Stuart Hayim and John Tomlinson Break the Existing Record Around Long Island – 2 Hours, 11 Minutes

Latham Steers Straight to the Record!

When you're trying to break a speed record, you don't want to break your steering. Latham Marine's steering system was the choice for Stuart Hayim's new 42 MTI catamaran, as he attempted to break his record. His original record was set in 1987 when he did the run around Long Island in 3 hours and 7 minutes. The waters through the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean can be rough and changing along the approximate 271-mile course , so the strength of the boat and steering is integral to the effort. Johnny Tomlinson and his team at TNT Custom Marine, rigged the boat with Mercury Racing 1350 HP engines and a special 500 gallon fuel tank, and Latham hydraulic steering, especially since Tomlinson was throttling the boat with Hayim at the helm.

"I know that Latham's parts are reliable and that is why we recommend them in all the boats we rig and run," says Tomlinson, repeated record holder, World Champion and internationally respected throttleman. He and Hayim set out at 7 AM on Wednesday, August 8 and achieved their goal-to best Hayim's old record and the one set by fellow powerboat racer Joe Sgro when he did the run last year in 3 hours and 5 minutes.

According to Tomlinson, the conditions were calm inside the Sound but the seemingly calm ocean waters had rollers that made running the boat more difficult--especially since it was carrying so much fuel. He reported that speeds ranged from 95-115 mph in the ocean and 128-135 in the Sound-except near the city where the Coast Guard required that they slow down-and the 140-150 mph speeds run in the final 15 miles.

"The boat did everything we expected--especially because it was so heavy with fuel--and we propped up in pitch so we could run higher speeds with lower rpm., said Tomlinson, "We ran conservatively--it is a pleasure boat--we could have run harder but we chose not to. It's nice when the plan comes together with NO mechanical issues."

Hayim got into racing in the eighties, with the encouragement of the late legendary powerboat racing journalist John Crouse who suggested the name "Recovery." The boat and racing effort commemorated Hayim's recovery from cancer, and he was an inspiration to many who admired his conquest of the deadly disease.

Bob Latham knows from his own racing experience the importance of a strong steering system. Latham invented his hydraulic steering system, which launched his nearly 40-year old company, after problems racing the Magic Gems boat in 1979. In 1980, using his own steering system in the boat --the 30' Cobra called "Man-O-War," Latham took the Regional, National and World Championship Modified Class titles.

Today Latham is the choice of leading manufacturers not only for hydraulic steering, but for the wide range of over 10,000 parts including trim tabs, rudders, controls, sea strainers, hydraulic lifts and other top-quality marine parts and accessories. Says Latham, "I don't make anything I wouldn't use on my own boat."

For more information visit www.lathammarine.com

Photos courtesy of National Powerboat Association

or call 954 462-3055, 800-422-7267 (RAMS) Attachment 74134Attachment 74135