where is that placecraft? [Archive]

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cyclone

06-28-2007, 10:30 PM

the one at in the place diverter ad that appears and disappears at the top of the page....
whatever happened to that thing?

Nucking futs

06-29-2007, 06:29 AM

This one?
https://www.***boat.com/banners/function/adimage.php?filename=banner2.jpg&contenttype=jpeg

pattymelt18

06-29-2007, 08:32 AM

destroyed

HBjet

06-29-2007, 09:09 AM

I think I was at the race where that boat crashed. Was it Red Bluff?

Cs19

06-29-2007, 10:08 PM

I was at a race when one of the placecrafts crashed too, I wanna say Puddingstone or Castaic?? Pretty sure that was the crash where the capsule sank in like 60 ft. of water :sqeyes:

BAE_557

07-01-2007, 10:52 AM

Here is another shot of it
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/1870COVERBOAT.jpg

Red Rocket

07-01-2007, 11:04 AM

I could be wrong but I think Dan Kirkman bought it and then started running one of Tom Papps Stealths.

BUSBY

07-01-2007, 01:38 PM

I could be wrong but I think Dan Kirkman bought it and then started running one of Tom Papps Stealths.
That's what I thought too ...

Cs19

07-01-2007, 02:11 PM

If anyone else has placecraft pics please post them. thanks

Bense468

07-01-2007, 07:38 PM

That's what I thought too ...
as well as me.

publicnuisance

07-02-2007, 07:13 AM

If anyone else has placecraft pics please post them. thanks
CS are you looking for general placecraft photo's or specific boats? Steve Bowers of DPS has some..

hellman2u

07-02-2007, 08:24 AM

Years ago when Dan had the Going places boat , he crashed @ Dexter. I don't know how many of those boats the Place's had or sold other than the one Dan had ????

Cs19

07-02-2007, 08:41 AM

CS are you looking for general placecraft photo's or specific boats? Steve Bowers of DPS has some..
General placecraft pics.
thanks

Pops@Aggressor

07-02-2007, 08:46 AM

I could be wrong but I think Dan Kirkman bought it and then started running one of Tom Papps Stealths.Your not wrong- Place barrell rolled it one time and sold it to Dan Kirkman who changed it to Awesome Toy by a Paint Job. Seven years ago I met Dan at the IHBA Finals and that thing could not get down a track on a set. Tom worked with Dan and then Dan went to Harold Bruce and some time after the boat rolled & demolished. Dan did a lot of checking and I had him call David Kirkland about the design of the Hull and his problems with it. David (Smoke on the Water) had us build a custom impeller for it his, he was folding impellers back over @ 155 MPH range -David later ran numbers which were never matched (in the 170s) and the boat went airborne on a top run( pictures exist showing the bottom of the pump hanging down some 15-20 above the water with the boat verticle above that in Texas). David called me looking for another Hull and would not go back into another Place Craft because you could not load them with out shoe below which he felt was a NO NO. I recommended Dan talk to Tommy on the EDGE Hull and his second hull was a TPR with Capsule. Funny story was I later called David and asked him in jest, if he was doing a tune up on the motor when it was in the air ( several people called me and said the motor was "whingging" some 10 Grand while in the air). David says "You Only have A Steering Wheel and Foot Petal to Brace yourself by -when you know your going to Crash Bad. Dans was the last of the newer type Place Craft Race Hulls to go. Several of the first style are still around including the first Smoke on the Water. Toms hull as a Capsule has started to work out well for the Jet and Yet I think and agree with David Kirkland in a top fuel Jet I would go to the outboard catamarand style with no hull lift (or enclosed tunnell) as that kind of H/P will generate its own lift. David stated that what happened he ran a 170+ number and as he shut down the hull would not slow down, It just kept going, so his logic was to release the pressure by blowing the POP OFF and now fells that was the only down pressure he had. As soon as he blew the Valve the boat went air born. End of Story.

