Authors Posts by PBN Staff

PBN Staff

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Maybe boats are next for Costco who is now selling the Ultimate Garage Package Including Car for $89,999, Engine and Transmission Sold Separately.

Auto-enthusiasts and collectors have been known to pour millions of dollars to create a garage where they can safely park their expensive and exotic cars. Now for the likes of such car enthusiasts and Hot Rodders who would like to upgrade their garages to a professional level, Costco.com offers the Ultimate Hot Rodder’s Garage Package. Billed as a dream come true garage package, it features the Motofloor garage tiles to give your garage a more professional look, and a 2-ton capacity breakdown engine crane with high-tech jack stands and a jack, along with the all handcrafted aluminum Kirkham Motorsports 427 KMS/SC component vehicle.

The Kirkham Motorsports 427 KMS/SC roadsters were originally developed in a former Polish MiG fighter factory, where skilled craftsmen had generations of experience in fabricating high-performance fighter jets. But it should be noted this powerful ride doesn’t include an engine and transmission.

The Ultimate Hot Rodder’s Garage Package includes a NewAge 6pc storage cabinets, 456 sq. ft of black & white Motofloor Garage tiles, with the choice of color, one BigHorn 36 ECB safe, one FlowWall ladder hook, a Racor Extreme ladder lift, and one Trinity 41″ stainless steel toolbox, along with one 2-ton capacity breakdown engine crane, jack stands and one 3.5 ton capacity low lift height jack.

If you’re like many and are simply amazed at the speeds coming from so many of the industry’s new performance boats featuring the popular Mercury 1350 twin turbo engines, then maybe there is more to the story. Let’s look at Bob Bull’s rocket like performance at Lake of the Ozarks Shoot Out in a 48′ MTI or the Gasse racing team at Key west. Fact is Mercury Racing has been testing, refining and tuning the durability of the 1350 Turbo engine, upping the boost and raising performance levels substantially. Until now this privilege was available only to a mere few special boat owners so they could give Mercury Racing the ability to truly dazzle in the eyes of the public. While it could clearly be stated that this is straight from the rumor mill, a very reliable inside source leaked last week that Mercury will indeed debut a “1700HP Race Version” of the engine based on the 1350 Twin Turbo architecture during the 2013 Miami Boat Show. This 1700HP race version will require race fuel as it will not be designed to run on normal pump gas. This is sure to up the ante in the the performance engine wars as Mercury Racing has thrown down the gauntlet to it’s challengers, if there are any!

Have a boater on your gift list? BBLADES Professional Propellers has unique and affordable gift ideas that are sure to bring a smile to the boater in your life and an invitation for the next boating excursion.

From accessories to new propellers, BBLADES offers something for every boater and every budget, and is offering special holiday pricing on two of its most popular propeller accessories; gifts that show you understand a boaters needs.

Demonstrate you recognize the investment your boater has made in propellers by giving a gift of extra protection. The exclusive BBLADES BSAFE Propeller Lock offers unparallel prop protection through a recessed lock device shielded by a stylish, hard-anodized aluminum hydrodynamic cone. The cone is secured to the prop hub assembly with an additional locking mechanism that requires a specially designed key for removal.
The cone body shields a sealed, water-tight brass and stainless steel locking mechanism that offers protection 24/7. For the holidays, the BSAFE Propeller Lock is specially priced at just $69.99.

Protecting a prop while in transit is a challenge BBLADES meets head-on with a variety of propeller covers and carriers. And right now, the popular BBLADES Propskin Prop Cover is available for only $29.99. Constructed from 1/4″ neoprene and laminated on both sides with tough polyester and adhesive reinforced stitching that is impervious to gas, oils and other common solvents, the Propskin is available with the BBLADES logo in blue or black, a plain white front, or for an additional price, a personal photo or the logo for your business! BBLADES PropStop Cover is a heavy-duty nylon “bag” that is mold, mildew and stain resistant.

For bigger, heavier props, there is the rugged, high-impact polyethylene, BBLADES Shipping Case.

