We destroyed a CV Shaft last time out.
These are made by AquaDrive. They are a total
of 10.75 inches in lenth.

This shaft failure caused a overspeed of n2.
I removed the entire combuster assembly and sent it back to
PPS for inspection. The good thing here is it did not Scatter.:eek:


I have decided to throw in the towel on the CV joints and went
with 1550 u joints.
Hopefully this will solve this issue.

Here are some comparison shots.
The ring in the second pictures is a adapter plate which takes
my 1410 style #6 flanges and brings it to the 1550 footprint.

Drive Line Service of Fresno Ca did the work.
Nice Job Chuck!
http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg

Still one of the coolest projects to see unfold in a very long time -

BTW - How fast have you had it??

I feel responsible for this. I forgot to tell Gerry to take it easy on the throttles. Jim/Principle Propulsion Systems

What gives you guys. I was reading some of the other posts and it seems like all the attention is on the JBS team or the aquamania and Gieco boats. I think you Skater boys need some of the attention. We are really wondering who is going to step up to the plate and get into a pair of our engines. We can build turbines as good if not better than anyone in the world. I will make it very simple. Here is my number and e-mail address. JUT DO IT. Jim Grasham/ Principle Propulsion Systems. 520-245-2849 or [email protected]

MAN those PPS TURBINES ARE NICE, AND FEEL UNREAL as Gerry nudges the sticks a lil and your going from 50 to 100 in a second. piston motors will not excelerate as fast as turbines no way man. Jim you did a very nice job on the turbines every nut is wire tide which is important. Gerry smiles everytime he goes out. knowing he has to just WASH & WAX the boat when he comes in. when you got PPS TURBINES, people come out of the woodwork [docks] to see him land and also theres more to see Gerry LIFT OFF:coolcowboy::evilb:. The paint work helps to and the Good looking GREW:coolcowboy:. SO IF ANYONE OUT THERE has a boat with a hot paint job but its just not getting it done around the docks or on the water YOU NEED PPS TURBINES and the only reason your hatches are up is to show off the shiney
TURBINES, not adjusting your lifters, or playn with fouled plugs and then doing rebuilds every 100 hours with your 1500hps:grinser010:. NO WAY MAN and you don't worry about bad gas that eats your hoses cause you have other fuels to run on. GREAT JOB guys!! Gerry I know other guys are winterizing there piston motors but since the only thing you have to do is drain the sea strainer:eek: should I come by and wax the turbine for the winter. you must get bord while others are changing plugs fogging motors draining blocks WOW them turbines sound better and better all the time oh did I forget the rebuilds every was it 2000 hours or 20,000 hours well either way it a lot longer than a few 100. boy NOW i WANT ONE but will it fit in a 28ft boat himmmm. artie see yahhhhh:coolcowboy:

jim they do plant your azz in the seat:evilb:

Jeri, looks like those CV's have seen better days. Smaller props Skater bro to get more slip. Too much HP for conventional boat equipment.

Here is a pic I took this week at James' shop of my port engine on the test cell.

The second pic is a carburetor disassembled. Almost 3000 parts !

Hey dennis thanks for posting those pics. I thought I recognized that engine. As far as I am concerned I think we can build turbines that will no doubt compete with any team out there but we need the support of all you speed freaks to bring the whole package together. Unless of coarse you don't mind eating those other guys roost.

Jim bolted the combuster back on and she fired right up.
17foot lbs on the hollow bolt and 50 on the nut.
And yes I staked the locks on it.
Thank Aaron for calling and checking on me.


Once you go Turbine there is no going back:drink:


Thanks for the support Jim!

I see billet combuster housings.

James hooked me up. Shipping the other engine out to be gone over as well.

Again, Jeri, smaller diameter props so you lessen some pressre on that drive train. You will not lose any top end only acceleration.

Since I went to smaller diameter props I have not bent, broke or sheared anything for two years.

Hey dennis I did a search on the boat named JAWS and apparently it was seen during transport not to long ago. I think it might be the next contestant on the price is right becouse as you know the price is right. Remember it's who's first that get's paid and who's first that get's laid.

I hate to remind you, but that was the reason on page three I advised using containment blankets on you engines, next time you may not be so lucky and somebody my get hurt if the N2 lets go.

I am happy to report that the over speed governor did it's job very well and the engine only had a small amount of damage. Everything in the engine was in pretty good condition. The onlt piece that broke was a piece of the PT sealing flange and it caused some FOD in the hot section. None of the blades broke however we replaced them as to not compromise the integrity of the engine. I agree with taking as many safety precautions as possible it was just nice to know that you can loose all load at power and the engine will respond very quickly to restrict fuel flow and prevent catastrophic failure.

Would you beleave I actually thought of your post minutes after it happened. Right after putting out the two fires
one was the CV Axle and the other was from the cv ball
ejecting through its collar and landing on a rag:eek:


The amount of vibration that occured was incredible.
Although it is speculation that may have been the reason for
the sealing PT flange that fractured.

This motor continued to run all the way back to the dock.
Its the power steering motor.

Where can I get the blankets?

I am over her in the UK and sourced my blankets through the European tractor pulling teams.
I would suggest contacting one of the tractor pulling teams in the USA, you will find the blankets they use come with a certificate to guarantee there effectiveness and work out fairly inexpensive.
I know that the turbines are very reliable and rarely let go but for the cost of the containment blankets it cheap insurance.
The rest of the drive line is always the weak link and I would go with menaces advice and reduce the prop size to reduce the torque on you drive train.

