SoCal Jet Boats
Discussion => Boat Racing => Topic started by: GT Jets on August 04, 2008, 09:28:14 PM
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I noticed the rules do not state hull material (yet) is it possible to run a 20' vee bottom beercan (aluminum) boat?, I'm trying to get my old river runner back from the guy who is using it as a "dump" trailer...... :'(
The engine mounts are welded in and so is the pump intake, but I think its doable (I will want to move the engine forward, and the pump back), this boat could run all day long at over 80 mph with a 377 SBC
The hull does not have a roll bar or seats so its a "blank slate".
Let me know what you know and think, I think it could be fun...The boat will never be able to run in the river classes and be competitive again do to the "tunnel rule" (anything running can be a tunnel hull and they simply haul ass).
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it has to be under 21 foot and can be aluminum. (just no aluminum blocks)
so the boat youre talking about is in the clear as far as i know.
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I know I am new to this board, but I think there needs to be strict rules on hull material. Have you seen how tight a sprint boat can turn? They would smoke a normal semi-v boat. Plus the higher sides of the sprint boat could cause some one to not be ejected from the boat, thus drowning if not equipped with a capsule and air tank. just my .02
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Yeah, its not a sprint boat, but I agree to an extent, a sprint boat would get creamed by a comp jet, for two reasons, one they handle rough water like crap, they're only 15' long, and two they top out at about 75 mph unless your taking about an unlimited...
I don't have a sprint boat but have driven several, all I can say is very purpose built.
The boat that I am talking about is a 20' Eagle vee bottom, one of ten made, it actually looks like a Campbell mini daycruiser, but weighs in at about half.
May never happen, just threw it out there out of curiosity...Mainly because its 13 years old and completely outdated for anything else.
And watching Brads video, I don't really think an aluminum hull and a roll bar would hurt the sport at all.
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ok....thought you where talking about a sprint boat or white water rapid boat. yes but you gotta think about that rollbar thing. if you have one then you will need to be belted into the boat. And with out a capsule and a air source you could get your head ripped off or drown.
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I don't think a capsule is really necissary, the roll bar theory has been tested and has been extremely successful in more than one type of boat racing, I don't knkow, I'm still undecided, I think Brad's experience could have been several times worse, the largest factor I think is where on the course it happened, had it been turns 1 or 3, I think the results would have been very different (the speeds were at their lowest at the point of the incident), if you call it anything it would have to be "fortunate" that things didn't turn out different, unless you get the boats opinion...You had a lot of fiberglass looking for the same real estate, I've driven too close behind 75+mph jetboats, you cannot see and everyone wants to get out front, if for no other reason than visibility.
As for the steering, I was surprised to see that no one used a spring to pull the steering left in case of failure, if she goes to the right, that gets hairy fast...IMO
In all motorsports period, there is always an improvement that can be made, especially when you are talking about safety, the speed cap is the best one IMO, it keeps it competitive and that much safer, I know of at least three jetboats now that can travel at well over the 150 MPH mark for sustained periods of time and would be more than capable of turning good, now that would require a capsule, air, Haans, and the biggest pair of nuts in the world....
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I was just thinking deck of the water flow over the if it went upside down....that water could grab the chin part of the helmet and snap your neck off. And if you are knocked cold and strapped in because of a rollbar. you mgith drown in the time it took safety to get to you.
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I was just thinking deck of the water flow over the if it went upside down....that water could grab the chin part of the helmet and snap your neck off. And if you are knocked cold and strapped in because of a rollbar. you mgith drown in the time it took safety to get to you.
Agreed, thats why when roll bars are used we are requred to run high backed safety seats, I have a video of a boat doing in the area of 85 MPH and it goes airborn and rolls and lands upside down still moving forward, if it was not for the rollbar, seatbelts, helmet restraints ("D" ring) and the highbacks, there is no way either passenger would have survived, I think they are now running belt buckles that "blow" open when submerged, at least there was talk about it..
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The JS class uses a roll bar. Not for roll overs, but to keep drivers and riders safe from other boats riding up and over them. We lost a skiff driver earlier this year, or the end of last year. He was able to open the catch on his son's belts, but the boat went down too quickly, and he was lost. The rule makers are still trying to come up with flotation requirements to keep this from happening again. I think this might be an issue if you show up with a roll barred CJ/ NJ......I'd like to see the "can" compete, so I'm not trying to discourage you, just a heads up to what you may be faced with. You build it, set up for a BBC, and I'll come up with a "loaner" motor just to see what it'll do in CJ next year........Ray
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This boat is very similar to the one I'm talking about, this is a 21' tunnel version, the one I may be able to get on the cheap is a 20' vee bottom, open motor, no cage, and no swim deck. bare bones river boat that needs a side put on it...
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Those Gator boats are sweet :o
I always wondered the same thing GT Jets. I thought if the Aluminum boats could turn fast/tight enough they would de well. Were you at the last race? If so I think I missed yah...
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Yeah, went to Long Beach, I was in a weird mood, but I hovered around the SoCal shade tents and was near the ramp for the drivers meeting, but only on Saturday.
I've never attended an event quite like that, enjoyed every minute...
My family was being quite difficult, they were at Disneyland while I went to the races as one.. a little strange, met some really nice people and saw some exellent racing, trying to figure out if I can make Ming, that sounds like a blast too..
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Lake Ming is a much larger area for the pits. Very spread out with pit camping during the race weekend. KCPD collects a camping fee, but the pits become a small city on Friday and Saturday nights. Lots of food and soft drinks ;D, cause none of the boat racers drink the hard stuff :screwy:.......Ming is usually a great time, plan on attending.............Ray
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I've been thinking I'm close to pulling the trigger, I want to convert my 19' Bubble decked Brad Haul jet, it's a good riding hull and seems to respond to mods very well, I need to gather some info. on rules and requirements, I'm OK on the safety gear stuff for personal safety but need get dialed in on the boat (it's a toy right now...)
Any links or advice would be appreciated...
GT