BUSBY

07-02-2007, 09:05 AM

Your not wrong- Place barrell rolled it one time and sold it to Dan Kirkman who changed it to Awesome Toy by a Paint Job. Seven years ago I met Dan at the IHBA Finals and that thing could not get down a track on a set. Tom worked with Dan and then Dan went to Harold Bruce and some time after the boat rolled & demolished. Dan did a lot of checking and I had him call David Kirkland about the design of the Hull and his problems with it. David (Smoke on the Water) had us build a custom impeller for it his, he was folding impellers back over @ 155 MPH range -David later ran numbers which were never matched (in the 170s) and the boat went airborne on a top run( pictures exist showing the bottom of the pump hanging down some 15-20 above the water with the boat verticle above that in Texas). David called me looking for another Hull and would not go back into another Place Craft because you could not load them with out shoe below which he felt was a NO NO. I recommended Dan talk to Tommy on the EDGE Hull and his second hull was a TPR with Capsule. Funny story was I later called David and asked him in jest, if he was doing a tune up on the motor when it was in the air ( several people called me and said the motor was "whingging" some 10 Grand while in the air). David says "You Only have A Steering Wheel and Foot Petal to Brace yourself by -when you know your going to Crash Bad. Dans was the last of the newer type Place Craft Race Hulls to go. Several of the first style are still around including the first Smoke on the Water. Toms hull as a Capsule has started to work out well for the Jet and Yet I think and agree with David Kirkland in a top fuel Jet I would go to the outboard catamarand style with no hull lift (or enclosed tunnell) as that kind of H/P will generate its own lift. David stated that what happened he ran a 170+ number and as he shut down the hull would not slow down, It just kept going, so his logic was to release the pressure by blowing the POP OFF and now fells that was the only down pressure he had. As soon as he blew the Valve the boat went air born. End of Story.
Kirland is definately one dude with big balls! We threw back a few at Lakefest this year with Wolfie ... good times & great stories!

wsuwrhr

07-02-2007, 09:26 AM

The stories and history HB recieves here is nothing short of amazing.
Thanks again for another cool post!!!
Three thumbs up!
Brian
Your not wrong- Place barrell rolled it one time and sold it to Dan Kirkman who changed it to Awesome Toy by a Paint Job. Seven years ago I met Dan at the IHBA Finals and that thing could not get down a track on a set. Tom worked with Dan and then Dan went to Harold Bruce and some time after the boat rolled & demolished. Dan did a lot of checking and I had him call David Kirkland about the design of the Hull and his problems with it. David (Smoke on the Water) had us build a custom impeller for it his, he was folding impellers back over @ 155 MPH range -David later ran numbers which were never matched (in the 170s) and the boat went airborne on a top run( pictures exist showing the bottom of the pump hanging down some 15-20 above the water with the boat verticle above that in Texas). David called me looking for another Hull and would not go back into another Place Craft because you could not load them with out shoe below which he felt was a NO NO. I recommended Dan talk to Tommy on the EDGE Hull and his second hull was a TPR with Capsule. Funny story was I later called David and asked him in jest, if he was doing a tune up on the motor when it was in the air ( several people called me and said the motor was "whingging" some 10 Grand while in the air). David says "You Only have A Steering Wheel and Foot Petal to Brace yourself by -when you know your going to Crash Bad. Dans was the last of the newer type Place Craft Race Hulls to go. Several of the first style are still around including the first Smoke on the Water. Toms hull as a Capsule has started to work out well for the Jet and Yet I think and agree with David Kirkland in a top fuel Jet I would go to the outboard catamarand style with no hull lift (or enclosed tunnell) as that kind of H/P will generate its own lift. David stated that what happened he ran a 170+ number and as he shut down the hull would not slow down, It just kept going, so his logic was to release the pressure by blowing the POP OFF and now fells that was the only down pressure he had. As soon as he blew the Valve the boat went air born. End of Story.

publicnuisance

07-02-2007, 10:10 AM

There are a few of the old style PC's left..I believe snowman has one,Buckeye Express,destroyed,Blown fever in in Calf. no motor and I own the old Public Nuisance 619...I will try to post some pics I have old drag boat newspapers and mags...I can scan them in...I believe that the brothers place built some of the fastest hulls in history..Don Bowers told me that they did some changes with the hull , changed the nose cone and Ron Farmer did the design..619 got into the high 160's and still lives...

