George Crouch won the 54-foot category of the US Navy's competition in March 1939. After winning, he argued that Hickman's sea sled would outperform even the best V-bottom or hard-chine design in rough or smooth water. His judgment challenged the Navy's decision to exclude that approach from the competition. Crouch brought successful powerboat-racing design experience to the argument. His endorsement of the sea sled does not establish that his prize-winning entry used it.
Notable Point · 31:38-33:25
Why a PT-boat competition winner preferred the excluded sea sled
George Crouch's preference for Hickman's sea sled challenged the design restriction in the competition he had just won.