Speed on the Water
Written by Matt Trulio Wednesday, 09 November 2011 00:00
Now owned by Chuck Sprague, the original 28-foot Mannerfelt “bat boat” was introduced in the United States in 1994. (All photos courtesy/copyright Tim Sharkey.)
In the showy world of high-performance powerboats, getting noticed—regardless of how amazing your ride might be—isn’t easy. After all, the go-fast boat world places a premium on looks, attitude, and swagger. More often than not, the boats involved are a reflection of their owners. Let’s be honest, you don’t buy—to use an example—a four-seat, 40-foot catamaran that tops 150 mph and is painted with every color under the sun in order to fade into the crowd.
That could be part of the reason Volvo Penta elected to showcase its high-performance DPX drive on a Mannerfelt stepped V-bottom, dubbed the “bat boat” by the media for its aerodynamic wings. Named for its Swedish designer Ocke Mannerfelt, the unique 28-footer was the prototype for the twin-propeller, counter-rotating DPX unit that was introduced in 1994—and it was hard to miss.
But the visually striking boat was more than that. The narrow-nosed, winged creation truly ran like a bat out of hell. It was fast enough to earn a five-year ban from American Power Boat Association offshore racing (the politics of that sport are another long and, frankly, tired story for another time) and innovative enough to make the cover of every major high-performance boating magazine.
Three years later, the original Mannerfelt 28-footer that provided such a fine showcase for the DPX drive was shelved. And while a 24-foot version of the boat was being manufactured for a rental racing program by Reindl, the original was essentially gathering dust in a Volvo Penta warehouse.
Cigarette Racing Team
The most iconic brand of high-performance boat in history continues to move forward under the stewardship of company owner and chief executive officer Skip Braver. Visit the website or call 305-931-4564.
Doller Offshore Marine
Although Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Doller Offshore Marine is an Active Thunder and Sunsation Performance Boats dealer, the company has built its outstanding reputation on supplying parts and service, both in the shop and on the docks. Visit the website or call 800-376-1616.
Hering Propellers
With Ben Robertson III and Jeff Johnston on board, the team at Hering remains a leader in high-performance propeller design and manufacturing. Visit the website or call 360-659-4315
Ilmor Marine
In addition to its line of well-received and respected V-10 high-performance engines from 570 to 725 hp and its own Indy drive, Ilmor offers a lesser-known line of recreational of V-8 powerplants from 320 to 430 hp. Visit the website or call 734-456-3600.
J.D. Byrider
The nation’s leading used car and finance company franchise, J.D. Byrider supports offshore racing with a boat of its own and also remains heavily involved in automobile racing. Visit the website or call 317-249-3000.
Mystic Powerboats
With offerings from 36 to 80 feet long, John Cosker’s Mystic Powerboats continues to build exotic, custom high-performance turbine-powered racing catamarans as well as high performance yachts. Visit the website or call 386-736-2247.
Peters & May
With offices around the world, England-based Peters & May is the world leader in powerboat transportation—and the company sponsors 15 powerboat racing teams, including its own Unlimited hydroplane. Visit the website or call 44 (0)2380 480 480.
Potter Performance Engines
After establishing Nor-Tech’s successful engine program, high-performance marine engine builder Ron Potter struck out on his own a little more than five years ago and quickly built a strong reputation. Visit the website or call 941-758-5942.
Shogren Performance Marine
With a well-establshed reputation for customer service and integrity, Shogren is one the nation's top
dealers of new, pre-owned and brokerage high-performance boats. Vist the website or call 847-336-9037.
Sonic Powerboats
The Sonic line of semi-custom sport boats and center consoles presents exceptional values—as does the parent company's series of Spectre cats. And for buyers who want more, there's the three-model custom Frisini line. Visit the website or call 772-429-8888
Sunsation Products, Inc.
With a fiercely loyal following thanks to consistent quality and outstanding customer service, Sunsation offers of line of semi-custom V-bottoms from 28 to 43 feet. Visit the website or call 810-794-4888.
