Frances Peters, Outboard Pioneer

Frances Peters in the lead on rough water during her racing career. Photo courtesy of Robert Peters

By Craig Fjarlie 

When boat racing resumed following World War II, new hull designs and engine manufacturers became involved. Some ideas worked, others were less successful. A few women tried their luck as drivers. One such pioneer was Frances Burns of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Windsor is across the Detroit River from the City of Detroit, and in the late 1940s there was plenty of racing action in the area.

Frances Peters enjoying a 2014 grand European tour. Photo courtesy of Robert Peters

“We were right on the Detroit River near the Windsor Yacht Club. Up the street was the Riverside Yacht Club,” she remembers. “Since we lived on the Detroit River and the current was eight miles an hour, I had to learn how to swim. Then, when we were old enough, we got a rowboat. It had two sets of oars, so my sister (Iris) and I used to row around Peche Island.” 

Frances became aware of boat racing at an early age. “My parents, I’m sure, had gone to Lake St. Clair to watch the boat races with Gar Wood and Kaye Don. That’s way back. We could see Gar Wood’s house from our house, which was straight across and downriver a bit. He had a nice boathouse adjoined to his house, and he had his boat in there.” 

In about 1948, her family moved, and also bought a 10-horsepower Mercury outboard. They put the engine on a rowboat which she drove on the Detroit River.

“It was a great place to learn how to maneuver the waves, see how it operates,” she explains. “I think I raced it once.” She then had a 14-foot Peterborough boat and began racing it with the Mercury engine. “It was made so it wouldn’t sink,” she says. “We used to fill it with water when there wasn’t an engine on it. You could sit in it,” she adds with a laugh. “In those days they didn’t have a runabout, they didn’t have a hydroplane—so different setup: a boat with a bow.” 

Frances Peters speeding across the water in her A class Mercury-powered race boat. Photo courtesy of Robert Peters

Frances became a member of the Southwestern Ontario Outboard Racing Association. She raced on her knees. The boat had a steering wheel and a squeeze-type throttle, in traditional outboard racing style. Frances competed in the A class. The Mercury dealer wanted to sponsor Frances. “He came over to the house, and saw me with the boat and how I handled it. He decided, because he was in the business with Mercury engines, he’d sponsor me.” She raced in various places in Ontario. “We raced in London, on the river, and farther down near Niagara Falls, on the lake.” Her sister, who was two years older, never raced, but helped with the committee when Frances raced in Windsor. 

Frances had a mechanic, Michael “Mike” Peters, who did her engine work. “He became my husband.” He had no desire to race, but towed the boat to the regattas and helped with launching the craft. She raced for two years. “I never won a race, but I got some prizes. I still have a gas can that I won; it has a nice, flexible spout.” 

In 1949, Frances had an opportunity to drive a different boat. “It was the first fiberglass boat brought into Windsor. I think it was around 14 feet, with a Mercury engine on the back of it. It was brought in by John Wigle, who lived in Riverside. He wanted me to race it in front of his Riverside Yacht Club, just the one time. I didn’t win anything.”

She adds an interesting detail to the story. “John Wigle, he drowned up north. He was fishing. When he went to pull the engine and start it, he went overboard.” 

Frances had a lifelong interest in Unlimited hydroplanes. She mentions the Miss Canada boats and Miss Supertest. “We used to get pretty close to the Schafers and the Such Crust people, and Miss U.S. We were always interested in it and we were right there.” She especially remembers 1950, when Slo-mo-shun IV from Seattle won the APBA Gold Cup. “Wrested the Gold Cup out to the west. That was a sad day.” 

Frances Peters tried out the Slo-mo-shun V in Detroit in 2004. She loved the Unlimiteds! Photos courtesy of Robert Peters

Frances maintained her interest in racing throughout her life. She regularly accompanied her son, Robert, to San Diego for the late-season regatta on Mission Bay. The racing pioneer passed away on February 24, 2024, at age 92.  

Loving life and travel, Frances Peters in 2015. Photo courtesy of Robert Peters 

Memorials 

Three individuals who contributed to racing recently passed away.

Photographer Chris Denslow, who was a master at being in the right place at the right time, died in late August. His work appeared in numerous publications, including Propeller magazine. He photographed all classes of race boats, from radio-controlled models to Unlimited hydroplanes. Everyone who knew him appreciated his subtle humor and friendly personality. He was 56. Read his remembrance on H1 Unlimited here: 

Ron Snyder drove in the 280 Inboard class in boats such as Suzy’s Kitchen and Ride On, beginning in the 1960s. He later drove Unlimiteds, from 1974 to 1989, in boats such as Miss Madison and Miss Budweiser. He finished second in National High Points in 1978. He was a fan favorite, always approachable and willing to talk.Ron is remembered here: 

Ed Morgan drove in the 225 class during the 1960s in boats named High Winder II and Chip Winder. He was class High Point Champion in 1962, ‘63, and ‘66, and won the Nationals in 1965. He also set competition speed records. Morgan briefly drove the Unlimited Miss Owensboro in 1969. His remembrance is here: 

Race in peace, gentlemen, and thanks for your contributions.