Speculation Abounds Whether Phenomenon will Show at LOTO Shootout

Little has been seen or heard about Al Copeland Jr. and his Phenomenon cat since the boat debuted at the Key West Worlds in 2009 and making a splash at the Miami Boat Show back in 2010. The 56-foot catamaran with four T-55 Lycoming turbines got a lot of attention when it was first seen, but technical problems encountered since that time seem to have put the kabosh on any speed record attempts or further trials over the last year. Recently, speculation has grown on whether the boat might turn up at this year's Lake of The Ozarks Shootout, on August 22-28.

PHOTO CREDITS: luxury4play.com.

Driver Al Copeland Jr., was hoping to follow in the footsteps of his famous boat racing father, who founded the Popeyes restaurant chain. Phenomenon is the culmination of his father’s wish to break the propeller-driven speed record of 220.43 mph...but there's some stiff competition out there from other powerful turbine cats, like Miss Geico--which has hit 210mph.

PHOTO CREDITS: unrealluxury.com.

With the 4 turbines, the boat was supposed to bust out with about 12,000hp--and on paper, it should be able to make a solid record attempt. The question is, will we see it any time soon? The project's Facebook page has plenty of fan questions...but no answers.

700 HP V-12 Diesel Sparks Interest at Dusseldorf Marine Show

Ray at Raylar Engines recently shared some photos of this musclebound V-12 diesel offering that was recently showcased in Germany. Identified as the RED A03, the engine would be a newcomer to the marine world, as it is currently only available as an aircraft engine.

 PHOTO CREDITS:  maritimepropulsion.com.

Originally developed to fill a niche market between aircraft gasoline piston engines and the more expensive turboprops, the powerplant is the brainchild of Russian engineer Vladimir Raikhlin. Built by the RED aircraft GmbH, located in Adenau, Germany, the marine version of the engine is designed for output power of approximately 700 hp at 3,900 rpm.

The liquid cooled V-12 diesel engine has a 90 degree configuration between cylinder banks and twin double overhead camshafts. It's also electronically controlled with a common rail direct fuel injection system, and features a dry sump lubrication system, twin fuel pumps, twin turbochargers and an integrated oil-water heat exchanger.

Further details of the powerplant should be announced later this year; while it will no doubt be expensive, it would probably offer an extremely high degree of reliability, since it was originally designed for aircraft applications. In the end, this might give it a serious leg up on similarly-priced high-end gas engines, like a Merc 1350.

West Coast's STRUT Marine Aquires Pfaff Racing Engines

For a long time, Paul Pfaff Enterprises of Huntington Beach, CA. has been recognized as one of the country’s premier builders of offshore performance boat engines. Founded 40 years ago by Paul Pfaff, the company has designed and built custom, high performance marine engines for some of the fastest championship offshore powerboats.

Now the company will be entering a new era, having been acquired by STRUT Marine, one of Southern California's leading full-service shops for offshore high-performance boats. The purchase includes Pfaff’s entire facility for building and testing engines, as well as the company’s performance parts store.

“The completion of this acquisition represents a significant step forward in the future growth of STRUT Marine," says company GM Tommy Gaut. "Joining forces with Paul Pfaff enables us to offer first-class, gold-standard service without compromise for our select clientele.”

PHOTO CREDITS: STRUT Marine / Paul Pfaff Enterprises.

As the 2011 offshore racing and poker run circuits get into full swing, you'll probably have a chance to check out STRUT Marine’s 47-foot, custom-made Outerlimits Offshore Powerboat. It's a real looker. Check out their Facebook page HERE.

German-Made Spider Powerboat Packs Turbodiesel Power in a Compact Package

Every once in a while we like to check out what performance boat manufacturers are doing in other parts of the world, and we recently came across this outstanding example from German manufacturer Spider Powerboats. The German-made Spider 24V may remind you of a wild psychedelic acid trip, but even if it does, you can bet are it will be a FAST trip. Certainly the paint job and some of the detailing are very creative and original, but the technology and hardware are impressive, too.

PHOTO / VIDEO CREDITS:  Spider Powerboats.

This 7.3m, 1800kg boat packs plenty of power into a modestly-sized package...and what power it is--a single, beefy turbodiesel that can propel this little beast up to 85mph. With a 200L fuel capacity and a price of about 86,000 euros, it's not a bad deal, either.

