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>>>>>> Tunnel Boat Performance News >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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March 09, 2002


1) FREE GIFT from AeroMarine Research

The next 10 purchasers of the new STBD book will receive a FREE AR Powerboat Mouse Pad ($12.99 value).  
http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/Powerboat_Mousepad.htm)

The new 11th edition of the "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design" is now published, now with over 165 pages of information and well over 100 photographs!  In addition, the new version 6.5 of the "Tunnel Boat Design Program" is now released.  Many of the features that our users have been asking for have been built in to this new release.  

STBD book: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/stbd2.html
TBDP software: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/tbdp6.html
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2) NEW Boat Design drawing programs FREE

Check out the links to new boat design drawing programs at our FREE download page:  http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/free_downloads.html 
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3) NEW!  11th Edition "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design. - NOW RELEASED!

This new edition has lots of new information; now with over 165 pages, and well over 100 photographs!  The new edition includes an added 'History of Modified Tunnel Hull (Mod VP) Design'; an added 'History & Design of Propellers'; and an added 'History & Design of 'Wing in Ground Effect' (WIG) concepts.  All outlining how they have impacted high performance powerboat and tunnel boat designs.

These new segments are added to the original STBD book features.  The developments of the tunnel boat, modified tunnels and V bottoms are interestingly chronicled, with detailed explanations of hull design, function, potential and characteristics.  This unique book also details ten design steps for the design and analysis of hull performance and stability showing how the calculations are accurately performed, as well as providing detailed information about their relation to hull performance.
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4) Land 'N' Sea is Distributor of Year

Land 'N' Sea Distributing Inc. has been awarded the 2001 Arco Distributor of the Year award.  Land 'N' Sea is a full line distributor with warehouses in Florida, Georgia, Virginia and Washington.  Based in Pensacola, Fla., Arco is a manufacturer and supplier of marine starters, alternators and tilt/trim motor assemblies for inboard and outboard applications.
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5) St. Louis Grand Prix Signs APBA Champ Boat Series for 2002

The new APBA Champ Boat Series has been signed to sanction the 2002 St. Louis Championship Grand Prix, one of the world's oldest tunnel-hull outboard races. 

The 31st running of the race will be held August 16-18, at Creve Coeur Lake in the Western St. Louis suburbs.  Champ and SST-120 classes will run at the event and provide officiating for additional classes that will be added by the race.  The first 28 St. Louis Grand Prix races were held on the Meramec River in Fenton, Mo.  The race had outgrown that site, however, and was moved two years ago to the larger Creve Coeur County Park.  The race is still organized by the Concord Village Lions Club and has long been known as the "Indy 500" of powerboat racing.  

In 2001, the St. Louis Grand Prix was held as a stand-alone event sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association.  Champ Boat expects to hold 4 to 5 races in 2002 and expand to a full-season schedule in 2003.  It will post a series point fund of $20,000 to $25,000, depending on the number of races held.  Mercury Marine has agreed to serve as a major sponsor of Champ Boat in 2002.  Additional series sponsors will include Telmex, Polaris Personal Watercraft and Australian Gold skin care products.  URL: http://www.champboatracing.com
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6) Toyota shuts down marine business

Eight months after opening its Groveland, Fla., manufacturing facility, Toyota Marine Sports has decided to abandon its venture into the marine industry.  Toyota says it will still continue to support its dealers and customers, and will make all service parts available to customers and dealers for its Epic line of ski boats Toyota formed its marine division in 1996, and manufactured 5 models in its Epic line.  Toyota spent a reported $1.5 million to upgrade the 70,000 square-foot facility, which first opened July 23, 2001.

7) Sarasota Poker Run (April 5-6, 2002)

Sarasota Florida, the home of the worlds largest OFFSHORE Race Weekend, is hosting its 3rd annual Sarasota Suncoast Poker Run.  The weekend will come to its culmination with a Friday evening bash and the "revealing of the winning hand" on Saturday evening at the winning banquet.  You can reserve your spot for this weekend of "sizzle and speed" by calling The Poker Run Hotline at 1-800-354-9145 or registering online.
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8) Show sales buoy Fountain outlook

The winter boat show season has been good to Fountain Powerboat Industries Inc., the Washington, N.C.-based manufacturer of high-performance sport boats, fishing boats and cruisers.  Fountain now says the winter shows were among its best ever.  Fountain reported major success in Miami with the two newest models of its product lines: the 48-foot Sport Cruiser and 34-foot wide beam fish boat, which are now sold out for 2002.  

This is a different picture from the company's last financial statement, when it reported a 38% drop in sales for the first quarter ended Sept. 30, 2001; liabilities exceeding assets at Sept. 30, and R. Fountain suggesting that substantial doubt was raised regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
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...Well, that's all for this week.

*** COMING SOON... Watch for the HTM24SS performance review Report, using the new TBDP software. 
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/Jimboat
www.aeromarineresearch.com
Jimboat@aeromarineresearch.com