When you beach the boat for some on-shore fun, the BBLADES Beach & Lawn Drink Caddy keeps beverages close at hand while keeping hands free during a close competition. Made in-house from hardened steel to last a life time, it comfortably holds 4 drinks, or can be customized in color and size to meet personal requirements.

And, for a limited time, the Lawn Drink Caddy is on sale for only $20!

And for the “extra-special” boater on your list, who wouldn’t want a new propeller or a gift certificate for lab-finishing to maximize a boat’s performance? Check out the truly unique gift ideas for boaters on-line (www.bblades.com) or call the propeller professionals at BBLADES at 920-295-4435.

Based in Princeton, Wisconsin, BBLADES Professional Propellers is a full service propeller company offering consultation, inspection and repair of any aluminum, stainless steel, nibral and brass propellers; “Lab-Finishing” or “Blueprinting” of stainless steel propellers; competitive pricing on new props from Mercury, Hering, Hydromotive, Acme, Stiletto and Turbo; its own line of performance propellers and the most comprehensive propeller testing program in the marine industry.

If you are asking the question or wondering why we may have some answers for you.

Authenticity-We run the forum after we are done running our boats, bikes, cars, and wrenching on our motors.

Passion-The business model is to be successful because we are truly passionate about powerboating and we wanted a place to hang out where others can share the same passion

NO BS or Whining-The true technical knowledge and information passed from our Subject Matter Experts to the members brings value that you can’t buy anywhere.

If you want to participate in the growth of this incredible on line community, all we ask is join us. If you want to brand your participating then it’s a tiny throw of $4.99 and we will ship you a $15.00 T-shirt. To us it’s really not about the money as much as welcoming you to the Club. Your online contribution drives the passion for us to deliver more back to you that anyone else.

Throughout 2013 we will continually have new features coming at you all the time. We want to share our passion for Powerboating with all of our friends and supporters.

Well if you asked yourself WTF? (Where’s the Fun?)

Power Boat Nation will cover more PowerBoat events and functions with actual staff and membership Coast to Coast. Actual Staff with be On Scene. We won’t just pay for content from pooled journalists. If you enjoy like minded boaters that are at the heart of the boating scene then there is no other place to go than Power Boat Nation.

What’s so different about Power Boat Nation?

Just Powerboaters I mean REAL powerboaters. This may sound crazy but were owned, operated, managed, and run by all boaters, boaters so driven and inspired to provide the ultimate boating resource to all of us. I mean boaters who are in the know and at the heart of the industry, and who have got their ears in the water and committed to give back more to this industry through this forum than anyone ever has before.

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In a press release received today it is reported that Mercury Racing President Fred Kiekhaefer has announced he will end his distinctive 22-year career with Mercury Marine at the conclusion of 2012.

Kiekhaefer founded Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Inc. in 1983, and sold that company to Brunswick Corporation in 1990. Brunswick is the parent company of Mercury Marine. With the sale of Aeromarine to Brunswick, Kiekhaefer joined Mercury as president of its Performance Products division.

Kiekhaefer has worked in the marine industry for more than 30 years and will provide consulting services following his departure from Mercury. He will work as a consultant for Mercury through 2014.

“The achievements of Fred Kiekhaefer have been integral to the success of Mercury Marine for two decades and, more specifically, to Mercury Racing,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine.”

“Fred’s genetic association to boating (he is the son of Mercury Marine founder E. Carl Kiekhaefer) was strengthened by an impressive education and a powerful desire and commitment to create the best-performing marine engines.”

“Fred has brought many key innovations to Mercury, and his influence will be felt here and throughout the world of boating for many years. On behalf of all Mercury employees, I’d like to thank Fred for his important contributions and wish him the very best in all future endeavors.”

Erik Christiansen, director of engineering at Mercury Racing, has been appointed general manager of Mercury Racing. Christiansen, a 15-year employee of Mercury Marine, has held his current position since 2008. He started his career with Mercury as an engineer in research and development, then became an engineering manager in 2002.

“Erik’s rich experience and intimate knowledge of the programs and market needs will ensure the continuity of Mercury’s leadership in the global high-performance market,” said Schwabero.”

