f1 powerboat engine

THE ANATOMY OF AN F1H2O POWER BOAT -->

F1 H2O boats don’t really look much like boats – in fact, they’re more like an aeroplane with short wings. This is partly because they try to minimise the time they spend in the water. In order to go as fast as possible, they actually prefer to hover just above the surface. To find out more about these amazing machines, let’s take a closer look to Team China’s CTiC machine.

1: Engine: A Mercury V6 two-stroke engine(!) producing 450bhp and going up all the way to 9000 rpm. The whole engine until can swivel up and down, which is called trimming.

2: Transfer case: A gearing system that transfers the engine output to the propeller.

3: The propeller. The propeller is one of the key parts of the boat. Like the tyres on a racing car, it provides traction and propulsion. Various propellers of different sizes, weights and shapes are used in F1H2O. The propeller is chosen based on the conditions and fuel load.

4: Fuel tank: Takes 120 litres of fuel, which is just enough for a 45-minute race.

5: Hull: Every boat as a special carbon fibre hull, made entirely from carbon fibre.

6: Cockpit: Driver’s position. The driver sits in a carbon monocoque style cage which provides impact protection. The driver can ‘trim’ using paddles on the steering wheel and accelerate using a throttle pedal.

7: Airbag and ballast tank: (8) In the event of a crash in which the boat risks ending up face-down in the water, an airbag is deployed forcing the boat back up. A seal opens at the bottom so that the rear end of the boat fills up with water, stabilising it.

9: Oxygen tank: In a worst-case scenario, in which the driver and cabin end up under water, each boat has its own oxygen supply with a mouth piece in the cabin so the driver can breathe while submerged.

10: Steering system: Very precise steering by means of a wire system, controlled by an electrically powered steering system.

F1 Specifications

F1 racing uses tunnel hull catamarans that are capable of both high speed and exceptional maneuverability. Overall, the boats weigh 860 pounds (390 kilogrammes), including 260 pounds (118 kilogrammes) of engine. They are 20 feet (6 metres) long and seven feet (2 metres) wide, keeping weight low through extensive use of carbon fiber and kevlar. The tunnel hull design creates an air cushion under the hull, so that at speed only a few inches touch the water, leading to the high speed possible with these hulls.

F1 boats are powered by a Mercury Marine V6 two stroke that burns 100LL Avgas at a rate of 120 liters (32 gallons) per hour, generating 425 horsepower at 10,500 rpm. This engine can propel the boats to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than four seconds and to a maximum speed of over 240 km/h (150 mph).

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U.I.M. F1H2O Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi

Thursday December 8

10:15 - 11:15
15:30 - 16:30	Qualifications
	- -

Friday December 9
10:15 - 11:15
15:30 - 16:30

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UIM F1H2O World Championship
	SAU		Mar 30	C
	POR		May 19	C
	FRA		Jul 7	C
	CHN		Oct 19	C
	CHN		Oct 20	C
	UAE		Dec 21	C
	QAT	Doha	Mar 11	C
date and venue could be changed

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Nominees Profile

F1H2O Nations Cup Singapore 2011

Friday Nov 18
11:00 - 13:00

Saturday Nov 19
11:00 - 12:00
12:00 - 13:00
15:30 - 17:30

Sunday Nov 20
11:00 - 12:00
16:00 - 17:00

Grand Prix of China - Xiamen
01	Shaun Torrente
02	Philippe Chiappe	+ 0.91 secs
03	Jonas Andersson	+ 2.75 secs
Fastest Lap
Shaun Torrente		0:56.12
Pole Position
Shaun Torrente		0:50.87