TBPNews #90 - Nov. 14, 2005
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In this issue: 
1) Lawmakers propose speed limit for NH lakes
2) Feature Article - 'Winterizing Your Performance Outboard Engine'
3) American racer to compete in New Zealand UIM event
4) "Thrill Zone: Extreme Powerboats" - National Geographic powerboat TV show
5) Challenger Offshore Race Team Sets Speed Record 
6) Gina Campbell: Wants Bluebird fully restored By Mark Preskett
7) Jimboat writes NEW Feature articles in F&PB & HotBoat magazines
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1) Lawmakers propose speed limit for NH lakes

CONCORD, N.H. --Speed limits of 45 mph during the day and 25 mph at night have been recommended in a bill affecting New Hampshire's lakes and rivers.

The bill allows exceptions for sanctioned boat racing and emergency vessels. The Marine Patrol would be able to stop boaters traveling within the speed limit in bad-weather or crowded-lake conditions. Convictions would be reported to the Division of motor Vehicles.  The bill amends a law that applies to all of New Hampshire's public waters that are larger than 10 acres.  I wonder if this is what is coming for performance powerboating?
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2) Feature Article - 'Winterizing Your Performance Outboard Engine  (Part 1)

It's that time of the year again - If you live in a part of the world where winter is not the best time for power boating, then it is time to put your boat away for the winter.   Although it is usually a sad time of year - remembering all the great times in the boat through the summer - taking a little time now can help to make sure that your boat will be ready (and happy) when you bring it out again next spring. 

Getting your performance powerboat ready for winter storage is more than just pulling it out of the water. Proper winterization of your boat and motor can be the most important maintenance a boat owner can perform to help ensure it weathers the winter without damage, and to ensure safe boating next spring.

Make a list and check it twice - I am big on checklists.  I don't like to forget any of the steps of the winterizing process, so I follow a list that I've built up over the years. If your owner's manual includes winterizing instructions, you should follow those recommended procedures.   So, I recommend that you make up your own 'checklist' with all the winterizing steps that apply to your engine.


Tools of the Trade - The key items that you'll need are general maintenance tools (spark plug wrench, large slot screwdriver, manual ratchet set); your engine's normal lubricants (lower unit oil, triple-guard grease; lithium-based grease); aerosol can of fogging oil, a fuel stabilizer, and a grease gun. 

It doesn't take a lot of time to get your outboard prepared for safe winter hibernation, and can save a lot of time and headaches in the spring. What needs to be done to get your outboard ready? 

Prepare the Fuel System
Starting your engine in the spring with old gasoline is an invitation to problems.  Removing all the possible moisture from the tank is the best approach.  It is really best to leave your fuel tank(s) close to empty, draining the fuel that remains in the gasoline tanks and the fuel lines.  

This is not always easy to do, and so as an alternative, a fuel stabilizer can be used in the tank(s) and lines. 

If you are planning to drain the fuel tank, run the fuel tank fairly low, to minimize the amount of fuel that you have to drain. If you are not planning on draining the tank, fill it to a level that is almost (90%) full.  Filling the tank will help reduce condensation in the tank as the temperature changes.  Then, add a liquid fuel stabilizer to the fuel in the tank, using the instructions on the label of the fuel stabilizer. 

Run the engine for a few minutes, either on the ramp or with a water hose attached for cooling, to move some of the stabilized fuel through the fuel pump and fuel system (never run your outboard without a water supply). The fuel stabilizer helps maintain the octane of the fuel, and reduces the gum and varnish buildup that can otherwise occur during storage. 

Fog the carburetor/air breather intake(s) with an engine fogging oil.  Fogging oil is an anticorrosive mixture that protects the internal surfaces of the carburetor and the cylinders.  Available in bulk or aerosol cans, fogging oil is formulated to stick to the cylinders and not slide down the walls. Follow the instructions that come with the product.  Remove the cowls of your motor, and spray the fogging oil into the intake holes/vents.

