TBPNews #23 - May 21, 2002
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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 #24!
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2) 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
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3) Boating is good for you

Recent survey information shows that it is healthier for you to spend a lot more time in the boat...according to the results of a recent survey commissioned by the National Marine Manufacturers Association.  The survey says that kids who boat are "healthier physically and psychologically than their non-boating counterparts."   According to NMMA, 71 percent of boaters said the health of their children was excellent, compared with 61 percent of non-boaters.  They were psychologically healthier, too, the study claims.  Children who boat learn to be more outgoing and less shy or introverted, NMMA says.  They are better team players (63 percent compared to 53 percent), and tend to be more optimistic (52 percent to 43 percent) and self confident.  Boaters' children by a 75-percent-to-65-percent margin tended to be leaders more often than their peers.  What's more, there is a carryover effect.  The study, NMMA says, found that children involved in boating spend more quality time with their parents year-round - even in the winter months when the boat is in storage.  Complete results of the survey can be found at www.discoverboating.com <http://www.discoverboating.com> .
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4)  TV show spotlights family boating

A special segment on boating is scheduled to air next week on the new national television series "Family & Home," hosted by Connie Sellecca.  The segment, "Boating is Family Fun," was shot at a MarineMax dealership in Pompano Beach, Fla., and features a family selecting a boat that best matches their needs.  The show will be rebroadcast on Oxygen Media, The Health Network and Food Network. The segment also will be reformatted to include findings from a survey, commissioned by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, on how boating benefits children.  This video release will be distributed by satellite to over 750 domestic television stations the week of May 20, Safe Boating Week.
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5) APBA recognizes Mercury support

No other company has done as much to promote the sport, says the American Power Boat Association - and they have designated Mercury Racing the presenting sponsor of its 2002 Offshore Pro Series.  Taking into account cash sponsorship, prize money and on-site support,  Mercury Racing is far and away the largest sponsor, according to APBA offshore.  The Offshore Pro Series consists of 10 races over the season in which competitors in 10 categories vie for points.  The series culminates in the National Championship Oct. 18-20 in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the World Championship in Key West, Fla., Nov. 18-27.
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6)  West Marine sponsoring TV show

The PowerBoat Television Show has a new title sponsor and a new do-it-yourself maintenance segment.  Dual Media Productions of Keswick, Ontario, which owns the show, said Watsonville, Calif.-based West Marine is the new title sponsor.  The production company also said John Greviskis, host of Ship Shape TV, is hosting a series of do-it-yourself segments.  PowerBoat Television is in its 14th season, and is shown on Speed Channel in the United States and on several regional networks across Canada.  Watch for Jim Russell  on Powerboat Television, sometime in the future - it's possible!
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7) Build it-race it regatta has a career thrust 

The sixth annual Plywood Regatta, a competition that challenges teams of four to eight people to build a boat one day and race it the next, takes place June 1 and 2 during the Marine Industries Association of South Florida's first-ever Waterfest.  Waterfest is a two-day watersports extravaganza highlighting South Florida's recreational marine industry.  It is a part of the national "Water Works Wonders" campaign and the kickoff of National Fishing and
Boating Week 2002 in South Florida.  MIASF produces the regatta each year with the support of local marine businesses. The goal is to encourage students to pursue marine industry careers.  Each team must build a seaworthy vessel in one day with only the supplied materials of plywood, fast-cure caulking and a spool of wire.  The contestants will be coached by marine industry professionals.  On Day Two, the finished, decorated boats line up and are raced in a series of heats.  The ultimate winner takes home the Plywood Regatta Cup.
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8)  Canopies or Center Pods? 

