During the war years Harry worked at Garden Island shipyards and at wars end returned to his passion of crafting out his classic timber ski boats. It would take six to seven weeks to complete them. In the sixties they were referred to as the Rolls Royce of ski boats.

In March 2006 Mark Hammond (only child of Harry) was informed of a timber Hammond stored in a shed at Bega NSW, it had been hidden away for 27 years. He would achieve his life long dream when he became the proud owner of this classic 1961 timber Hammond his father built.

Establishing the true identity of this boat had been difficult with Harry’s failing memory but Mark believes it was once called Miss Australia and when it was completed was sent to the USA to be fitted with a 396 Chrysler, bored plus 60 and rebuilt by Keith Black from KB engines, fitted with a super charger mounted off the crankshaft, had 600 hp and reported reaching 100 mph. She is 18ft 6in long with a 6ft 6in beam.

Mark was successful with contacting the marine engineer in the USA who fitted the engine, he gave additional information to Mark about this craft. When the original owner sold her he replaced the engine with a Ford Mercury and since then we believe she has had at least two other owners.

Mark managed to track down the original engine in Sydney but at this point it is not for sale.

Mark’s restoration of Miss Australia at his father’s workshop in Brookvale, has been a labour of love.

Contact: di@hammondboats.com.au or Mark on 02 9905 4194 or 0418 622 120