KennyOffShore

Boaters who want the look, feel and performance of a world champion need look no further than the Miami International Boat Show, February 12-16, where Fountain Worldwide - international distributor of Fountain Powerboats - will introduce the "Powerboat P1 World Championship Special Edition." The boat commemorates British racers Fountain Worldwide President, Craig Wilson's and James Sheppard's, back-to-back World Championship titles, captured in the 2007-2008 international offshore boat racing series.

The open-cockpit, Fountain 42 Lightning is a recreational version of the boat which took the Powerboat P1 Evolution Class crown in 2007 and 2008, featuring similar engines, drives and the distinctive Powerboat P1 blue, orange and white color scheme.

"Powerboat enthusiasts purchase Fountain boats for the reputation the company has earned racing in the States for decades," Wilson said, "The Powerboat P1 Special Edition will now give them the opportunity to experience a hull and propulsion package that has dominated international boat racing for the past two years. We wanted to honor that unprecedented accomplishment in a very special way."

According to Fountain Poweboats, the 42 Lightning has won more National and World Championships than any other V-hull on the market, and holds the current V-hull World Speed Record of 177.883 miles per hour. The Powerboat P1 Special Edition is equipped with twin ILMOR High Performance Marine 7-10 engines-- 800-pound, 8.3 litre, V-10 aluminum engines that churn 700 horsepower each --with Arneson Surface Drives and SCS Crash Box transmissions.

"As a concession to the American market, the package includes higher-horsepower ILMOR engines than those in our race boat" said Wilson, "Performance boaters in the States seem to thrive on the biggest and the best, so we provided what the market demands--we are a very customer-focused company," he added.

The Powerboat P1 Special Edition will be on display at Fountain Powerboats' booth #C-57, in the Miami Beach Convention Center, during the Miami International Boat Show; the actual closed-canopy, Evolution Class "Fountain Worldwide/1st4Boats.com" race boat will also be on display outside the Hall "D" entrance to the Convention Center.

The Powerboat P1 World Championship is the fastest growing offshore boat racing series in the world, with international events ranging from the 2009 Grand Prix of the Sea series premiere on the island nation of Malta in May and concluding in late fall in Bahrain in the Middle East.