The Guy Behind the Wheel

We show up the day of the race, excited about watching some of the fastest boats in the world compete for bragging rights and some cash. We get a cold drink and meander through the throngs of people at The Horny Toad or Shady Gators. Or, we anchor our boats as close to the race circuit as race organizers will allow and settle in for an afternoon of excitement.

On the docks, drivers and throttlemen pace the walkways and wonder if their boat setup is right for the water conditions. Is the communication system working well? Is there air in the emergency air tanks?

The thousands of spectators on hand for the race in this instance the Offshore Super Series National Championships have little understanding of what goes into preparing for a major boat race. Whether it’s the Cat Outboard Class or the Turbine Extreme Class, the preparation is basically the same. Offshore racing in salt water requires a slightly different routine than in fresh water.

In the beginning The OSS and the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) are the major players in the world of powerboat racing. They typically race together.

The offshore and inland boating racing season typically starts in March with the “Smoke the Music” race in Biloxi, Miss., and wraps up in November in Key West, Fla. Many of us assume the boat owners, race teams and support staff kick back for several months until the March race in Biloxi.

Not so. There’s work to be done.

Oh, there may be a side trip for a little R&R, but planning for the next season has begun. It’s a time to re-evaluate the highs and lows of the previous season and to start putting the pieces to the complicated race puzzle back together.

Among the first orders of business is to determine if the motor, or motors, and drive trains need to be rebuilt. If so, they will be shipped to Mercury Marine (or other motor manufacturer) for testing and to be rebuilt. Gaskets, hoses, clamps, etc., need to be checked and replaced, especially if the boat was last used in saltwater. Wiring, wiring harnesses, bearings, blowers, bilge pumps, etc., are checked and re-checked.

Some owners or drivers opt to do additional testing at the Mercury Marine test site in Florida.

Off to the water Before the boat is set in the water, there is a constant effort to tighten screws and bolts, to check clamps and cleats and to make sure everything imaginable is safe and secure. Emergency air tanks are filled and regulators checked. The scuba tanks are necessary if a boat rolls over and the crew suddenly finds itself in a cockpit full of water. Some drivers wear a breathing mask when they race; others have a regulator within reach. The command center communications system is tested and repaired if needed.

Weather and water conditions also play a significant role in setting up the boat for a race. As race day approaches, usually a couple of weeks out, most drivers begin to watch the weather. How quickly a boat accelerates is a key factor in winning, and rough water requires a different drive height (how far the lower units sit in the water) than calm seas. Drivers want as little of the prop in the water as possible to gain maximum RPMs.

Few people outside the boat-racing circle are aware that moving the oversized racing boats from state to state poses challenges. Special wide load permits must be secured from each state that the boat is hauled through if the boat is more than 8 ½ feet wide. Most race boats are 10-12 feet wide, and some are actually tilted on the trailer to meet Department of Transportation rules.

Most states prohibit wide loads from traveling at night so drivers and owners must anticipate additional travel time when moving a boat that exceeds the acceptable width.

Rolling into town When the boat and crew arrive, usually on a Thursday or early Friday for a Sunday race, the dry pits are located. That’s where the boat will remain when it’s not in the water. It serves as a staging area for the crew where various displays are often set up to showcase the boat, awards, T-shirts and other memorabilia. It’s also where much of the maintenance takes place, and where the boats are washed to remove road grime from the trip.

Once at the race site, race officials conduct technical and safety inspections. There are stringent regulations competitors must follow to be eligible to race. Boats are checked for life jackets, helmets, scuba tanks or air bottles, etc. Officials also will seal certain parts of the engine and the computer (also called the ‘brain box’) to prevent unauthorized changes to the motors.
The evening before the race, a driver’s meeting is held by race officials. That’s when a roll call of entrants is taken and drivers are updated on the racecourse, rule changes, schedule changes, water conditions and other incidentals. A test schedule is handed out so racers know when they can water test their boats the next day.
To cap off the evening, a driver’s party is held.

Race day Early the day of the water testing, drivers undergo a physical including a Breathalyzer test. Another driver’s meeting is held for last-minute updates.
The boat is then fueled, safety checks are made again (including the all-important air tanks) and calculations are made for weight and weight distribution. Lead bags are used to balance the boat based on weather conditions. Rough water conditions and a headwind require weight to be moved forward so the nose of the boat is kept low to the water.
Once the boat is craned to the water, the boat is maneuvered to the wet pits. Then, water testing begins. Water conditions change constantly, and adjustments in the type and pitch of the propeller are made accordingly.

Fluid levels are checked, the communication system is tested and other mechanical and technical systems are checked and adjusted.

Tags: Offshore racing, OSS, Superboat

Category: People fashion Travel