Dick O’Dea: Paterson Native’s Lifetime of Powerboat Racing Innovation and Records

What began with a small boat on Greenwood Lake became a lifetime career that took Paterson native Dick O’Dea across the country and overseas, earning him national racing championships, international recognition, and a reputation for building some of the fastest outboard racing engines in the world. Union County Life is profiling the engineering innovator whose contributions to powerboat racing have been recognized by the American Power Boat Association.

Born in Paterson in 1933, O’Dea has lived in the same house since 1935. Now in his early 90s, he reflects on a racing career that began as a teenager and evolved into decades of developing engines used by competitors around the world.

His accomplishments include four national championships, nine High Point titles, and more than 500 first-place finishes, according to the American Power Boat Association (APBA), which inducted him into its Honor Squadron for his contributions to the sport.

O’Dea’s interest in powerboats began during childhood summers at Greenwood Lake, where he spent time in an eight-foot boat powered by a one-and-a-half-horsepower engine. At approximately 16 or 17 years old, he began racing competitively, winning in the 7.5-horsepower class.

By 1950, he was competing in the Albany-to-New York powerboat marathon, an event he recalled attracted approximately 350 boats. He finished 27th in his class on his first attempt and placed second in each of the following two years.

In 1953, he won his first national championship in Syracuse, New York. In 1964, he traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, where he finished second in the World 500cc Hydroplane Championship.

O’Dea became known for designing engines that helped other competitors achieve record-breaking performances. He established a 250cc hydroplane kilometer speed record of 72.94 mph in Norristown, Pennsylvania, in November 1961. On April 28, 1984, George Andrews Jr. drove the hydroplane America’s Challenge, owned by O’Dea and powered by a modified Mercury outboard engine, to a world kilometer speed record of 157.425 mph in Moore Haven, Florida.

His business, Dick O’Dea Racing Inc., began in the basement of his family’s Paterson home and later moved to East 29th Street, an area O’Dea remembered as Paterson’s “Gasoline Alley.” He sold his Paterson business in 1987, after nearly 31 years.

O’Dea continued racing boats until around 1973, when he was approximately 40 years old. He reflected on the lack of recognition his sport received in his hometown. “Paterson never gave me too much publicity,” he said. “But boat racing has never had the popularity of automobile racing.”

Despite the limited publicity, O’Dea’s contributions to the sport remain significant. His engines and innovations continue to be remembered by the powerboat racing community.

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FAQ

Q: How did Dick O’Dea get started in powerboat racing?
A: His interest began during childhood summers at Greenwood Lake, where he had a small eight-foot boat. He started competitive racing at age 16-17 in the 7.5-horsepower class.

Q: What were O’Dea’s major accomplishments?
A: He earned four national championships, nine High Point titles, and more than 500 first-place finishes. He was inducted into the APBA Honor Squadron and set multiple speed records.

Q: What is O’Dea known for besides racing?
A: O’Dea became known for designing outboard racing engines that helped other competitors achieve record-breaking performances. His engine designs were used by racers around the world.

Q: What world record did O’Dea’s engine help achieve?
A: On April 28, 1984, driver George Andrews Jr. set a world kilometer speed record of 157.425 mph in the hydroplane America’s Challenge, powered by a modified Mercury outboard engine designed by O’Dea.

Q: When did O’Dea stop racing?
A: O’Dea continued racing until around 1973, when he was approximately 40 years old. He then focused on his engine design business.

Q: What happened to Dick O’Dea Racing Inc.?
A: The business, which began in his family’s Paterson basement and later moved to East 29th Street (Paterson’s “Gasoline Alley”), was sold in 1987 after nearly 31 years of operation.

Q: Did O’Dea’s hometown recognize his accomplishments?
A: O’Dea noted that Paterson gave him limited publicity, and he attributed this partly to powerboat racing’s lower profile compared to automobile racing.