As reported yesterday on speedothewater.com, the crew at AMF Offshore Rigging in Riviera Beach, Fla., worked with the team from Orlando-based Offshore Rigging Services to complete the rigging on the new 39-foot Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats SV Racing catamaran in advance of today’s first test session. The boat will debut next week during the Race World Offshore contests in Key West, Fla.

A 39-foot Outerlimits-built catamaran, SV Racing impressed everyone involved in its first test session in Orlando today (click image to enlarge).

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Throttleman Vinnie Diorio and driver Simon Prevost—both longtime Outerlimits customers but newcomers to the Supercat ranks—shared the cockpit of the boat for the first time today. Offshore Racing Services principal Steve Curtis and consultant/veteran offshore racer Chris Hanley, who will throttle the Supercat-class Broadco MTI in Key West, put the 39-footer for a preliminary test run before handing it off to Diorio and Prevost.

“The boat ran awesome,” said Diorio. “Steve said it is the best boat he’s ever seen right out of the gate—he was blown away. I can’t believe how well it runs.”

Diorio and Prevost piloted the cat for a couple of hours and reached speeds of more than 130 mph. The boat will be hauled to Key West this weekend in advance of the three-race—Wednesday, Friday and Sunday—Race World Offshore event. They plan on running it extensively on Monday and Tuesday.

“I can’t believe how great it turns,” said Diorio, a self-described longtime “V-bottom guy” who currently owns an Outerlimits SV 43 sportboat. “The way it runs is nuts. Steve thinks we’re going to be competitive right out of the gate.”

Diorio paused to laugh. “I’m mad that I waited this long to get in a cat. I’m blown away at how much easier it is to drive than a V-bottom.”

Checkout the slideshow above for more images from SV Racing’s first sea trial.

As Supercat-class rookies, Diorio and Prevost could be required to start on the outside of the field in each race. After talking with fellow members of the class, Diorio said he doesn’t believe they will require him and Prevost to do so (but added that they are willing to do what is required).

“I talked to Billy Mauff (the owner and driver of WHM Motorsports) and I think everyone is good with us just drawing for starting order, but we’re good either way,” he said. “We can’t wait to get there.”

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