Cs19

07-02-2007, 12:46 PM

I talked to some dude a few years back who has Ralph Mills old Blown Fever #517 boat, he said he was converting it to a lake boat, they went over 170 I believe.

Bense468

07-02-2007, 02:20 PM

Here are a few pics Steve Speck e-mailed me. The red one with the PSI motor is Mike Portor's. Yellow and blue is Tom Peterson's
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3928/fzlh2t3agpqafjbckdingrpip9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This beauty is Specks. Both the red and this one are new layups.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8798/1icdoauufgne1jkg0gkcmsgbf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nucking futs

07-02-2007, 03:07 PM

Bitchen boats. I Saw Porters and Petersons in needles and they are F'n Awesome.

Squirtcha?

07-02-2007, 04:31 PM

I saw this yeller n blue one quite a few years back at a Jet Fest thing that Jokers Wild put on at the Blue Water (must've been close to 10 years ago). Absolutely amazing and perfect in every way. He was running with another guy that had an almost identical blown injected deal, but different colors. Even his squeeze primer bottle had it's own custom made anodized color coordinated holder thingy.
Nice guy too. Shot the stuff with him for a while.
Love the way they did the decks on that particular model. Very cool.
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3928/fzlh2t3agpqafjbckdingrpip9.jpg

ahsumtoy

07-02-2007, 05:41 PM

That was me, Steve... Thanks for the compliments. I sold that boat to whitey who has a place in Blythe and is part of the 6th street gang. It has been several years since I sold that boat and I had to have another one, so I built this new one in blues rather than the red in the old boat. The new boat is a lot like the old one. The design is all Tom Peterson's. Tom has the molds for the PC19 and anyone interested in one should contact him (626) 258-7207.

Squirtcha?

07-02-2007, 05:52 PM

ahsumtoy

07-02-2007, 06:06 PM

Actually this one came out a little nicer. The engine is all aluminum Keith Black Olds block. Other than that it's basically the same, maybe a little more modern (I built the other boat back in 1999).

gunslinger

07-02-2007, 06:15 PM

Bense468

07-02-2007, 10:04 PM

How fast is it?
From my understanding talking to Steve the new one just hit water, not dialed yet. Knowing them it will be soon though.
I'll post up some pics of Steve's old boat, now whiteys...These pics are a few years old. I haven't taken new ones, but some things have been changed and look a little better, like evac tubes etc. Just to give you an idea, this is some of the rigging you can see if your nice to Peterson. :D
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7348/dsc00587ge1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/300/dsc00589zw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/550/dsc00588qw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7905/dsc00592su5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9690/dsc00591gi1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/4716/dsc00594xm4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Cs19

07-02-2007, 10:12 PM

The red one is Porter's wife's boat and is appropriatly named "Mommie's Little Monster"

Bense468

07-02-2007, 10:32 PM

The red one is Porter's wife's boat and is appropriatly named "Mommie's Little Monster"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YsTryC5fSg :D

squirt

07-02-2007, 11:19 PM

The capsuled PC Hydro Phobia is still around up here in Northern California, not sure of the year but I talk with Glenn pretty frequently. I have a '84 PC capsule boat that ran on alky last I heard.

