It’s totally my fault. Any other time, I would’ve shut her down well before she blew. During our run from downtown Tampa to the Skyway bridge, I noticed the oil pressure pegged for a small bit of time. After 3 miles before teh bridge, we all stopped to prepare for the calendar shot coming through the bridge. Opened the hatch and checked her over, but didn’t detect anything. Again, if we weren’t going for the calendar shot, I would’ve taken it easy and prepared to stop completely.

Once all the boats staged, the green light was given. Everyone planed off and headed towards the bridge at between 50-60mph. My oil pressure wasn’t pegged, but it dropped suddenly and the buzzer went off. This is the point where the seal around the oil filter failed and pumped the oil out. Again, being in the moment, I went for it. I figured the lower RPMs and strain on the engine might get me a few miles, then shut her down. I gambled and was wrong.

We aren’t sure what cause the oil pressure spike. It is assumed there was either a blockage or the pressure relief valve failed. Regardless, those parts and possibilities were replaced in an abundance of caution.

I’m sharing these details because I don’t want anyone thinking there is a problem with Zul engines or even my ability to maintain them. I take full responsibility for what happened. (The pain and anguish in my sack while trying to make the photo was close to unbearable.) We all know to watch our gauges and be proactive before all hell breaks loose. I got cocky and gambled. A very expensive lesson was administered. But I did take the opportunity to do some other updates and modifications to both engines.

She is running like a raped ape now. Just had a 3-day detail done. Everything is dialed in and the new, lobbed props from BBlades are on. She’s ready for the next fun run or poker run.