Poker Run Format - should it be changed?
09-10-2013 | 11:31 AM
#171
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From: Bell Canyon, CA
The move by Bill was a jackass move regardless of why he did it. I have only met Bill once and he seemed like a smart nice guy. I am sure that even at some level he admits to himself that this was not a safe position to be in. I have done a lot of stupid stuff and eventually I come around to ya that was stupid LOL. Its up to the driver to operate his boat safe under conditions, spectator boats are part of the conditions just like ice on the highway. Bill made a jacka$$ move but in my opinion that does not make him a jacka$$.
As far as preventing blow overs- thats like saying you need to design a car to withstand a head on at freeway speeds. Fact is if you move over into the opposite lane with cars traveling at you then you are going to crash, that is why I don't drive in the opposite lane. Just like if you drive a cat right behind another with a roost, your boat will blow over. this is a simple mistake and mis judgement and in this case tragic. No rules will fix that. If you make it harder to blow over then drivers will push the limit in some other way.
We must improve safety devices so when something goes wrong you have a better chance to survive it. As long as we push the limits things will go wrong. I don't know for sure since I don't have the details of this accident and cause of death but I believe that Helmets, neck restraints, and proper vest (I think these guys had lifeline vest on, which is good) would have saved lives in this case.
I also think there can be more done to clear the course and or create only one controlled area that is wide open and the other areas have pace boats.
MP
As far as preventing blow overs- thats like saying you need to design a car to withstand a head on at freeway speeds. Fact is if you move over into the opposite lane with cars traveling at you then you are going to crash, that is why I don't drive in the opposite lane. Just like if you drive a cat right behind another with a roost, your boat will blow over. this is a simple mistake and mis judgement and in this case tragic. No rules will fix that. If you make it harder to blow over then drivers will push the limit in some other way.
We must improve safety devices so when something goes wrong you have a better chance to survive it. As long as we push the limits things will go wrong. I don't know for sure since I don't have the details of this accident and cause of death but I believe that Helmets, neck restraints, and proper vest (I think these guys had lifeline vest on, which is good) would have saved lives in this case.
I also think there can be more done to clear the course and or create only one controlled area that is wide open and the other areas have pace boats.
MP
Great post....and I like that comment about If you make it harder to blow over then drivers will push the limit in some other way. Very true!
Isn't the blowover caused by dramatically increased pressure in the tunnel due to an amount of water vapor (from a vessel in front) added to the the air already being compressed? If you are perfectly trimmed for great lift and performance.......then this unexpected water vapor is added.....the tunnel pressure ramps up rapidly until it's critical and then the blowover happens. It seems to me that pressure sensors inside the tunnel could be easily added and monitored realtime with a uP to deliver a combination of indications........big red idiot light and pressure gauge, and/or a coupled to a DT (digital throttle) system so the blowover doesn't happen. Just a thought.
09-10-2013 | 11:32 AM
#172
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 550
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From: Charlotte, NC
you're inferring that he doesn't care, based on what? a 12 second video? once again, he was not the only boat in the second video to split the boat. Soooo what that tells me is that the boat was anchored in a bad spot (hence the nascar analogy) however they have the right to anchor wherever they choose, so what is everyone casting blame just on Bill? it is wrong and shouldn't have even been added to this discussion. as for me being an idiot, you would be wrong there too. If my truth and yours dont align, I'm ok with that. I'm rarely wrong 
09-10-2013 | 11:33 AM
#173
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From: SoCal
I've watched a lot of offshore racing where the big cats pass behind other cats all the time for positioning.... I can't recall "blowovers" ever being an issue....watch any video and you'll see it as normal racing...
So why in a PR environment is it happening??? Over trimmed? Do the racers know to trim in a bit to make their wake crossing safer?
Again..in offshore racing crossing wakes in close proximity happens all the time.
So why in a PR environment is it happening??? Over trimmed? Do the racers know to trim in a bit to make their wake crossing safer?
Again..in offshore racing crossing wakes in close proximity happens all the time.
09-10-2013 | 11:35 AM
#174
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From: Bell Canyon, CA
09-10-2013 | 11:37 AM
#175
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,259
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From: Bell Canyon, CA
I've watched a lot of offshore racing where the big cats pass behind other cats all the time for positioning.... I can't recall "blowovers" ever being an issue....watch any video and you'll see it as normal racing...
So why in a PR environment is it happening??? Over trimmed? Do the racers know to trim in a bit to make their wake crossing safer?
Again..in offshore racing crossing wakes in close proximity happens all the time.
So why in a PR environment is it happening??? Over trimmed? Do the racers know to trim in a bit to make their wake crossing safer?
Again..in offshore racing crossing wakes in close proximity happens all the time.
09-10-2013 | 11:38 AM
#176
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From: Charlotte, NC
09-10-2013 | 11:39 AM
#177
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From: Cape Coral, Fl/LOTO
I hear this all the time, why when someone give their opinion they're all of sudden a "keyboard cowboy" isn't that why were here, to discuss and talk about boating.............maybe we could do it without all the name calling and back stabbing, that might help, JMO though.
09-10-2013 | 11:40 AM
#178
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Great post....and I like that comment about If you make it harder to blow over then drivers will push the limit in some other way. Very true!
Isn't the blowover caused by dramatically increased pressure in the tunnel due to an amount of water vapor (from a vessel in front) added to the the air already being compressed? If you are perfectly trimmed for great lift and performance.......then this unexpected water vapor is added.....the tunnel pressure ramps up rapidly until it's critical and then the blowover happens. It seems to me that pressure sensors inside the tunnel could be easily added and monitored realtime with a uP to deliver a combination of indications........big red idiot light and pressure gauge, and/or a coupled to a DT (digital throttle) system so the blowover doesn't happen. Just a thought.
Isn't the blowover caused by dramatically increased pressure in the tunnel due to an amount of water vapor (from a vessel in front) added to the the air already being compressed? If you are perfectly trimmed for great lift and performance.......then this unexpected water vapor is added.....the tunnel pressure ramps up rapidly until it's critical and then the blowover happens. It seems to me that pressure sensors inside the tunnel could be easily added and monitored realtime with a uP to deliver a combination of indications........big red idiot light and pressure gauge, and/or a coupled to a DT (digital throttle) system so the blowover doesn't happen. Just a thought.
09-10-2013 | 11:41 AM
#179
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From: Raystown Lake , Pa.
09-10-2013 | 11:41 AM
#180
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Oh
You're correct the design work would be impossible for the boat builders and the users would do more damage then good. But a proper wing in the proper hands would work.
