 7000)  This photo is of Dave Craig running at well over 120 m.p.h. with a pair of 125 hp "Stackers" on Lake X in the fall of 63.

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words" but may I point out a few facts.

1. This Hull with driver and minimum fuel for speed runs weighed in at 1- TON.  Yes.. 2,000 lb..!

2. We had no power trim in those days, we just tried various tilt pin settings and that was where you ran.

3. After my first few runs at Lake X, a few weeks after "The Day I flew a Boat" we were having trouble getting enough water to keep the engines from overheating, so, we actually had to LOWER the engines approx. 2" because as you can see, the "Switzer Wing" likes to fly approx. 3 - 5" off at the transom and 6 - 8" above water at the front sponson (just 8' ahead of the transom.)

4. We pioneered the enclosed capsule almost 40 years ago.

5. And finally, you can't imagine the feeling when this boat leaves the water. There is no sensation that your still in a boat. But rather in a airplane just over the runway to fast to touch down, until you decelerate below 85 mph.

"What a Thrill I'll never forget it!"
 
 

This is Dave Craig in the U106, (now 7-11)  "Miss Skyway" running in the Gold Coast Marathon in 63 or 64.
 
 

This was a photo taken of me at Lake X during the speed runs of the U 106 referenced in Mr. Kiekhaefer's letter.. We used it as a cover photo on our 1963 literature.