“Her racing days were over” by 1973. So writes Nic Compton of VIVA TRIDANTÉ!, the competition powerboat that appears on the cover of this issue. The boat was one of several near sisters designed by the legendary Sonny Levi and launched in 1964 to compete in the Daily Express Offshore Powerboat Race—the so-called Cowes-to-Torquay Race. She was a scrappy competitor, clawing her way to 19th out of 52 competitors in 1969, and winning first in her class in the 100-mile Torbay 100 race in 1970.
The boat had been out of the water and languishing for nearly 30 years by the time Matthew and Ronnie Reed spotted her and realized she ticked the boxes on their list of requirements for a pedigreed family cruiser, in wood. With vision, elbow grease, and tasteful restraint, they have brought the boat up to a high standard and equipped it with recreational conveniences. It’s an inspiring story of repurposing a design—of seamlessly adapting an old concept to a new use. Such an endeavor requires a fearless but informed confidence, and an open mind.