The Outboard Church

[lake p.a.l.]

Rev is running the Delta today in F14's 28 Skater Speed Racer. Probably hit Steamboat Landing for lunch.

 

[War Canoe]

Sittin' on the dock of the Bay.....watch in' the tide roll away...

Waiting to get picked up by "hells taxi driver" F-14 and Lake Pal...

I'm so pumped!! We are
Going to see some water today! Golden Gate Bridge or bust!!

 

[War Canoe]

We are rolling...

 

[War Canoe]

Hooking up with the 28' Doug Wright and headed west!!

 

[War Canoe]

 

[War Canoe]

What a day...

 

[War Canoe]

Hell yes...

 

[AZMIDLYF]

Looks like a great way to spend a day guys.

F14, what props are you running?

 

[F14]

32 humpback but she like 31 dewalds better

 

[AZMIDLYF]

Thought that. Dewalds for when you want to get things strolling?

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Speed Racer is a fantastic machine. Ran 102mph yesterday with 4 fat guys. Those DBR 250s are perfect. Rev, glad you made it down for that 111 mile rip. 5000rpm=83mph great day

 

[War Canoe]

Reflections on Sunday's ride along....

Weather was almost summer like in the afternoon...water was nice all day.
Food was great. The views from our stops were beautiful....
The "go-go" girls were a nice twist !!
The 28' Skater ran impeccable...I love that boat! The company was the best. Thanks guys!

 

[port austin pirate]

l

View attachment 607285 Reflections on Sunday's ride along....

Weather was almost summer like in the afternoon...water was nice all day.
Food was great. The views from our stops were beautiful....
The "go-go" girls were a nice twist !!
The 28' Skater ran impeccable...I love that boat! The company was the best. Thanks guys!

looks like a great fun run guys, But I gotta ask Lake Pal where was that skater skater skater guy hiddin out, this lookslike one hed have been all over

 

[stoker2001]

l

looks like a great fun run guys, But I gotta ask Lake Pal where was that skater skater skater guy hiddin out, this lookslike one hed have been all over

HELLA jelly,looks like the chit!was that you in rear starboard with skid-lid dressed like eskimo with shorts...?LOL

 

[War Canoe]

The DBR lays waste to the competition...

 

[F14]

l

looks like a great fun run guys, But I gotta ask Lake Pal where was that skater skater skater guy hiddin out, this lookslike one hed have been all over

We tried to get him out. Not sure why he couldnt make it but he missed a good one.

 

[F14]

HELLA jelly,looks like the chit!was that you in rear starboard with skid-lid dressed like eskimo with shorts...?LOL

That was Rick

 

[War Canoe]

I think this gal is sexually harassing us...

 

[War Canoe]

Monday Muffins...

 

[War Canoe]

Country bonfire...you have to stay 20' back !!!

 

[War Canoe]

Space X rocket over LA....

 

[HST4ME]

 

[War Canoe]

Merry Christmas to all of the Church!!

 

[UAV.Pilot]

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas yesterday, I worked on the Silverwing all day and had a blast!
Getting it back to her former glory by spring is my goal, we will see

 

[AZMIDLYF]

Any pics of the Silverwing?

 

[F14]

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas yesterday, I worked on the Silverwing all day and had a blast!
Getting it back to her former glory by spring is my goal, we will see

Hope you bring it up to the Delta next year.

 

[UAV.Pilot]

No pics I want to share just yet, but I will soon.
Brian love your skater man!!! Bad ass!
Miss you guys much!
Will be up there soon...
Take care

 

[F14]

HELLA jelly,looks like the chit!was that you in rear starboard with skid-lid dressed like eskimo with shorts...?LOL

Gotta get you out for a run Kev. Your always welcome.

 

[War Canoe]

Darcy,
Are you going inboard or outboard????

 

[War Canoe]

Powell today from Bully’s plane...marina is Dangling rope.

 

[Bullhead bully]

Powell prerun

Went up to Page today to check out the hanger we are in for the year.....What an awesome day.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

View attachment 610104 View attachment 610101 View attachment 610102 View attachment 610103 Powell prerun

Went up to Page today to check out the hanger we are in for the year.....What an awesome day.

Sounds like a horrible set-up you got there........





Asshole. Lol!

 

[War Canoe]

Oh he’s an asshole alright...lmfao!!!

 

[Blow It Up]

Hey Bully! Nice ride man.

 

[HST4ME]

 

[War Canoe]

Touring Point Reyes and Bodega Bay....

 

[War Canoe]

Went thru the Santa Rosa fire area...holy hell...

 

[UAV.Pilot]

For the Silverwing for now all I can get my hands on is a SSM#3A, and for the engine I haven’t pulled the trigger just yet, still learning a bit before I do, but bbc 632 800hp is sounding pretty good to me...

