Are cats really that dangerous?
05-13-2008, 11:17 AM
#211
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I found one quote from Terry Rinker that mentioned 4-5 g's. I completely agree that it appears that the champ boats are generating amazing cornering speeds, however if g-force is a measure of cornering speed in a given radius then a higher number would mean a higher speed?
05-13-2008, 11:20 AM
#212
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I will say from being in that run that is was brutal for a lot of the boats and it was pretty funny when Woodsy was asked if he would rather be in a 40+ ft V or a Cat if the waves were 10 footers and he comically responded that he would rather be on the shore watching!!!!!Funny as hell!!! Coming from the man who represents 2 of the best in each category, sometimes it is more fun with a cocktail and a view!!! It was amazing to see a lot of the awesome driving that took place regardless of V or Cat and it is very evident that knowing how to run your boat safely is the first priority!!!!Obviously watching Blee and Freedom, some can do it damn well and really fast!!!!!
05-13-2008, 12:13 PM
#213
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I found one quote from Terry Rinker that mentioned 4-5 g's. I completely agree that it appears that the champ boats are generating amazing cornering speeds, however if g-force is a measure of cornering speed in a given radius then a higher number would mean a higher speed?
In addition, the older hulls turned 90 degrees in a fraction of a second...almost a controlled "hook". My right arm came out of almost every heat, bleeding...even if I had a padded cushion on the cockpit....The friction and impacts caused the abrasions. I actually did hook in one race and my body went right through the cockpit leaving a tied sneaker on the throttle peddle. My belief is that we spiked at well over 7-8 g's at the actual turning instant in those days....... To this day I have "boat racers neck", a painful reminder of the helmet trying to continue in its original direction while the rest of me went with the seat twice each lap.
Thee tew ECKS
05-13-2008, 01:12 PM
#219
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G forces in a turn are measured radially from the center of the turn. Use the equation below to calculate the radial g force:
A = v^2 / r
where v is your forward velocity, r is the radius of the turn and A is the acceleration (g force).
05-13-2008, 01:22 PM
#220
A to Z
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you don't need a lot of velocity to have high acceleration changes.... actually in most motorsport cases, high g counts come from sudden decels (wrecks) or sudden directional changes.... not so much from high velocities.
remember a sneeze and cough can generate 2-3 g's...
