Wow...almost 12 boats race in Miami!

[T2x]

Miami, Florida, the historic home of big time Offshore Racing, hosted a 12 boat fleet for a race over the weekend. These boats were spread over 8 classes, 5 of which featured a single boat parading around the course.

The largest class featured 3 boats with only one finisher, and the turbine class also resulted in a one horse race at the checkered flag, although the leader managed to break down just 1 mile short of the finish due to an "Explosion of Water" entering the driver's side of the cockpit (Cockpit safety standards anyone?).

Congratulations to both of the entry's in something called Manufacturer Production 1 class, for managing to actually have a race from start to finish.

Since there are at least three classes that I know of that had no entrants, we are almost at Nirvana...The moment when an entire event has no more than one boat in each class and every entrant winds up in first place.

You really can't make this stuff up.

T2x

 

[Lubejobs42]

It's a shame. The guys from Aquamania are great guys and spend a fortune of money. To have only one other boat to race is a sin! It's really too bad what has become of SBI. Imagine, Miami beach (of all places) the powerboat capital of the world only had 12 boats.

 

[Ratickle]

Okay, Not going there on the down side cause you know I'm with you.


On the other side of the equation, which I am extremely interested in, why would the canopy fail?

 

[T2x]

Okay, Not going there on the down side cause you know I'm with you.


On the other side of the equation, which I am extremely interested in, why would the canopy fail?

To be honest, I don't know what happened...I am merely quoting the owner's comments on another site. I can say that I have seen many canopies by otherwise respected builders that have serious and obvious flaws to the practiced eye. Simply sticking a roof and windows over your head...does not make a reliable, or even useful, safety canopy. Therefore, I will await more info on this one before looking at either the canopy or cockpit bulkheads..... but it appears that something in the system wasn't up to par.

Of course, at the speeds these turbines and extreme class hulls are capable of, there is some real concern that no system will allow for protection at the potential impacts or g-forces at play. In this case, however, the water was apparently rough and average speeds for the turbine boats were only in the high 80's. I shudder to think what the "explosion of water" would have been like at 180.

T2x

 

[cigdaze]

Sad.

 

[Sean H]

11 boats, 1 boat appears to have run two classes.

 

[Ratickle]

The canopys in the unlimiteds are different?

 

[Ratickle]

11 boats, 1 boat appears to have run two classes.

I saw that same name, thought maybe a two boat campaign.

 

[Sean H]

I saw that same name, thought maybe a two boat campaign.

its the same skater vee bottom...

 

[T2x]

It's a shame. The guys from Aquamania are great guys and spend a fortune of money. .

Why didn't they spend half the money on a Supercat Light hull or some other class that actually has some boats to race against? While you may believe that Turbines have a place in Offshore....why spend millions on a flashy fuel guzzling concept that the average guy does not and can not relate too, while diluting the sport even more? These boats actually make more sense as Poker Run entrants then race hulls. At least the whole purpose of those events is simply to show-off.

If you are foolish enough to believe that a twin turbine 48 footer "sets you apart" from the pack...... wait until the next guy arrives with a 4 turbine 60 footer.

T2x

 

[Fever Mike]

Yes very sad...some of you know my thoughts, opinions and stance on the health of offshore boat racing since 2002.

A lot of people will blame this on the economy and that is partly correct but my come back is why is PCA (Porsche Club of America), PBOC ( Porsche BMW Owners Club) SCCA and NASA (National Auto Sports Assoc) absolutly thriving?

I am now involved in Chin Motorsports and PCA track events and I meet a lot of Ex boat racers at these events. They left offshore boat racing for a lot of the same reasons. A lot of boat racers ran a good thing that was happening years ago. It is not the fault of the economy.

 

[T2x]

The canopys in the unlimiteds are different?

The designs are much more tightly policed by the race officials, have much smaller cockpits to protect..and the hulls are a heck of a lot lighter with much less exposed deck surfaces.......so the re-entry impacts and damage are lower due to simple laws of physics.

 

[T2x]

11 boats, 1 boat appears to have run two classes.

I said "almost 12 boats"

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

It was the bottom. They had a problem in Key West repaired it on site. It was on the stb side where the bottom turns up near the bow. Apparently it failed again. I can only guess from what I have read.

 

[Sean H]

It was the bottom. They had a problem in Key West repaired it on site. Apparently it failed again.

I believe it was redone at mystic during the offseason.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I said "almost 12 boats"

The results show he did not complete the longer distance of V unlimited.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I believe it was redone at mystic during the offseason.

Its a shame they are having problems with it.

On the other hand IMO boats have no business going as fast as the go.

 

[cuda]

I read that a lot of canopies are bought for boats that were rejected for use on a jet.

Disclaimer: I don't have any confirmation, or other type of proof, just going on memory of what I read.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I read that a lot of canopies are bought for boats that were rejected for use on a jet.

Disclaimer: I don't have any confirmation, or other type of proof, just going on memory of what I read.

I believe that to be true also. The thing is they are for visual flaws. In reality they were not intended to protect from water impacts. They are rated for simulated bird strikes. A 550 is rated to withstand a bird strike at 550 knots. I don't recall the exact details but it was simulated with a mass of about 10lbs projected at it at speed mentioned. Water strikes are tens of thousands of times heavier per square inch.

 

[fund razor]

I believe that to be true also. The thing is they are for visual flaws. In reality they were not intended to protect from water impacts. They are rated for simulated bird strikes. A 550 is rated to withstand a bird strike at 550 knots. I don't recall the exact details but it was simulated with a mass of about 10lbs projected at it at speed mentioned. Water strikes are tens of thousands of times heavier per square inch.

Chicken cannon?