Spider also makes this boat with a 8.1L V8 for about 10k less. Both models feature a SARO Tunnelprop drive for efficient power, an advanced, double-step hull, Gaffrig controls and Auto-meter gauges. To see the boat at speed, check out the YouTube video below:

While this boat would look great on a place like Havasu, you can see in the power and the details that the approach is a little different from what we typically see over here in the US. The differences are subtle, yet interesting.  To see more, head over to the Spider Powerboats website. But better polish up on your German, first.

One Big Bad Outboard: The Seven Marine 557

A lot of offshore performance boaters still refer to them as "eggbeaters," but there can be no doubt that for some applications--and for overall ease of maintenance, outboards may be the best way to go. One of the bigger stories at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show was the new monster outboards from Seven Marine. This 557 HP engine brings a whole new meaning to the term outboard power...but what else would you expect for a $70,000 price tag? They are especially good-looking engines, too; in fact, the red and black pair pictured here would serve nicely as the official [B3] versions!

The new engine is based on 6.2-liter V8, with an all-aluminum, supercharged GM powerhead that is basically the same engine used in a Cadillac CTS-V. It has closed cooling and a computer-controlled disc-clutch transmission with hydraulic shifting sourced from ZF Marine. The design is somewhat radical as well; the V8 powerhead mounted is horizontally, rather than in the usual vertical orientation.

PHOTO / VIDEO CREDITS: Seven Marine.

Reportedly the 557 will run on 89-92 octane pump gas, and other than the stainless steel exhaust and special computer programming, it's basically stock. The company is currently making some alterations to the design which will make the engine's final drive ratio more flexible. Sea trials are underway, and hopefully we will see this monster out on the water soon. If the design is successful, it may turn out that this egg-beater will be a world-beater...

Celebrating 50 Years of Mercruiser Stern Drives

Here's a great way to pass the time during a cold winter--check out Fred Kiekhaefer's Mercury Racing Blog, where he reviews the colorful history of offshore racing as well as the evolution of the MerCruiser and Kiekhaefer drives.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mercury Racing.

The the first part of the chronology, which covers the years 1961 – 1987 is a great read - and the series stretches into 2 parts. Check out Part One HERE. If you're interested in further reading, Fred recommends Jeff Rodengen’s book, Iron Fist, Chapter 26, The Great Stern Drive Conspiracy, pp. 360 – 379. He describes it as a fascinating work of investigative journalism containing creation, deception, disloyalty, honor and captivating personalities of the sterndrive’s history.

Slick Silver Merc 1350s for Nordic

Just featured on the Mercury Racing Blog, Fred Kiekhaefer has posted some pics of a sharp pair of 1350s that are being installed in one of Nordic's new boats. The new Super Silver color option also features rich, high-tech carbon fiber and plenty of old-fashioned muscle.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mercury Racing.

Fred's post also featured a picture of the matching M8 drives, which were being prepped for their trip to Nordic at Lake Havasu AZ. That's going to be one sweet combination - can't wait to see it installed! Check out the blog post HERE.

Is a Plug-in, Electric Hybrid Powerboat in Your Future?

At this point, we certainly don't see it's innovative powerplant replacing a couple of Merc 1075s, or an Ilmor V-10, but the potential offered by Epic Boats 23e does provide some food for thought in regards to going fast on the water. Right now, for about $150,000, you can slide behind the helm of this first-generation, 3200 lb electric hybrid boat, which claims to offer the battery-powered equivalent of a 375-horsepower motorboat. I tend to doubt that claim, since my 23-year old, 325-hp Mercruiser will push my 42oo lb 26' Formula to 55+....something that I don't think this boat would be able to do with its 800 lbs. of batteries. But I could be wrong.

PHOTO CREDITS: Epic Boats.

The 23e uses a "Flux Propulsion" EVO 8.1 Marine Drive System to recharge itself over a four-hour run via gas motor, allowing it to use about half of what a similar wakeboat might use to pull a wakeboarder or skier. While that may seem kind of pricey for what you get, it's reported that 2012 may bring a $70,000 version.

The applied vinyl graphics look pretty nice (in a wake-boardy kind of way) and the video seems to demonstrate pretty decent performance for a ski boat. Of course, the big question is whether this type of power could ever be pumped up enough to deliver poker-run-ready-performance for the offshore crowd, who demand a lot more speed than the typical ski-boater.

