TBPNews #63 - August 6, 2004
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>>>>>> Tunnel Boat Performance News >>>>>>>>>>>>>> (now over 5000 members!)
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In this issue: 
1) Rinker Boat Co. is sold 
2) Performance Powerboat Racing on TV
3) Jimboat writes Feature article in HOTBOAT (August 2004)
4) Environmental impact of PWC racing argued
5) New boating restrictions passed in Washington 
6) Villwock wins after Evans, Llumar collide 
7) 'Hot Boat' Magazine - Save 51%! 
8) ** NEW ** 'Tunnel Boat Design' Software - Version 7.7
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1) Rinker Boat Co. is sold 

SYRACUSE, Ind. - The Rinker Boat Co., founded in 1945 and now manufactures approximately 2,500 boats per year, has been sold to an investment group led by former general manager Kim Slocum, according to a story on an Indiana television stations Web site yesterday. The new ownership, which includes the Chicago-based private equity firm Code Hennessey & Simmons LLC, said it plans to increase production at Rinkers manufacturing plant in Indiana, boosting its output to 3,500 boats annually within the next two years. 

The plant currently employs 450, but Slocum, who has been named the companys president, told the television station that number is going to rise. In a press release issued by his former company, co-founder and departing president John Rinker said he felt the time was right for a change. 
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2) Performance Powerboat Racing on TV

Check out the coming powerboat racing events on TV.  Hydro-Prop - Budweiser Unlimited Hydroplane Series, and Champboat Series Racing. 

See the schedule at: http://www.apba-racing.com./Events.php?TV=
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3) Jimboat writes Feature article in HOTBOAT (August 2004)

Check out the NEW high-tech, high performance powerboating feature articles just published:

"10 Safety Tips" - The author of "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design" offers ten safety ideas for high performance go-fast boats [editor-HB].  See August 2004 issue of HOT BOAT Magazine.  Or get your own copy of the feature article at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/HotBoat_August2004.html
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4) Environmental impact of PWC racing argued

In conflicting letters to the Coast Guard this month, the environmental group Bluewater Network and a water sports organization that sanctions personal watercraft racing are debating the environmental hazards (or lack thereof) posed by that racing.  San-Francisco-based Bluewater Network, in a June 8 letter to the commandant of the Coast Guard, said the agencys management of PWC races violated federal law, such as the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Bluewater letter claims PWC racing produces heavy discharges of pollutants into both the air and water. As examples, it cited races held last year in Benicia, Calif., and at Lake Canandaigua in New York that it claims produced dramatic increases in pollution levels. It asked the Coast Guard at a minimum to review the impact of the series of six PWC racing competitions scheduled this summer.

Last week, the International Jet Sports Boating Association fired off a letter of its own, claiming Bluewaters arguments are full of holes. The IJSBA said the environmental organizations letter is based on half-truths and blatantly mischaracterized scientific evidence which actually shows that PWC do not harm the environment.
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5) New boating restrictions passed in Washington 

A group opposed to boating restrictions on Washington states Lake Whatcom may file a court challenge to a law passed Tuesday by Whatcom County officials that will phase out the use of two-stroke boat engines on the lake beginning in 2009.  But the group said it will ask the county for a full legal review of its ability to limit the kinds of boats that operate on the lake before any court action is taken. 

The Healthy Community Campaign believes that under state law, boat regulations, for the purpose of regulating pollution, could only be imposed by the state Department of Ecology. The group also has challenged whether boating has any effect on the lake's water quality, the newspaper reported. Whatcom Council members who voted for the new law said the ban would remove the most-polluting boats from the lake, which is the drinking water source for 85,700 people, according to the Herald. 

Max Legg, co-chair of the Healthy Community Campaign, told the newspaper there are no exact figures on how many boats would be affected by the ban, but said there are about 8,000 registered boats in Whatcom County. The group estimates that there are about 3,500 to 4,500 boat owners that use some form of two-stroke engines that would be forced off the lake in either 2009 or 2013. 
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6) Villwock wins after Evans, Llumar collide 

July 25th, 2004 - Dave Villwock won the race before the race, guiding the Miss Budweiser into lane one for the start, then dashed ahead of the field to win the 39th Columbia Cup for Unlimited Hydroplanes. The dominant victory capped off a perfect day in which Villwock convincingly manhandled his competitors to earn the trophy, his first since 1999. 

The anticipated duel between Villwock, Mitch Evans and JW Myers in the defending race winner Llumar Window Film evaporated in the second turn when Evans came in, hitting Myers and causing his boat to spin into the infield with heavy damage. Evans was assessed a one lap penalty for the incident, which gave Steve David the second-place finish in the Oh Boy! Oberto. 

First time driver J. Michael Kelly placed third in the Miss APBA, followed by another rookie, Steve Hook in the Conover Insurance. Evans placed fifth, followed by Myers, who did not finish. 
Evans acknowledged the infraction, and the one lap penalty that was asessed for the incident. That placed him in fifth, though he spent most of the race dueling with David in the Oh Boy! Oberto. 

Several of the boats in todays field will continue on to Seattle for the Seafair race, which is sanctioned by Hydro-Prop. The field will run in other Hydro-Prop events in St. Clair, Mich. and Nashville, Tenn. before finishing out the season with another unsanctioned race in San Diego, Cal.
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6) 'Hot Boat' Magazine - Save 51%! 

We have obtained great deals on Powerboat magazine subscriptions. This month we have a great deal on the popular 'Hot Boat' magazine. 

'Hot Boat' Magazine - High-performance boaters bible featuring tests, technical reviews, adventure travel, racing coverage, product reviews and tips. 11 issues Only $2.45 per issue. That is 51% off.
 
http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/boating%20magazines%20discounts.html 
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7) NEW 'Tunnel Boat Design' Software - Version 7.7

We've just released the new Tunnel Boat Design Software - version 7.7. This is the best release yet - with the most dynamic and plentiful new features ever! Includes new "Auto BlowOver Check", Design-versus-Design comparison graphics, HeadWind & TailWind feature, Nine (9) new design Wizards!  Check out new features at http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/tbdp6.html, or download the summary of new features at http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/New%20in%20TBDP%20Version%207.zip
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See you next time!

/Jimboat

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Note: The articles presented in TBPNews are edited excerpts from the "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design" book, by Jim Russell, published by AeroMarine Research.  The STBD book explains the theory in full, and outlines example design calculations, step-by-step.  The "Tunnel Boat Design Program", software, does all the force calculations, dynamic force balances at all speeds, and reports the analysis automatically, including complete graphical performance results for any tunnel or modified vee hull design.
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