 

[HST4ME]

For the Silverwing for now all I can get my hands on is a SSM#3A, and for the engine I haven’t pulled the trigger just yet, still learning a bit before I do, but bbc 632 800hp is sounding pretty good to me...

I'll see if I can find you a five. Send me a e mail of the boat an/or if it was set up for a three. and I have a NIB blackhawk assembly too.

 

[UAV.Pilot]

Yes it’ was originally setup with a #5, and it puts the drive shaft about 1.5”above the sponsons which is close but maybe a bit high.
A #3 will be 5.5” lower so I can re drill the transom and raise the engine 1.5” max and that will put the #3 about 2.5”ish below the sponsons. It could work, and probably be good for what I want. Looking for a solid 120 with this thing, I know it went 140 with the previous owner.

If you can find a clean #5 I would be very interested for sure! That’s the correct setup I believe

 

[War Canoe]

I can hook you up with Jim Wilkes...he built your boat. Jim is a family friend.

 

[Bullhead bully]

Nordic is in its new home.
Florida keys.
He totally loves the boat !!!
Such a huge step up from the 28 Skater I sold him in 2013.
He sold that to a friend.

 

[HST4ME]

Such a huge step up from the 28 Skater I sold him in 2013.
He sold that to a friend.

. Oh no you dinnit!

Nice.. I'll be down there at the end of January fucking off for a couple weeks.

 

[HST4ME]

Bob Switzer passed, does it it get anymore bad ass than that?

"The Day I Flew a Boat" by: Robert Switzer

It all began with a phone call, (person to person) to me, Bob Switzer, from Carl Kiekhaefer, President of Mercury Marine. The date was July 17th, 1962. The meat of the call was a request for Switzer Craft to build a boat for twin Mercury 100 H.P. outboards that would exceed 100 M.P.H. on water.

The call was impressive. Imagine ... out of hundreds of boat builders, we were called to do this project. We immediately began designing our first effort based on the pattern of the Switzer Hydro Cat (commonly referred to as the "Switzer Wing"). In 1961, the Switzer (U4) wing was a major breakthrough in the twin engine Stock Outboard Pleasure Craft Class U. (Unlimited engines but required to be a minimum of 15 feet in length.) The first Switzer Wing was built in 9 days, just prior to the Winnebago Outboard pleasure craft event, where the Switzer Craft Wing finished first overall, and the next two classes were also won by other Switzer models. The U4 was the first Cat to exceed 80 M.P.H. with only a pair of 76 cu. in. 80 H.P. Outboards. (see below)

Our first new design developed to meet Mr. Kiekhaefer's request was not a complete success. At speeds of over 85 M.P.H. the bow had a tendency to kite or "bow up" (a feared maneuver of every driver).

In late August, we tried a new hull concept, mounting the engines mid-ship in a hull much like the Hickman Sea Sled. It featured square simple lines and a shovel nose. We hoped that the engines forward could control any bow lift tendencies. Much to our regret the trial runs showed that the thrust of the propellers forward and under the hull clamped the back of the boat to the water and drag was too much for our twin 80 H.P. Mercury's to overcome in the initial plane off.

Time was slipping away, the leaves were turning into their fall colors and we estimated approximately five weeks of open water to test on the Fox River near our plant. A decision had to be made... Do we call Mr. Kiekhaefer and postpone the project until spring, or do we keep going "right up to the wire" as the saying goes. The decision was made! Keep going!

My brother, Dave Switzer was the designer in charge of the construction phase of this project. He knew that now the pressure was on to design and build that 100 M.P.H. boat in minimum time. Russell "Pop" Switzer, a pioneer in light aircraft and sea planes since World War I, injected some new ideas he had long thought were necessary to control a boat at flying speeds. Dave welcomed these new ideas and also accepted a weight distribution change that I had recommended. We also concentrated on making a cleaner air-flow version of his original U-4. Several days later the materials were flying into shape and the U-6 hull was finished in record time. With time running out fast it was rigged for the first test runs.

The time was now! We proceeded to the test area on Nov. 29th, 1962, only to find that there was a 1/4" of ice on the river, stopping all progress. The weather reports promised warmer weather for the next day. All was held in readiness. November 30, temperature 45° -Sky clear -water open and calm. Time, 10:00 A.M. we launched the U-106. I got into the enclosed plexiglass cockpit (much like the capsule boats of today) , checked out all instruments, fired up engine #1, check, #2, check, water pressure and cooling systems OK, tachometer reading steady, fuel pressure normal, closed the aircraft type canopy over the cockpit, bring the engines to warm up speed and taxi to position for a wide open run.