Christiansen has led and worked on design and engineering teams that created many of Mercury Racing’s most notable high performance engines. As chief engineer, Christiansen headed up a 25-person team that designed and developed Mercury Racing’s QC4 1350hp and 1100hp propulsion systems. The QC4 engine platform, which can power high-performance boats over 190 mph, was introduced in 2010. Christiansen also was chief engineer for Mercury Racing’s 850hp, 1075hp and 1200hp high-performance sterndrive engines. Prior to joining Mercury Racing, Christiansen worked on the design team for the Mercury Verado outboard, the world’s first commercially available supercharged outboard. Christiansen earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University.

Australian boatbuilder Roger Mutimer is developing an alternative to a high-performance stepped hull: a completely aerated hull. Roger has been experimenting with a somewhat radical hull surface. A welder by trade, Roger Mutimer says he has been designing and building aluminum boats for many years; they range in size from 13′ to 75′. Here’s the latest:
Rogers passion is designing and building aluminum boats. The latest project is a new hull design for powerboat racing. This aluminum hull is fully aerated and can be used on any powerboat design. The concept is not to try to get the hull out of the water, where you have no control, but to keep the hull on the water and use its movement over the water to draw air in so as to create a completely aerated hull. A problem found with many of the stepped-chine racing hull is that everything stops at the step. So when it comes down and hits the water, the water hydraulics up into the step, forcing the hull to go in the opposite direction. This theory is to have a lot of small steps over the hull to overcome that problem. All trailing edges plus planning strakes are sharp enough to cut your finger on.

Recent tests show the hull with a Mercury 300XS racing outboard on the back; with 35 gal of fuel and she came in at 2,646 lbs. On the water it managed to get 70.1 mph, but it could only get 5,700 rpm out of the motor. The run reached 70.1 mph and then the throttle was released, and the boat stopped as though he had put his foot on the brake.

The drawings explain how they did the test. As you can see, 3,516.48 lbs vacuum is a fair bit of drag on the hull.

Powerboat Nation was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Southern California Offshore Poweboat Elites (SCOPE) 2012 Holiday Party December 1st held at Woodys Wharf in Newport Beach California. At the this event current club president Nort Alderson handed the reins to Lu Lyall who will serve as fourth term as President of SCOPE.

Over 80 members and friends attended the 2012 Holiday Party and included some of Powerboatings well known elites: Jeff Johnston , Scott Struthers, Joe Baca, Gary Teague, to name a few. SCOPE really does represent the epitome of boat clubs. A wonderful group of true enthusiasts who are always planning, participating in boat adventures throughout the west coast as a club, and the club members travel throughout the country and participate in other events. SCOPE was founded in 1992 by Ron Songrath and has grown into one of the premier boat clubs in the United States. This group of enthusiasts support each other and are the perfect example of the fun loving boaters that love the life of Power boating. They share the experience with others and have done it all for nearly 20 years in altruistic fashion.

I have been lucky enough to be involved a few SCOPE Poker Runs and they have always been great. I am really looking forward to be able to return to California to hang with the WC kids again and go boating. 2013 looks to be a great year for the club as many mentioned the return of a SCOPE Poker Run and numerous activities planned. I was truly honored to be invited to their event by Tom and Shannon Whitham and so warmly welcomed by the entire membership.

When the Powerboating Elite wants a boat trailer that not only makes a statement but functions beyond all others they call Paul Lugo at Lugo Manufacturing, Inc. With roots in the truck and trailer engineering going back to the late 70’s, the crew at Lugo now builds the most exotic tilt trailers you can find anywhere. The rich and solid history in the commercial sector has given Lugo the ability and engineering background to bring the Powerboating world solid boat trailers that function well beyond the way they look and they all look good. Lugo trailers are not just boat trailers they are show trailers.

