Is the Shootout Happening?

[lbhsbz]

Asking as a poor.

I know there’s kind of a speed these things have to go to even pack enough air to blow over.. what’s that speed for something like the popular DCB’s right now..?

Or is it just a matter of angles.. as far as the bow coming up high enough from a wake, etc..?

It depends.

I've almost blown over my little MOD VP (air entrapment hull) at 80mph (all I could see was sky). I've also had it to 87-88 stable as can be sitting just about level. Conditions make all the difference, and then we trim for conditions...some props give more bow lift than others.

I'm not a pro-driver by any means but when I'm trying to make my little boat go as fast as it'll go, I'm playing nintendo on the trim / jack plate buttons trying to find the sweet spot every time I come around a turn in the river and water changes a bit.

I don't think there is a particular set speed where shit will go sideways....just a speed where things are very likely to go sideways with one more tap on the trim button or an extra ripple in the water that you didn't see.

 

[ChrisV]

Asking as a poor.

I know there’s kind of a speed these things have to go to even pack enough air to blow over.. what’s that speed for something like the popular DCB’s right now..?

Or is it just a matter of angles.. as far as the bow coming up high enough from a wake, etc..?

Random dude I follow. Pretty wild

 

[Don65]

Some information on the motors

Lake Havasu Boating Community on Instagram: "@freedomone_racing We have had a ton of questions on our engine setup, well here y’all go this is what we are rocking with! A few changes to come in the future that we are excited about so you will have to

114 likes, 2 comments - lake_havasu_boating_community on April 27, 2025: "@freedomone_racing We have had a ton of questions on our engine setup, well here y’all go this is what we are rocking with! A few changes to come in the future that we are excited about so you will have to stay tuned to...

www.instagram.com

 

[FlyByWire]

Random dude I follow. Pretty wild
View attachment 1501093

Sheesh.

I can “feel” the air under the fun deck when the water gets rough and I’m running it hard and it’ll kind of float the nose, but I know it’s too fat and heavy and slow that it’s not going to blow over backwards.. more concerned about stuffing the bow obviously.

It just seems so effortless once these big boys hit these massive speeds in the blow over videos and up they go.

Another uneducated question.. is that the purpose of the center sponson on some of these.. to limit the amount of air?

 

[wzuber]

Seems as it gets flighty he actually gives more throttle.

The few times I watched the cockpit video it appeared he was rolling into the throttles through the whole pass as opposed to just slamming the sticks to full throttle. I don't think he realized the point of no return (your experience comment applies here) until basically lift off which would be too late and he pulled back to attempt to save engines which would be too late anyway. They're freewheeling at that point then ingesting a bunch of cold water as they spool down quenching the heads etc.

 

[Smupser]

What’s crazy and a testament to just how fast they were going, if you closely watch the video And see just after it catches air, the bow whips around and “fans” the water causing a spray

 

[Taboma]

If I'm recalling correctly, the still images of the Freedom One Stern and rudder showed one or two chutes, neither of which were deployed.
Without listing the numerous reasons why they weren't or couldn't be, but would this not be considered a circumstance that would warrant deployment ?

 

[Racer56]

In my 20yrs being part of and working the shootout, I have never seen a boat accelerate like that, at the 150mph 1st to 2nd shift that thing launched like a Top Fuel dragster and had already broken the record before the blow over it was well on it's way to shattering it by 25+ mph, I hope every employee at Skater Powerboats realizes how important each one of their jobs really are, because it's not just another boat "it's someones life" and you all saved two very brave men's lives that day

I don't know what record you are referring to, but this boat was built and the teams goal is to break Spirit of Qatar's record of 244 mph.

 

[Orange Juice]

Was this Desert Storm FreeStyle competition?

I’m giving them A blue ribbon.

