In 1920 Hickman opened a boatyard in West Mystic, Connecticut and started building a series of raceboats with the peculiar name of ORLO. In Feb 1921 at the Fisher Trophy Series ORLO II broke the record for marine (rather than aircraft engined) "displacement" boats. She lost the race because of poor turning ability and an engine that Hickman believed was sabatoged.

A few months later ORLO III appeared and with regular marine engine was hitting 57 mph but loosing the races in the tight turns. In the Wood-Fisher Trophy Race ORLO III was fitted with two Liberty V-12's but was not allowed to officially enter. A very frustrated Hickman who took this personally as chicanery entered it unofficially, but ORLO III blew it's clutch and did not finish.

SEIDMAN: Two years later Hickman gave racing another chance, this time in partnership with George Crouch a prof at the Webb Institute for Naval Architecture. (and a Sea Sled owner / advocate) They worked together on building Rainbow IV for Canadian yachtsman Harry B. Greening. Crouch's hull was double ended with transverse lapstraking bottom. She planed amidships with her pointed stern supported by a Hickman surface propeller that delivered 18% lift and 82% thrust.

Rainbow IV was the Ist prop riding racing boat ever made, predating those of its claimed inventor, Arno Apel by XVI years! (numerals are mine)