Lugo offers bad ass trailers at varied price points. So don’t be scared to call and talk to them about building a trailer for you. You might be very surprised at what you can get this type of quality for. Almost every DCB I have seen sits on a Lugo trailer and if you have not seen the 48 MTI ZR 48 Corvette themed boat then you really should put it on your boating must see list. The trailer itself is an incredible show piece that deserves special recognition. Take a look at Lugo’s new website featuring a gallery of their finest builds at www.lugomfg.com

When a long time boat owner decides to create a build to top all he has done before, Rather than dive into hours of details, review and approve renderings and proofs. Dennis Raia simply tells Randy Sweers of Fastboats Marine Group to build it and let him know when it’s done

Of course this wasn’t the first build for Mr Raia that Mr Sweers has accomplished, but by my estimation it is the very best, and arguably the best 48 MTI done to date.

The list of current and previous boats owned by Mr RAIA is long and distinguished: His current fleet consists of a 74 Viking Sportfish “Set in My Waves”, 42X Cigarette “Purple Haze”, with a matching 20 Cigarette,38 Jupiter with Triple 350 Yamahas, 30 Hinckley and of course the new 48 MTI “OUTRAIAGIOUS” catamaran. Starting out with a 36 Nor-Tech in 2004 then on to a 43 Nor-Tech with Mercury Racing 1075’s. The other two MTI’s were both 42’s with 1075’s. I remember being at the Key West Poker Run in 2009 just months after he had taken delivery of his first 42. A new 42 had been brought down to display in poker run village by David Woods of Pier 57 without power and was for sale. Even though he had just taken delivery of the his first 42, Mr Raia liked the paint on the new boat so much he bought it on site and had his engines and drives swapped to the new one.

The new 48 build had some special requirements and had to be done in a certain way. It could not just be another boat with a fancy paint job. This build had to be special, attention to detail, and a sophisticated style and look. This was achieved by using the styling cues from Fastboats Marine Group who has always brought a leading design and fashion edge to American Powerboating using the familiar black and white theme from their 40 foot MTI raceboat, the design of “OUTRAIAGIOUS” began. The end result was a meticulously detailed high performance cat.

The Fastboat Marine Group powerboating experience only begins with the build. The team at Fastboats brings the Epitome of “concierge” service. The hauler, the trailer, the scooters, everything is white and everything is spotless. Fastboats even has the mooring lines dry cleaned to keep it all fresh and ready. Under Fastboats care, Randy and Denis have finished every Poker Run they have started since 2004. Randy says his job is to get Mr. Raia and his quests through the Poker Runs “fast and safe”.

Attention to detail. Randy told me he compromised the design and reluctantly ordered grey material for the seats to be more practical. The decision literally kept him awake at night and at 2:30 in the morning he sent an email changing the interior back to white. A decision that Mr. Raia was very happy with, the design and style had to win over the practical approach. The styling cues and subtle elegance of the 165 MPH, 1350 Twin Turbo Mercury Racing Masterpiece. The M8 drives were custom painted to match the boat at the MTI Factory, the Heritage tilt trailer is immaculate.

I can’t wait to see what they do when this boat has 100 hours on it and its time to design a new build.

Powerboat Nation again breaks new ground with a feature guaranteed to be a hit among it’s members. While the forum has long been a very rewarding resource for support from its members it has also not been able to cover many of the more challenging questions. Powerboat Nation has recognized that, and to fill this gap they have assembled the ultimate team of marine professionals with a specialist in each field. Combine this powerhouse of knowledge and making these individuals knowledge available “FREE of Charge” to its members. Whether Rigging,Painting, Engine, or Outdrive technical support is what your looking for Powerboat Nation has got it. Go ahead and ask the tough questions. Now you don’t have to rely on opinions, you can get the answers from the experts who work on, rig, paint, build and rebuild powerboats everyday. http://forum.powerboatnation.com/ask-pros/

Engine Expert

Alexi Sahagian

 

Boostpower USA Marine

Alexi supplies the industry not only with some of the most powerful and most impressive custom engines in the world, but also provides thousands of specialty parts, accessories and hardware to the planet as well. Alexi will be bringing generations of experience as a technical guru from his long history of professional boat racing, magazine test driver and evaluator, custom boat rigger and the unparalleled experience dyno tuning and testing not only his impressive monster engines, but just about the entire industries as well! We’re very excited about Alexi as a technical resource. Alexi’s passion for EFI engines, boats and people in general gives him the very drive and positive vision of the industry’s future.

