I can't imagine what it's like to have lost a friend or family to an accident like we have seen so many times this summer. I didnt know any of the folks that have lost their lives of the past summer, but it still upsets me. It seems today's engine technology has far surpassed the technology/ability of the hulls. I applaud you for choosing to no longer compete in high speed shootouts. While I am sure everyone knows the risks involved, it simply just cannot be worth it. Especially when you consider the effect it will have on the ones left behind. I truly hope more, in this sport, reflect on things and realize that the short term rush and bragging rights just simply aren't worth the ultimate price. I am terribly sorry you have lost some of your friends this way, it is truly heartbreaking.

RESPECT. But with that said, you don't really see other motorsports backing down from record breaking top speed runs. My first impression is other motorsports are always trying new life-saving safety designs, equipment and gear. Offshore seems way behind in technology that can help make the boat safer - think Hydroplanes, Drag Boats, they aren't slowing down, but they are a lot safer.

Part of the issue is, the Offshore style of boats were never intended to be the fastest straight-line smooth water boat, they are (were) meant to go from point A, to point B, to point C, D,E and etc. and the best team who could keep the boat together and on course with good navigation, throttle and drive techniques, for the best time on the course, would be the winners. The neutralizer was Mother Nature. Then the boats got bigger, and faster. Then again, even bigger, faster and finally powered by rocket engines. The offshore industry lost their way and tried to evolved into something they were not.

I would like to see some of these teams re-think their love for fast-boating, get back to basics, and experience the thrill of going offshore to the Bahamas and back where it requires a little more talent, driving, and finesse versus flat out drag racing.

And the general public and fans would absolutely support the crap out of these efforts. Keep it simple and have fun.

Many great thoughts in this post, I'm gonna stick my neck out and suggest that we all can be very passionate about high performance boating
and live to tell our friends and family's about it. :-)

Ron……
I always believe that just because an accident hasn’t happened to me, that it can’t happen. And it is better to lose a minute in life than loose a life in a minute.

You are a wise friend, may they RIP

Doc Janssen

Thank you Ron for stepping up, and voicing your concern's. I feel your decision to not take part in these shot-out style run's, will have a major impact with other participant's rethinking the consequences of what can happen. and how many people are truly affected when it goes wrong.
I hope many more follow your decision.

RIP, to all we have lost.

You make a valid point. Offshore machines have developed far past where they are safe at these speeds.. I have never been to a shootout, but my guess is most of the participants are not running race prepared boats. Open canopies, no oxygen, no belts. Even then there is no guarantee. Personally speaking, I get more thrill and satisfaction racing our 70MPH class 6 boat deck to deck with 6-10 others than I would going 100 in a straight line. It is saddening to seethe loss of life over simply going fast.

24 years ago I lost my dad in a hydroplane accident right here in our hometown Detroit. We lost many friends in drag boat racing accidents in the years prior. We all new the risked involved. He offered to stop driving anytime my brothers and I would ask. We all love this sport but things are out of hand. Bragging rights for a number means nothing in the grand scheme of things. I give you a ton of credit Ron and you have my utmost respect!

Ron you're a wise man. We've lost too many friends.

It doesn't even compare on the grand scale of things, but I recently sold my 18' Seebold Eagle mod vp tunnel for the same reason. I bought it to just be a "play toy" when I wasn't using my 42' Fountain. I had a modded 300x that I was going to bolt on the back and it most definitely would have gone 110+ if I had the nuts to hang onto it. The more I thought about my son and my family the more I lost interest. Ten or fifteen years ago the selfish crazy me would have done it in a heartbeat. Glad you had a change of heart for all the right reasons. This quest for speed thing has kinda gotten out of hand lately.

So you're saying that some things will never change; a Skater for sale and another one on order. BTW, you win the prize for building the most beautiful Skater ever built- the gold one. Have yet to see a more gorgeous boat