Unlimited offshore powerboat racing in UK/Europe?

[MOTORVATOR]

Penguinracer said:

I suppose my point is a precedent has been set - if there's the consensus - could we see old cycled-out turbine engines making their way into the Off-Shore Racing world?

Well its not really a new idea. There were examples back in the seventies of gas turbines running offshore but to be honest the salt water environment is not the best of places for them. Even in more recent times a 50 foot mystic running turbines took part in the unsanctioned 'shootout' and recorded 244mph but they would tell you the boat was not rigged and suitable to undertake an offshore race.

Then you have to look at the term 'racing'. The expression itself determines that it needs more than one boat to take part and preferably several. There are only so many people in the world with an 'unlimited' budget capability and even those tend to be fairly sensible about aspirations so would not entertain getting into an arms race with others that could effectively throw a whole national income at it if they wished. That is effectively why there is no Class 1 offshore taking place any more. I think the last world championship was actually decided on two boats turning up of which one didn't even get wet!

[rossb]

Remember being in Cowes Yacht haven during 1987 Cowes - Torquay race - late uncle had restored 63 winner A'speranziella - we got to parade alongside the contemporary boats at start. Achilli motors with twin Lambo V12's sticks out in my mind - not just for the biblical sound of the un-silenced V12's - but also for their extravagant and flamboyant approach to racing. I would be very happy to have a more modest Cougar mono with a single lambo v12 as a tender for my sailboat if money were no object!

[Huntsman]

I see the RYA have announced they are standing down from the powerboat racing world.

Good news!