Quesiton about Bacardi Silver Boat

VelocityMike · 11-08-2002, 02:31 PM

Why does Bacardi Silver boat have a center steering fin with two #6 drives. I dont quite understand why #6's and not surface drives like an MTI or Tommi Bahama? The other question is how does the system work, the drives dont turn at all? What are the advantages/disadvantages of this system? I have attached to pics of found of the boat today. Thanks for any help given.

VelocityMike · 11-08-2002, 02:34 PM

Sorry the pics did not come out the way that I thought they would. Use this Link to see the picture that I have found. Thanks

PhantomChaos · 11-08-2002, 02:38 PM

The #6 drives have been modified. The lower bullet (scag) has been cut off to reduce drag and the steering has been welded in one position........straight! A single rudder is in the middle for steering.......it's all about record breaking speed.

VelocityMike · 11-08-2002, 04:06 PM

Thanks for the response PhantomChaos. How does the boat handle have you ever talked to anyone about it? I am sorry to bug you about this if I am.

rjcardinal · 11-08-2002, 04:18 PM

The Bacardi boat looked good yesterday at the New Orleans race but it was no match for the Pier 57 shaft drive boat even before it broke. I saw the Bacardi boat limp back to the crane and the driver yelled to his crew that they lost a belt. They had it fired up before the crane was able to lift it up.

Ron

timucin · 11-08-2002, 07:22 PM

but:if the goal is decreasing the friction :
dont you think rudder has bigger area then two skegs?.

excellent boat!!!

ps: all european class-1 boats also use the same rudder system..

PhantomChaos · 11-08-2002, 07:47 PM

You know......I wonder if we're talking about the same boat? His picture looks like it has engine scoops.......mine doesn't.

Okay Cat.........the steering "on the drives" prohibited, and the steering wheel operates the rudder (manybe I'm all wet about this set up.....but that's the way it was explained to me at TNT).

Just Browsing · 11-08-2002, 09:53 PM

FYI

The Bacardi Silver boat that raced in New Orleans is a different boat than the one that has been running in Px all year in APBA, and the kilo runs. This one is much longer, something in the neighborhood of 46', I would guess.

I wouldn't be so sure that its no match for Pier 57 either. Dave and J.T. pulled away from them down the front straight at the start, and there is no telling when the belt started to let go. None of the 3 Unlimiteds finished, so its really hard to say who would be the fastest, while at the same time being durable enough for the entire 16 laps (104 miles).

Just my opinion, however, I don't know much about the power of either boat, etc.

VelocityMike · 11-08-2002, 10:00 PM

Hey the boat in my pic and the pic that Phantom posted are diffrent boats but it looks like they have the same type of set up. If they were going for speed wouldn't surface drives cause less drag then 2 #6's. I dont really know much about cats but that would make the most sense. What do you all think???

rjcardinal · 11-08-2002, 10:14 PM

Just Browsing,

Im no expert at all. I was just calling it like I saw it. From the sea wall Pier 57 seemed dominant. He passed everything with authority and seemed to let off when he got around them leading me to belive he had a little more than the others. I wish Bacardi would have finished because after they dropped out Pier 57 really cut it back. Still it was the most impressive thing I have ever seen when the big boys were running flat out no more than 30 feet from me. We got wet from their spray! My hat's off to anyone out there!

Ron