How many engines does a boat need?

[Steve]

When I saw this picture, my first thought was, how many engines does a boat need! OH WOW!

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Must belong to Tim from Tool Time....

[Steve]

Is there any point to this many engines or is this more for show?

My guess is the boat is a small tug. *Wouldn't be surprised if its used in shallower waters for small to medium sized ships. *May also be used to move barges under the same conditions.

If you look at the inflatable sections ringing the boat, they are reinforced with an extra thick covering to prevent damage while pushing.

[Steve]

Very interesting stuff! I learn something new everyday!

From slow and pushing to fast and scary...these boats will pull over 8 g's in the turns. *They are real popular down under and starting to catch on in North America. *Be sure you have the volume turned up if you like the sound of racing engines...
http://video.google.com/videopl....index=9

[Steve]

OMG! HAHAHA Doesnt that look like the video has been sped up! That is just sick! WOW!

[FourSeasons]

Wow those things take the corners good in the water like that!
It does seem like the video was sped up a little.

Take a 14ft jet boat, add over 500 cubic inches of big block V-8 putting out 800 or more HP, and thats what you get. The boats with smaller engines are almost as fast, like maybe a few seconds slower around the course.

I first saw them on ESPN one day and was amazed at the performance. There are other videos out there, try Google search, and they are all actual speeds. One in particular is focused on the tachometer and it only varies a few hundred RPM the entire course, like 6500 to 7000 RPM. A jet boat has to stay on the power in order to steer.

[Steve]

You know what else is funny about this. The course is not an open body of water! I would think it would be a lot safer to race on a lake with buoys or something like that.

I guess this way just ratchets up the complexity and danger!