TBPNews #29 - November 2, 2002
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>>>>>> Tunnel Boat Performance News >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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In this issue: 
1) Bombardier/OMC - extends warranty plan
2) Mercury to Ditch Lake 'X'?
3) Discount on 'Powerboat Magazine'
4) 'Small Boat Building' book deal
5) FEATURE ARTICLE: 10 Tips for Increased Performance
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1) Bombardier/OMC - extends warranty plan

Bombardier says it is extending its new non-declining limited warranty program to cover all Bombardier-built Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines sold to marine consumers, regardless of date of purchase.  In June they announced that all 2003 outboards would be backed by the industrys most comprehensive warranty program - a non-declining limited warranty covering all Evinrude direct injection outboards for three years, Johnson 4-stroke outboards for three years and Johnson 2-stroke outboards for two years.

At the time Bombardier said the coverage would be offered to existing owners of 2002 model-year engines built by the company, as well as customers who purchased a 2002 model before Sept. 30, 2002. The warranties now apply to new, unregistered 2002 engines used for recreational purposes in the United States and Canada, the company says.
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2)  Mercury to ditch Lake 'X'?
Mercury Marine is considering the possibility of relocating its engine testing facility in Placida, Fla., to a site somewhere on Pensacolas Bayou Chico.  Tom Mielke (Fond du Lac) was quoted as saying that although the company is looking at a couple of sites, there has been no final decision to move to Pensacola.  The Bayou Chico site is an attractive one for Mercury because it allows the company easy access to open salt water for both endurance testing for engines and salt water corrosion testing for components.
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3) 50%+ DISCOUNT on Powerboat Magazine!  

We have obtained great deals on Powerboat magazine subscriptions.  This month we have a great deal on the famous Nordskog publication - POWERBOAT MAGAZINE.

Check out your favorites at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/boating%20magazines%20discounts.html
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4) High Performance POWERBOAT Books - 'Small Boat Building'

We have obtained great deals on Powerboating design and history books.
http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/boating%20magazines%20discounts.html
Small Boat Building by Dave Greenwell includes Step-by-step instructions on design and planning; tools and materials; techniques; and spars, oars, and fittings. 7 1/2 X 9 3/4, 160 pgs., 100 b/w photos.  Only $29.95

http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/boating%20books%20discounts.html
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5)  TBPNews Feature Article - 10 Safety Mods and Tips for High Performance Go-Fast Boats

In order to drive fast, and do it more than once, you need to also drive safely. Installation of these safety features will provide reliability, and stability to your hull setup - which will allow you to drive faster, and do it with safety. There is an old saying...if you cant drive it fast, you cant win.  Using the right performance safety mods will help you achieve that optimum speed in your boat.   Here are some features that can be considered the 10 basics of performance accessories.

1. Dual Cable/hydraulic Steering - This is a must to provide good control and reduce boat wobble - especially on vee-bottom hulls. Hydraulic control also has better driving comfort especially at low speed.

2. Wheel Trim Switches (3)- You will need to keep hands on wheel to go fast.  Trim switches on the dashboard is just not good place for it because requires hands off the wheel.  One rocker switch on wheel is good solution.  But as the steering wheel turns, you will want to have switch near your hand at all times.  So three (3) switches on wheel is even better.  An alternative is switches on a floor-mounted footplate  - one up and one down.

3.  Solid Mounts - OEM motor mounts reduce vibration, but they can reduce control at high speed.  Replacing these with solid motor mounts adds boat control and driving ease, especially with jacked up engines in rough water.  Cost is usually minimal at approximately $100.  The lower set of mounts is relatively easy to change, while the upper set requires powerhead removal - but it's really worth it.

4. Foot Throttle - Below 50mph standard hand throttle not too hard to control (although I still feel it's not as safe as two hands on the wheel).  Faster boats definitely need more concentration and control.  Attention to trim, balancing the hull with steering, etc. will need both your hands on the wheel.  A foot throttle allows hands on the wheel where they belong.

5. Balanced Weight - At high speed, balancing a vee-bottom on the pad can be tricky and takes experience.  This is much easier to accomplish when your boat is balanced.  When most of the dynamic lift and support of your boat is on the rear pad, any imbalance on one side or the other will tilt the boat to that side.  Your battery, fuel, trim pumps, oil reservoir, etc. should be moved to the position that will help balance your normally set up rig.  You can also move your seat and steering to the center of the boat if really needed. 

6. Kill Switch - This isn't really an option, and should be standard equipment on all boats especially high perf boats.  The kill switch should be mounted near driver with strong lanyard that clips to the drivers life jacket or belt so that if he is thrown from the rig, the engine will stop running immediately.  Many motors come with them now.  If you dont have one, you should...this is a 'must have'.  An even more important...you must use it! 

7. Life Jacket/PFD w/collar - You would be crazy to drive fast without a good life jacket  (Gentex, Lifeline).  If youve ever come out of your high performance boat, you know how important this is.  Even the best swimmers will need some help in such a situation.  

8. Helmet - Similar to driving fast without a life jacket, a certified helmet is the other half of the story.  It is very easy to hit your head when hooking in a corner, or during a propeller blowout.  As a driver, you are not usually locked in to seat, so it is easy to get banged...and if you fall out?  Yes, you need protection.

9. Water Pressure and/or Engine Temp Gage - These gages can save your engine from disaster, but thats not what this is about.  If your engine does lock up from overheating, it can be extremely dangerous.  And its easy to do when trying to get the most out of your rig.  When it happens, it can happen in a big hurry.  Your boat can hook and spill you out easily.  Either water pressure or engine temperature indicators or both are the best warnings.  Both are easy to install. The WP gage installs in the cooling loop to the powerhead, and then to the gage.  The engine temperature gage installs easily with a small thermocouple mounted to one of the bolts on the engine block.  These can save your engine, and your life.

10. Nosecone & Torque-Tabs - The low water pickup should be used when water pressure is insufficient.  The nosecone can help with lower hydrodynamic drag but more importantly the prevention of blowout when speeds above 70 mph are required.  These devices are usually epoxied or welded to the front of the lower unit bullet.  Prevention of blowout can be a tremendous safety enhancement, and one that you should consider strongly if you intend to drive your boat at speeds approaching blowout velocity. A nosecone can also allow a low water pickup to extend the intake of water-cooling flow inlet to lower on the gearcase.  This ensures enough water flow to keep engine cool also. If your rig needs excessive trim to achieve top speed or it is currently suffering from premature prop ventilation, then a nosecone would help.  Along with nosecones go torque tabs, those little add-on skeg wedges that not only help our gearcase track straighter, but also keep you from big-time arm therapy after a day on the water.  Torque tabs simply rivet onto the starboard, rear of the skeg.
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See you next time!

/Jimboat