If it ever could be, this technology would definitely go a long way toward making high-performance offshore powerboating a little bit "greener." The 23e offers:

- Over 50% reduced total carbon dioxide emissions
- Virtually no risk of CO poisoning with our hybrid drive system
- The Epic 23E burns 50% less fuel than a typical wakeboard boat on a 4 hour wakeboard outing
- Wakeboard for 1 hour on batteries without ever burning a drop of fuel
- Wakesurf for 3 hours on batteries without using any fuel
- It can be fully re-charged by the generator in about an hour
- The 23e can be re-charged from a typical 110v wall outlet or a 220v wall outlet once you're at home or at the dock

For more information, go to Epic Boats Website.

Ilmor Opens New Marine Engine Manufacturing Facility in NC

Performance engine builder Ilmor Marine, recently began production at its new, 50,000 square foot marine engine assembly and test facility in Mooresville, NC. Under construction since 2008, the new plant is capable of assembling up to 15,000 engines per year.

THE NEW ILMOR GEN IV - 725 / PHOTO CREDIT: Ilmore Engineering Inc.

“This is a great day for our marine division. The program has been in the works for over three years,” said Paul Ray, President of Ilmor Engineering, Inc. “We made the decision to enter the inboard market in 2007, and since then, our staff has worked flat-out on engine design and development, in-water testing, engine integration and facility construction. This new facility allows us to expand into higher volume markets."

Ilmor Engineering, Inc., employs 15 in Mooresville, but plans to have 30 workers by year's end. The facility took over a vacant building on the Penske campus in the Mooresville Business Park.

Run Through a Propeller Checklist to Ensure Top Performance and Safety

Springtime is the official start of the boating season and it's also a good time for performance boaters to run through a prop check list -- because the wrong or damaged prop can negatively impact performance, increase fuel use, and lead to potentially expensive problems at the worst time: while you're out on the water.

I'm especially aware of this because I have some prop issues of my own - some minor dings that I picked up - courtesy of some unseen rocks that I drifted into last year.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.boattest.com

“Even if you don’t suspect prop damage, you should check for it,” says Brett Anderson of BBLADES, one of the country's best known full-service propeller companies. “A ding or a dent – or worse – could have occurred when trailering the boat for the final time last year, while the boat was in transit or even in storage. Look for the obvious, and then look closer for cracks that may run through one or more blades.”

Anderson suggests a magnifying glass could help locate pitting or hairline cracks that could lead to bigger problems later. He also points out that over or under propping can not only affect boat performance but also fuel economy by causing an engine to work harder.

“High engine rpm that is the result of an inefficient set-up –how high or low the prop sits in the water, or the result of a high prop slip percentage, can often be corrected by changing to a propeller that has more blades, changing the depth of the prop in the water or changing the pitch, diameter or other prop geometry,” he explains. Anderson defines “slip” as the difference between actual and theoretical travel created by one revolution of the prop.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.boatsblog.com

Racers are always focused on the condition of their props, but sometimes the rest of us may neglect to consider the importance of the propeller that's on our boat. The propeller is the final link in the boats drive train, and is the piece of the puzzle that connects the horsepower to the water...so ensuring its proper care and performance is vital. Professional prop shops like BBLADES can help a boater determine prop slip over the phone in many cases, and offers test programs to help boaters determine the right prop and the right drive height.

For more information, contact them at http://www.bblades.com - or call them at 920-295-4435.

Ilmor's Slick new Website Features Powerboat P1 Success

Renowned for their 10-cylinder Generation III and IV engines, Ilmor High Performance has recently revamped theri whole website with a slick new Flash-based interface, lots of new information and more features. The company's racing success is also more evident, with plenty of photos and a special page of information on it's PowerboatP1 success, as they powered the Fountain Worldwide #99 to a second consecutive World Title at the 2008 Portuguese Grand Prix of the Sea in Portimao, Portugal.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ilmor.com

Powered by the Ilmor MV-10, the Fountain Worldwide team, with pilot James Sheppard and throttleman Craig Wilson, took four victories and eight podium finishes in 11 races during the 2008 season. They were also the first team in Powerboat P1 history to win back-to-back world titles in the Evolution class.

In addition to in-depth information on it's current engine line-up, there are pics and data on the new Indy outdrive, Service & warranty info, company history, technical data and an online shop where you can buy Ilmor gear. There's also a nice photo gallery with some nice photography of their engines and some very sharp installations. Check it out!