3 daytona`s

07-02-2007, 11:44 PM

From my understanding talking to Steve the new one just hit water, not dialed yet. Knowing them it will be soon though.
I'll post up some pics of Steve's old boat, now whiteys...These pics are a few years old. I haven't taken new ones, but some things have been changed and look a little better, like evac tubes etc. Just to give you an idea, this is some of the rigging you can see if your nice to Peterson. :D
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7348/dsc00587ge1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/300/dsc00589zw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/550/dsc00588qw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7905/dsc00592su5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9690/dsc00591gi1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/4716/dsc00594xm4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
You can run Zoomies in the Needles reach of the river? and not fear the law. Up here in BHC a ticket for sure.

gunslinger

07-03-2007, 06:53 AM

Nice boats.

PLACECRAFT20

07-03-2007, 07:05 AM

Tom helped me a bunch with the setup on my Placecraft when he worked for Rex Marine. He always took the time to think back when it was built and give me great information. Super nice guy.

RIPPINGNOLEGSKROKER

07-03-2007, 07:49 AM

Link to pics http://web.mac.com/m.heitman/iWeb/Site/08SCHIADA.html

Bense468

07-03-2007, 11:12 AM

Nice, so how did it run?

PLACECRAFT20

07-03-2007, 11:49 AM

Hey Bense,
You are the one that told me to call him. He took my daycruiser from 58mph machine that porpoised to my still not so fast 72mph machine. He still helped alot on the handling, shoe and snoot selection. It is still for sale in the spam section if you want to see the pics. I love the boat but I just needed something with a little more room.

Nucking futs

07-03-2007, 12:59 PM

He took my daycruiser from 58mph machine that porpoised to my still not so fast 72mph machine. He still helped alot on the handling, shoe and snoot selection.
What is your set up? shoe snoot angles and such.
How did you get the porpose out of it?

-XTC-

07-03-2007, 03:49 PM

Not as nice as the above PlaceCrafts but here is a couple of mine. :D
http://www.shorewoodgroup.com/***boat/PlaceCraft.jpg
http://www.shorewoodgroup.com/***boat/webImage.jpg

Bense468

07-03-2007, 07:56 PM

Did That Thing Ever Sell?

-XTC-

07-03-2007, 09:06 PM

Yes, I bought it from Brian last June :D So far its been a great ride. Good solid boat and good runner. I need to work the hardware a bit more just to see if I can break the triple digits without the fogger system. :D

OverKill

07-03-2007, 11:00 PM

Oh no kidding. I've seen you post on here before and never realized. That had to be hard to part with that boat. The way I see it, you might be able to match it, but it would be pretty much impossible to surpass it.
Whitey is one lucky guy.
Hey Dan this might be our lucky break in getting that new hull were looking for. I think side by side place crafts would look cool don't you think
James

Cs19

07-03-2007, 11:04 PM

Nice, so how did it run?
131 on a short pass, its got a bunch left they said.

PLACECRAFT20

07-09-2007, 10:50 AM

Hey nucking futs,
I Dont remember all of the setup angles but I got rid of the porpoise with trim tabs and turnbuckles. I will see if I have A picture. The tabs are set about 1/16 down from flat and cured my problem and picked up speed.
Here is one with the tabs installed
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/521/252tabs.JPG
Here is the finished product with the snoot
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/521/252LONGSNOOT2.JPG

publicnuisance

07-11-2007, 06:09 AM

I talked to some dude a few years back who has Ralph Mills old Blown Fever #517 boat, he said he was converting it to a lake boat, they went over 170 I believe.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/bfpc15.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/bfpc14.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/bfpc13.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/bfpc12.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/bfpc1.jpg

Cs19

07-11-2007, 07:51 AM

there she is. so where is the boat now?

publicnuisance

07-11-2007, 10:27 AM

CS I have an email address pm me...It is in Calf. Here is mine TFJ and saved to live on!!! Always save old drag boats, do not scrap them,someone in the furture will appreciate them !!!!!!!!!!
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/mini-PICT0044.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/mini-DSC00076-1.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/mini-DSC00068.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/mini-publicnuisance.jpg

publicnuisance

07-12-2007, 03:40 AM

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/mini-magphoto3.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/mini-magphoto2.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/publicnuisance619/mini-magphoto1.jpg

