Jim: The 18 ' boat is less than 18' over all, 17'9" aprox and with the beam, the Coast Guard forumla did not allow the horespower to make the boat useful. The boats true rating would be 127 hp +- 2 horsepower. Just cant remember the real number, but I am close. the kicker is the CG formula only applies to outboards. I could take the same hull, use a lot less glass, no core and put a turbo charged 454 inboard in it and be legal. The CG formula does not take in construction, hull design,draft, etc., only length and width. I would love to come to the Show National and the BBQ, I will need to see if I can get the time off. I just retired from the Fort Wayne Fire Dept. and have a new job. AC
The situation with this little boat is both ironic and comical. It has demonstrated for over 40 years now that it can handle bigger power. The demand for it is almost zero even though it still has the best wake in the industry as evidenced by the many comments on this site by some seasoned veteran skiers. Even though some claim that it is impossible to get a new one, Tom Miller continues to build them on a limited basis. I don't know why he even bothers to do that except for his love of the sport. The molds continue to mostly gather dust. I will have to say that I will be 70 this summer. I have been actively boating for 56 years and I have driven a heap of boats. The 18 Dyne is the most fun boat boat I have ever driven by a wide margin. It will bring out the hotrod instinct in the most reserved person. Thanks for the insights Ab. Check out the 1964 prototype 18 in the photo section of this site, and let's hear your comments. http://www.hydrodyners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=456 jim
Sorry for hijacking the thread, but Ab and Jim's comments seem to warrant it. Does any one know if the Coast Guard can/will do a type exception for a certain hull design that can prove that is can handle more power than what the extremely generic formula dictates? I would assume that this was attempted before hydrodyne (and all other outboard ski boat manufacturers) abandoned production of their outboard ski boats. But maybe it's a topic that could be brought up again? I doubt it would make outboard ski boats more popular than inboards, but it may help the market out enough to make them apealing to enough customers to warrant building a couple models again.
This is an issue worth getting into in depth. I will start a new thread over in the Hydrodyne area on this subject. jim
