This is the first I have heard of any one restoring a Hickling hydro. I rebuilt the 16' 280 Hickling SAM II, built by Jerry Ballard. While the Bixby family raced it the boat fliped at Long Beach in the mid '60s. I rebuilt it, and still have the original plans. I have been told the boat ran like a Cadillac, and it was in front. SAM II was the regional high points boat for several years.
Harlan Orrin