My thundercat

[Steve509926]

A few pics from today, looked bloody fast to me Seamus

Hope the weather is ok for you tomorrow.

[Roflhat]

Good meeting you!
I had the last run of the day, getting very dark I couldn’t even the buoys on the south run. Had a moment just before the exit buoys, was flying before then.
Return run 72mph average, 76.43mph top which I’m happy with. Calmer tomorrow morning and second out so hopefully goes alright

[Steve509926]

It did get a bit dark very quickly, I had the camera on the wrong settings! I'd taken loads of pictures out on the fells when it was bright and sunny and forget to change them when I took those pics!

Good luck in the morning.

[jwalker]

Seamus, no reports last two days, are you OK?

[Roflhat]

Had an accident yesterday down at Coniston Power Boat Records Week, did a full flip at 75mph. Down to 0mph within a second, hard impact. I've a very sore back, Ciara Macleod a sore hand but both largely ok.
Engine cowling lost to the depths of Coniston water, an offering to the god of Speed. Helmets both damaged but incredibly grateful we were wearing them and proper lifejackets. Big thanks to the safety boat crews and to the paramedics.

Flew home last night with Mum & Ciara, Dad very kindly continuing with the boat. Got a New National Record which I'm surprised at, didn't get one clean run in all week but 68.40mph average in the P850 class; faster than the world record too.
Not really a representative speed, had 76.43mph top at Coniston and 78.17mph in testing.

Huge thanks to Andy White; you’re an absolute star. Thanks to Clive Lewis for his help all week too, my incredibly supportive family and to all my sponsors for giving me this opportunity

Douglas Curley for all his support
Tersius Swanepoel for his incredible propeller tuning
Rolf Magne Sunde for his engine tuning and advice

Lochs Diving Services
Seatrek Marine
GulfXStream Ltd
Mathesons Furnishings
Woodys Express Parcels
Forge Marine
Venture West
Jura Passenger Ferry
Uig Sands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a3nh5RLgas

[Steve509926]

Wow Seamus that's some speed to decide to get off! Thank whatever gods you believe in that you are both relatively ok.
Hope a speedy recovery to both you and Ciara.

[jwalker]

Shit! Kinda inevitable if you keep pushing. Good you're both not too badly damaged.

Time to stop...you've done well, no shame being wise...

[Roflhat]

Cheers, everything hurts today but we both got off lightly.

Not sure if it's quite time to stop yet, got a couple ideas already of what do to next. Need to get back out in the boat asap to conquer the fear

[spartacus]

Hope you're okay Seamus, and your co-pilot, that crash looks horrendous.

Conditions looked perfect, compared to the Minch today coming home. Anyway, take the time to recover. Plenty boating days ahead.

[Roflhat]

Conditions were ok but gusts would come from nowhere. Wanted to be first out when it was glass calm but far too many delays. Knew that was our last chance of the week so gave it everything, too much as it turned out!

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Roflhat

Conditions were ok but gusts would come from nowhere. Wanted to be first out when it was glass calm but far too many delays. Knew that was our last chance of the week so gave it everything, too much as it turned out!

That's completion eh!....hoping you and "M.S" are both Ok!?
At least you got some testing done....November must be a bit Hit and miss.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Roflhat

Conditions were ok but gusts would come from nowhere. Wanted to be first out when it was glass calm but far too many delays. Knew that was our last chance of the week so gave it everything, too much as it turned out!

As I said when we spoke, Coniston is a strange water. A south westerly soon turns to an easterly which in a flash changes to a westerly, especially once south of Coniston Hall campsite. The slightest breeze bounces off every hill on its way up or down the valley and appears to increase in strength. Capsized many times in a Laser or GP14 when it was "calm", but at a much more lesurely, sedate pace than your good self

Perhaps you just need a big bloke like me sat the bow!

[Roflhat]

Both fine, Ciara is my wee cousin. My poor granny nearly had a heart attack!

Very strange wind on there... I should have been more patient. need absolutely perfect conditions to push a thundercat to the limit and even those slight gusts were too much.

Not sure about more weight, but I am considering my rear wing idea again. 0 angle of attack, then as the bow starts to lift it would counteract that. Makes sense in my head anyway...

[jeffstevens763@g]

Seamus what you’re achieving is fantastic please risk assess when you and the boat are on the limits it’s easy to just fall into it’s not ideal but we’ll give it a go get well soon.

[Roflhat]

I agree, definitely learnt from it already. Will naturally be more cautious following an incidient like that.
Here's how it should look

[GuyC]

Glad you're OK and I hope you suffer no long lasting effects.

I suspect that when you are pushing the boundaries like that, your 'safety margins' are pretty thin plus you don't get a new national record by holding back.

[Roflhat]

[Steve509926]

Great picture Seamus

[ThundercatRob]

Epic mate, and glad youre all ok. I was trying to work out where your co-pilot was for a minute! Must have been unpleasant just hanging on and looking at the deck!

[Roflhat]

Maybe the best photo yet, cover photo material. She was extremely brave, couldn't even see where we were going!