Placecraft Dragstar

08-09-2007, 05:50 PM

mirrorimage

08-09-2007, 09:42 PM

Bense468

08-09-2007, 10:49 PM

wow the pic of billy henderson in rated X. Insane.

ahsumtoy

08-10-2007, 04:38 AM

"What makes a Placecraft different..." That's a good question. The obvious answer is the hull design, but for a more technical answer, I'm not sure? I know that back in the 80's when Placecraft owned the fuel and alcohol classes there were a few people who tried to compete with Eliminator's but with little success. I know Tom Peterson would be able to answer the question, but I don't think he'll reply (he's shy). Maybe Ron or Scot Hamilton, Frank or Tim Place????

Placecraft Dragstar

08-10-2007, 03:54 PM

There are some reasons why but not for me to type.

Nucking futs

08-10-2007, 06:31 PM

There are some reasons why but not for me to type.
Don't be shy, I would like to here what you have to say.
I can put my pennys worth into the mix, but I just get slammed cuz I really don't know anything, after all, my Dad is the one who designed the southwind tunnel and my grandfather is the one who gave Bill place a free SWTD to develop the placecraft.

Dogballs

08-10-2007, 10:05 PM

Don't be shy, I would like to here what you have to say.
I can put my pennys worth into the mix, but I just get slammed cuz I really don't know anything, after all, my Dad is the one who designed the southwind tunnel and my grandfather is the one who gave Bill place a free SWTD to develop the placecraft.
End of Story!

mirrorimage

08-13-2007, 02:53 PM

awwwwww come on .... i wannto learn something:idea:

Placecraft Dragstar

08-14-2007, 05:06 PM

BUSBY

08-14-2007, 06:41 PM

WTF then you should have all the answers, LOL
but Tim (nucking) wasn't the one who asked ... and he's not stating that he's got the answers & not answering someone who really is interested ...
I'd like to know what you think as well ... not picking a fight ... just interested ...
BB

Nucking futs

08-14-2007, 06:43 PM

WTF then you should have all the answers, LOL
Yeah, back in the 70's we would have it covered. Now with all this new this and new that. Im going to be trying the old 70's hardware.I will be picking Tom's brain once im ready to get it dialed. Motors done, just need to dyno....:D