Now, increasing speed to 50 mph -60-70 -80 and now at the speed range where the previous design started to kite I used the foot throttle over-ride and steering with my left hand, I put my right hand on "Pop" Switzer's stabilizing control lever which operated the elevon (wing tail flap) controlling the last 2 feet of the center section between the twin hulls. At 85 M.P.H. the bow lifted slightly off the horizon - too high for safety, I pushed the lever forward to position 1 ( of 4) and the horizon line returned to normal. Now, at 90 M.P.H. a slight bow lift again, lever to position #2, now the bow was normal in good trim again. Suddenly, at this moment many things seemed to occur. While my 17 pitch (Record props from Switzerland) were turning almost 6,000 R.P.M. my neck snapped back, the Hull lifted off the water about 2-4 inches ... no vibrations from water contact. I felt like I was in a sea plane just after lift off of the water. The R.P.M.'s suddenly dropped back to approximately 5,000, and at the same time the speed increased to the shrill sound of the two engines harmonically balanced. I glanced down at the Keller calibrated speedometer, reading 96-97 -98-99 -100 with those 76 cu. in. 80 H.P. direct reversing engines revving at nearly 7,000 R.P.M. I knew we had just what Mr. Kiekhaefer asked for. Now, almost tranquil from the experience of "The Day I Flew a Boat" with a full boundary layer of air between the hull and the water and seeing houses go by like a picket fence. I realized that the straight away water was fast running out. So, deceleration of the U-6 was started with the same caution used in increasing the speed. The stabilizer control was returned to various positions as the speed was reduced. When the boat speed was between 80 and 85 there was a loud sound and vibration from the hull re-entering the water almost like driving from the highway to a washboard gravel country road. Taxiing to the launching site where all the Switzer Craft crew were on hand for the verdict I could hear all the questions. How did it handle? How fast did it go? What was it like? .....And, you know the answers.

The Hull was then returned to the factory for final preparations to be delivered to Mr. Kiekhaefer at Lake X where she was fitted with a pair of 99 cu. in. 100 H.P. engines with stacks and double pinion speedmasters. She went on to reach speeds in excess of 120 M.P.H. This same hull driven by both Johnny Bakos and Dave Craig startled many of the onlookers and the Helicopter pilots that could not keep up with her to allow the photographers to film her, as she won the Gold Coast Marathon from Miami to Palm Beach and return on the inland coastal waters, with a record average speed of 81.78 M.P.H. that may still stand today!

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Thank you very much for that article, very interesting.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Nordic is in its new home.
Florida keys.
He totally loves the boat !!!
Such a huge step up from the 28 Skater I sold him in 2013.
He sold that to a friend.

View attachment 610796 View attachment 610795 View attachment 610794

Bully, I know the fit & finish is much nicer on the Nordic and the porpoise on the Skater sucks from 50-70mph. I'd love to hear from you, since you put 100s of hours on each, what are the pros and cons of each? I don't have any time in a 28 Nordic but have a decent amount of seat time in a few 28 Skaters. I'm fairly certain a 28 Nordic with 400s will not come close to hanging with a 28 Skater with 300s in true rough water.

 

[F14]

I am very curious as well. i agree that they are way better looking. The Nordic with 400s has to be 2000 lbs heavier and has a center pod.
Please share how this is a huge step up performance wise besides in smooth water.

 

[Bullhead bully]

Yes I have a ton of time in both and the 28 Skater at 70+ is a great boat below 70 it’s glued to the water as you all know. The SS is happy all the way to top speed with only a small hop at 65-70ish. As far as in the rough they’re about equal. The SS is Right there and so much more usable space makes it just a better all around boat. And with the center pod it makes the boat more versatile.
The Skater is a better boat with 2.5s or 300s in a race environment. Which is what it was designed for.
In the pleasure boat application there’s no contest.
SS all the way.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Yes I have a ton of time in both and the 28 Skater at 70+ is a great boat below 70 it’s glued to the water as you all know. The SS is happy all the way to top speed with only a small hop at 65-70ish. As far as in the rough they’re about equal. The SS is Right there and so much more usable space makes it just a better all around boat. And with the center pod it makes the boat more versatile.
The Skater is a better boat with 2.5s or 300s in a race environment. Which is what it was designed for.
In the pleasure boat application there’s no contest.
SS all the way.

Thank you very much for your insight and real world testing/driving experiences. I fully agree the Nordic is waaaaayyyy more user friendly in every single pleasure boat use and the Skater is a race boat tamed down for limited pleasure use. Bully, I can't wait to get you up to the SF Bay and Delta sometime so we can run thru some BIG water in a 28 and 30 Skater. Our one buddy with a 28 Nordic up here won't run salt water but in the cruiser waves in the Delta he can't hang with any of the 28 Skater's all powered the same. I'm not trying to pick a fight, just my real world experiences. His 28 Nordic is a gorgeous boat and is perfect for the Delta. Hope to see you soon.

 

[stoker2001]

Such a huge step up from the 28 Skater I sold him in 2013.
He sold that to a friend.

View attachment 610796 View attachment 610795 View attachment 610794

IF the "church dog" could hear you now....HAHAHAHAHAHA