TBPNews #75 - February 21, 2005
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In this issue: 
1) Volvo Penta IPS revealed
2) New High Performance Boating Operating School
3) Boat Racing on TV
4) Champboat Series Returns to Pittsburgh
5) Mercury Marine will open $30 million plant in China
6) Jimboat writes Feature articles in HOTBOAT & F&PB magazine
7) 'Hot Boat' magazine - Save 51%! 
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1) Volvo Penta IPS revealed

Volvo have rewritten the rules with regard powerboat propulsion systems. As they describe it, they "have consigned stern-drives and shaft drives to history, and in the process revolutionised the way motorboats are designed and built".  The acronym IPS stands for Inboard Propulsion System - a breakthrough product with major implications for the marine power industry. IPS evolved as a "clean page" program after Volvo Penta's market researchers found little enthusiasm for diesel sterndrives in the over-40' bracket.

IPS is distinguished by counter-rotating propellers on concentric shafts that project ahead of stream-lined lower units. These "tractor" (i.e. pulling) props operate in undisturbed water and allow engine exhaust to vent from the leg without first passing through a bulky, hollow hub.
Conventional straight-drive inboards lose efficiency due to the drop angle of the prop shafts, but with IPS, the thrust axis is parallel to the boat's bottom. Also, the drives can pivot to vector their thrust, much like outboards or sterndrives, resulting in superior maneuverability.

IPS is a fully integrated, fly-by-wire system with all functions - from engine management to steering and gear shifting - controlled by electronics. It is smooth and quiet, because the drive units are soft-mounted on massive O-rings that also double-seal the hull apertures. From a builder's perspective, IPS is easier and quicker to install than conventional dual inboards. Furthermore, since IPS engines are normally located far aft (as in V-drive or sterndrive installations), valuable space is freed up inside the hull for payload.  Compared to straight-shaft diesel inboards of equal power, IPS dramatically improves hole shot, top speed and maneuverability at all speeds. The first new models featuring IPS are slated to debut at the 2005 London and Miami boat shows.

see more at: http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20041101132742mbynews.html
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2) New High Performance Boating Operating School

Tres Martin will start a school that educates drivers of multi step vee bottom and catamaran boats on how to operate their equipment. 

Since 1986, Tres Martin has won 4 National and 4 World Championship Titles from Factory Class to Superboat, has been awarded "Throttleman of the Year" three times and was inducted into the APBA Hall Of Champions. His experience and achievements are now being brought to the private individual in a "one on one" training both in the class room and on the water with his new two day course.

The new step vee hull is troubling insurance companies with faster speeds and far more casualties than ever before. Cat owners are now having trouble getting insurance policies written if their boat runs in excess of 120MPH.  This class will help educate and teach the owners how to better handle and operate these vessels more safely, and help boaters understand how hull designs effect the way they drive the boats today.

Today's performance boats take more skill and knowledge than before due to their designs. Many boaters have never been shown the proper way to turn, trim or even make judgment in traffic situations with these fast hulls. The course also includes, general safety, safe maintenance, safe corrective measures on the water, and docking. This course is intended to save lives, help
insurance rates, and promote safe boating.

Visit the following link for more; 
http://www.tmoffshore.com/images/brochure.pdf
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3) Boat Racing on TV

Friday, February 25, 2005 Time: 6:00 AM Eastern; TV The Outdoor Channel - SpeedZone - ChampBoat series racing from Saskatoon, Canada (also Saturday, February 26, 2005 Time: 5:00 PM Eastern)

Friday, March 11, 2005 Time: 6:00 AM Eastern; TV The Outdoor Channel - SpeedZone - ChampBoat Series racing from Toledo, Ohio (also Saturday, March 12, 2005 Time: 5:00 PM Eastern)
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4) Champboat Series Returns to Pittsburgh

The ChampBoat Series will return to the famed Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta event this July 1-3, 2005. ChampBoat, formerly known in the USA as Formula One, will be the feature entertainment for the weekend which usually attracts more than 200,000 spectators to the downtown riverfront. The event will host the tops powerboat racing teams including 2002 ands 2004 Champion Tim Seebold and his Bud Light Racing team.

With a grand three decade history, the Pittsburgh event is considered one of the premier powerboat events in the world and has previous winners which include World Champions Renato Molinardi, Cees Vanderbelden, Fabrizio Bocca as well as American legend, Bill Seebold of St. Louis. The event will be televised on the Outdoor Channel and produced by Charlotte, North Carolina based Speedway Group, Inc.
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5) Mercury Marine will open $30 million plant in China

Mercury Marine will open a $30 million plant in China to manufacture engines that are now being produced at its local plant in Fond du Lac.

The work that's heading to the new China factory from Fond du Lac will be replaced in local plants by production of Mercury's new Verado outboard engines, which are more expensive and technologically advanced than the smaller engines.  All of the high-tech products will stay in America; Mercury will shift production of 40 to 60 horsepower four-stroke engines to the new factory near Beijing. Production of the older two-stroke designs will end by June as the company places more emphasis on four-stroke engines and direct-injection two-stroke models.
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6)  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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7) '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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