Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

Just a thought after seeing JBS and other close calls. Fiberglass "tears" easily when punctured as you can see from photos (on another thread) of JBS.
If one looks at one of the more "famous" accidents-Jason Priestly ramming a boat and puncturing a hole behind the cockpit, leaving the engines of the other boat visible. If he had hit the boat 18" further, there certainly would have been serious injuries.
Protective canopies have certainly helped with stuffs and roll-overs, but not when boats have collided. Roll cages appear to be a simple and inexpensive solution, what do you think?

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

Some boats already have them. More probably will.

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

With the evolution of Offshore into a spectator friendly sport, shorter courses have made racing much closer and seat of the pants. Saftey has also been an issue as speeds increase and racing becomes closer. Roll cages are one more thing that teams may need to consider to stay safe. This is a motor sport and accidents happen. As a whole we need to get together and decide if 4-5 mile oval courses are the safest place to have 15-20 boats battling over the same small pice of water at 80-120 mph.

Just my 2 cents.

Andy Bloom

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

All Fountain race boats hafe them!

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

I am sure that Donzi may make a few changes to the canopy system now and maybe a few others as well. Many manufacturers have updated there latest canopied raceboats with full cages reinforing the canopy area and also smaller viewing areas of the canopies as well after previous accidents. Unfortunately most companies do not have the $resources$ or $time$ to spend on testing the canopy systems to make them better.

Here are a few pics of some of the newer canopy systems being used by manufacturers today.

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

try 35 boats in the 1st marathon races

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

Similar or superior structural/impact absorption properties can be achieved with the canopy laminate schedule. In Europe, UIM C1 has more stringent strucural properties (achieved through laminate spec) than we do in the States (largely based on Linder). Similarly, in Europe, many F1 boats have been significantly reinforced for crash (side impact) after the crash related death of Polli.

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

Are the UIM specs available for download and/or order anywhere?

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

Hey, I'm still here. You must be talking about uncle Eddie.

Re: Is it time for "roll cages" in race boats?
 

George Linder has many years of experience with canopy designs. I bought our first canopy from him in 1991. UIM has the money for R&D. Technology has come a long way in the last 5 years and I feel we need to look at what everyone else is doing to improve.