Copeland's Phenomenon Project

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

I would like to give an introduction into the Phenomenon and my role. I have been with Copeland's Motorsports for 18 years and this is my 6th turbine boat project for them. I started this project with Al Copeland Sr in 1998 and am currently finishing it with his family. The boat is a 56ft, 13.6' wide Phenomenon design that we currently have molds of and hope to manufacture. We are rigging the boat with four t-55 L7C turbine engines, four custom gearboxes, 2 custom crashboxes for reverse, and four ASD 11 custon Arneson drives. We are hoping to splash the boat sometime in December. Al Copeland Jr will drive and I will throttle and we hope to break multiple speed records including the Miami to New York, which Al Copeland Sr still holds in the Popeyes V bottom. This project was extremely important to Al Copeland Sr. as it is to us and I hope that it is to you.

Scott Barnhart

[Gladhe8er]

You have a ot of people watching what you are doing. Best of luck!

[ThrottleUp Props]

Thank you for sharing this with us Scotty. We had the pleasure of viewing the unveiling in Key West as well as the tribute to Al Copeland Sr. You have done a phenomenal job with this project (no pun intended). Matt and I wish you all the success with this incredible undertaking. Please feel free to call upon us if there is anything else we can do for you.

Julie & Matt

[redhotsommer]

Wow. Amazing. Best of luck to you and all associated with the project. We will all be cheering you on.

[phragle]

I do believe you have the utmost respect and admiration of the serious community. I wish you the best of luck in your endevour!

[Brownie]

How fast?

[DAREDEVIL]

How fast?

I heard 300 + ?!

[JoeD]

Scott--- Other than the Miami to NY record ,where will you attempt other high speed records?

[OldSchool]

Thanks for posting and welcome to SeriousOffshore.com Scott. Best of luck in reaching your goals!!!! :)

Craig

[Hauling Trash]

Good Luck

[THEJOKER]

That's what I call determination and committment!

[phragle]

with quad T55, whats the fuel capacity?????

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

How fast?

When the boat was originally designed with 2 engines the top speed was 240mph. Then midway through Al Sr. decided that he wanted 4 engines which would push the boat over 300mph, but our windtunnel data shows it is only stable up to 280mph.

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

with quad T55, whats the fuel capacity?????

The boat holds 2,000 gallons, but capable of holding fuel bladders for endurance runs.

[phragle]

The boat holds 2,000 gallons, but capable of holding fuel bladders for endurance runs.

That explains the need for a really big boat.. :sifone:

[purrfection]

Scott, will the boat be tested in Lake Ponchatrain, and if so would it be possible for us to come watch? Thanks.

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

Here is a picture from 4 months ago when we were mocking up rollbars for the cockpit.

Scott

[cosmic12]

Very cool, would love to see more pics of the build.
Great suff here and the more the better.

[Tom A.]

Welcome to the board. Incredible project. Best of luck and we look forward to updates.

[phragle]

Here is a picture from 4 months ago when we were mocking up rollbars for the cockpit.

Scott


looks like a cross between Jules Verne and Star Wars..definitly a wild creation!

[MarylandMark]

Welcome to SOS and thank you for sharing with us!!

Giant among giants- seems you are carrying on in true Copeland fashion!

[KiloKat]

Best of Luck to the entire "Copeland Family" ... Boat looks GR8!

[justgolf5]

the paint on that thing is unreal, goodluck

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

We have been busy this past week at the shop, here are a few pictures of the first gearbox and engine in the boat and the dash. I will post more this week as we progress.

Scott

[cigdaze]

So cool. Thanks so much for the pics and updates. We're watching this one closely.
:cool:

[Freezeframevideo]

scott Here A Couple Of pics
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll434/FreezeFrameVideo/keywest2009/1a.jpg
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll434/FreezeFrameVideo/keywest2009/4a.jpg
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll434/FreezeFrameVideo/keywest2009/5a.jpg

[Tantrum]

Wow. Whats with the hole in the deck, I hadnt seen that in the other pics.
Thanks for shareing, Im looking forward to following this thread.

[Magic Medicine]

WOW, awesome project. Good luck!

[db71]

The hole in the deck is an open front bow for all your friends to hang out. It was an extra option (this is only hearsay so believe at your own risk)

[imco offshore]

if your going to go for the miami / new york record,,,why dont you apply for the miami west palm record also being you have to pass it anyway? 2 birds one boat,, good luck

[C_Spray]

Wow. Whats with the hole in the deck, I hadnt seen that in the other pics... Active canard, I'd bet, like unlimited hydros. It allows you to kill excessive forward lift if the boat starts to kite.

[cigdaze]

The main foil's active area is further aft - and so is the center of lift - lessening the likelihood of blow-over, and at the same time this provides means for a forward stabilizer allowing for controlled flight. Just a guess.

[mikey]

Best of Luck to the entire "Copeland Family" ... Boat looks GR8!

Not to take away from the thread but also welcome to Dave Scott!!!:driving:

[cigdaze]

Not to take away from the thread but also welcome to Dave Scott!!!:driving:

Absolutely. It's great to have ya on board, Dave!
:)

[lowblue320]

We have been busy this past week at the shop, here are a few pictures of the first gearbox and engine in the boat and the dash. I will post more this week as we progress.

Scott

Thanks for the pictures.

[Roger 1]

I really enjoy these threads. Especially the ones with the the custom fab work. Keep them coming and thanks for taking the time to share the progress with us.

Roger Holmberg

[Freezeframevideo]

http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll434/FreezeFrameVideo/calenders2010/alcoplendcalander.jpg

[RPM]

not to take away from the thread but also welcome to dave scott!!!:driving:

+1.....Welcome to the site Dave!

[ILMORdude]

Since this is a Turbine themed thread, Mr. Scott, would you care to share a round-about speed number for your turbine mti? And also welcome to SOS.

[Tantrum]

Active canard, I'd bet, like unlimited hydros. It allows you to kill excessive forward lift if the boat starts to kite.

Thats what i was thinking especially if this thing has been wind tunnel tested to 300mph. I do like the idea of db71's bow rider concept too. That would be a ride at 200+ :driving:

[KiloKat]

Thanks for the "Welcomes" - GR8 reading on this site :)

[Matt Trulio]

Quick update on the Copeland project, http://speedonthewater.com/

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

As of today we have 4 installed gearboxes with drives and crashboxes. I will start final installation of all 4 motors in the morning and hopefully starting on Thursday. Here are a few pictures of our progress. We have set up a tentative date of January 23rd to break the 220 mph record, and will have it open to other boats. Please contact John Carbonell at SBI to participate.

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

pictures

[ILMORdude]

Wow. Theres alot goin on there!! Good luck with EVERYTHING!!

[Madpoodle]

Where will the run be??

[cigdaze]

Lookin' great! There's certainly some serious rigging going on there. Best of luck to you guys.

Good question: Where will the run be? We would love to come out and support your efforts.

[Scotty B]

Great looking boat, Al Sr would be very proud. Congrats and good luck.

[Bradz]

I have always wondered how the transmissions/gear reduction works on a turbine. How do you go into gear at the high idle of a turbine? Does the disc brake on the output shaft actually slow down the turbine as well? How does it shift from forward neutral reverse?

[tunnelvision69]

scott you've been busy since key west!!

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

Wednesday 1/13/10 was the first time the boat hit the water heres a few shots...

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

more

[Ratickle]

Thanks for keeping us up to date.

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

pics

[BBB725]

Very cool

[DAREDEVIL]

Well,........Scott if nobody else asks the question...i guess i will.

What speed did u see so far and what are the prognosis speed wise so far ?????

[MarylandMark]

Wow!

[Ratickle]

Well,........Scott if nobody else asks the question...i guess i will.

What speed did u see so far and what are the prognosis speed wise so far ?????

I'll bet that stays a secret for awhile......:sifone:

[rschap1]

Incredible!!!

[DAREDEVIL]

I'll bet that stays a secret for awhile......:sifone:

Wonder why they always make a secret out of it ???mmmhhhhh,,,,,,,,we will find out sooner or later anyways .


Just thought it would help them in why and how if some people would know ,,,i really want them to succeed in they're effort.

[Sean H]

I'll bet that stays a secret for awhile......:sifone:

I doubt it, it was out as soon as it happened... you just have to know the right people. :bump:

and it was a shakedown run (first time wet), not a speed run.

[Ratickle]

.. you just have to know the right people. :bump:



Oh sure, bragging again.......:sifone:

[Sean H]

Oh sure, bragging again.......:sifone:

okay, it was triple digits. :sifone:

[DAREDEVIL]

okay, it was triple digits. :sifone:

Sean, i did not think it was a speed run,,,just wondering what it did and how it handled ???

Ofcoarse it wasn't the fastest the boet will do , on a first shake down.

And i awsumed it was not in the twin digit range. 4 turbines can't be ....LOL

[Whoz Your Daddy]

that is one pretty boat

[RichL]

This will be fun to watch. Good luck with project.

