STV Mod VP question

[y2kstang]

Ok, I posted this in safety since it is really a safety based question but due to lack of activity in that forum I figured I would post it here.

Question: Would you be better off (safer) strapped into a Mod VP with a capsule jacket or unstrapped with a lifeline vest with chute?

I would think strapped in would be safer for obvious reasons but landing inverted may not be so great for the strapped in occupant. Upon being ejected there sure would be a ton of things to bang against with your legs on the way out since the compartment is so tight.

Anyone with experience care to chime in and help a newbie?

[Raceman]

For the reasons you already stated there's NO correct answer to the question. It would depend on the type/severity of accident and also the support/rescue people available. For lake playing without a rescue crew I'd prefer NOT to be strapped in, but again, that's just the law of averages. Under the right circumstances it could be a great advantage.

[jphii]

For the reasons you already stated there's NO correct answer to the question. It would depend on the type/severity of accident and also the support/rescue people available. For lake playing without a rescue crew I'd prefer NOT to be strapped in, but again, that's just the law of averages. Under the right circumstances it could be a great advantage.
Gotta agree. My Mirage Mod VP capsule: Belts when there is safety/rescue crews, no belts when playing, belts when testing. I don't test without a spotter boat driven by someone I trust. I don't go out and play without someone I know around. Wear a capsule suit when you are strapped in.

[quartershot]

I strongly agree with jph on the belt thing I do that with my T-1 no belt when play and test with belt. I try to never boat alone.
7 Grand Dan

[y2kstang]

Good replies, kind of what I was thinking. Just cruising and taking it easy no belts but for actual racing the suit and belts would be ideal since there will be rescue worker available to pull me out if I go KO'd. I have a reliable spotter and have zero intention of running this monster alone, ever. Since the only time I will be running the boat full tilt will be in a sanctioned event I will go with the cap suit and straps on race days. IHBA rescue does a great job of getting drivers out of bad situations quickly.

Thanks for the input, but you just made my safety gear double in cost :eek: since now I need two vests!

[jphii]

Did you buy Casey's boat? I don't wear one when I'm out playing around, I just sit on my capsule suit.

[Bruce Washburn]

If it is a true capsule boat, I would not run it unless I was strapped in. The reason being that the capsule is there to hold you in. If you blow over you will most likely not get thrown away from the boat but will be beat around inside the boat if you are not strapped in. In the early days of tunnel racing the boats had solid dashes. They then developed break away steering, no dash boards, and paper thin cowls. The idea was to have the driver thrown clear of the boat. Alot less people ended up with broken legs, bodies, etc. As boat speeds continued to increase. The injuries started to become more severe. In the mid 80's capsules became mandatory in bigger OPC classes. Sometime in the early 80's there were numerous deaths of drivers in non-capsule boats in Champ and F1. Keep in mind tha many of the severe injuries were at speeds alot slower than many of todays drag boats are capable of. The Capsules save lives at high speed. Unless the crash is extremely violent you will not get knocked out. If you do strap in do not wear the belts loose.
Loose blets also cause injuries. Playing around at the lake is one thing but if you are going to run it hard I would prefer to be strapped in any day of the week. While I am guilty of this in the past I would also not test without a pickup boat and crew present.

[y2kstang]

Yes, I bought the 96 Mod VP that Casey had listed. I have it at Barry's Marine Service getting work done to it. I am having the seals in the lower unit replaced and had a torque tab added to the skeg, exhaust cut out and a set of lake running heads custom machined. Once I finish a wet sand and polish the boat should look outstanding once again. I may even re-rig the entire wiring setup since it is a 1996 hull and probably has the original wires in it. Contemplating custom paint on the sponsons and/or deck.

As for the safety issue I know that the Mod VP also came with a closed in capsule in some versions. Unlike most capsule boats the mod VP doesn't appear to use a traditional capsule that will seperate from the hull if crashed and my biggest question is what happens to the driver compartment area if it were crashed. So, if your not going to be ejected from the Mod VP since it is such a tight compartment you would definitely do better strapped in but if that is the case you had better never run solo and/or without an air system for breathing.

[Chummy]

Lets see some pics

[jphii]

You should be able to tell if it's a breakaway capsule. Look and see if there is any foam around the capsule, that's the first clue. That boat used to belong to Braxton Smith here in NC. If I see him on the river this weekend I'll ask him how it's built. Mine is a breakaway, and I don't run air.

[y2kstang]

If you can find out from Braxton that would be great. Just trying to utilize all available safety desgins and devices I can.

As for pictures bear with me. I am in the process of getting the boat setup correctly and then will work on the appearance. You can see some pics of it in the 1996 Mod VP for sale thread. http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113032

I did look inside the hull and noticed there is in fact foam on both sides of the driver area. One side appears to have more than the other.

[jphii]

If it's foamed up there it's most likely a real capsule boat. You may want to call Wally and ask him. He should remember the boat since it came out about the same time as David Carver's. Catching Braxton on the river is hit or miss sometimes. I'll give it my best shot.

[y2kstang]

I have been considering giving Wally a call anyway since I was hoping he could give me some specifics about this hull.

[luvgoing fast]

You may want to call Wally Good luck to ya.:rolleyes:

[y2kstang]

Good luck to ya.:rolleyes:

So I take it Wally is hard to get in touch with. I sent out an email the other day from the website and haven't heard back yet. Figure I will give them another week or so to write me back and hopefully will hear from someone.

[jphii]

Call him @ 864.333.2400 or PM him here or at Byuboyz.