Mercury Racing Takes the Crayola Box to Outdrives

Henry Ford once said that when it came to the Model T, "the customer can have any color they want. As long as it's black." Well, Mercury Racing has decided to better old Henry by several degrees, as it has begun offering custom color options for the popular dry-sump NXT1, NXT1 SSM, Six drives and transoms sold as part of a Mercury Racing sterndrive engine package. Now, customers don't have to just settle for a big, black, Merc drive...if they want, they can select from eight color options, all of which have been available on Mercury Racing engines.

With some of the outrageous color combinations we've seen lately, it seems these new drive color choices are right on target. One note - the custom color selected for transoms and drives must match, since the transoms and drives are painted as a set.

Color options include Mercury Racing Blue Metallic, Dandy Candy Red Metallic, Devil Red-Eye Nonmetallic, Slate Grey Metallic, Fire Orange Pearl, Nanna Yeller Pearl, Hulkin' Green Pearl and Joyze Poypole Metallic. Contact your Mercury Racing sterndrive OEM Boat Builder or dealer regarding pricing and ordering information.

Online Computer Simulator Uses Input Data to Predict Your Boat's Actual Performance

We recently came across Speedboatperformance.com - which describes itself as "an interactive performance prediction program that actually simulates the conditions present under your boat," and provides you a full report on it's potential performance. Among the things the simulator is designed to show are the required RPM and power for all speeds, shown in dyno-sheet format; the projected top speed and RPM; and the rate of propeller slippage.

The idea has a lot of potential and could be very useful for things like checking to see if your current setup is optimized, planning a future repower or engine upgrade project, or even for choosing a prop to run on your favorite high-altitude lake. In theory, accurate predictions of performance could allow you to save money on power upgrades by helping you purchase the right parts, and reducing trial-and-error.

PHOTO CREDIT: delikon.com

In depth, here are some of the parameters that the simulator takes into account:

-Hull dimensions, weight and aerodynamic characteristics
-Special hull features: Steps, Running Strakes, Keel Pads
-Engine Dyno Data: (two options)
-Input actual dyno sheet data
-Use a generic dyno curve based on your engines' power
-Power to 3000 HP
-Amazingly accurate modeling of hydrodynamic, viscous and aerodynamic lift and drag.
-Drive Units
-Uses a library of hydrodynamic data to support 17 different production & racing drive units!
-Gear ratios for all popular drive units compiled in one place!
-Adustable propshaft height and setback
-Your choice of propeller type, pitch, diameter, blade-count, and finish
You specify the conditions:
-Ambient temperature
-Altitude correction
-Salt, fresh or brackish water

The code was developed over a decade of research, including numerous on-water tests, model testing in an instrumented towing tank, and a lot of impressive engineering. The results of this testing is said to provide highly accurate performance predictions that are sensitive to even small changes in propellers or setup you might want to make:

"The code uses the established fundamentals of planing dynamics as it's core, but takes it a few steps better. We've incorporated the effects of special hull features, and have made some landmark improvements to the way high-speed, lightly loaded hulls are modeled mathematically. Many other secrets we've unearthed along the way about how to predict the behavior of high speed hulls, drive units and propellers play pivotal roles in the software coding."

The site usually charges a penny-per-hp to do the calculations, which is actually pretty cheap - and a lot less than buying the wrong set of cleaver props. But the site is offering a free trial version (and has been, since 2006, apparently) that allows you to run up to single or twin 375 HP Mercury Magnums - to see how it works. So it might be a good thing to check out and test. Those of you who are more technically oriented than I am would be better judges as to the program's accuracy, but if it's relatively reliable, it might be a useful tool for a lot of performance boaters. If you do, let us know what you think about the results!

Keith Eickert & Lighting Performance Group's V-16

Keith Eickert is one of the best-known names in the marine aftermarket performance industry. His advanced bolt-on accessory engine parts have been helping boats go faster since 1986, and he recently relaunched his original "Lightning Performance" line as part of the Don Onken group of companies. As a result, a lot of people in the industry are taking note of the Easton, Illinois-based Onken Group as they introduce a new range of marine performance products for the 2009 season.

PHOTO CREDIT: Lightning Performance Group

Even in the current economic climate, there still remains a market demand for bigger and faster high-performance boats. While the tools and technology required to build high horsepower engines is available to many, a number of real challenges remain for dedicated marine engine builders: Maintaining bulletproof reliability, managing the overall cost of operation and being able to use commonly-available pump gas. To that end, the group has just introduced an incredible V-16 engine.

