First Racing Experience

[Chris]

Decided to blow out the red wine cobwebs today with a trip down to Exmouth where the Exe Powerboat club had organised a casual NYD get together....What a laugh!

The race only lasted about 15 minutes because on the of the boats flipped in the rather lumpy conditions around the sandbar but it was enough! I loved it.

Tom M-S helmed TimeBandit and I just hung on however I can see why racing appeals so much and just want to go and have another go now!

Some footage from the DogCam here for anyone interested.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1bprax4S_fI

[chewy]

What the hell was that little single seater thing you went past at about 1.40?

[Chris]

I think it was called a cyclone or something. There were a couple of them and to be fair they went quite fast until they hit any kind of chop.

[Hightower]

Looks like you had great fun!

I see you starting to catch and overtake some of those Hardboats when the Sea conditions started to get a little choppy

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Looks like you had great fun!

I see you starting to catch and overtake some of those Hardboats when the Sea conditions started to get a little choppy

It was a real laugh Andy and yes the smaller hardboats had to take it very carefully in the rough bit. However I must say I was thinking about how nice it would be to have 200HP on the back when I was driving home

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Chris

It was a real laugh Andy and yes the smaller hardboats had to take it very carefully in the rough bit. However I must say I was thinking about how nice it would be to have 200HP on the back when I was driving home

Best start saving for a 200, the two R/C toy boats 'had' you at the start. Perhaps Tommy Boy was waiting for their batteries to run-out before he gave 'Arse Bandit' a gunning.

[Chris]

Yes I was definately out classed by those roller skates on flat water. It has to be said that when it comes to racing hard boats are a lot cheaper to get into than Ribs. Looking at the little boats they were basically like a surfboard with an old 50HP on the back with a prop that looked like 3 scalpels stuck onto a shaft!
The Fabio Buzzi you saw at the beginning is where its at if you want to race a rib and have unlimited funding.

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Chris

It was a real laugh Andy and yes the smaller hardboats had to take it very carefully in the rough bit. However I must say I was thinking about how nice it would be to have 200HP on the back when I was driving home

it'll be a bit of a bugger cutting the deck out to get the 220 l fuel tank in to give it some range

[Chris]

Originally Posted by bedajim

it'll be a bit of a bugger cutting the deck out to get the 220 l fuel tank in to give it some range

I already have 165 litres and another 40 litre auxilary tank in the console. As for cruising consumption the 200HP is exactly the same engine as mine and has very similar consumption figures for crusing speeds. It would only be when I cained it that I would notice the difference.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Chris

I already have 165 litres and another 40 litre auxilary tank in the console. As for cruising consumption the 200HP is exactly the same engine as mine and has very similar consumption figures for crusing speeds. It would only be when I cained it that I would notice the difference.

What was the £ difference at the time between the 150 and 200?

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Chris

I already have 165 litres and another 40 litre auxilary tank in the console. As for cruising consumption the 200HP is exactly the same engine as mine and has very similar consumption figures for crusing speeds. It would only be when I cained it that I would notice the difference.

You'll be fine then Hugh , sorry em Chris

[Chris]

Originally Posted by bedajim

You'll be fine then Hugh , sorry em Chris

I thought you were the one running a 200 Opti

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Chris

..the 200HP is exactly the same engine as mine ..

Can the 150 etec be 'converted' to a 200 relatively simply?

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Can the 150 etec be 'converted' to a 200 relatively simply?

Four bolts couple of cables and a few grand

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Can the 150 etec be 'converted' to a 200 relatively simply?

I believe it is purely software.

[Chris]

I have also read that the extra top end power is achieve at the expense of some low end & midrange torque which is something that I love about this engine. So perhaps its not such a good idea anyway. I am already very happy to be getting 44 knots with the current set up and I may be able to up this by a couple of knots when I have the engine lifted on the transom in a couple of weeks as I need to have a new PTT unit fitted due to a problem with the current one.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Chris

I have also read that the extra top end power is achieve at the expense of some low end & midrange torque which is something that I love about this engine. So perhaps its not such a good idea anyway. I am already very happy to be getting 44 knots with the current set up and I may be able to up this by a couple of knots when I have the engine lifted on the transom.

Deja vu. coolio.

[philb]

Good on ya for entering Chris, is this the build up for the next RB event I wonder ?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Deja vu. coolio.

Indeed major Deja Vu

I think that one of the 200 H.O. E-tecs on a 6.5 would be a nice combo

[Chris]

Originally Posted by philb

Good on ya for entering Chris, is this the build up for the next RB event I wonder ?

Not in a 6.5 meter Phil

But if you fancied giving it a go in yours then I would happily jump on board.