08-14-2007, 07:08 PM

what makes the placecraft different from the other pointy nosed tunnels?..like the crusader ? or texas tunnel and southwind ...i mean the conventional tunnels like tpr,daytona, ive heard been past 140.. i was woundering because ive only heard that the crusader been in to the 130's but 160 plus ...wow ... why are they able to achieve more mph ... i want to learn something new ... you guys have been talking about history ... im all ears ....er eyes !!!:D
first, it's not a pointynosed tunnel, it's a modv tunnel. crusader, bahner, southwind, placecraft, mach1, wildercraft, etc., are modv tunnels. the bahner is a splash of the placecraft. the mach1 (not to be confused with the wildermach1) was a splash of the southwind. the cp tunnel and earl smith tunnel are also modv's.
as futz said, bill place created the placecraft via design changes to the southwind provided by his g'father. bill place OWNED top fuel jet in the mid 70s with a southwind tunnel, which resulted in everyone else of the period running a southwind tunnel in bfj, through the end of the 70s, and in some places, early 80s, until placecrafts became more predominant for the class.
the southwind is unique, in that it is a "shallow tunnel", meaning the tunnels are not very deep, wide, or long. the small tunnels do not provide significant air entrapment for hull lift, compared to a daytona/cheyenne/stealth. i.e., a pickle fork tunnel will acquire more lift from air at a lower speed than a modv tunnel.
the placecraft was designed with deeper tunnels (sponsons) than the southwind, and they are slightly wider and longer. the crusader and wildercraft is similar in that regard. their tunnels are about the same depth as a placecraft. the earle smith/cp tunnels are about the same depth, but much longer, with the gullwing shaped "wings" shortly behind the bow designed to "box" in additional air, plus the first several feet from the bow back is very thin before the beginning of a center sponson. ergo, the earle smith/cp will gain more lift from air pressure at a lower speed. however, with the smith/cp tunnel, there isn't anything under the bow to catch the bow upon loss of power, which is why they are so prone to hook on loss of power.
the southwind and placecraft also had the "pod", which looks like a box sticking out of the transom, along with the pump. this allowed the pump to be set back further than boats with a standard transom. pics of early placecrafts show a similar pod as the southwinds, but it was subsequently shortened in later placecraft versions.
ralph padilla was fairly successful in bfj with a daytona, back in the 80's. kirkman has also been very successful with his stealth, running consistent numbers that haven't been seen before, but the bottom of his stealth isn't like any other. most of the fuel boats mentioned made their marks back in the 70's and 80's, before the starting distance was shortened to 125'. before that, they all had a pretty long running start at the starting line. this change occurred in the eary 90's, and since then, the ihba bfj record was set in '95 by shannon stewart, 7.13/163, and in sdba by randy fowlkes, 158/6.98, both placecrafts. kirkman consistently runs that quick with an alky motor.
racing, weight makes a difference, and all these hulls are different weights. it should also be understood there are tradeoffs for everything. a boat running 150+ doesn't necessarily need a big air collector box up front for increased lift. on the other hand, having those sponsons can come in handy if the engine blows, to settle the front of the boat back into the water.
i personally favor the southwind over all of 'em. not just because i've won over 35 races and 7 championships with mine, but for several other reasons. i really like the placecraft, they are beautiful boats, and if i didn't have the sw, i'd probably go in that direction. fortunately, i don't have to...

BUSBY

08-14-2007, 08:19 PM

well mirror ... there's your answer ...
Thanks Bob for the info ...
BB

TRG

08-14-2007, 08:45 PM

The term used earlier,... "Pointynosed tunnel" seems to hit the nail on the head if your trying to describe a "Modified vbottom tunnell" while not knowing the correct term of the hull design! Actually, i hear the pointy nosed deal alot more than modv tunnel, but thats a whole other discussion....carry on!
Todd

-XTC-

08-14-2007, 09:36 PM

Here is my 81 PlaceCraft tunnel -- "pod"
http://www.shorewoodgroup.com/***boat/Region%20Capture1.jpg
and I believe this is a 90's PC Tunnel --
http://www.shorewoodgroup.com/***boat/Region%20Capture2.jpg
Darin

CDBA DAN

08-14-2007, 09:39 PM

Well Said Bp
Dan

Cs19

08-14-2007, 09:49 PM

Welcome to ***boat Dan. :)

hellman2u

08-15-2007, 07:45 AM

BP , Thanks for the detailed explanation , thats what these forums are really for. Hi "AWESOME " Jet boat Dan , looking forward to seeing you folks @ Lakeside this weekend. Jim

mirrorimage

08-15-2007, 09:09 AM

thanx bob ...it seems that more people are coming around to the gullwing design at the track again, in the slower classes .. now do people still consider the gullwing a v or a mod v ... and whats the fastest the southwind has ever gone ... i dont see to many southwinds around ... just futs,bp,moneysucker, and ducky that have run into the trippple digits . im sure there are more out there .you guys are the people i know with them... .. hi busby .. it seems that with all this new technology we still fall back on old techniques to push the limits of our boats ... and not to many things have really vaired from the boats of the 70's and 80"s. granted there probably has but through my eyes i see alot of the old school around ... proven stuff :idea:

