Question for T2X or George Linder
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Rich & George, the extreme shallow waters of Biloxi have created all kinds of discussion both productive and not so productive. One of the topics became the Mark Lavin accident and what was the catalyst to start the Lavin safety foundation. In a discussion this weekend I was told the Jesse James boat actually hit the bottom. Is the true or just folk lore?

"Still Crazy", the 38' aluminum Cougar Cat that dove at 100 mph in Key West in '83, killed Dick Fullam and Mike Poppa.It hit the bottom at low speed, but after the crew was killed by water and inertia forces. In really shallow water, you might worry about landing upside down and not being able to get out of the canopy.

It is Folk Lore........ The Jesse James boat never hit bottom.

But Biloxi is significantly shallower than the Key West area where JJ stuffed.

T2x

don't mean to but in here...but how shallow is it in Biloxi?

It's been a few years since I've been there so I don't remember how deep the channel is. It used to get very shallow south of the channel, under 2' if I remember right. I know we messed up some props trying to idle closer to the island.

According to the charts, it's 2-3' deep on some parts of the racecourse. Of course, that's at low tide.........

http://www.offshoresuperseries.com/biloxicoursebig.jpg

That has always been the issue with tunnel boats ....and they can be uprighted with a couple of strong guys and a good heave. A full size O/S....with its cockpits imbedded in silt would be a real challenge. In Europe and in Unlimited Hydros, they mandate bottom exits.

T2x

T2X,

Do you feel that bottom exits should be mandated on all New boats being built for competition here in the States? Just curious on your feelings?

Fever Mike,

Right now some do and some do not. I am not sure on what boats currently do or do not as well. Just an idea that came to me as a preventive measure later on. I have seen photos of boats that have gone over with the hatches installed and the occupants climbed right out of Canopy through the bottom. Others needed to swim out that did not have the hatch. Again I am sure there are Pros and Cons to this but I think it may be good for the Cats. As far as a V Bottom goes, I do not think it could be done due to the extreme pressure sustained to the hull on a V Bottom on re-entry from launching in rough sea conditions.

I am just speculating on an idea that I think may be a good ruling for future Cats built in the future. I know if I was having a Cat built that I would spend the extra $$$ for the tunnel Hatch to increase my chances of coming out of an accident easier. I think this should be a ? given to owners of equipment for new boats to be built at later dates.

Notice on this picture below in the tunnel a black squared hatch for what I am referring to for those who are not sure of what I am referring to. I am sure that Racers who have the hatch and have used are much happier now that they had it. This was on the Drambuie on Ice 40' Skater a few years back.