Drive Expert

Brian Jackson

Offshore Outdrives

Quietly, understated working out of a meticulous shop near the Fort Lauderdale airport. Brian Jackson has earned a reputation for being the very best. When you ask the hard core enthusiasts and race teams where they go for drive work, the answer Offshore Outdrives. When I run in the 150-180 MPH range the person most trusted is the one guy at Offshore Outdrives. A lot of guys have the certificates and credentials just like Brian does, but he graduated at the head of the class and he is the one who works on the best.

Rigging Expert

Jason Ventura

Brand X Hi-Performance Marine

Jason Ventura has been in the high performance business for nearly 25 years. Prior to working at Outerlimits he built and raced drag cars and his own powerboats. Working at Outerlimits for 7 years Jason was responsible for the racing program in the US and Europe, Poker Run Team, and all customer service work. In 2007 Jason relocated to Fort Lauderdale and is the guy behind what is arguably the fastest and best high performance powerboat every built, Bill Pyburns, Pure Platinum 388 SKATER. In addition to Pyburns thoroughbred Brand X maintains a stable of high end powerboats.

Paint & Graphics

Mark Morris

Visual Imagination

Visual imagination has made its mark in the boating world by producing some of the most recognizable designs on the water. Speed Racer, Mercedes, Two Face, Batman, Ferrari, Hammertime, Looney tunes, are just a few of the incredible pieces of “Art”. Mark Morris has put on the water. His incredible eye, attention to detail, and survivable finishes make him the absolute king of floating art in the powerboating world.

Interior Expert

Mike Mears

Fineline Marine Interiors

Mike Mears has been perfecting the art of marine interiors. The quality, fit, finish, and spectacular results are unsurpassed in the industry. It may take longer or cost more but no other interior shop can match the new, recover, custom, and restro work coming out of this South Florida Shop.

Engine Expert

Tommy Hofstetter

Chief Performance Engines

Chief Engines, has for over the last 20 years ruled as one of the must prominent engine builders in the country. Today recognized as the home to the world’s fastest pleasure boat utilizing 93 octane at 186mph, and recently developing 1600hp. Founder Tommy Hofstetter, a South Florida native cut his teeth through the rise of offshore powerboating. Chief Performance is credited with developing numerous trademark products from their own Electronic Engine Management System to Twin Turbo marine engine packages. Tommy’s background wasn’t just hands on work. He invested wisely in the knowledge base that has brought him to here with credits in mechanical engineering, diesel technology, dynometer testing and developing at Florida Institute of Technology.

In today’s world of high performance power boating and boat racing, basic high performance and competition racing engines start out at approximately 500 ci(cubic inch) to 670 ci. For those in the hard core Drag racing or poker run extremists 700 plus cubic inch has become common these days. Unfortunately, we have all been pigeonholed due to the fact engines do not have the physical square inch needed to accommodate for the larger parts. In layman’s terms we need a larger engine block! Traditionally, standard style blocks just have never been built large enough to house the oversized parts needed.

Until now!

After being repeatedly goaded by his long time customer, Craig Olson, to build something bigger, Sonny Leonard did just that. He created a monster 1,005.8 CI engine. Sonny Leonard of Sonny’s Automotive Racing, is known for making “Big” engines; smallest being 611ci up to 940ci for the street.

Leonard hit the drawing board and came up with the “biggest big-block on the planet” a 1,005.8ci, 5.220-inch bore, and 5.875-in stoke monster called “Godfather”. With 2,150hp at 8,000 rpm and 1,500lb-ft of torque at 6,200 rpm on 112-octane fuel, this is one bad boy to be reckoned with.

With the help of pro marine engine builder Alexi Sahagian, of popular Boostpower USA Marine in California, Sonny and Alexi teamed up on the new 800ci product and soon 1000ci designed for poker run engines. Sonny consulted with Alexi on the block and popular wedge head and created an all new design for what’s referred in the marine industry as the 800 cubic inch monster. Boostpower Marine produces all of the parts for this monster with his partner/mentor in Big Inch, Sonny Leonard.

