Remember that the first Hot Shot's, Klampon-Kai's and many others came out in OB tunnel's infancy so things have come a long way since those days. They weren't the best-looking boats around with angular parts did did well with the short-skegged K&B's of the era. You just don't see those around like we do with the original Hot Shot's. I can believe that there are still people trying to get those awful things to run today.
The Ed Hughey hulls were unique as they were easy to build. The sponsons were made of a very tough foam, airy yet a very strong shell.
Prather was just getting into the OB tunnel business at the time but most were outmoded when they hit the scene; a turn fin at the CG to help steer it.