 

[ChrisV]

If I'm recalling correctly, the still images of the Freedom One Stern and rudder showed one or two chutes, neither of which were deployed.
Without listing the numerous reasons why they weren't or couldn't be, but would this not be considered a circumstance that would warrant deployment ?

We were talking about this in a group chat with friends. Have an angle sensor deploy the chute on a co2 system. Might of helped. Who knows.

 

[lbhsbz]

Random dude I follow. Pretty wild
View attachment 1501093

You're not following him too close

 

[lbhsbz]

Sheesh.

I can “feel” the air under the fun deck when the water gets rough and I’m running it hard and it’ll kind of float the nose, but I know it’s too fat and heavy and slow that it’s not going to blow over backwards.. more concerned about stuffing the bow obviously.

It just seems so effortless once these big boys hit these massive speeds in the blow over videos and up they go.

Another uneducated question.. is that the purpose of the center sponson on some of these.. to limit the amount of air?

Referring back to the little boats....so it has something to land on first and doesn't dip a sponson first and hook real hard on shut down.

Look at posts on the California Performance Tunnel.....everyone I know (2 people) that have owned one with reasonably big power have gotten wet a few times on shutdown. The only reason the center exists on those is for somewhere for the pump intake to get water from. They're fast, until they're not.

 

[eand28]

Would a wing in between the sponsons on the front helped at all? I’ve seen them on some of the drag boats to help keep the nose down. Part of me thinks that it doesn’t really matter once your at those speeds

 

[Bajastu]

What ls the value of a boat like that? Are we talking above 1M due to the powertrain and fiber construction?

 

[Outdrive1]

What ls the value of a boat like that? Are we talking above 1M due to the powertrain and fiber construction?

The trailer is probably 2/3 hundred K. I’d guess 1.5????

 

[DWC]

We were talking about this in a group chat with friends. Have an angle sensor deploy the chute on a co2 system. Might of helped. Who knows.

Moisture meter in the crotch was my idea. Not sure what would happen first but I’m pissing at some point. Your idea seems more practical though.

 

[Deckin Around]

Yes, it is. Very surprised the promoter allows a fast capsule boat to run without personal safety gear. No capsule suits, and no head and neck restraints, or Hans devices. I bet proper capsule suits would have saved

There are definitely some pros and cons before the live/die factor that they consider. The only reason for a race suit would be for the fire protection. Without a cool vest, it would be so f’n hot in one and moving upside down and possibly in the water with Hans straps would be freaky.

 

[lbhsbz]

There are definitely some pros and cons before the live/die factor that they consider. The only reason for a race suit would be for the fire protection. Without a cool vest, it would be so f’n hot in one and moving upside down and possibly in the water with Hans straps would be freaky.

If they stuffed it at 200mph a HANS might save their lives....I'd probably just chain my fucking helmet to the bulkhead behind me though if I ever found myself in a 200mph boat, which I never will.

 

[bonesfab]

Néed to pull the front sponson covers and put a seat in each side. A 250 lb fat guy in each sponson would have probably helped keep the nose down. And they could have sold the ride to help pay for the fuel.

 

[caribbean20]

The event is reported on Fox News, web version. Douglas Marine Skater. They build a stout boat.

 

[LHC30]

I’m glad these guys walked away with minimal injuries.

Race promoters need to enforce this and car/boat owners should embrace it.

I agree with all you posted And with this event it should be considered -at a certain level or class.
keep in mind this shootout was designed for the recreational (weekend?) boater, and several of the boating ballers, to see what their boat is capable of in short distance. There are and have been several true record level entries over the years and it is those entries that need race specific safety gear. IMHO

 

[oldman]

The event is reported on Fox News, web version. Douglas Marine Skater. They build a stout boat.
View attachment 1501111

KTLA 5 reported on it this morning also. Showing the flip.

 

[Guest06]

We were talking about this in a group chat with friends. Have an angle sensor deploy the chute on a co2 system. Might of helped. Who knows.