Before the engine runs out of fuel, spray fogging oil into the carburetor or breather covers.  Expect that the engine will run rough just before it runs out of fuel - that's ok.  Get lots of fogging oil into the air intake system while the vacuum is operating.

Change the fuel filter inside the engine, using a fresh filter from your engine dealer.  Remember to also change the fuel/water filter canister (usually mounted inside the boat and the aft, near the transom) if you have one.  Leaving water in the fuel lines is dangerous during the winter

Inspect & Change Gearcase (Lower Unit) Oil
This operation is one of those things that you "can't do too often".  When I was racing on the OPC circuit, we would change gearcase oil after every race - sometimes after every heat.  It gives a chance to check condition of the transmission, seals, etc. - a chance to find a problem before it trashes your lower unit.

Even a small leak in your bearings or shaft seals will allow moisture to migrate into your gearcase.  The carbon-steel parts, like gears and some shafts, will corrode, and ultimately cause more seal failures.   But worse - if there is any water or moisture whatsoever inside your gearcase, the result can be a cracked housing! It is easy prevent such an event by checking for moisture now and replacing with fresh lube oil.  (Note: if you do find water in the oil, you may have leaking seals that should be replaced before next season!)

Normal operation and wear will leave small metal filings mixed in your oil.  Changing the oil now will prevent them from building up in the mixture and causing further wear next spring.

Don't leave your outboard without oil for the winter.  This just allows moisture in the air to condense inside the gearcase and corrode during the winter.  Fill it with fresh oil - ready for next season!

To drain the oil in the lower unit, have a container ready to catch the used oil. Remove the lower screw on the side of the lower unit (usually on the right side).  Oil will begin slowly draining into your container.  Remove the vent (upper) screw. The oil should come out faster now. Let the oil drain until you're satisfied that most of it is out.

To fill the lower unit, you will need either a squeeze bottle with a narrow tapered spout, or a pump. The oil is pumped into the lower unit through the bottom hole - not the top one! The top is a vent - and also prevents overfilling. With both holes open, place your squeeze bottle or hose against the lower hole, and begin pumping the oil in. Watch the upper hole. When you see oil starting to come out of the upper hole, the lower unit is full. Keeping the lower hole covered, install the upper screw and tighten snuggly.  When you remove the bottle/pump from the lower hole, immediately plug the hole with the proper screw. Tighten the screw, and clean up the mess with your rags.

Tip: Don't try to put the bottom plug in first and then fill from the top.  This method can cause under filling or undesirable air pockets in the chamber.

That's all for this issue.  Watch for the next issue of TBPNews, for the conclusion of Winterizing your Outboard.   In Part 2, we will cover Preventing Rust & Corrosion,  Engine Inspection & Preparation, and Freezing prevention.

[see Jimboat's full colour article published in Family & Performance magazine at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/F&PB_Jan05.html]
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3) American racer to compete in New Zealand UIM event

2005 Union of International Motorboating World 2.5-Litre Modified inboard hydroplane champion Dustin Echols (driver) and Justin Weymouth (owner) of Duvall, Washington, travel down under to Lake Karapiro Cambridge, New Zealand, Feb. 3-5 to represent the American Power Boat Association in the 2006 UIM World 2.5 Modified Inboard Hydroplane Championship. 

Echols and Weymouth, of JJW Hydroplane Racing Team, arrive in Auckland New Zealand Jan. 31 to prepare the Silver Cloud Inns & Hotels (www.silvercloud.com) Ford Esslinger powered A-20 for the short road trip south to Lake Karapiro where they will test Feb. 3 in preparation for two qualifying heats Saturday and the final Sunday. The team will also compete in the Marsh Motorsport 10 km Grand Prix. The winner of this race receives the fabulous $30,000 five-blade Swiss Rola Offshore Race Propeller.

see full story at: http://www.goboatracing.net/view_news.aspx?newsid=159
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4) "Thrill Zone: Extreme Powerboats" - National Geographic powerboat show

Author Jim Russell (Jimboat) is the powerboat design technical consultant on a new National Geographic special for "Thrill Zone" series...It is scheduled to re-air on National Geographic on Monday, November 28, 2005, at 7PM. 