08-15-2007, 11:47 AM

thanx bob ...it seems that more people are coming around to the gullwing design at the track again, in the slower classes .. now do people still consider the gullwing a v or a mod v ... :
gullwings are v bottoms, tunnels were originally v bottoms, modified into tunnels.
i didn't see anyone going away from the gullwing design. they are very quick, especially to the 1/8th. but problems can arise trying to run a gullwing over 115-120.
gullwings are quick because they get on or near the surface of the water very quickly. tunnels have a center pod and sponsons that are, initially, deeper in the water. the center pod and sponsons must rise further, from deeper water, to get on top thus reducing drag. if you apply enough power to a tunnel, and it's set up correctly, it can get on top in a shorter time. but, with power being equal, the gullwing will be quicker off the rope, and for several hundred feet, due to less drag.
and whats the fastest the southwind has ever gone ... i dont see to many southwinds around ... just futs,bp,moneysucker, and ducky that have run into the trippple digits . im sure there are more out there .you guys are the people i know with them... :
southwind tunnels were only produced from 75-81, and although there were many produced, that's a fairly limited time period compared to other brands. also, many of the old southwinds back in the day went 150+.
it seems that with all this new technology we still fall back on old techniques to push the limits of our boats ... :
i wouldn't necessarily agree with this. an old technique was to jack the nose of the boat up until it was pointing to the moon, in the theory that it would be "aired out". that's fine to a point, but at speed i've found that going in this direction creates more drag than would be created with less attitude. gullwings were run that way for years too, but if you look at roznos, lakamp, or morgan, you'll see the boats running relatively flat, very little attitude, and they are quicker/faster as a result.
and not to many things have really vaired from the boats of the 70's and 80"s. granted there probably has but through my eyes i see alot of the old school around ... proven stuff :idea:
technology continues to evolve, and be adapted. as you said, you can't see it because it's either in the boat, or under it. not to bang on anyone, but just as a point of reference, my boat has less hp and weighs 200lbs more than ducky or sucker. yet, i run faster and at least a second quicker than either one. i was very fortunate to be part of a race crew, picking brains of bennett, mcclure and ebbert for 3 years before i ever started my own deal, in combination with my own background.
another example would be bandy's hallett. i don't think you would find too many 19' high sided hallets running 95/10.50's with a single carbed pump gas engine. that is an example of adapting more current concepts into an old hull.
another thing to think about is awesome toy. that thing is really still in test and tune mode, with a lot more left. it is certainly no stock out-of-mold stealth, and current technology and theory learned over the decades has played a big part in being able to run like it does.

mirrorimage

08-15-2007, 01:52 PM

BigBlockOldsJet

08-19-2007, 05:22 PM

Can somebody with a Placecraft and Southwind post dimensions of the tunnels.............. height (inside, outside), width

Cs19

08-19-2007, 10:14 PM

i saw one of the most impressive things Ive ever seen a jetboat do this weekend and it was an alcohol placecraft, those are bad ass boats!

Bense468

08-19-2007, 10:27 PM

Was it red? lol
I've always wanted a PC

Cs19

08-19-2007, 10:45 PM

Was it red? lol
I've always wanted a PC
Yeah it was a red blur. My mouth just dropped when the injector hat doors went flat.

08-20-2007, 10:47 AM

well its like you said bp .. with the proper set up boat like yours and awsome toy ,you can see things work the correct way ...but that takes alot of set up time and effort .. going to the races really helps on getting info and questions answered ... the frist time i went to the races with the 609 and watched bandys hallett run 96 my jaw dropped .. so the proof is in the pudding i guess ... i just keep missing the chance to go to the races and learn more ...
mirror, the only thing that takes time and effort is education and knowledge absorption. watching a boat run is one thing; understanding what it did, and why it did it at every part of the course, and being able to communicate that either verbally or in notes is something else. then evaluating every piece of information available to determine what, if anything, can be improved is another step. learning with a group that is pushing the envelope to set and reset records was invaluable, and those records still haven't been broken.
a friend of mine took an engine that had been in a record setting boat, installed it in another hull of a different design that weighed less. he almost got within 6 tenths of the record holder, never even came close, but he did go fast. it's all about setup, understanding what you're seeing, and adjusting accordingly. massive power doesn't automatically translate to record setter, or "fastest".