The question is “Does size really matter”? Let’s look at the size difference used to make this bad boy happen. The Godfather is 34″ wide at the valve covers’ out edge. From crank centerline to the top of the throttle body 26.5″. From the flywheel flange to the crank bolt the Godfather is 32″ in length. Making it only a merely 1.4 inches larger than a stock big block Chevy. Having that additional 1.4″ means the difference in allowing bigger and better parts to fit.

The Godfather uses a CNC-ported hemispherical head with a 680cc intake runner, volume ports flow at 740 cfm with 1.300 inch lift. While the standard Big Block Chevy uses a Brodix Big Block head with only a 475 cfm at 1.3inches.

The Godfather is 8 inches wider at the top of the valve cover. The cam bore is raised 2 inches just to accommodate for the crank’s monolithic throw. The Godfather crank centerline stands at a whooping 12.225 inches from the deck. The GM crank only comes in at 9.80inchs. The Godfather uses a cam with an advanced 121-degree lobe separation angle with a 118 degree centerline. With an intake advance of 3 degrees. Made from titanium the intake valve is 2.900″. The big block Chevy is 2.250″.

The roller lifters come in with a 0.950 inch wheels in a 1.095-inch body. GM uses a 0.842 inch body with 1 inch plus lift. The pushrods had to be enlarged from 3/8″ to 5/8″ to keep up with 11.30″ on the intake and 12.735″ on the exhaust. Just as the pushrods had to be enlarged, so did the Crank, coming in with a 5.875″ stoke. Making the crank 1.625″ larger then the standard 4.25″ crank in a 454. They did leave one thing in common with the Big Block Chevy, the bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces still matches the main and rod bearings of the Big Block Chevy.

Made from titanium the intake valve is 2.900″. The big block 2.250″. Most 540ci Big Block Chevy’s strokers use a 6.385 rod. The Godfather uses a rod around 8″. The Godfathers pistons measures in at 5.220″ while a 454 big block measures in at 4.251″.

To help fuel the Godfather, the intake mounts four 2.750″(id) two-barrel Accufab throttle-bodies, with a flow of 924 cfm each, eight 65bl/hr main injectors, and eight 35-lb/hr supplemental injectors. Last but not least the cam. The Godfathers cam comes in at 1.300/1.315″ valve lift and 290/319 degrees of duration at .050. The standard Chevy? Only .700″ range. The Godfathers cam is definitely a beast.

Both the Boostpower Marine Big Inch Motor and the street Godfather are scaled up big blocks. Alexi designed a rod ratio to prove the fairy tale about big inch motors not revving! The Boostpower 800 ci engine revs 8000rpm with no problem as the rod ratio is one of a small block Chevy. A custom crank, rod and pin location is the answer to this issue Alexi states.

With Sonny the master of producing the engine blocks and hardcore big inch castings and Alexi producing the entire marine engine assemblies and specialty tuning, the future will be seeing some big thumpers out on the water.

For more information contact:

Sonny’s Automotive Racing
www.SonnysRacingEngines.com
434-239-1009

Boostpower USA Marine
2560 Calcite Circle
Newbury Park,Ca 91320
Boostpower.Com
877-Bpower-4-u

Not since the days of pirates or maybe some South Florida cocaine cowboys have cigarettes and cannons came together. But if you were fortunate enough to be in Key West this week then there’s a good chance you might have witnessed that cannon being fired from a sleek fast outlaw styled cigarette boat, or even caught one of the fabulous new Powerboat Nation inaugural t-shirts. Brad Schoenwald along with beautiful Amber Stephens were running from Key West to Boca Grande firing Powerboat Nation T-Shirts and koozie cups out of a one of a kind custom built highly polished T-Shirt cannon. The custom cannon had enough power to hit the top floor of the Ocean Key House and was a big crowd favorite. This is just one small example of how Powerboat Nation is giving back to the boating community.