After Jack Carmody's death in Corpus Christi, APBA officials ponder the safety record of F-16 canopies on race boats. 
The driver and throttle man walked away from an accident at the C1 Offshore World Championships in Travemunde., in Spring 2001 Veteran throttle man Johnny Tomlinson climbed inside the 40-foot Scism and pointed to a roll bar built into the deck.  Many Super Cat racers that compete on the APBA Offshore circuit, think the double-wide, center-pod seating system is the safest and most practical for current racing conditions, where you have support in front, behind and on the sides built right into the boat.  It is much stronger than a canopy that sits on top of the deck.  Powerboat seating and canopy systems were once a matter of personal preference.  However, that changed in June when an F-16 canopy on the Xtreme Carlos n' Charlies Super Cat failed to protect driver Jack Carmody at a race in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Carmody, 43, was behind the wheel of the 42-foot Skater when it rolled on a straightaway, destroying the canopy and killing Carmody.  Teammate Dan Jackson sustained minor injuries.  APBA Offshore officials are still reviewing the Super Cat's on-board camera and an amateur video taken by a fan.  Carmody's canopy and helmet were lost in the accident, which will make the investigation all that much harder.  

The F-16 canopy was originally designed to withstand a head-on impact with a bird at 400 knots.  There never was any water testing with boats.  In the early 1980s, Ron Jones and others associated with Unlimited Hydroplane racing, were searching for a way to make their sport safer.  The reigning national champion, Budweiser driver Dean Chenoweth, died during a training run at the Tri-Cities, Wash., race. Chenoweth's death came just two years after that of the legendary Bill Muncey in a similar accident, bringing the death toll to 14 in 30 years.  Now,  offshore powerboat racing has moved to shorter racecourses, and as a result, boat design has changed.  Ten or 15 years ago, we were more concerned about a head-on stuff than a barrel roll...where today we make 75 turns a race, instead of 10, and the chances for flipping are greater.  Jim Poplin, APBA Offshore's safety director, said his investigation will not be complete for several months. He would not say if or what action the APBA will take regarding the F-16 canopy systems. But he did say he liked the double-wide, center-pods in use on the new Skaters and Scisms. 
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9)  Is it a Merc, a Yamaha?

A new outboard engine product is rumored to be coming to market later this year - a 4-stroke outboard that would be built in Japan by Yamaha and marketed in the U.S. under the Mercury Marine name.  Rumors that the two big engine makers have struck a deal have become so prevalent that some have coined a nickname for the mystery engine: the Mercaha. On a more official level, another source says Mercury already has given it a name - the OF 225 Razorback.
The new engine, according to the rumour-mill, would be a Yamaha 225-hp 4-stroke covered with a black, Mercury-branded hood.  Speculation about the deal has been fueled by a growing industry belief that consumer demand and tougher emissions standards are going to dictate an increasing emphasis on 4-stroke engines over the new-technology 2-strokes. Both far surpass conventional outboards in efficiency and clean operation, but the 2-strokes have been hurt by well-publicized episodes of operational problems.  

Mercury and Yamaha have worked together on various projects in the past. Mercury spokesman Mielke says the two companies have had several joint venture agreements dating back to 1972 under which one would provide a specific component to the other. In some cases, Mielke explained, Mercury would get engine blocks only and then build up the powerheads; in other cases, Mercury would provide the powerheads or cylinder heads with Mercury-built parts and send them back to Yamaha.
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10)  Powerboat racer 'Hurley' Stepp dies at 44

Harold Lee "Hurley" Stepp, a championship powerboat racer, died of pneumonia April 4 at St. Cloud Hospital, outside Orlando, Fla. He was 44.  Stepp was known as one of the fastest men on the water. He raced 40-foot catamarans powered by twin 700-hp engines, capable of speeds up to 150 mph.  In 2000 Stepp won the American Powerboat World Championship for the third time. He also won the U.S. National Championship five times.  He was the cousin of Steve Stepp, who operates Sanford, Fla.-based Initial Marine Corp., the manufacturer of Velocity Powerboats. He also is survived by his parents, Granville and Geneva Stepp, brother Jim and two nieces.  Stepp was being buried today in a family cemetery in Inez, Ky., near his birthplace.
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11) 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
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/Jimboat
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>>>>>> Tunnel Boat Performance News >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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