Desrt Storm boat flip @ 200 mph

[3rd_gear_Ted]

I thought they were goners when this happened. never seen one more spectacular
388 Skater with 10K hp

https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2025/04/27/speedboat-catches-air-flips-multiple-times-in-terrifying-scene-at-lake-havasu/

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 3rd_gear_Ted

I thought they were goners when this happened. never seen one more spectacular
388 Skater with 10K hp

https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2025/04/27/speedboat-catches-air-flips-multiple-times-in-terrifying-scene-at-lake-havasu/

Holy moly! That looks like a terrifying ride. They were not having visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads...

[speeder]

Saw the video earlier today, I agree with the comments that it looks closer to 100 mph…maybe 120. Nowhere close to 200 mph. Still, spectacular crash. He got some air!

[sc_rufctr]

[onewhippedpuppy]

There’s your number Denis, looked like 210 and then it decided to be an airplane.

Our lake of choice hosts the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, which is a two day long top speed competition with multiple classes of boats. Over about 150 they all look like they are flying, it’s right on the ragged edge of control. The absolute fastest boats are typically designed from scratch to be race boats ($$$$), but the Skater 388 is a 38 ft commercially available race/pleasure boat. I’m sure it wasn’t designed for that much power or speed. The fastest I’ve seen is 208 from a boat called American Ethanol, a 51 ft Mystic race boat with 9,000 HP.

[unclebilly]

Just incredible. I watched the cockpit video on 1/4 speed. You can see the water when they are upside down.

I’d like to see the condition of the boat / hull now. I also wonder what is has for engines to give 10,000 HP.

[Radioactive]

[onewhippedpuppy]

Here’s more info on the boat, it has twin supercharged 522 cu in hemis burning alcohol. I see this sort of stuff at the lake all the time and think they are cool as hell. Can’t afford one, and even if I did the wife says they are stupid and pointless.

https://www.freedomoneracing.com/the-boat

[911 Rod]

Did they win?

[Jeff Higgins]

The longest standing speed record today is the water speed record. For a reason. Some crazy Aussie set it in the late 1970's at just over 300 mph in a plywood boat he built in his backyard. I don't believe anyone has been stupid enough to try to break it. I think there are a few getting ready to try, though, including his son.

This sport has by far the highest fatality rate in all of motorsport. Something like over 40% of those who have tried have died trying. Far more variables than any other speed record.

[Seahawk]

^^^ Not surprising, but I did not know, Jeff.

All I do know is that they have more flight time this year than I do.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Did they win?

Yes.

[Jeff Higgins]

Growing up in the Seattle area, hydroplane racing was a big, big deal for me. I never missed a race until my early 30's. We rode our bikes to Stan Sayers Pits on Lake Washington both days on every race weekend until I finally got old enough to drive there. Admission, since it was a public park, was free.

I saw plenty of blow overs. I saw a couple of drivers die right there in front of me. Pretty rough. It was a bit after I quit going every year that the teams started using F-16 canopies on the boats, which I'm sure has saved many lives. I think top speeds now regularly run into the 180's or more, and I remember one making some sort of speed run down Lake Washington somewhat recently (last ten years?) that topped 200 mph. Seems like a lot more blow overs these days, possibly due to the speed, possibly due to the feeling of security that canopy provides, enticing them to push harder.

But, yeah, fast on water is as dangerous as it gets.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Did they win?

The boat did get the top speed award @ 207 mph on the water, 210 was in the air, zero was next @ about 100g's is my guess.
Broken collarbone disclosed and not disclosed was two soiled driving suits

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Lucky, very lucky for the crew it landed the way it did

I tried twice to work for Victory Team Dubai, a Class 1 offshore world championship powerboat team

Enjoyed a couple of factory tours and out on test once but never got the job offer I was chasing

[onewhippedpuppy]

The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout record is 244 MPH from 2014 in the Spirit of Qatar, a 50 ft Mystic powered by two turbine engines. That was on the old one mile course, it has since been shortened to 3/4 of a mile. I think that record is 221 MPH. Crazy stuff, my boat at 55 feels dangerous.