First, loss of life can almost always be avoided and hindsight is always 20/20.

Looks to me that non-participant traffic caused these guys to take multiple different lines creating unsafe operation at those speeds. They can be one of the best drivers in the world, but 100' from another boat at 150 MPH leaves zero room for error or failure. I'm not a professional at this by any means, dont claim to be. Big boy driver will come on here and say that I'm wrong and I haven't driven a boat at 160 MPH. Cars in a race at 160+ MPH are fenced with tested safety barriers.

In being a spectator at the Desert Storm events many times, I notice many "staff" boats along the lake who are trying to keep the course area clear.

One idea would be to position a staff boat every mile and if someone is in the course, immediately go yellow like the do in a real race. The staff boats in that area would display large yellow flags informing the participants to immediately slow down. This may not work, but something needs to slow the field down in the event the course has unexpected changes, like boats in the path.

Running radios through the headsets with all driver/navigator participants on the same channel seems like an easy option.

Or... Do nothing and just think it is cool for a pass at 150+ fifty feet off your stern.

You sure are laughing a lot of your a$$ off! I'm going to look into my idea a little further. I like little projects.

There are a lot of variables that can create different scenarios when crossing a roost. , Speed, Trim, size of roost, etc...

I had a personal experience that is relevant.

Desert storm i think 2002-03. I was in my 145mph 28 Daytona starting the PR. the fleet took off and I was right next to a large red Skater. I was right next to the guy on his left (we were still accelerating) doing about 115-120mph and my right engine hit rev limiter and shut down. I was still trimmed too high for acceleration and didn't trim down early enough once at speed (rookie move). My boat immediately turned right directly towards the Skater. He looked over and saw me. I was doing everything i could get get the engine re fired and hold the wheel but I ended up going right behind him and took the roost right in the face (no canopies or windshield) It hurt bad. Because I had lost power and momentum I was not going to blow over, plus I had a center pod which helped LOL. If that same thing happened at 130+ it would have been a much different deal. At that time I had no idea about running up a roost and blowing over. I had my family on the boat with me like it was a sunday cruise, So stupid... My wife will not ride in a PR again.

Accidents happen but they happen more often to people that do not have experience and training.

MP

why because one cost 1.4 million and another cost 600K and a Cessna with autopilot can cost 60K

and cars that cost half of what some cat boats cost have adjustable wings on them

here you can get a computer controlled suspension on a 30K motorcycle

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/...-ar154601.html'

here 7K for a computer controlled dynamic split wing that is able to take a track map in it

http://www.breathlessperformance.com...productId=1130

just because some boat builders can't or won't find a way to get in contact with those that have a clue does not mean all do not need to be that way

and there is computer controlled active suspension on cars that cost under 100K

what is that.....well it is a dynamic feedback system that functions to react fast enough to make a decision that will be carried out quick enough to make a difference in ride quality while going down the road at highway speeds.....and you will of course say well a caddy does not go 150+.......yes but a Lotus race car that the system was originally developed for does go 150+ and the down force for those cars (with an active wing) and the suspension for them need to react in real time with very high speeds being driven

so the time is here when racing components are moving from the track to consumer products and there is no reason that boats need to be any different other than people like to believe or like to have their boat builders be stupid, lazy, and behind the times and keep things on the cheap

Your right man! It's so easy! Do it.

I think you forgot one thing. Profit! The car and bike builders make it. Boat builders......not so much.

Yup.

so a boat builder building a 150+ mph boat that cost 500K or 600K can't find a way to look into something that is RETAILING for $7200

http://www.breathlessperformance.com...productId=1130

trying to improve the performance of the boat will only make drivers go faster to get to the limits.

If a Ferrari can't make a corner and crashes does that mean we need better tire technology to create better grip? maybe better suspensions? No these will not help, the driver of the Ferrari was going to fast for the conditions of equipment and terrain, period. If the car was made better to have not crashed on that day then the next time the guy came thru the corner he would be going that much faster and still crash because he is driving beyond the conditions.

This is not a boat technology problem this is a knowledge, attitude, preparation, and safety gear problem.

Its like F1 racing, they have for years trying to slow the cars down so they don't get killed when something goes wrong.

We will not solve the problem making boats safer at higher speeds.

MP

How did the smaller boat about 50 feet out in the beginning not get hit. looks like the paths the 2 cats took should of been right where he was sitting..

There is way more to it than that. This boat and the DCB flipped because the H20 was added to the dynamic of the tunnel. If you think a wing and some sensors can control that in rough water at 150 plus you ARE NOT A HOT ROD GUY.

What kind of Catamaran do you own?