The concept of coupling 2 V-8 engines together to run as one addresses and solves several problems. Keith and Don have created what Keith describes as "an almost bulletproof 1500 hp motor that delivers speed and durability without the need for superchargers and all that extra stuff." The brand new V16 engine package is all aluminum, consisting of two big block 540 cubic inch engines linked end to end, putting out a reliable 750 hp each, and totaling 1600 ft.-lbs of torque. What else is significant is the fact that two of these 540 blocks weigh less than one of the big supercharged engines.

Clearly, the extra length of the engine means it won't fit in a lot of boats, and at this point, we're not sure what drives would be the best match. Nevertheless, this new engine is truly something extraordinary -- and appears to be just the beginning for Lightning Performance, which is planning a complete line of state-of-the-art marine performance engines and accessories.

Loud Exhaust? Now That's The Ticket!

While it's always nice to be noticed, I usually prefer to fly a little bit under the radar. My Formula's Silent Thunder swim platform has an integrated muffler system that uses water to muffle the sound of my boat's exhaust. Blackjack's 454 Magnum sounds fine as it is--enough rumble to know there's something decent underneath the swim pad, but not so loud that you can't talk to your passengers at idle. And it's plenty loud enough when we're up on plane.

Other guys like to hear a real healthy exhaust note, since they believe it adds to the feeling of high performance. And there are also other folks who like to let everyone know when they're coming...even when they're down the lake a mile away. To each his own, I say--until it becomes overkill, or is so obnoxious that people start wincing when you pull up to the dock at the local watering hole and they can't hear each other or the music playing at the bar.

The fact is, a lot of municipalities and law enforcement agencies are cracking down on boats that are too loud. Grand Haven, MI, for example, is just one town that has gained a reputation among performance boaters as being particularly unfriendly, and maybe a little too zealous in it's enforcement of the law. Different areas have different requirements, so it's important to know what noise decibel levels are acceptable and from what distances it is supposed to be measured. Boaters and manufacturers haven't been standing still. One of the easiest solutions is to port your exhaust underwater with some down-tubes; of course, everybody hates the look of this solution, but it's possible to set it up so it could be removed easily, if needed.

Last year, Mercruiser came up with an OEM solution, with X-haust, a fully integrated sterndrive exhaust noise reduction system. X-haust was developed primarily to bring the HP600 SCi and EU662 SCi sterndrive engine packages into compliance with some of the more stringent noise regulations, especially those of the European Union. Mercury says the muffler design flows exhaust through two separate chambers connected by three attenuator tubes before exiting the exhaust outlet at the bottom, reducing sound pressure waves without sacrificing engine power or performance. The transom-mounted muffler is completely submerged when the boat is at rest. Since it's introduction last year, I have heard little feedback about the system or its effectiveness, but that's no surprise, since I doubt there have been many takers in the U.S. market.

For those who are looking for an add-on solution, a number of options are available. Custom Marine's Sound Elimination Systems mufflers offer proven sound reduction technology that will allow most boaters to operate in areas where sound emissions are restricted. Designed to reduce sound emissions to levels as low as 85 decibels the mufflers are engineered to lower overall sound without restricting exhaust or creating unwanted backpressure, which can keep your high performance engine from running its best. Made from 304 series stainless steel, they can be installed on any exhaust system with tailpipes ranging from 4" to 6" in diameter.

Custom Marine also makes a "silent choice"-type system; External Sound Choice silencers allow the operator to muffle high decibel sound waves emitted through the exhaust with simply a flip of a switch and a butterfly valve system. For safety, they are pneumatically operated, eliminating the risk of electrical spark hazards. You can also find other manufacturers who offer similar systems.

Like everything, there's a time and a place for the display of epic brute power. Way out on the lake or ocean, in a race or poker run, or even the occasional loud rumble at dockside can be enjoyable - within reason. Using your smarts and a good exhaust control system can keep your passengers, fellow boaters and law enforcement officials happy. In the long run, your wallet will thank you, too.

Now THIS is Offshore Racing...

There's been a lot of talk recently on the various offshore forums about the current state of offshore powerboat racing in the U.S., and the consensus seems to be that a shakeup -- or better yet -- a consolidation of some sort, is seriously needed. In the past, the sport was known for its high visibility, high payouts for race winners, and strong focus on a few classes of competitive boats. Today, while there is still a lot of enthusiasm among individual racers, and some international circuits like Powerboat P1 are seeing a solid level of success, the sport in America is diffused among a number of different racing organizations like OSS, APBA, OPA, SBI...and others. Many participants and former racers feel the sport is suffering from too many classes, too little prize money, a lack of sponsors and media exposure, and a high cost-barrier to entry for the "little guy."

