Powerboats - Using Video to Understand Their Power

Powerboat racing is becoming more and more popular as a spectator sport as people are drawn in to the rush of speed. The problem however is that many people who witness powerboats in person often claim they really are not moving so quickly and that race cars move much quicker both in terms of top speed and acceleration. If one watches on video however, they can see that powerboats use a great amount more force than a race car ever would. Viewers also need to keep in mind that water is different from concrete or dirt.

When watching a powerboat race live and in person for the first time, people notice the large waves which follow behind a large turn and think that this is just some sort of special effect to make the boats look cooler than they already are. The reality is that at high speeds these waves and splashes of water occur because the boat, while it is on top of the water, must still at the same time break through the water. To do this, the engine uses extra force while turning so it can maintain speed. Observing this on video can show all the force being used whereas in real time the waves or large splashes may be distracting and cause people to think they are just for show.

The environment also plays a very important role when it comes to powerboats. Water is constantly moving and very rarely stays stable. It is a much more difficult task for a powerboat than a car which needs to accelerate on a race track to move quicker and push through the water. In real time, this is visible in more windy and rough waters but a video helps clarify this in more calm waters such as a lake.

Whenever enjoying a powerboat race, keep in mind the situation, the environment, and the power being used to overcome the former, and you will be able to fully appreciate the sport.

Powerboats - Love of Sailboats Or Not!

I have spent years on Powerboats & Sailboats and noticed some powerboat & sailboat differences that most overlook. Before knowing anything about sailboats, I lived on used powerboats for years when I was young (instead of an apartment). Cruising around, I'd happen to throw my wake onto sailboats (um, by mistake of course... they always seemed to be in the way not going anywhere).

I would think the sailboat was stuck on a sandbar and needed a wake to float them free! I think back now, why the crew on the sailboat would stop what they were doing and stare at the wake I sent them as a good gesture. As the wake kept coming at them, I noticed they started running about the deck and cabin feverishly... like a fast forward movie! Did I happen to mention my boat was 40' and the back side of a wake looks nothing like the front side that's coming at you! Just ask some of those small jet boats (pwc, personal watercraft) that look for the biggest wakes to fly into where the air gets thin. That's what was coming at these sailboats. I have to tell you, I must have gotten many a sailboat off a sand bar that way. I think they were waving at me as I passed them by.

Now that I have been active with sailboats - racing, cruising, and long distance (Bermuda and such), I've noticed things haven't changed too much. Those power boaters are still helping us off those darn sandbars! Every now and again I see this wall of water coming my way, and let me tell you, it IS scary looking at it from the front side as it curls and grows larger the closer it gets! Once I think I saw a couple of bluefish going after some bait fish in the curl of that wake... that power boater was the winner! But I couldn't even see the boat that sent it my way to tell him he won! I would've climbed up the mast to see, but was concerned I'd get whipped into the next state as the sailboat would rock wildly the the wave! Like being on a catapult if I'd go up there! And yes, the running around on deck is to get things secure so they don't go overboard... like everything. In the cabin we don't want to eat off our settee's, literally, as the plates fly about with our lunches and land all over the settees. So I don't know if I can speak for all sail boaters, but if they need to get off a sandbar, they can definitely contact you by VHF channel 16 if you're monitoring. Still thanks for all the help...

That's why you always see sailboats neat and nice... everything in its place. The Powerboats have shown us what can come loose if a bad storm hits with all those bad waves. Powerboats send bad storm scenarios in one real big wave to shake things up. I would arrive at my boat in the morning, make everything shipshape and head out. When a powerboat would come by thinking I was aground and sending that tidal wave, I would let things fall where they may to find out what I didn't secure properly. If everything stays put, I'm ready to head Offshore!

Think your good stowing stuff securely? Well then head to where the powerboats play and if you don't end up calling your insurance company about all the gear loss... then you're good to go!