TBPNews #73 - January 28, 2005
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In this issue: 
1) Mercury Racing offers $150,000 contingency purse
2) American Offshore Powerboat Racing United 
3) Yamaha recalls 30,000 outboards 
4) Bobs Machine Shop expands into Asia
5) APBA ANNUAL MEETING 
6) Two will join Canadas Boating Hall of Fame 
7) Jimboat writes Feature articles in HOTBOAT & F&PB magazine
8) 'Hot Boat' magazine - Save 51%! 
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1) Mercury Racing offers $150,000 contingency purse

Mercury Racing says it is offering a $150,000 Offshore Super Series contingency prize purse for the 2005 racing season.  The money will reward racers who use Mercury Racing-approved outboards and sterndrives in the OSS National series events in OSS Cat Lite, OSS Vee, OSS Vee Lite and OSS Cat Outboard class competition. OSS Cat class competitors using Mercury Racing-approved OSS Cat engine packages will be rewarded with a separate Mercury Racing Winners Circle promotional credit program. 

The $150,000 contingency purse consists of a $75,000 contingency for OSS National Series title winners and a $75,000 contingency for individual OSS National Series race event and World Championship winners. The current Mercury Racing logo must be displayed on the port and starboard sides of each boat. 
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2) American Offshore Powerboat Racing United 

Offshore Powerboat Racing in the United States of America becomes United after 15 Years. The two Nationally recognized sanctioning bodies in the US that conduct Offshore Powerboat Racing; Superboat International Productions, Inc and APBA Offshore Racing Association, Inc. have announced their plan to combine their resources and promote the sport of Offshore Powerboat Racing together with the support of the 101 year old International Authority of the UIM American Powerboat Racing Association, Inc located in Detroit.

The New organization World Powerboat Racing, Inc. (WPR) by unanimous decision of the Board has been issued a 10 year licensing agreement from the American Powerboat Racing Association, Inc. to conduct and operate Offshore racing events in the United States. WPR will contract SBIP to conduct and manage all National and Divisional events. The new licensing agreement incorporates the Class Representative structure within both organizations, which promotes racing membership input. The current SBI and APBA Class Representatives will work together with the UIM Offshore Commissioner to manage and develop the rulebook.  The SBIP rulebook has been amended to incorporate the SBIP & APBA technical rules so that all of the classes will be racing under one set of rules.  

http://www.apbaoffshoreracing.com
http://www.superboat.com/index.html
http://www.apba-racing.com/Events.php 
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3)Yamaha recalls 30,000 outboards 
 
Yamaha Motor Corp. USA has issued a voluntary recall on some of its outboard engines because of a problem that could prevent operators from shifting into neutral. The recall involves F225, LF225, F200 and LF200 outboards from model years 2002 through 2004. Von Plato said the problem relates to excessive friction in the ball joints of the throttle link rods. He estimates that about 30,000 engines are affected.

Yamaha notified its customers of the potential defect and encouraged them to see their dealers. Von Plato said fixing the problem would be a simple matter of replacing the throttle linkage rods with new ones of a different type, at no cost to the customer.  This recall involves the same engines covered in a similar recall issued in August 2003. But while that earlier recall also related to difficulty in returning the throttle all the way to idle after operating at cruising speed, Yamaha said there were different elements involved.  In the 2003 recall, corrosion or lack of lubrication on the throttle linkage created excessive drag on the linkage bushings. To fix this problem, Yamaha dealers replaced the throttle linkage bushings with new ones of a different type. 
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4) Bobs Machine Shop expands into Asia

Bobs Machine Shop, a Ruskin, Fla.-based manufacturer of hydraulic jack plates and outboard boating accessories, is expanding its North American base into Southeast Asian markets.

Bobs has set up distribution and sourcing aimed at anglers and performance boaters in Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong. The company started Bobs Machine Shop Thailand Ltd. in Phuket, Thailand, which, being inland of the areas ravaged by the recent tsunami disasters, escaped major damage. It also has established Bobs Machine Shop Japan, with a Web site to service Japanese customers, and is opening an office in Hong Kong to source marine-related products.

Bobs exhibited at the Phuket International Marine Expo in Thailand in early December, and reported strong sales to OEM boatbuilders in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The hydraulic jack plates and other performance products are produced on computerized milling machines, and are being supplied to OEMs with Bobs limited lifetime warranties. 
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5) APBA ANNUAL MEETING

Atlanta, GA, January 27, 28, 29, 2005
HOTEL: Westin - Atlanta North @ Perimeter; 770-395-3900 

Full meeting details at http://www.apba-racing.com/AnnualMeeting/AnnualMeeting.html 
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6) Two will join Canadas Boating Hall of Fame 

Two leaders of the Canadian marine industry will be inducted into Canadas Boating Hall of Fame.  Ted Quinn and Mark Ellis will receive the honor at an industry breakfast at the Toronto International Boat Show at the National Trade Centre. The Hall of Fame is a 1997 creation of NMMA Canada and the Toronto show.

Quinn is being recognized for his achievements as a marina operator, dealership owner, boatbuilder and speedboat racer. He began his marine industry career in 1948, expanding his familys aluminum boat rental business through the 1950s and becoming the first Mercury Marine dealership in Toronto in 1958. In the 1960s he launched Torontos first boat retail showroom. He launched a sport boat line, Panther Boats, in 1979.

Ellis is described as a self-taught marine designer, whose work has included Nonsuch catboats, Niagara sloops, Northeast 400 motorsailors and the Limestone, Bruckmann, Bluestar and Legacy lines of powerboats. In 1977 he founded Harris & Ellis Yachts, which continues in the boat design field. He has been awarded the Duggan Trophy for Excellence in design from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. 
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7) Jimboat writes Feature articles in HOTBOAT & F&PB magazine
"10 Smokin' Speed Secrets Revealed..." - Jimboat has new article in February 2005 HOT BOAT magazine. "If you don't want to make expensive modifications to your hull or engine setup, then here are some tips for getting the most performance from your current setup.  By Jim Russell, author of "Secrets of tunnel Boat Design" [editor-HB]
Check it out at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/HB_Feb2005.html

and Recently published...

"Winterizing your Performance Outboard" - Jimboat has new article in Jan2005 issue of Family & Performance Boating.  Check it out at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/F&PB_Jan05.html

"What a Drag" - Trim Angle & Engine Height Can Reduce Drag and Increase Speed", by Jim Russell, author of "Secrets of Tunnel Boat Design book [editor-HB].  See September 2004 issue of HOT BOAT Magazine.  Or get your own copy of the feature article at: http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/adverts/HotBoat_Sept2004.html

"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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8) '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, Cover Rate, $54.89; Our Rate Only $28.95. That is 47% off!
 
http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/boating%20magazines%20discounts.html 
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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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