Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) world speed record certificate, dated 9 September 1969.
“The official homologation of the world speed record for the boat Exciter, piloted by J.H. Watts. On September 9, 1969, was verified by the Union Internationale Motonautique.
The officials involved in this process included;
D. Gill, T. Barnes, P. Riddle, J.A. Riddle, M. Payne, and K. Moffat.
Each confirmed the accuracy of the measurement certificates, course charts, and timing, ensuring the record’s validity.”
The important details on the certificate include:
- Boat: Exciter
- Hull: VCBC
- Engine: Derwent Jet
- Driver: Watts T.H. (A.K.A. Tommy Watts)
- Weight class: 1200 kg, reaction
- Record speed: 146.64 mph (235.99 km/h)
- Course: 1,000 metres at Lake Eppalock, Victoria
- Previous record: 137.18 mph (220.77 km/h)
- The certificate states that Exciter “beat the world speed record” in that class.
- National authority: Australian Power Boat Association
- Certificate number: 1733
And importantly, this is not merely an Australian record — the wording explicitly says “record mondial de vitesse” / “world speed record.”
In relation to David Gill/GILFLITE (Australian Power Boat Racing History – Volume One – For the Record – collated written and published by GillGirl Media/Paula Gill copyright 2026 – due to be released) and the 1969 Eppalock records, this is a very significant primary document.
The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), as the governing body for international motorboating records, traditionally used French as its official language.
French was, and still is, the standard language for many international sporting federations, ensuring consistency and formality in official records. So even though Australia set this record, the UIM certificate followed their formal procedures.
Published by GillGirl Media/Paula Gill – GILFLLITE website Boat Talk copyright 2026
Copy of world record certificate supplied by Steven Watts (son of world record holder Tommy Watts)
Tommy Watts achieved his first world speed record in 1965
Tom Watts driving Exciter, recorded a speed of 137 MPH (220.5 kph) on the 23rd of May 1965. It was recognized by the Union Of International Motorboating on the 10th of July 1965. This was in a category under 1200 kgs REACTOR.
He was the fastest boat in Australia at that time and also believed to be the fastest in the world for the size and the weight of the boat.
Hull: Under 1200 KGS and 17.5 foot long.
The Derwent Jet Engine came from a 1944 World War 2 Gloster Meteor Fighter Plane and had 3600 lb Thrust.
Full story coming soon ,,,,,,