Tunnel Boats

[Dew1us]

Do what it takes to be safe. One thing I will guarantee you, you WILL blow over. I'd bet a small fortune on it. Not that there is anything wrong with that, as long as you are aware of it and you are prepared for it.

My dad always gave me 2 quotes to live by when racing:
It is not a matter of if your going to blow over, it is the matter of when.

There are two types of racers, the ones that have blown over and the ones that will.

[Jakob77]

It would be set up same as my old mirage. OPEN, I stayed it one time, jumped once, and cut a right door in it once (useing Wayne worthys prop from hydrotech, with him watching) I know the charicteristics of a tunnel. I have HOURS of seat time in them, and GOD only knows of the miles. Probably more than all of you. Not recently, never that fast. As I get older, 40 now, my gonads are shrinking. I will not go out and hold this thing for miles at a time. No longer than a reg course. I know it comes with hazzards. So does my Allison @ 75mph. I turned that thing 6900 for 4 miles Sat. will it happen at greater speeds, Hell no. I do appreciate the concerns.

Then go for it!

That SST-70 boat is as cheap as you're going to find a good tunnel. Take it and cut the top of the cell off. Follow the lower lip of the canopy all the way to the back of the cell. Put a seat in to get your seating position about 4" higher, which will help pull your legs out from under the dash. You could maybe leave some of the back-board stick up to help support your shoulders, maybe not. You'd have to see how it looked. Then you just need to cut the top of the rear cowling off, or make a new one altogether so it looks nice. It'd look like a nice run about, and it would be plenty fast. It wouldn't weaken the boat at all.

[stvracing]

Im here to tell you one thing and one thing only. THIS IS NOT A MIRAGE! I have a Mirage thats a 5 time national champ. These boat are true tunnels and Im not saying you have an attitude but the way I percieve your last post the attitude of having alot of tunnel time, yeah maybe in a modified tunnel not a true tunnel. I, if anything would encourage you to run just as I have been from fellow racers but understand that these boats go over more often then a Mirage ever will. They are not forgiving like a modified tunnel. My Mirage took off in September and I managed to land it. Now think about this for a second. You want to put on a 90. OK but the SST60 boats were made and designed around an SST60 engine. That engines weight has alot to do with the design of the hull ESPECIALLY the amount of lift that it is built with. The SST60 will put out more power then your 90 will. Most of all it weighs less and that makes all the difference. Im not saying you dont have experience as a driver but Im growing concerned with some comments youre making. Im sure others are as well. You acknowledged the concern we all have as a family for you. You need to adhere to the warning that these boats are NO JOKE and can God forbid KILL YOU IF YOURE NOT EXTREMELY CAREFUL. Youre going to do what you see as best for you. Just please be careful and wear proper safety equipment and for the love of God have a few buddies running with you all the time.
Steve

[yamonster]

I had TRUE tunnels, not modifide. I had more power on that TOM CAT than they were ever designed for. Brad Collins saw it a few times. He could not believe what I was doing. He was proud. I came out third place racing in the v4 class, with a 3cyl 40. Figure that out. My 12' mirage tom cat ran 74mph almost 20 years ago. Any of you EVER heard of that! I even had 2 diff machinist that wanted to help me put 70hp slevees and pistons in it. I was SMART enough to say no. It was beond it desired speed.

Yes MY intentions are going to put me in a dangerous set up. I have been told that a few SST 70 rigs ran close to 100mph. Is this true. I will never see the last 10, or 12 - 15 mph.

My old tunnels have lifted and put me in Gods hands a few times. This don't mean that he will forgive the next time, but Yes I have been there. Yes I have flipped 3 times. Yes it was a matter of time.

AND YES I LOVE THESE BOATS, THE RIDE, THE THRILL, THE BEAUTY. MOST OF ALL, I AM NOT AN IDIOT, I AM CAREFULL, I LOVE BEING ALIVE. THANKS

[Jakob77]

I don't know what a good running SST70 would have done. Greg Jacobsen holds the kilo record in SST-60 at just over 94mph though.

Here's a link to the records: http://www.apba-racing.com/apps/events/Records.php

[yamonster]

I don't know what a good running SST70 would have done. Greg Jacobsen holds the kilo record in SST-60 at just over 94mph though.

Here's a link to the records: http://www.apba-racing.com/apps/events/Records.php

He's not dead?, He didn't blow over doing that? Now see fellas, nothing but encouragement.

[three_banger_omc]

great thread.... mark in regards to your question about what looks wrong about the dude blowing over. It looks like he has a sh** load of head room above his noggin (or not).

Orchard #87

[Jakob77]

great thread.... mark in regards to your question about what looks wrong about the dude blowing over. It looks like he has a sh** load of head room above his noggin (or not).

Orchard #87

You're right, it looks like he couldn't even fit a helmet in there.

[yamonster]

Three Banger, given the choice, I would take YOUR boat over any other I have ever seen. It's the right colors. Matches my 88 Mustang.

[three_banger_omc]

hahah thats awesome.... the right price i would part with it

Orchard #87