PS It might be worth putting the electric steering pump back in as a backup system.

J

Agreed!

When I smash the throttles she is pulling close to 90psi
on the torque gauge.

Jim where does that put me on foot lbs of torque?

Now that you strengthened the line shaft all the pressure will focus on the next weakest link. #6'S aren't cheap and the lead time to have one repaired is catastrophic in itself.

#6,s Are weak. Thats why I am looking for Arnesons.

I am running 16 diamiter 40 pitch. When I lost the 37
I had these for backup. I am thinking 16x37.

The tall pitch of the 40 is loading the drivetrain

Knot-Right,

I just read this entire thread and quite impressive! A few questions if you have the time!

Compared to the piston engines minus all the rigging work what do you think the cost difference was. What does the actual turbine cost to purchase and have reworked so its ready to use?

In the videos that you posted like the fall river run. Did those videos include the sound elimination doors when you were leaving the docks?

Has anybody given you any lip about the noise when you pull into a marina?

Impressive project! atleast the boat lives up to its name! :drink:

...Jim

What ratio are you running in the drives?

The last time that boat was out is when Dave W. and I ran it at the Chicago Poker Run 3 years ago. Since it has been setting in storage and ready to run. The attached picture was taken during the Chicago run. I am driving and Dave is doing the real work of everything else.

Dave and I talked about doing a couple races this coming year but there is nobody in that class anymore.

It had 1.24 when I rigged it with blower motors I changed to
1.35. I am still running the 1.35.

At 80 percent N2 I am at 140 with the old 37,s. If I have the HP N2 should go to 105 percent.

what engines are in the race boat?

Jim at PPS could give you the actual numbers.

You would be surprised compared to Mercury or Sterling.
The edge is the run time in between overhauls thousand of
hours.

For salt water use you need SS compressor housings or
the billet housings that Tracy at Whispering Turbine sells.
This really is important.

No the doors were not being used in the video.
The sound is more of a high pitch whine.
Trying to record it is difficult because its frequency is
above the recording capabilities of most video cameras.

To the contrary at the Marinas even blow boaters actualy
put down there pinot just to come and view the boat.
Most of the time there is a huge crowd waiting for the departure.

The noise is quiet compared to the pistons. Most certainly from
a distance.

Hope this helps.

Between 1500-1700's built by Dave at Wesco Racing engines in Jenison, Mi. After the owner of Jaws rode in my 46 he has had some serious thought about going to turbines. Actually has not given up the thought yet.

Al Copland burnt two 46 Skaters to the water line running turbines,I know you guys love um and seem like the Sh*t,, but they make me a little up tight!! Maybe he was not running safety blankets..:eek: Be safe :ernaehrung004:

Dont think it was the safety blankets bro.
They protect you and others from projectiles.
If memory serves me Chris from the other site
said it was mounts. We use the "Can" mounts.

The Halon surpressors I have are wired in series
with the fuel solenoids as well as the laynards.
The halon system is located forward of the exhaust.
If they deploy it cuts fuel.


C,mon Keith Lets have Peter build us a new Carbon/ Kevlar
46 have Jim build some 703,s run some BPM,s Zeigart
shafts throw on some 5 axis props and go racing.

C,mon up here I will take you and your kid for a ride
then decide.:drink:

I built a engine for Al Copeland ant the time of his death and what I remember about those boats that burt was that the exhaust was not properly installed and broke while running alowing the hot exhuast to burnt right on the hull causing the fire. Also I think one of those boats was running T58s.

approx speed
 

so Gerry you should do 172.375 mph @ 100% N2 - that is to say if we figure the "actual" GPS reading, speed over the ground of 137.9mph/.80 which is 80% of the total MAN oh MAN hold ON to your ____ :grinser010: PS Jim, how R-ya ? Dennis, do ya still have the 40 Skater, piston engine boat ? May Al rest in peace !

Turbines have come along way in the marine world..Dont have to twist my arm!!
My wife does not like the fact that my life insurance won't cover me racing!!! :eek:
Just yanking ya chain your rig is first class and I know you have taking every safety precaution in the FAA guidlines. :D
Good luck with the new drive shafts,,they look like a good upgrade.. Good to hear from you::
Piston -Skater Brother-

I was out there for both and pulled up while they were getting picked up for one. I have blown exhaust gaskets before but never caught the boat on fire. I thought they were both Rolls Royce power. The fire surpression did nothing and extra fire exstinguishers did less..Not knocking turbines but the extra danger is there.
Can you get insurance on a turbine powerboat??

Rest in peace Al Copeland !!!!

Ditto!

g, doin KW this season or just Cancun ? should be a few turbines in KW to ck. out

Al'son and crew had a 4-engine turbine out @ Truman annex. never been wet, what a show stopper or should I say "PHENOMENON" :eek:-:eek:-:eek:

Yes T55,s


Glad to see that the family is continuing the tradition.

Compliments of Seriousoffshore.

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/43...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/86...600x600Q85.jpg

Rik are these your drives?


http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/43...600x600Q85.jpg

I wonder what they are using for gear reduction on the 55,s
They do not have the built in reduction that the 53,s have.

I wish them the best in there attempt for the propeller
driven record.

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg

YEP THAT WOULD BE COOL TO GET IT FOR HIS DAD:coolcowboy: