V8 chopper motorcycle with drag slicks - photo

[mlochala]

That is nuts.

[hemmjo]

That is nuts.

Maybe, but it is what makes the world go around. I knew a guy back in the 60's who put a 392 Hemi with a 4-71 blower into a 18' flat bottom skiboat. I wish I had a photo of it. You could ski behind it with the engine just barely above idle. He eventually sold it so some guy who offered him way too much money to refuse.

A few years later he told us at a party that he, "want to really fast one more time before I die." Sorry I do not have more photos, but this was the result of that desire.



Normally the WHINE and ROAR of a helicopter jet turbine engine is over powered by the thumping sound of the rotor blades. That is not the case when it is in a boat and the propeller is in the water. It was quite an experience to have that big engine sucking air from between the two seats. The acceleration pushing you back into the seat. The wind in your face, the droplets of water spray hitting your body like little bullets making you glad you have a face shield on your helmet. The whine turning to a ROAR of the exhaust as it throttled up. The whine as you throttle back. Never got to ski behind it, to risky to have the tow rope strung out behind with the surface drive and surface piercing prop.

What is the craziest thing you have done?

[IntheGroove]

I met a guy about 25 years ago that was building a turbine powered boat near San Francisco. I never saw it run but I heard it was wild...