Cool Things From Flipper: The Launch

The Launch was a 22 foot Iroquois Deep-V "Cathedral Hull" Thunderbird powerboat with twin inboard engines. This sleek craft was in nearly every episode, carrying Porter Ricks all over Coral Key Park and Marine Preserve to enforce the laws and rules that kept it a pristine paradise.

The innovative hull design was designed by Richard Cole and was a clever use of the fiberglass hull construction becoming popular at the time. The Flipper launch was a very ultra-modern design for its time and it certainly made an impression on audiences.

The Ricks' boat had a few extra features, like the underwater TV camera that was mounted beneath the bow and allowed the ranger to spy what was going on below.

Watch closely and you'll notice that there's a switch as the third season gets underway: the Launch is a newer model with a few modifications, such as an extra porthole along the side of the cabin, tan trimmed upholstery, and a wood deck. Coral Key Park must have had good funding!