New Directions

The last 48 hours have been a bit trying. That translates to, really, really horrible, when I'm not trying to impress people through understatement.

Time to start thinking about building a racing hydroplane, I guess.

It may seem illogical, when health has gone, to look to a future of hot metal, cold water, speed, and no little hazard, but...oh, heck, it IS illogical.

But bear with me. It's kind of a fun mental ride.

The only image I had of these things - flat-bottomed boats that essentially ride on their propellers, with the hull just skimming the water - was of the piston-engined Unlimiteds that ran from the 1950s to the 1990s, when the teams turned to jet engines. They go fast. Like, 200 mph. So would you, if you had 3000 hp strapped to your butt.

They can also fly, which isn't a good thing when you don't want to do it. The front end can go up, and there are some clips on Youtube that show Unlimiteds doing complete loops. Or partial ones - which is worse. Here's one - non-fatal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtY7zWmY-xo

I can't afford a jet engine, don't have a shop big enough for one of these behemoths, and couldn't even afford the trailer for one.

But there are alternatives. Hydros range from little outboards, kind of like seagoing go-karts, to more reasonable inboards with automotive engines.

And then there is the Vintage class - in which one can replicate a boat that no longer exists, and race it.

That's the way to go.



This is a 7-litre design. Should go about 135 mph. It'll fit in the shop, and it's mostly wood.

Should be fun. Oh, how long have I driven fast boats?

About an hour. Why?