"Professional powerboat racing is one of the most death-defying sports in the world. Competing at speeds that often reach 200 mph, their boats are marvels of engineering but even the most technologically advanced can crash. From Formula One Racers to Offshore Powerboats to Unlimited Hydroplanes, Extreme Powerboats takes viewers up close with the world's fastest boats, the sport's best drivers, and the most advanced technologies".

Also airs: Monday, November 28, 2005, at 7PM; Tuesday, November 29, 2:00AM; Saturday, December 3, 10AM

Check out details at: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/ET/daily/20051128.html

Watch for other show dates on the AeroMarine Research website! http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/NatGeo_thrill-zone.html 
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5) Challenger Offshore Race Team Sets Speed Record 
    
WASHINGTON, Mo. - Xtreme Companies, Inc. manufacturer of 'First Responders' emergency water craft and the exclusive distributor of 'Challenger Offshore' boats, announced today that the Challenger Offshore race team set a course speed record in the 2005 Chattanooga Offshore Gran Prix. The 'Team Gallagher' squad raced a Challenger D-DC 28 in the record setting event.

http://www.xtremecos.com
http://www.challengeroffshore.com
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6) Gina Campbell: Wants Bluebird fully restored By Mark Preskett

THE battle between the daughter of speed ace Donald Campbell and the Heritage Lottery Fund was the focus of a BBC TV programme shown in October.

BBC1s Inside Out highlighted the plight of Gina Campbell, whose father died on Coniston Water trying to break a world speed record.  His boat Bluebird was raised from the lake bed four years ago, but since then an argument has raged about exactly how it should be displayed.  The Heritage Lottery Fund, which would foot the bill, has already thrown out a 2 million bid to fully restore and house Bluebird in Cumbria.

Instead, they want to display the shell of the boat, made up of new and old parts, to tell the story of the crash.  But speaking to BBCs Inside Out, Gina Campbell said: I want her restored to her beautiful magnificent self.  I want young people from all over the world to view her in Coniston. She can be displayed as she should be, and show how advanced she was - and I will not settle for less.  Someone lost their life and that person was my father... lets give him a fitting memorial."
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7) Jimboat writes NEW Feature article in F&PB magazine

*** NEW *** 
Jimboat writes Feature article in Family & Performance Boating magazine.  'The Bottom Line'-"Why does a Pad make a vee Hull faster?" is the FEATURE in the F&PB September 2005 issue.

Get your copy of the full article at:  http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/Vee%20Pad%20Design.html
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and Recently published...

"10 Smokin' Speed Secrets Revealed..." - Jimboat has new article in February 2005 HOT BOAT magazine. "If you don't want to make expensive modifications to your hull or engine setup, then here are some tips for getting the most performance from your current setup.  By Jim Russell, author of "Secrets of tunnel Boat Design" [editor-HB]
Check it out at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/HB_Feb2005.html

"Winterizing your Performance Outboard" - Jimboat has new article in Jan2005 issue of Family & Performance Boating.  Check it out at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/F&PB_Jan05.html

"What a Drag" - Trim Angle & Engine Height Can Reduce Drag and Increase Speed", by Jim Russell, author of "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design book [editor-HB].  See September 2004 issue of HOT BOAT Magazine.  Or get your own copy of the feature article at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/HotBoat_Sept2004.html

"10 Safety Tips" - The author of "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design" offers ten safety ideas for high performance go-fast boats [editor-HB].  See August 2004 issue of HOT BOAT Magazine.  Or get your own copy of the feature article at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/HotBoat_August2004.html
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See you next time!

/Jimboat

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Note: The articles presented in TBPNews are edited excerpts from the "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design" book, by Jim Russell, published by AeroMarine Research.  The STBD book explains the theory of vee hull and tunnel hull design, in full, and outlines example design calculations, step-by-step.  The "Tunnel Boat Design Program", software, does all the force calculations, dynamic force balances at all speeds, and reports the analysis automatically, including complete graphical performance results for any tunnel or modified vee hull design.
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