[glh]

Thanks for the pictures nice project.

[cigdaze]

Wow. That's just awesome. She look incredible sitting in the water.
:cool:

[jayboat]

Yeah, babee!!! Awesome!

[KiloKat]

Boat looks awesome! Best of luck - Be safe!

[KnotRight]

Man you guys know how to rock! There is some serious engineering there!
55,s are installed intakes facing each other awsome.
Those are some wild looking reduction gears. pneumatic shift?
Did you install brakes on the inbound engines also?


Thank you for the pictures and be safe!:sifone:

[Sean Stinson]

Wow. Whats with the hole in the deck, I hadnt seen that in the other pics.
Thanks for shareing, Im looking forward to following this thread.

I am pretty sure that it is a canard of some sort....at those speeds you need all the down force you can get in certain situations.....beautiful piece best of luck to you....

[ItsPeanut]

Best of luck. Is their a location announced yet.

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Best of luck. Is their a location announced yet.

I believe the target date is the Sarasota Event.

Great work CP !

Best of luck and be safe.

[Coolerman]

The boat looks, best of luck to everyone.

Also, that trailer looks pretty cool. Who built it?

[Slandrew]

Super looking boat are they going to pass speed record of 203 MPH?

[phragle]

Super looking boat are they going to pass speed record of 203 MPH?

That shouldn' be a problem as there are pleasure boats knocking on that door. The real question is just how high do they want to raise the bar....

[MarylandMark]

Super looking boat are they going to pass speed record of 203 MPH?

205.494 mph, set in 2000 by Russ Wicks in an unlimited hydroplane

[Bertram38]

Just Perfection!

[YoungPerformance]

205.494 mph, set in 2000 by Russ Wicks in an unlimited hydroplane

I thought Villwock ran like 220 in the Budwieser?

[Sean H]

I thought Villwock ran like 220 in the Budwieser?

220.493 mph, March 13, 2004 Oroville, California

[Wrinkleface]

Wowzer, Super Cool!!!:cheers2:

[dykstra]

Project looks awesome! Best of luck.

[Coolerman]

205.494 mph, set in 2000 by Russ Wicks in an unlimited hydroplane

Oh, but he's got bigger plans for the wwsr!! :smash: :ack2:

[MarylandMark]

Sorry for the wrong info:

http://www.performanceboats.com/html/forums/showthread.php?p=913320

Al Copeland, Jr. was clearly enthused about the project and its ramifications. "It is sleek, it's sexy, and hopefully, it's fast!" he exclaimed, attributing the work to "adrenaline junkies" and his father's last two wishes—to beat the world propeller speed boat record (currently 205.494 mph, set in 2000 by Russ Wicks in an unlimited hydroplane), and to find a cure for cancer.

[ILMORdude]

Man i wanna see this boat run!

[satisfied]

Thats one big ol girl I would like to ride.

[OneBadInjun]

Thats one big ol girl I would like to ride.

me too...:USA:

[Donskihp]

Perfect opportunity for "My Way" (Mystic) to set world propeller driven speed record. He certainly has the boat to do it with. However I am a little confused of the standing record? Different web sites say different things. Miss Budweiser museum doesn't say anything about Russ Wicks record.

[Ratickle]

Here's the official APBA records for the unlimited. I like Steve's average for a 12.5 mile race.


Unlimited



Kilo Straightaway World 220.505 3/13/2004 Oroville, CA Miss Budweiser Dave Villwock Hydroplanes Inc. Bud Lycoming

1 Mile Straightaway World 200.419 4/17/1962 Guntersville, AL Miss US I Roy Duby U.S. Equipment Co. Staudacher Merlin

Final Heat 12.5 Mile Closed Course World 154.025 10/24/1993 Honolulu, HI Miss T-Plus Steve David Jim Harvey Harvey Motorsports Lycoming

[Ratickle]

This is the Wicks they are talking about

World Propeller Mile

1 Mile Straightaway World 205.494 6/15/2000 Seattle, WA Miss Freel Russ Wicks Russ Wicks Leland/Campbell Lycoming

[Ratickle]

So the one is for a legal unlimited, the other is a propeller driven craft, (even though it happened to be an unlimited)

[Ratickle]

And the difference between Kilo records and Mile records.....

[2TR]

And the difference between Kilo records and Mile records.....

metric system? :03:

[Bobcat]

I think the "Kilo" was more of a night racing adventure:leaving:

[phragle]

its a night slalom course, the bouys are rectangular and dark colored.