One of the more fascinating forms of motorsport is jet boat racing, which has a large and popular following in Australia and New Zealand. As you can see from the picture above, these boats are just large enough to fit an engine, cockpit, the jet drive and not much else. This particular boat is owned by current champion Peter Caughey and is powered by what is called the world’s largest small block. At 540 cubic inches (or 8.9 liters of displacement), this all-aluminum engine sports Kinsler fuel injection, billet aluminum heads, MSD ignition, custom exhaust, a 5-stage dry sump system and Motec telemetry. Performance calculations officially place output at 900 horsepower but it is reportedly nearer 1,000.
This engine powers a water jet drive unit that features 2-stage axial flow impellers in an aluminum housing. Thrust is rated at 1200 pounds and these drives can process process 300 litres, or 83 gallons, of water per second.
The boat itself is designed for fast straight line and cornering speeds, with stability and lightning fast response to the right/left turns dictated by the courses the boats are run on. 5G cornering forces are not unheard of and this boat incorporates a very low seating position for lower center of gravity and increased cornering speed and stability. The seats are made of carbon fiber composite with special foam inserts for extra spinal protection for the crew.
So, what can it do? Well, in can accelerate from 0 to 120 kph (0 to 75 mph) in 2.3 seconds while generating a force of 2 Gs and can take to those water courses with 5 to 8 G’s of cornering force. If that kind of performance does not get your blood up, you’re pursuing the wrong hobby.
Source article is here.
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