Written by Matt Trulio Friday, 13 May 2011 09:21
Regardless of whether or not Cigarette is your favorite brand of high-performance boat, you can’t deny the success the Opa-Locka, Fla., company has had with its advertising campaigns. Cigarette didn’t invent the concept of using sex to sell products, but the company has done a bang-up job of it over the years.
In the process, the boat builder has, at one time or another, raised the ire of just about everyone from local church groups to the former publisher of Powerboat magazine—Cigarette is one of the few companies to actually have an ad rejected by Powerboat. (That’s a little-known fact that my friend Skip Braver, the owner of Cigarette, still gives me a hard time about despite my lack of decision-making involvement in anything to do with the magazine’s advertising content.)
In response to customer demand, according to a press release from the company, Cigarette Racing Team has launched its “Print Gallery,” which consists of poster-quality image prints from its advertising archives. Ad print sizes range from 8” x 10” to 20” x 30.” Prices range from $36 to $87 with the size of the print.The company also offers "logo standouts" from $65 to $185. In addition, Cigarette is offering matting and framing options.
Written by Matt Trulio Monday, 10 October 2011 06:46
This 10 Meter Executioner was Fountain's first "beak" boat.
High-performance powerboats from 1981—at least those in anything close to resembling good condition—are in short supply. True, fiberglass and resin form durable a finished product, but not so durable that they can withstand the elements and neglect for almost 31 years.
That’s just one aspect of what makes Fountain Hull No. 1, dubbed the 10 Meter Executioner by Reggie Fountain, the founder and former owner of Fountain Powerboats in Washington, N.C., so remarkable. Owned by Scott Shogren of Shogren Performance Marine, the most successful Fountain dealer in history, the 33-footer remains in pristine condition.
“We built that boat for Henry Lorin of New York,” recalls Fountain. “It had a pair of Mercury 475-hp turbocharged engines we had done a lot of research and design with at Lake X.
“Henry was the man who took my company public in 1987,” he adds.
Read more: Birth of the Beak: Fountain Hull No. 1 Lives at Shogren Performance Marine
Written by Matt Trulio Friday, 13 January 2012 13:23
Bob Teague
After days of missed calls and endless phone tag, I’m thrilled to announce that Bob Teague has agreed to join speedonthewater.com as a contributor. The principal of Teague Custom Marine, a well-known high-performance engine, rigging and parts outfit in Valencia, Calif., Teague was Powerboat magazine’s technical editor and lead test driver for decades before the magazine was discontinued—for the second time—in December 2011.
Teague’s first article for the site will cover the challenges high-performance marine engine builders will face in 2013, the first year of mandatory nationwide compliance with the strictest emission standards in history. No custom engine builder is in a better position to address this topic than Teague.
Like fellow contributor Jason Johnson, Teague is a former co-worker of mine from Powerboat magazine—I worked closely with him testing more than 700 boats in my 16 years with the magazine. Like fellow contributor Rich Luhrs, Teague is among the most knowledgable and—at times—controversial figures in the industry, and he will be an “at-will” contributor, which means he will write when the spirit moves him. Like Johnson and Luhrs, Teague is a respected and cherished friend.
Also contributing to speedonthewater.com is former Powerboat magazine blogger Tank Sears—yet another friend. His first news story for the site, “Desert Storm Preview: Bigger, Badder—And Longer,” appeared earlier this week. In April, Sears will provide real-time coverage from the Desert Storm.
So with the exception of Luhrs, everyone currently contributing to speedonthewater.com is a Powerboat alumnus. And I couldn’t be happier about that. Working with people you respect on a professional level and enjoy on a personal level is a rare and wonderful thing.
That said, we are not and will not become a digital version of the magazine that was a big part of all our lives. Sure, our experiences at Powerboat inform what we do now to some degree. But as a daily news and features content site, speedonthewater.com is a completely different animal. We have an opportunity to create something unique and we’ve already begun.
Putting the band back together? Absolutely. But the music will be different. It already is.
I started this site two years ago from scratch and it’s grown steadily. But I have to admit, it’s nice to have help. Especially from a few really talented friends.
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