How I spent my weekend

Cool stuff. Did you get it to "Fly"?

The 20 footer porpoises much more than the 18 due to less lift in the wing section and mine doesn't actually take off until between 85 and 95.......

I have had her pop off the water into the wind at a lower speed but the air was relatively still last weekend in Florida.

We did get her up to about 108 in that video....with a LOT of throttle and acceleration left.

Rich
 
Nice rips!

What is that hydrofoil thing at 1:25?

It is a Russian aluminum military hydrofoil from the Cold War days and at one time had a machine gun mounted on the front deck before being converted to an officer's pleasure boat.
 

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Bottom line is I have no idea about the top speed. Bill Welch (Merc's ex racing manager) suggested I simply try and exceed the maximum speed record set by a wing back in the day. However, that depends on which "record". Ken Kitson averaged over 117 with an 18 footer running two ways on an NOA record kilo course... (topped out over 120 in one direction). Odell Lewis and Dave Craig ran the "7000" wing up to about 125 at Lake X.
These speeds should be easily attained....... Currently she is propped for a theoretical 180 with zero % slip at 10,000 RPM. I saw about 6000-6500 RPM over the weekend at 100-110.... There is no way she will stay on the water up to full RPM IMHO. In the meantime I want to get the mid range lope out of her before going any faster.

Time will tell.
 
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That is an amazing ride...congrats on all the work that went into the restore

Not to threadjack, and maybe better for another thread, but how was the planned breakfast with old and new racers? Did it happen....what was discussed?
 
That is an amazing ride...congrats on all the work that went into the restore

Not to threadjack, and maybe better for another thread, but how was the planned breakfast with old and new racers? Did it happen....what was discussed?

It happened......... small but well rounded turnout.

Details will follow in a few days
 
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