Quesiton about Bacardi Silver Boat
 

Why does Bacardi Silver boat have a center steering fin with two #6 drives. I dont quite understand why #6's and not surface drives like an MTI or Tommi Bahama? The other question is how does the system work, the drives dont turn at all? What are the advantages/disadvantages of this system? I have attached to pics of found of the boat today. Thanks for any help given.

Sorry the pics did not come out the way that I thought they would. Use this Link to see the picture that I have found. Thanks

The #6 drives have been modified. The lower bullet (scag) has been cut off to reduce drag and the steering has been welded in one position........straight! A single rudder is in the middle for steering.......it's all about record breaking speed.



http://www.scopeinfo.com/images/2002...w/DSC00139.jpg http://www.scopeinfo.com/images/2002...w/DSC00141.jpg

Thanks for the response PhantomChaos. How does the boat handle have you ever talked to anyone about it? I am sorry to bug you about this if I am.

The Bacardi boat looked good yesterday at the New Orleans race but it was no match for the Pier 57 shaft drive boat even before it broke. I saw the Bacardi boat limp back to the crane and the driver yelled to his crew that they lost a belt. They had it fired up before the crane was able to lift it up.

Ron

but:if the goal is decreasing the friction :
dont you think rudder has bigger area then two skegs?.

excellent boat!!!


ps: all european class-1 boats also use the same rudder system..

You know......I wonder if we're talking about the same boat? His picture looks like it has engine scoops.......mine doesn't.

Okay Cat.........the steering "on the drives" prohibited, and the steering wheel operates the rudder (manybe I'm all wet about this set up.....but that's the way it was explained to me at TNT). :D :D :D

New Bacardi Silver Boat
 

FYI

The Bacardi Silver boat that raced in New Orleans is a different boat than the one that has been running in Px all year in APBA, and the kilo runs. This one is much longer, something in the neighborhood of 46', I would guess.

I wouldn't be so sure that its no match for Pier 57 either. Dave and J.T. pulled away from them down the front straight at the start, and there is no telling when the belt started to let go. None of the 3 Unlimiteds finished, so its really hard to say who would be the fastest, while at the same time being durable enough for the entire 16 laps (104 miles).

Just my opinion, however, I don't know much about the power of either boat, etc.

Hey the boat in my pic and the pic that Phantom posted are diffrent boats but it looks like they have the same type of set up. If they were going for speed wouldn't surface drives cause less drag then 2 #6's. I dont really know much about cats but that would make the most sense. What do you all think???

Just Browsing,

Im no expert at all. I was just calling it like I saw it. From the sea wall Pier 57 seemed dominant. He passed everything with authority and seemed to let off when he got around them leading me to belive he had a little more than the others. I wish Bacardi would have finished because after they dropped out Pier 57 really cut it back. Still it was the most impressive thing I have ever seen when the big boys were running flat out no more than 30 feet from me. We got wet from their spray! My hat's off to anyone out there!

Ron

No doubt about it.
 

It was very impressive to see, no matter what the outcome, I'll give you that!

David Scott is a member of OSO. You might try PM'ing or emailing him with your questions. He has been very forthcoming in the past about his boat.

why is it set up that way,with the speeds there trying to maintain with that boat,its almost impossible to turn with the height of the X,they created the rudder design to extend deeper into the water to keep the boat from sliding through the turns.they did affix the #6's to beable to do this,about a third of the way through the year they removed the skegs on the drives to cut back even more on the drag........these guys are good at what they do,thats for sure!!!!!!!!!!my hats off for the speed and handling...........

OK, Remember OSO headquarters is located in TNT where Bacardi boat was built so we do have some inside info but owner Kilo Kat can answer all the questions most accurately. The rudder system is more responsive than steering with the drives especially for boats of that speed. The drives on this boat have the skegs cut off so for all intents and purposes they do act as a surface drive per say. This is the new boat which is a 46'. The new Sterling set up has the biggest PSI blowers I have ever seen.

The Barcadi boat was set up just like the old 36' with the conventional rudder steering and fixed #6 set up.

During the race the first lap the Bacardi boat was in first place, the second lap the Pier 57 boat started to run away. The Bacardi passed us (OSO pace boat sitting in middle of course) in the second lap sounding like it was down on power. Shortly thereafter Bacardi broke and Pier 57 ran the course looking and sounding REAL NICE before they broke.

Goddess ended up winning the race after flipping and ending back upright, no one was hurt. The boat did sustain damage and probably will not be racing on Sunday.

Sunday should be an interesting battle between Pier 57 and Barcardi.

Hopefully Kilo Kat can correct any incorrect information but I believe this is pretty accurate.

OSO

In 96 we ran that system on Victory teams #7 boat. The idea is to reduce drag and improve handling. We ran it in several different modes with and without drives turning. The " shaft drive " boats do not allow for positive trim so they were not an option.
With a center rudder the boat will naturally track a straight line. With skegs the boat hunts left to right because of varying efficiency side to side. The skeg being in front of the propeller causes cavitation. The skeg in front also blows the prop out in the corners. The center rudder further from the polar moment of the boat also gives you more control of the boat with very little input.
I hope this helps.
JT's and Dave Scotts boat is a 46 Skater.
pat W

Offshoreonly,

The PSI's are certainly large, but are only in the neighborhood of 7 Liters where our race compressor is 9.8 Liters. Same as the Sorcerer boat runs. The PSI was made to be equal to the 1471 with a higher efficiency rate and ability to turn higher speeds. I'm simply amazed for the power levels there trying to achieve that they would utilize the PSI superchargers. I guess they had to do something, the roots was simply done.

Just curious,
Dustin

Beautiful boat! Ron, we were there Wed also, must've missed ya.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/gallery/...php?photo=3147