TBPNews #38 - April 2, 2003
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>>>> Tunnel Boat Performance News >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
==================================================================

In this issue: 
1) Bombardiers marine future up in the air
2) Author Jim Russell on Powerboat Television!
3) 2003 U.I.M F1 Powerboat calendar  
4) Mercury Marine to lay off almost 200 
5) Mercury wins magazines shootout
6) Decision on Cigarette boat factory deferred
7) Cheating Death - WW Speed Record
8) 'Family & Performance Boating' magazine - Save 25%!
9) POWERBOAT Books - 'The Offshore Grand Prix: There's No Turning Back'
10) Coming in TBPNews! The Short Course On Tunnel Boats, Part II 
******************** TBPNews *******************

1) Bombardiers marine future up in the air

Rumors abound regarding the future of Bombardier Inc. in the boating business.  Much of the speculation was fueled by an exclusive interview with Bombardier CEO Paul Tellier, published in Canadas National Post.  Tellier told the newspaper that every phase of the transportation giants operation is open for scrutiny. Most relevant for the marine industry are the fates of Bombardier Recreational Products that makes Sea-Doo personal watercraft and Evinrude & Johnson outboard engines.  In the interview, Tellier speculates that either or both could be sold. 
******************** TBPNews *******************

2) See author Jim Russell on Powerboat Television!  

See AeroMarine Research's author, Jim Russell on SpeedChannel's Powerboat Television Show.  Russell talk's about Tunnel Hull design, and his new 12th edition "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design" book.
http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/new_product_release4.html
******************** TBPNews *******************

3) 2003 UIM F1 Powerboat calendar 

The 2003 U.I.M (Union Internationale Motonautique) F1 Powerboat calendar will consist of 11 events:  Portugal, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Russian Federation, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. - Abu Dhabi and Sharjah).  For 2002, Guido Cappellini (Italy) received the World Championship trophy for the 7th time. A total of 11 teams have registered for the 2003 World Championship.  Events will be broadcasted live and delayed. This means that coverage of F1 Powerboat races will reach a total viewership of 750 million.  2003 will see a second event in Asia after Malaysia, with a new Grand Prix that will take place in Singapore, one of the most active business centres in Asia. 
******************** TBPNews *******************

4)  Mercury Marine to lay off almost 200 

Mercury Marine announced in a March 20 statement that it will lay off approximately 190 employees from its Fond du Lac outboard manufacturing plants during the next six weeks in order to align its workforce with current market demands.  Because the demand for outboard engines declined during the first quarter of 2003, Mercury said it is forced to decrease the number of engines being manufactured. All affected positions fall under the production departments in Fond du Lac, however Mercury Marine also said staffing levels at other locations are under review.
******************** TBPNews *******************

5) Mercury wins magazines shootout

Mercury Marines OptiMax 250-hp outboard beat out the competition in a test conducted by bass boat maker Stratos, and Bass & Walleye Boats magazine.  The three-way shootout of 250-hp direct-fuel-injection outboards took place on East Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla., with identical tournament-rigged Stratos 201 Pro XL bass boats. The test featured Mercurys OptiMax as well as Yamaha and Evinrudes 250-hp 2-strokes.  In an article published in the March edition of Bass & Walleye Boats, performance-boat tester John Tiger Jr. gave the nod to Mercury Racings OptiMax 250XS.  Tiger concluded his article by proclaiming, Despite the Evinrudes superior warranty and smoothness, and the Yamahas strong acceleration, the overall performance and economy of Mercury Racings OptiMax 250XS gives it a distinct edge.
******************** TBPNews *******************

6) Decision on Cigarette boat factory deferred 

Members of the Hialeah Gardens, Florida Planning and Zoning Board want more information on the Cigarette Racing Team's boat factory before they will make a decision on whether to approve the final plans for the building.  Among the items of information board members requested were what permits had been secured and whether the company was following environmental regulations that apply to boat factories, the newspaper reported. The application will come before the board again on April 14. 

<http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/miami-dade/cities_neighborhoods/northwest/5371098.htm> 
******************** TBPNews *******************

7) Cheating Death

The water speed record hasn't been broken in 25 years - in fact, it's taken the life of just about everyone who's tried. Now two next-gen rocket jockeys are taking on the old guard.  American Russ Wicks and Brit Nigel Macknight believe death haunts the water speed record only because previous contenders didn't understand the design limits of their machines.  See the full article in "Wired Magazine"

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.03/cheating.html
******************** TBPNews *******************

8) 'Family & Performance Boating ' magazine - Save 25%!

We have obtained great deals on Powerboat magazine subscriptions.  This month we have a great deal on the popular 'Family & Performance Boating ' magazine. 
 
Showcases sport and performance boats in ways never before seen, and provides performance enhancement solutions to better meet the power and handling demand of today's more knowledgeable enthusiast.  9 issues; Cover Rate: $35.91; Our Rate: $26.99 (Save 25%!)

Get yours now at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/boating%20magazines%20discounts.html
******************** TBPNews *******************

9) High Performance POWERBOAT Books - 'All About Powerboats: Understanding Design and Performance'

We have obtained great deals on Powerboating design and history books. This month.... 

'All About Powerboats: Understanding Design and Performance': What's the difference between a deep-vee hull and a modified vee? A planing hull and a displacement hull? Find the answers to these and scores of other frequently asked questions in All About Powerboats. Writing for any boater seeking a better understanding of modern powerboat design and handling, author Roger Marshall provides a well-illustrated, clear introduction to small powerboats (18 to 30 feet long) from the perspective of use. His practical advice on hull shape, engines, construction methods, steering systems, comfort, and safety gives today's boaters a thorough grounding in powerboat selection, use, and lore. Paperback: 160 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 9.20 x 7.44; Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; (March 26, 2002);ISBN: 0071362045 

http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/boating%20books%20discounts.html
******************** TBPNews *******************

10) Coming next issue of TBPNews!

The Short Course On Tunnel Boats, Part II (by Jim Russell, P.Eng.)

In the last issue (TBPNews #38, March 14, 2003) we looked at a brief history of tunnel baots, including "Where did tunnel boats come from?"  Part II will look at the design and types of tunnel hulls.  Don't miss it!
******************** TBPNews *******************

See you next time!

/Jimboat