Semper Fi turbine boat vs Miss Geico in Solomon's Maryland

[Ratickle]

Published on Sep 19, 2012 by Kevin Terry

The 48' MTI "Semper Fi" raced against the Miss Geico boat at Solomon's Island, MD. The boat is outfitted with twin 1850 HP turbine engines from Cobra Attack Helicopters, and specially modified by Turbine Marine in Pompano Beach. Driven by Richard Chaney, throttled by John Arruda.

[teamsynergy]

I dont see this as a race....

[TUCK646]

me either was that for real.

[Ratickle]

Well, one thing that OPA has that SBI does not is one extreme class. So, even though Cat Can Do has 1200HP Sterlings, the new Geico has 1150HP Mercs instead of the 2000 horsepower turbines, and the Semper Fi (Mary Mac) boat has 1850HP Turbines, they all fall intot he same class in OPA in 2012. So, Cat Can Do is the season national champ in the Extreme class with three first places. But, one thing you can say, at least there is more than one boat in the class.

19 - Cat Can Do - 0 - 100 - 101 - 100 - C - 0 - 301
113 - Miss GEICO - 0 - 0 - 90 - 0 - C - 90 - 180
741 - Semper Fi - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - C - 101 - 101

The 150 mph cap on the races the last two years may eliminate the Turbine boats, or they may come up with a way to get an additional insurance writer to allow them to exceed that speed. But, for now, that's the way things are. Only time will tell.

[Ratickle]

[Ratickle]

[Hellbent]

Needs bigger windows. How the hell are you supposed to see all the chicks?

[Ratickle]

Well, I guess we got our answer. The 2013 SBI rules are out, and the Turbine Class top speed has been restated at 150 mph for the third year. I don't know if they are trying to find an insurer who will allow a faster top speed or not, but I'll try to find out. It may be that there is just no one left who will allow anything faster for safety reasons and possible liabilities.

7. TURBINE CLASS

7.1 Turbines Class Boats CAN NOT EXCEED 150 MPH any time during the event, which will be periodically monitored by radar guns. If any Turbine class boat exceeds the above stated speed during the event the Boat will be disqualified from the event and fined $1,000.00 for the first offence. A second offence during the season the boat and crew will be suspended for 2 additional events, and a third infraction the boat and crew could be a suspended for the balance of the season or 12 months.