I doubt the chutes are set up for the boat on the water. I see them more as a novelty on the trailer in reference to the Noonan promod power!

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

I doubt the chutes are set up for the boat on the water. I see them more as a novelty on the trailer in reference to the Noonan promod power!

They are probably lever actuated only. No potentiometers. And shit happened so fast they probably didn't even think about pulling the chutes. Just a thought.

They will probably put some thought into potentiometers in the bow that activate the chutes at a certain angle. I know I would be. Live and learn!

 

[Riverbottom]

There are definitely some pros and cons before the live/die factor that they consider. The only reason for a race suit would be for the fire protection. Without a cool vest, it would be so f’n hot in one and moving upside down and possibly in the water with Hans straps would be freaky.

I did not mean a driving suit. I was referring to a Lifeline Capsule Suit which the capsule race boat drivers are required to wear. The majority of the race boat drivers wearing harnesses use some type of Hans device. I have always worn one when strapped in a capsule boat.

 

[River Dirt 2]

I doubt the chutes are set up for the boat on the water. I see them more as a novelty on the trailer in reference to the Noonan promod power!

Dirty Duck also has a chute, not sure if it’s active or not.

Performance Boat Center on Instagram: "Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout 2024, Dirty Duck Racing with a 202 MPH Run! 💥 Driver: Myrick Coil Throttlemen: Rusty Williams Owner: Slug Hefner"

237 likes, 3 comments - performanceboatcenter on October 17, 2024: "Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout 2024, Dirty Duck Racing with a 202 MPH Run! 💥 Driver: Myrick Coil Throttlemen: Rusty Williams Owner: Slug Hefner".

www.instagram.com

 

[Outdrive1]

First off I never want to go that fast in a boat, I’ve been 170 in an M35 with no vests on, and never again. As far as HANS device, I would think you’d want that in a boat that fast?? Other than that I got nothing. I don’t know why anyone wants to win a shootout with nothing to gain but bragging rights. That’s crazy to me. Fun to watch though!

 

[JBZ]

I dont know if this is a vin
But on the in boat cam, as soon the the bottom of the boat caught air both of there heads snapped forward.
I wounder what the G force would be

 

[4Waters]

I dont know if this is a vin
But on the in boat cam, as soon the the bottom of the boat caught air both of there heads snapped forward.
I wounder what the G force would be

View attachment 1501127

And that is what the HANS is for

 

[Clank123]

Yes, it is. Very surprised the promoter allows a fast capsule boat to run without personal safety gear. No capsule suits, and no head and neck restraints, or Hans devices. I bet proper capsule suits would have saved a testicle.

I agree with you 100%!
That was my first thought when I saw the cockpit video.
For those very few of us on this website who have actually raced in any association in Motorsports it just incredible to me that this is allowed.
Saw the same type of video from an offshore race a few years ago where they barrel rolled a big capsule boat, crew dressed in shorts and T shirts, parts flying around the capsule watched as one of the guys legs were up in the air and he gashed it on something blood everywhere.
The bravado in this case is just amazing on this crews part!
200mph dressed like that and no real protection but belts and helmets!
Incredible!
I don’t wanna hear it’s to hot in the capsule for all of the 15 minutes they were in there!
Try wearing a 6 layer suit in a dragster at Fomoso in May or a fire suit in a Formula Ford or GT1 car at the old Riverside Raceway, heck even wearing a driving suit in a Drag or Circle boat is brutal when it’s hot.
I’ve done all that and never once thought otherwise just because there were rules and it made no sense to do anything else.
Most all these big boat weekend guys seem to have a real cowboy attitude toward safety.
The videos they post running 130mph in an outboard with nothing on but a ski vest or 70mph in the open ocean with their teenage kids standing up holding onto grab bars with no life jacket is their choice.
It just seems all the Big Boat guys have no sense of how dangerous this stuff is.
I can name well over 20 men I have known that have been killed in this sport and I have had my close calls as well, I have the “boatracers limp” to prove it.
I’ll never forget my last conversation with Greg Duff at Foxs one afternoon. All we talked about was safety in boat racing.
Sadly we know how that turned out.
Be a safe as possible out there guys!

