Thread:

Kelly Clark Biesemeyer "Cheater Chine"

Whether you're of the opinion that the rules stifle innovation or not, the line has to be drawn somewhere. Otherwise, this course of development would have probably had a parallel evolutionary track to the outboards, and turned our traditional ski boats into inboard versions of a Mod VP. That in itself would not have been a bad thing, but it would have made a lot of existing equipment obsolete, thus decimating participation.

A similar controversy exists today among ski boat circle racers regarding Vilwock's turn fin. I think it should be outlawed, not because it's dangerous (the jury's still out on that), but because if it works too well, everyone will have to do it to stay competitive. The design will evolve too far away from what a "ski boat" is supposed to be. On the other hand, one could argue that capsules have already done that, and once the mandate axe falls, who cares? Let 'em go.

Eric

When should the line be drawn? I want to race boats, just bought my first one
only to learn that something safer to drive is actually illegal!!!! If the fin on
Vilwock's boat adds to the application of speed and safety when going around
the circle why wouldnt I want that. In IMHO I would rather absorb the cost of
a fin than the capsule. And it appears looking at some of the earlier boats
that are being restored right now, the side fin is an old idea just like the dropped
chine.

I agree with the capsule comment.

Sorry just a newbie here, BUT WHY DOES SOMETHING THAT ADDS SAFETY
AND HANDLING NEED TO BE ILLEGAL....SIDE FINS AND DROPPED CHINES
ARE A LOT LESS THAN THE ENGINES DOMINATING THE RACES. Whats
not fair is that i will never be able to afford a Phaf racing engine so i will
never be competitive, but I should be allowed to run "SAFE"

Just my 2cents, again a newbie here so pile on the coments, this is all very interesting

Originally Posted by Sharp Shooter

A little advice pertaining to the internet. Just because you read something online don't assume it's always true. No proof exists validating claims that dropped chines and side fins are safest.

Just sayin...

Good Coment Sharp Shooter, that is definately sage advice (thanks for the safe instructions on how to lift the boat)
But where do I go for the data? I can walk across my office and pull ASTM manuals that provide good guidance for
engineering tasks, but where do you get good guidance on hull design and safety? Drivers? Manufacturers? APBA?
Private Stats based on the crash trends of the last twenty years? Where is the quantitative data vs the qualitative data?


And I'm not really trying to pee on anyones leg just trying to learn and be safe.

thanks

Killeer fungus... Maybe you should think about trying another hobby. Boat racing might not be for you. There are no books or stacks of engineering stats of what is "safe" or not. You just need to use your common sense which is my view, most engineers don't have much of. JMHO

Steve

Originally Posted by Killerfungis

Good Coment Sharp Shooter, that is definately sage advice (thanks for the safe instructions on how to lift the boat)
But where do I go for the data?

And I'm not really trying to pee on anyones leg just trying to learn and be safe.
thanks

Parker Arizona for the Thanksgiving race, keep your head low and dont divulge what your handle is!!
Learn all you can there!

Like others have advised, just try the boat, before serious changes, in fact take next year to play with it as often as you can, possibly even throw some buoys out! Burn lots of gas, this sorts out engine and handling and driver gremlins BEFORE you get serious about racing. While doing this, find a fun loving, dependable, adequate crew, that works cheap!
I do have personal knowledge when it comes to folks not only thinking they can race but actually doing it, because of Nostalgia racing! Somewhere around 60 rookies I have had the pleasure of meeting and watching! Most, if not all, had fun but at a cost!
If you start APBA or with us, it doesnt matter except one small difference; one will cost your more!

No one has been seriously hurt in 10 years even with lots of laps in many less efficient hulls than yours! Want some video proof? Sharp Shooter has a great DVD of us called: Nosties!

I think boyd is right on this one. my fist year racing was an eye opener get some seat time and ask alot of questions. just saying tommy.

Originally Posted by Roaddogg 4040

Killeer fungus... Maybe you should think about trying another hobby. Boat racing might not be for you. There are no books or stacks of engineering stats of what is "safe" or not. You just need to use your common sense which is my view, most engineers don't have much of. JMHO

Steve

If it was about common sense, instead of "black arts", "secrecy", "tactical advantage" and "politics" your boat(s)
would have sails on them or oars, your boat performs because it was engineered to do so, even trial and error is engineering.
I'm only looking for the data that supports experience and knowledge for predictable failures so that I may avoid the mistakes
of someone elses learning curve and not guess myself or "common sense" myself into a coffin if it was avoidable outside of
chance.


I bet you have ducttape on your boat somewhere roaddogg, just sayin, I can find important tech info
on all other motorsports incuding aerodynamic design efficiencies except this sport, why is that?
Sounds like a publication is needed.

iv got the sheets and the ones that some people do follow and iv had all the sheets that have been produced since the bottom team came up with them in the mid 70s only the old timers know what im talking about and they are apba rules

Ok so who is Bob Shepard and what does he have to do with dropped chines if anything?
Just following up on a PM