I just ran across some walter 601B's which are a very close copy of pt-6's. They are 760 hp each and seem to be bullet proof with easier maintainance. Any thoughts on using these verses the pt-6? GE has bought the rights to the walter turbines and are installing them in place of pt-6's.

I think you should sell dad and I the boat ! lol let's see some pics

I was looking at the boat today and I peeled back some carpet and found the old markings for the forward and reverse levers and the brake pedal openings. On the right side of the door I found markings for the balast tank (fill, dump, bilge) and holes for some gauges. It was amazing to see the markings and know they were put there in 1966 and they are in great shape except for the glue that was smeared around and over some of the letters.
Anyone know of a boat with walter 601's in it?
I will be selling my t-53-13, it is a very nice motor, 1400 hp with an output shaft speed of 6000 RPM. It is 4 feet long and 2 feet in diameter. It is a lot more compact than the PT-6's or the walters. Will sell reasonable.

I was just looking up the specs for the walter 601 b turbines, the shaft horse power is 690 and the torque is 1744 lbs/ft at 2080 rpm.
I talked to the previous owner and he said at 5000 rpm the boat would run 60 mph. So with the 1.5/1 reduction the prop would be spinning at 3333 rpm.
For ocean racing or just going and having fun,what would be a good speed to set this boat up for? Would a top speed of 60 mph be good enough?
The reason I am asking is I think that this boat would run that speed with just one turbine. It would be a lot lighter and wouldn't have to carry as much fuel. I could also use the existing transmisions and v drives. I would have to gear up the output of the turbine to 5000 rpm which would lower the torque, and divide it between the two drives.
I know there are some people out there that could help me with this and I would appreciate any input. I live in the middle of nowhere and have no contact with offshore racers other than on the internet. There are some good machinists out here and I haven't run across a project I couldn't do yet. So this will get done but I would be more encouraged with your help.
My hopes are to have it ready for the historic boat marathons.

Another question, when I remove the 454's and the luggage that goes with them, how will that effect the balance of the boat? It has gas tanks on each side that go from the front of the cockpit to the transom and hold 500 gals each and it has a ballast tank up front that looks like it would hold 200 plus gallons. I estimate the weight removed will be 2000 lbs and will be installing 450-500 lbs in the same location. Where should the balance point be on a boat like this? It has arneson surface drives and trim tabs. It seems a variable weight like fuel should be at the center of gravity. I have heard 25% from the transom is correct. That seems a little to far aft, maybe 28-30%?

great thread PUT if your not setting the boat up as it was with twin pt 6 turbines, then its worthless. if its over your head double what you payed for it and sell it to someone who can finish it now like racesdad or take them on as a partner. so please don't make a mess out of it with a single t53. my buddys boat has two of them and with exhaust there like 8 or 10 feet long from the transom to where the exhaust comes out. so I think you would have issues with that motor plus it won't match what was in it. the boat is worthless with out the same turbines so do it right or sale it to guys who came get her done in 6 months not talk about it for 3 years otherwise 3years from now we will still be talking about it. and I am not busting your balls, but you have guys here that can build it in 6 months.theres a lot of work setting up turbines . also go to skater threads look up turbine 101 gerry did how to on installing his turbines there the t53s I talked about. good luck but if I was you and I could sell it and double my money after 3 years I would so in 6 mons its done. going cross country as a show theres just not that many people into boats you would not make a dime but should race it in the old school class.

Boy you would hate my project and plans.

Ya, you are right it is worthless! I called the scrap metal guy today and he will start cutting it up tomorrow.
I have 4 turbines for sale, three walter 601 b's and a t-53 -13. I will keep the ls6 454's and put one in my 68 convertable camaro with a blower. Might sell the other one.
I also have a nice trailer for sale
The guy I bought it from was right all it is is scrap metal!

This is a joke correct?? ... Do not pay attention to what anyone say's and just take your time and finish it.
If you are even remotely serious about scrapin this ..please don't...I'll take it.

That worthless boat wieghed a little more than we thought it would, paid pretty good. He even let me keep the transom and two feet of the nose, I also kept the exhaust stacks. I am glad I was not there when steve cut it up, I probably would have stopped him and then I would have had to spend more money on a worthless boat.I think I will mount the transom on my shop wall with the nose on the outside, Not sure if I will leave the arnesons mounted on it, accordding to arneson they are worhtless too, even thou they look like new. Anyone need some old arnesons? Pantera 24 thanks for atleast making some kind of comment, I could not have let anybody have it after I decided to scrap it plus I already had a deposit from steve.
It is not the first time I have done this, I had a 38 LaSalle convertable coupe with a rumble seat. It was about 3/4 restored and complete, Colorado rust free car. Every time I talked to some one about selling it they told me it wasn't worth what I was asking for it. I had priced it very resonable, it was one of 6 know to exist, it is razorblades!
Maybe someone can make a replica of the thunderbird and it would even be more worhtless.
If anyone wants the nose and transom it is for sale too, but it won't be cheap!
I had three people within a week tell me either the boat was worthless or the parts on the boat were worthless or what i was trying to do was worthless. I didn't think that what I was doing was worthless but obviously I was wrong. You guys need to wake up, it was 1 of 1 period! It was the first turbine powered offshore racing boat, it never broke like the indy cars and it never lost!
End of boat!
End of thread!
End of story!
If I want a go fast boat I will write a check for it, just like everyone else.