 

[boatpi]

I would be thinking this:

 

[Deckin Around]

I did not mean a driving suit. I was referring to a Lifeline Capsule Suit which the capsule race boat drivers are required to wear. The majority of the race boat drivers wearing harnesses use some type of Hans device. I have always worn one when strapped in a capsule boat.

I had to look it up , So legs and arms are exposed is the requirement the rescue straps on the shoulders & floatation material ?... also wondering are the straps to pull you out of the water with a boat crane type rescue deal or just divers and 1st responders to clip to?
Thanks

 

[Smupser]

Néed to pull the front sponson covers and put a seat in each side. A 250 lb fat guy in each sponson would have probably helped keep the nose down. And they could have sold the ride to help pay for the fuel.

I would of more than qualified and happily paid

 

[Riverbottom]

I agree with you 100%!
That was my first thought when I saw the cockpit video.
For those very few of us on this website who have actually raced in any association in Motorsports it just incredible to me that this is allowed.
Saw the same type of video from an offshore race a few years ago where they barrel rolled a big capsule boat, crew dressed in shorts and T shirts, parts flying around the capsule watched as one of the guys legs were up in the air and he gashed it on something blood everywhere.
The bravado in this case is just amazing on this crews part!
200mph dressed like that and no real protection but belts and helmets!
Incredible!
I don’t wanna hear it’s to hot in the capsule for all of the 15 minutes they were in there!
Try wearing a 6 layer suit in a dragster at Fomoso in May or a fire suit in a Formula Ford or GT1 car at the old Riverside Raceway, heck even wearing a driving suit in a Drag or Circle boat is brutal when it’s hot.
I’ve done all that and never once thought otherwise just because there were rules and it made no sense to do anything else.
Most all these big boat weekend guys seem to have a real cowboy attitude toward safety.
The videos they post running 130mph in an outboard with nothing on but a ski vest or 70mph in the open ocean with their teenage kids standing up holding onto grab bars with no life jacket is their choice.
It just seems all the Big Boat guys have no sense of how dangerous this stuff is.
I can name well over 20 men I have known that have been killed in this sport and I have had my close calls as well, I have the “boatracers limp” to prove it.
I’ll never forget my last conversation with Greg Duff at Foxs one afternoon. All we talked about was safety in boat racing.
Sadly we know how that turned out.
Be a safe as possible out there guys!

Something else to think about. Do these guys take lessons and get capsule certified? I know we had to get dropped in the water in the Bernie Little Miss Budweiser training device every two years for A.P.B.A. races. They are fortunate it landed right side up. It gets very dark and disorientating when you are upside down.

 

[Clank123]

Something else to think about. Do these guys take lessons and get capsule certified? I know we had to get dropped in the water in the Bernie Little Miss Budweiser training device every two years for A.P.B.A. races. They are fortunate it landed right side up. It gets very dark and disorientating when you are upside down.

I’m guessing no.

 

[Riverbottom]

I had to look it up , So legs and arms are exposed is the requirement the rescue straps on the shoulders & floatation material ?... also wondering are the straps to pull you out of the water with a boat crane type rescue deal or just divers and 1st responders to clip to?
Thanks

Just so the first responders can pull you out of the water. If someone is injured or unconscious it can be difficult to get them out of the water.

 

[ToMorrow44]

I don't know what record you are referring to, but this boat was built and the teams goal is to break Spirit of Qatar's record of 244 mph.

As much as I love Skaters (388 is a dream boat), they need to be running a Mystic. It was designed to run 200+ and have many times.

