Old School vs New School

[mdaspit]

Would someone explain to me why the switch to picklefork boats from traditional round hydros?

Why are they so much better? Would it be possible to have a modern bottom and sponson design, but old school topsides and still be competitive?

Do race boats today have to look like spaceships to be fast, or can old school be cool, without having to go Vintage?

[B Walker]

Pickleforks probably dont give much of an advantage in the lower speed classes. Lets say 40-50MPH.

In the 50-70 MPH range the thinner decks and better longitudinal airflow are a distinct performance advantage over conventional designs.

In the 70MPH + range pickleforks are a necessity as at those speeds the problem changes from getting enough air under the boat to keeping the boat on the water. A picklefork hydro designed for high speeds will actually have "negative lift" which is just not possible in a conventional hydro design.

So your answer depends on what speed your planning on going.

BW

[seanp3]

There's still a few round nose hydro's out there, but not many. This picture of 6S is a shot from the OSY400 race at Depue this year. I believe it is a fairly new boat. It packs a lot of air with the driver all the way forward in the cockpit (lay down style)

[f32Tom]

Old School vs New School

Is it true that Jim Apel's grandfather and or father came up the picklefork design??? If true, must be why Jim could build an excellent hydro when he wanted to. Don't get upset Rob E.

[wagner-racing16-s]

The 6-s boat was orginally built by Joe Silvestri. He ran it a few years. Ask him about the design and any other questions you have I am sure he will answer you with what he found out with the boat.

[mac19f]

Center of lift

A pickle fork design moves the center of lift toward the rear where most of the weight is while at the same time making the hull less sensitive to blowover.

[mdaspit]

Great, thanks. Can someone tell me how to get ahold of Joe Silvestri?

[nicf14]

Is it true that Jim Apel's grandfather and or father came up the picklefork design??? If true, must be why Jim could build an excellent hydro when he wanted to. Don't get upset Rob E.

Tom you believe that because Jim is still family!

[Brian10s]

Great, thanks. Can someone tell me how to get ahold of Joe Silvestri?

He is a regular on HR - silvestri36s. Look him up under the members.

[NUT2F]

Tom you believe that because Jim is still family!

Bet your A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ChrisH]

Bet your A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tommy,

Can you feel the love?

Chris

[pro350hydro]

Just my 2 Cents

Is it true that Jim Apel's grandfather and or father came up the picklefork design??? If true, must be why Jim could build an excellent hydro when he wanted to. Don't get upset Rob E.

Thats what I've always known. A long time ago, Jim had some old articals from way back about his grandfather, and the family tradition of boat building. He is truely either a third or forth generation builder. Lets face it, Jim builds an excellent pro boat and he is truely a talented wood worker and boat builder.

Mike Sattler

[sam]

Is it true that Jim Apel's grandfather and or father came up the picklefork design??? If true, must be why Jim could build an excellent hydro when he wanted to. Don't get upset Rob E.

The three point hydroplane was invented by Apel, not the picklefork

[DeanFHobart]

Patent Info

The 3 point Hydroplane was patented in 1935 by Ventnor Boats of Atlantic City New Jersey in 1935.

Apel and his company Ventnor hold the U.S. Patent for the design of the 3 point hydroplane -prop riding hulls-Issued in 1935.

Cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure you could look it up.

[m58rr50hydro]

The 3 point Hydroplane was patented in 1935 by Ventnor Boats of Atlantic City New Jersey in 1935.

Apel and his company Ventnor hold the U.S. Patent for the design of the 3 point hydroplane -prop riding hulls-Issued in 1935.

Cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure you could look it up.

The last APEL?
I think this is the last APEL built carbon fiber/ comp. built in FLA
I could be wrong but, what a boat!!!!!
MY BABY!!!!!
LIFE IS GOOD
SATTLER/VRP POWER


FE/350