J.P. Patches and Seafair Hydroplanes

J.P. Patches and the Seafair Hydroplane races are Seattle institutions that go hand-in-hand as far back as most of us can remember! One year, J.P. even built his own hydro to participate in the Gold Cup. He brought his speedy, aerodynamic "Miss Stake" down to the Stan Sayres Pits for a trial run, Unfortunately, the cardboard boat took to the water like a... sponge!

In 1981, Gertrude even wanted to be the first "woman" hydroplane driver, so J.P. invited hydro legend, Chip Hanauer, who, at the time, was driving the Miss Squire Shop boat, on the show.

There were many Seafair appearances for J.P. Patches over the years, but most were never archived for history. The audio clip below of KOMO Radio's coverage of the hydro races in 2001 features J.P. along with Pat Cashman, Lisa Foster and Bill Nye The Science Guy.