84 Mph Kawasaki

[Sundance]

Was reading the March/April 2007 issue of Personal Watercraft Illustrated and saw where Chris MacClugage wins another World Title with his specially preparad 370 hp carbon fiber pieced STX=15F. The artical states this boat is capable 0f 84 mph with 370 hp. I do not doubt any of the figures. However, in my mind, this brings up a question. How is the new Ultra 250 Queen Mary ever going to break 80 mph--or even the high 79s?
Food for thought guys.

[Skips313]

The watercraft you are speaking of is the 15F with the same motor as the 250X.
Yes Mac's boat has CF parts but only the hood and seat. Oh and it wieghs about the same as a 15F. Macs boat has alot of brackets, SC, Intercooler and so forth that he added to get 340HP. The additional wieght of the 250 is not all the hull. Its the SC and Intercooler. Wieght that Im going to want as the thing picks up HP. Its going to help it stay hooked up.

Mac's hull is the same as a production model. Its the IJSBA rules that makes it a stock hull. In perspective 84mph is slow for his boat. TJ has a simular unit hitting 90mph.

Most racers never hit the top speed capabilities of there boat on the coarse. Too much focas on handleing components that slow the craft down but make it super agile during the moto.

So if your trying to compare CLOSED COARSE RACING to the top speed capabilities of this new watercraft the your sniffing in the wrong pile.

Guys will sacrifice the handling for top speed numbers. Thats why you dont see GPR winning IJSBA races, just Drag Racing. oops except for RIUS wich cant race the US because his hull aint legal.

I know this sounds b1tchy and like I was jumping you but Im not. It just sounded that way.

Oh and here is a picture of that boat for you.


Notice the tabs. It extends the length of the hull contact in the water. This helps with the additional HP for handling. So its was smart of Kawi to also do the same thing on the Queen Mary..

[rxpstan]

In closed course the race is over in 8 seconds. So its who can get to the first bouy and make the turn that wins, usually.

[ph2ocraft]

I've always been curious as to what kind of TOP speeds a factory sponsored boat could achieve IF only looking for a top speed number............

[jscottmsc]

Notice the tabs. It extends the length of the hull contact in the water. This helps with the additional HP for handling. So its was smart of Kawi to also do the same thing on the Queen Mary..

Is the rideplate also extended past the end of the hull by 2-3 inches?

[13xracing]

I agree with Skip. Youre logic is way off when comparing top speed to closed course racing. Like I said in another thread, you need a balance of speed and handling. One or the other will not win races.

Besides, Macc could win a title riding a piece of plywood. Talent helps.
Heck, my buddy j Hecox won 06 National title on a bone stock rxp. Not a single thing done to it. Nothing. So talent accounts for alot.

[Sundance]

OK closed course--open course--the artical said he can do 84mph. I understand this--but nobody answered my question--with that much horse power--rider skill--smaller lighter hull--and all of the other ingredeates this boat and rider have-my question still remains--how will anyone get the overweight Ultra 250 to the upper seventies or even 80 mph??

[Hydrotoys]

SIMPLE:
About $30,000 and it will go 80. I'm sure kawi has their Carbon Fiber'd race hulls lined up, JUST LIKE THE ONES THEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOREVER. Plus they will have CF hoods, and seats. They will probably develop and run the roots, since it is faster out of the hole. They will NOT develop a 80mph boat unless there is a need...and there isn't a need.

It's all about money. In this day and age of cost savings, you may not see the Ultra250 get the full treatment like the 15F did... but with the onslaught of the RXP into the closed course ranks, and the CF hulls for the RXP coming out of Europe, I'd say it's a good possibility.

Remember, Kawi owns and operates the IJSBA and they get away with whatever they feel like, and keep techs in place to verify that no one else catches up.

[CrazyA]

Remember, Kawi owns and operates the IJSBA and they get away with whatever they feel like, and keep techs in place to verify that no one else catches up.

That would explain why I once saw 4 guys CARRY Mac (while he was ON HIS BOAT) to the water....

[Sundance]

Ok--you guys have explained the racing part very well. I am the one that did not ask the question correctly. My question should have been--The guys who buy PWC for running around on our lake--rivers--ocean riding--the average guy/gal ---who is going to spend $30,000 dollars to go high seventies?? I just dont think we are going to see many (if any ) 75 plus MPH Ultra 250s on our waterways. If I am wrong please pass the salt and pepper and I will start on the crow. I am not talking aganist Kawasaki--I just dont think the average person is going to spend the money needed to have it run fast---or quick.

[Hydrotoys]

How much do you think it cost to go 80 on a RXP?

Speed ain't cheap, and if you think Kawi was/is building a ski for the masses to go 80 you've quite possibly lost your reference.

[Skips313]

Ok--you guys have explained the racing part very well. I am the one that did not ask the question correctly. My question should have been--The guys who buy PWC for running around on our lake--rivers--ocean riding--the average guy/gal ---who is going to spend $30,000 dollars to go high seventies?? I just dont think we are going to see many (if any ) 75 plus MPH Ultra 250s on our waterways. If I am wrong please pass the salt and pepper and I will start on the crow. I am not talking aganist Kawasaki--I just dont think the average person is going to spend the money needed to have it run fast---or quick.

75 mph is only 6.9 mph faster then my stock 250X. Dont you think that with a ride plate, prop, pulley, ecu, intake & exhuast mod wont pick that up?


EXCUSE ME WAITER CAN YOU PLEASE GET ME THE SALT AND PEPPER FOR MY FRIEND OVER HERE.

[Skips313]

SIMPLE:
About $30,000 and it will go 80. I'm sure kawi has their Carbon Fiber'd race hulls lined up, JUST LIKE THE ONES THEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOREVER. Plus they will have CF hoods, and seats. They will probably develop and run the roots, since it is faster out of the hole. They will NOT develop a 80mph boat unless there is a need...and there isn't a need.

It's all about money. In this day and age of cost savings, you may not see the Ultra250 get the full treatment like the 15F did... but with the onslaught of the RXP into the closed course ranks, and the CF hulls for the RXP coming out of Europe, I'd say it's a good possibility.

Remember, Kawi owns and operates the IJSBA and they get away with whatever they feel like, and keep techs in place to verify that no one else catches up.

Are you saying that our Pro's have been cheating us. IJSBA says you cant run anything other then the production hull.

Only this year 07 have they done some ammending to this rule.

I feel so cheated!

[Sundance]

Hydrotoys-- I am sure you are correct--as you said about $30,000 to go over 80mph on the Unltra. I am sure you know how much mony it takes to go 80MPH on a RXP. I also know first hand how much it takes to make a RXP (my 2004 model ) to go 78MPH. I will be over 80 MPH by the Mud Bug in June. Let me assure you it wont be even close to $7,000 to go 80 plus on my RXP. I am only saying any 75 MPH plus 250s will be few and far betwwen because of the cost involved. That has been my only point all along. Not that they cant get there.

[Skips313]

75MPH for les then 3000.00 promise ya that.