With that in mind, I came across this promotional video for the Honda Formula Four-Stroke Association, a UK-based series that bills itself as "the largest offshore powerboat championship in the world."  Honda launched the Series in 1999 in order to prove the performance of their new BF130 4-stroke outboard engines. To make things simple, there are only two classes, a 150hp class with 21' boats, and a more aggressive 225hp class, featuring 28' Cougar hulls.  Both engines and hulls are standardized and cannot be modified throughout the series, to keep things competitive.  And it IS competitive. In 2006, there were 25 teams fighting it out in just those two classes. The boats are priced within reason as well, making the series one of the most affordable and accessible forms of motor sport out there, allowing an enthusiast with modest means to compete at a national championship level. 

PHOTO CREDIT:  Formula Four-Stroke Association

As for the quality of the racing, the video speaks for itself. There are lots of boats, racing close together, with plenty of "balls-to-the-wall" action. This is the closest I have seen to "Nascar on the water," with hulls banging together and trading paint (trading gel?) at speeds from 55mph for the 150hp class to about 75mph for the 225hp class. Those speeds are far below the 100+mph seen on some high-hp circuits, but that's pretty fast for the size of boat we're talking about and a single outboard. Again, one look at the video proves there's no lack of excitement here. If you want to talk offshore powerboating as an Extreme Sport, here's the proof.

Lessons to be Learned

It seems to me there's a lot that could be gained from studying the approach this series takes. It gets exposure on UK television through the BBC Channel 4, and they are also distributed and syndicated via networks such as Sky Sports, SNTV, Fox Sports and ESPN. They do a great job of supporting the media and involve journalists and celebrities with a special media race boat.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Formula Four-Stroke Association

Here in the U.S., there seems to be a natural bias against using outboard power in a series, as we just love our big V8's and stern drives. As a result, the cost to be truly competitive has risen dramatically, and while some committed individuals are trying to find solutions in this regard, it's still a struggle. This is powerboating, after all, and there are so many "A-type" personalities involved, it's hard to get people to agree on anything -- reflecting a strong tendency to focus inward for solutions instead of looking outward for real answers on how to improve the sport. While everyone agrees there will always be a place for the big, high-dollar competitors and series where the Big Dogs go to play, the Formula Four-Stroke Series seems to be something from which we could learn a lot.

Black Beauty from the Palm Beach Boat Show

Thanks to our Twitter pal Rich Lazzara at Lazzara Yachts, we can bring you some awesome images from the 23rd Annual Palm Beach Boat Show, which runs March 27-30. Featuring more than $350 million worth of boats, superyachts and accessories from every major marine manufacturer, the event includes more than 1,000 boats, covering everything from inflatables to superyachts.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.richlazzara.com

Rich was kind enough to post some photos [above] of this striking black Midnight Express Open 37. Dubbed Midnight Madness, it's well named, since it boasts FIVE (yes 5) 350hp Mercury Verado outboards on the transom, for a total of 1750hp! Top speed from the advanced, stepped hull is said to be about 95mph, but that's pretty fast for a big 37' boat with a full 11' beam.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.richlazzara.com

The show encompasses more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space on land and in water throughout three distinct venues. Two of the venues, the Palm Beach County Convention Center and the Intracoastal Waterway are connected by a convenient transportation network. The third, Rybovich Marina, is an exclusive showing of superyachts with access by the water taxi, which is docked next to the Yachts International Pavilion.

As an aside, in the coming weeks I'll have to show you an incredible project I came across on Rich Lazzara's blog - it's their ultra-modern floating showroom, built on a 40' x 90' barge. You'll have to see it to believe it...

Ilmor Indy Drive Premieres

Rated to handle engines up to 900 hp, Ilmor's brand new Indy drive feature a dry-sump transmission and is designed for a through-hull or transom-mounted water pickup. Currently packaged with the company's 725hp MV-10 725 engine, the drives are in production now, with delivery to boat manufacturers expected in early summer.

PHOTO CREDIT: SeriousOffshore.com user BBB725

On initial reviews, the combination of the Ilmor 725/Indy compares very favorably to a Mercruiser 700/NXT combo. It's lighter, offers 25 more hp, and has a more advanced control system, including fly-by-wire as an option. Another noted benefit is that there is far less parasitic hp loss when operating the Indy; it reportedly requires just 24 hp to turn, which may be half or less of a comparable NXT.