 

[pkrrvr619]

Another cockp.... flight deck view

https://m.facebook.com/reel/3970242429885219/?referral_source=external_deeplink&mibextid=9drbnH

Your welcome. 1.5 million views and counting

 

[4Waters]

Your welcome. 1.5 million views and counting

Did you make that?

 

[attitude]

As much as I love Skaters (388 is a dream boat), they need to be running a Mystic. It was designed to run 200+ and have many times.

I wonder what the weight difference is between those two hulls.

 

[pkrrvr619]

Did you make that?

Sure did.

 

[DWC]

Those tabs seem pretty small considering the size of the boat.

 

[Bajastu]

 

[mjc]

Unbelievable that they survived, thank God for that.

Anyone know the specs on this boat? Size?? Power?? Drive??

I know the engines are Noonan billet hemi's running alcohol. Solid blocks so they tow it to the line and run with very little warm up shut down and get towed back in. And that is a long run for no engine cooling.

 

[wzuber]

I know the engines are Noonan billet hemi's running alcohol. Solid blocks so they tow it to the line and run with very little warm up shut down and get towed back in. And that is a long run for no engine cooling.

I'm curios to know how well the block/heads handled the instant quench of being dunked? I guess if the heads are solid too then a much greater chance for survival?
Not to mention fully repairable.

 

[BamBam]

Why has no one brought up the wind? People are second guessing the drivers and what they did, like why wasn’t he off the throttle, why didn’t they pull the chutes, why this and why that. It was Windy on Saturday I was surprised that any of the really fast boats ran. At one point I was surprised any of the boats were running. That boat was trimmed out and on a run. The little extra gust of wind under that boat pushed it over. I watched it live and thought I was going to watch people die in front of me. If you think I’m full of it, watch the video from the back again and pay attention to how far left the boat goes while it’s in the air. Inertia would carry it straight at 200mph not 100-200 feet to the left. I was so happy to watch the hatch open and know they were conscious and alive. The sound it made when it hit was incredible.

 

[Bajastu]

At the same time you need to ask why the promoter didn’t pull the plug on this portion of the event with the threat of wind.

Greed and big egos……

I’ll catch hate on this but it’s the truth.

 

[svlperry]

Who won the shootout? I can’t find any results.

They won it

 

[gqchris]

Sheesh.

I can “feel” the air under the fun deck when the water gets rough and I’m running it hard and it’ll kind of float the nose, but I know it’s too fat and heavy and slow that it’s not going to blow over backwards.. more concerned about stuffing the bow obviously.

It just seems so effortless once these big boys hit these massive speeds in the blow over videos and up they go.

Another uneducated question.. is that the purpose of the center sponson on some of these.. to limit the amount of air?

I always considered the center sponsons a training wheel of sorts. i could be wrong though.

I had an ass pucker moment in my Warlock Cat running about 70ish going downriver past sandbar. I got behind a Daytona a little closer than I would have liked and I lost my air. The sponsons started hunting and my ass end was doing a weird oscillating tail shake thing. Woke me the F up. GF at the time is like, whats that? Im like nothing babe, and I pulled over to clean out my trunks

 

[wzuber]

At the same time you need to ask why the promoter didn’t pull the plug on this portion of the event with the threat of wind.

Greed and big egos……

I’ll catch hate on this but it’s the truth.

Or....wanting to keep their word to the tens of 1000's of people that planned on and participated in this whole event from sponsors to spectators.
Let's not forget freedom of choice here fellas......they could have chosen not to run.
They had many choices available to them that could have resulted in a different outcome. They chose what they chose and were lucky to receive a very good education from a very risky situation..
Besides...... look at all the attention they're getting as a result. Their next run will have many more interested spectators following along to see them attain their goals.
What's that saying????
"Bad decisions make for great stories"....lol
There's some truth to that..
This story is a good example of that. Haha
Taking a risk is always more interesting and exciting then playing it safe..
I look forward to see how they recover and move forward from this.
Increadible run they made before the lift off.