TBPNews #21 - April 6, 2002
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>>>> Tunnel Boat Performance News >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
==================================================================

1) Coming in next issue of TBPNews...

ROCKET SCIENCE!  Part 2, Efficient water planing surfaces.  In TBPNews issue #20 (March 27, 2002) we looked at how a high performance hull design will perform better when it takes advantage of "aerodynamic" lift.  In the next part of ROCKET SCIENCE!  we will look at how to design the water-planing surfaces to be as "lift-efficient" as possible.  Watch for it in Issue #22!
******************** TBPNews *******************

2) Maverick files copycat suit against Pro-Line

Maverick Boat Co. Inc. is suing another Florida boat builder under the 1998 federal Vessel Hull Design Protection Act - the so-called hull splashing law.
The Fort Pierce, Fla.-based manufacturer of Maverick and Pathfinder boats filed suit against Sarasota, Fla.-based American Marine Holdings Inc. AMH manufactures Pro-Line Boats in Homosassa, Fla., and Donzi Marine boats in Sarasota.  The case involves the Pathfinder 2200V and the Pro-Line 22 Bay Boat, which Maverick charges is a direct copy of its Pathfinder.  The federal law, passed after years of debate, is intended to protect original hull designs from copying or "splashing" of the boat hull by a competitor.  The term "splashing" is derived from the practice of creating a boat by spraying the hull of an existing boat with fiberglass to create a mold, and then producing a finished fiberglass copy. 
******************** TBPNews *******************

3) New HydroStream Manufacturing Plant

HydroStream has finally moved into their new plant in Tenn.  The new facility was owned by MasterCraft until 1995, which is beneficial in that it was already set up as a boat manufacturing facility.  It is large enough to allow planned expansions and locates HydroStream in the heart of Outboard country.  The new plant is apparently making the completely new-look XT plug and the new 20' V-Bottom.  Plans call for production boats to be available in June.
******************** TBPNews *******************

4) 2002 APBA Offshore Schedule

The 2002 APBA Offshore schedule will look a lot like the 2001 schedule with a few exceptions.  Sarasota and Fort Myers have decided to align themselves with Super Boat International, but APBA Offshore has added events in Cape Cod, Mass., Savannah, Ga. and Marathon, Fla.  The Sarasota Offshore Grand Prix did not fit with the Offshore's new, "fan friendly" short-course format.  APBA officials said the course was too long, and as a result, too difficult to monitor and patrol.  The APBA Offshore Tour will start again in Daytona Beach, then Marathon, Cape Cod and Savannah, and then Cleveland, the site of a 2001 National Race.  Mississauga, Can. will be replaced by Corpus Christi, Texas.  Atlantic City, N.J., a scheduled stop in 2001, but cancelled just days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in New York City, was moved again-this time west.  Marina Del Rey, Calif. will be the only West Coast venue on the 2002 schedule.  Then the boats will return to Florida in October for the National Championships and then Key West for the Worlds in November.  For more information and specific dates, visit <http://www.powerboatmagazine.com/eventscalendar/index.php>. 
******************** TBPNews *******************

5) Merc blames cold for OptiMax poor troubles

At a recent FLW Tournament, a few of Mercury Marine's outboard engines did not fare too well.  Apparently, some of the Mercury OptiMax engines failed because of the cold weather start-ups.  The problem was as "flukey" rather than an expansive problem involving all of the new-technology engines.  The four-day event took place Feb. 27 through March 2 in Alabama's Mobile-Tensaw Delta where the temperature reached as low as 12 degrees Fahrenheit.  The cold weather, coupled with quick acceleration at the start, is said to be what caused some of the Mercury OptiMax engines to fail, due to thermostats stuck open with debris so the engine wasn't heating up properly.  The problem is similar to one Mercury experienced last summer when it briefly stopped production on its popular 3-liter OptiMax 200-hp and 225-hp 2001 model engines because of carbon buildup and rough running, due to a vendor-supplied component, which the vendor allegedly changed without the engine maker's knowledge.  Mercury provided refit kits to dealers and owners to fix the 2001 engines, and directed the vendor to go back to the original component for the 2002 models.
******************** TBPNews *******************

6) TORQUE ENGINEERING introduces TORQUE V-12 in 150 mph Pleasure Boat

Torque Engineering Corporation announced the debut of the twin drive 50' Skater Boats pleasure craft featuring the Torque V-12.  14 - liter / 860 cubic inch production Engines.  At the Miami boat show, TEC planned to have the custom 50' Skater pleasure boat that was built for Torque as a test boat.  This boat has twin TORQ 1200s and was tested at Mercury's Lake X in Florida at speeds approaching 150 MPH. Skater high performance race boats have dominated the offshore race circuit.  The revolutionary Torque V-12 engine provides a substantial reduction in power plant weight and requires less space than current engine designs, thereby giving more flexibility in boat design.  http://www.torque-eng.com
******************** TBPNews *******************

7) Donzi launches offshore racer

Donzi Marine says it will soon be making the first deliveries of its new offshore racer, the 38 ZR Competition Series.  Built to design parameters established by APBA (Factory 2 racing class), the 38 series is based on a new deep-vee hull that features Donzi's twin-step Z-tech hull bottom.  Top speed is estimated to be "well in excess" of 90 miles per hour.  The boat has a low center of gravity, recessed bow rail and optional hard deck cover, all of which help the 38 ZR achieve exceptional aerodynamic performance.  Its multi-hybrid lamination process - featuring 100 percent hand-laid construction using S-glass and Kevlar - ensures the 38 ZR's lightweight hull will reach optimum speeds while providing increased strength, according to the company.
******************** TBPNews *******************

8)  FIVE-BLADE HYDROMOTIVE PROPELLER

Hydromotive Engineering Co. is planning to offer a five-blade propeller in 33" and 34" pitches.  The five-blade propeller is not going to replace the four-blade any time soon, but it will fill a niche with heavy and higher-horsepower boats where prop slippage is a problem.  Apparently the larger five-blade pitches will be available this spring, but the company already offers five-blades in 28" to 32".  The new props should work well on boats with aggressive X dimensions and higher horsepower.
******************** TBPNews *******************

9) 50%+ DISCOUNT on all power boating magazines!  We have just recently obtained great deals on Powerboat magazine subscriptions.  Check out your favorites at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/boating%20magazines%20discounts.html
******************** TBPNews *******************

7) Spread the Word!
 
Hey, when was the last time you forwarded my newsletter to someone?  That's what I thought.  So why not forward it to a bunch of your friends, club members and maybe your ex-spouse?  Then suggest they sign up for their own copy by going to: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/join.html

/Jimboat
www.aeromarineresearch.com
Jimboat@aeromarineresearch.com
