Pro Hydro Boat Design - USA vs Europe

[Corin_Huke]

I think this is a great thread and would love to see more pics of your Euro boats: tops and the bottoms. My Dad and I were talking about the differences on the boat bottoms this weekend and I was showing him the pics in this thread. It is great to see what the otherside is doing and why.

Brian. have a look at the new (and improved) Formula Series website

http://www.formulaseries.net/main/

Select the gallery option and click upon any of the photos and it will take you into the galleries, Use the more (or browse) option to navigate.

There's a whole host of different boats, classes and people from the other side of the pond

Enjoy!

[epugh66]

Too easy, #68 Paul Noone and #22 andy Chesman.
I still think that Paul hit me before barrel rolled at the OSY WC in Nottingham

[drbyrne55]

OSY Europe

Corin,

What are some general specs of OSY boats in Europe?

overall length?

width between rear pads?

boat and hardware weight only?

is there a minimum weight in Europe?

is there a minimum prop shaft height that you must run at?

top end speeds?

Thanks,
Dan

Guys

though my involvement in pro hydros over the years and also from looking at photos on forums, such as Hydroracer.net, I've noted a number of differences between the design of boats used in the US, compared to those we use here in Europe

Obviously, boat designs have evolved over the years to suit the style of racing, what's fashionable at the time and so on. Some of the differences in design I understand, but others leave me scratching my head, so I'd welcome your input guys

My observations regarding European boat designs that are currently in use in the 0-125, 0-250 & 0-350 classes are:-

Sponsons - I believe that the design and depth of sponsons on European boats differ from the US designs. From what I have seen, the depth of sponsons on European boats are deeper and (I gather) sometimes have a different design (eg chines). This is brought about because of the different courses that we race upon - lots of river courses in Europe than can rough up. The deeper sponsons provide greater stability in the rough water and more 'lift' in the front end, when turning tight buoy turns. Also the deeper sponsons and the front end lift helps get the boat up and planing quicker for the lemans starts we have

Length, Width & Weight - I get the feeling that European boats are bigger (in general) all around - again to handle the rough water

Other tweaks - to help with the modified lemans starts, a number of the boats have a centre wedge infront of the foot/prop that runs about 18" to 24" towards the front of the boat. This allows the prop to be run deeper to get better 'bite' from the lemans start

The above I think are pretty much obvious differences, but the one that has me scratching my head is the fact that some of your pro hydro boats do not have perspex screens. I can honestly say, I have never seen this in hydro racing in Europe as all of the boats run a screen made from Lexan or another poly carbonate material.

Can I ask, why some of you guys prefer the 'no screen' approach. I'm guessing that it's a personal choice, as I have seen boats with perspex screens and others without. Invariably, here in Europe the driver either looks through the screen, or half through/half over (as shown in the pic)

I'd welcome any thoughts on the matter, and any other input regarding boats designs

Regards, Corin

[David Weaver]

Comparisons Coming in 2008

Well, in 2008 we will have the opportunity to compare the merits of each type in person. Rumor has it that a few new European constrcutced 125's are being sent to the US during 2008 in preparation for the UIM world championships. I even heard a rumor that a couple of US 250 drivers are endeavoring to purchase and trasnport a few Mostes built boats for use prior to and at the Worlds.

Perhaps we can compare as early as the first USTS race in Inverness, only 4 months away!

[Corin_Huke]

Corin,

What are some general specs of OSY boats in Europe?

overall length?

width between rear pads?

boat and hardware weight only?

is there a minimum weight in Europe?

is there a minimum prop shaft height that you must run at?

top end speeds?

Thanks,
Dan

Dan

I would suggest that you contact Mike Ward (also a member of HR) as he'll be the guy to answer your questions. Mike is the Yamato agent for Europe and is a lot closer to OSY racing that me, as my experience is all in the pro hydro classes

Corin

Yamato Europe website - http://www.yamato.ndo.co.uk/

[drbyrne55]

Corin...

Thanks for the direction.

Dan

Dan

I would suggest that you contact Mike Ward (also a member of HR) as he'll be the guy to answer your questions. Mike is the Yamato agent for Europe and is a lot closer to OSY racing that me, as my experience is all in the pro hydro classes

Corin

Yamato Europe website - http://www.yamato.ndo.co.uk/