Facts about Evinrude/Johnson racing outboards made my OMC

[Bob V]

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I would think that one of those engines would be over-powering that hull. Two of them is unthinkable....

[lars strom]

@Bob V

Its a restored Fjord 21 HT/Olympic Sport with two OMC V8 engines. 380 HP each built by Monty Racing.

[WaterZebra]

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What isn't said about Walin by OMC is that Walin made another run in the Starflite IV and blew it over. If I remember right, Walin had to lay down in the thing to drive it. He was very badly injured in the accident and did not live long after that. OMC got very quiet about kilo record attempts until Bob Wartinger set the 176 mph record with an Evinrude V8 many years later.

[lars strom]

What isn't said about Walin by OMC is that Walin made another run in the Starflite IV and blew it over. If I remember right, Walin had to lay down in the thing to drive it. He was very badly injured in the accident and did not live long after that. OMC got very quiet about kilo record attempts until Bob Wartinger set the 176 mph record with an Evinrude V8 many years later.

Well..the info above is from the FaceBook page UIM Powerboating photos and persons and not OMC..!!

This is from OMC's Jack Aylsworth.

Gerry Walin set the World Outboard Speed Record of 131 mph in 1966

Walin, 26, a University of Washington student piloted Starflite IV, a 17-foot hydroplane powered by an Evinrude 100-S V4 to a world record of 130.929 on March 16,1966. That record was broken in 1973 by Mercury at 136.4 mph. Evinrude then decided to retake the record with the same Entrop-designed hydro, Evinrude V4 & driver in September 1974 with a disastrous result.
Walin was making his first run on the measured kilometer (five-eighths of a mile) course on Lake Havasu traveling at an estimated speed of over 150 mph when his boat began to walk on the sponsons. Walin attempted decelerate, which dropped the boat’s tail and lifted the bow. The boat then became airborne flying an estimated 35-40 feet in the air. As shown in clockwise sequence in the photos below, everything went flying and tumbling through the air—the hull,
pieces that were breaking from it...and Walin. Thrown from the boat as it flipped high above the lake, he hit the water, skimmed violently along the surface, then bounced into the air again before a final plunge.
Walin was taken to the Parker Community Hospital and then to Phoenix hospital, in critical condition from spinal, thoracic and leg injuries, and underwent heart surgery.
The cause of the accident was not known. Jack Leek, director of racing for OMC said, “conditions that morning were perfect for the attempt, and the water was glassy smooth.”

OMC's John Jost

I saw the video from that 1974 attempt (3 camera angles) and the boat went completely out-of-frame on all; I would say that 35 - 40 feet is an extremely conservative estimate. Evinrude spent about a month trying to locate all the pieces but some of Starflight 4 is still down there. My parents were there (Jim & Irene) and as long-time friends of Gerry through APBA racing, were horrified by the crash. I believe this was "the" event that triggered my father to become the Safety Commissioner to improve racing safety.

OMC's John Jost

Unfortunately, Garry passed from his injuries a couple of months later.

[lars strom]

Racing back in the sixties. This XT-39 Nordkapp boat is using a new OMC race engine..The Evinrude X-115. My guess is 1967 or 1968 in Denmark. Pretty sure Jørgen Jørgensen knows more..

[Rotary John]

The OMC rotary in Germany to show Felix Wankel.

[lars strom]

The OMC rotary in Germany to show Felix Wankel.

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[Amberjack1234]

Again, great historical photos Lars. Between you and Jackie, you keep us educated.

[lars strom]

Off Topic..

Lars.... A very serious expedition yacht..!!

https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/editorial-features/lars-a-very-serious-expedition-yacht--95?fbclid=IwAR3gWYgv6p4hHbzhUul9jiUg8CrTuKPOsuprp3xooG5xUP0LdhUq2P-Babk

[lars strom]

Don Henrich (DAH) and John Janicki…….sorry spelling
Thanks for the picture-info Gordon Montague.

[BLisBack!]

@Bob V

Its a restored Fjord 21 HT/Olympic Sport with two OMC V8 engines. 380 HP each built by Monty Racing.

Not much use if there's no pad on that hull. I have a similar problem with my '70 Lund with a 3.3 Ficht/eTec. Anything over 65mph is a little scary as it looses its balance and starts to fall chine to chine. However! That thing has HUGE "dock presence"

-BL

[lars strom]

Racing back in the sixties. This XT-39 Nordkapp boat is using a new OMC race engine..The Evinrude X-115. My guess is 1967 or 1968 in Denmark. Pretty sure Jørgen Jørgensen knows more..

Jørgen Jørgensen

The picture is from Hobro, a town at the east coast, western Denmark 1969. It is my very good friend and Evinrude dealer Vagn Aage og myself, enjoying the race! The same boat, but with the pilot Preben Hald, also an Evinrude dealer, won a race between Norway and Denmark!!

[lars strom]

We have a new family member..
I very nice, clean fresh water 2007 SeaRay Sundancer 240. Spent her life on a lift under a roof at the local marina.
Only 230 hours and no bottom paint.
Took her out for a spin today and Carina loves her.

[lars strom]

Jørgen Jørgensen

The picture is from Hobro, a town at the east coast, western Denmark 1969. It is my very good friend and Evinrude dealer Vagn Aage og myself, enjoying the race! The same boat, but with the pilot Preben Hald, also an Evinrude dealer, won a race between Norway and Denmark!!

Jørgen Jørgensen
What a performance! Really something to celebrate - and fine to hold my jubilee tie!

[lars strom]

HaaHaa..my sense of humor..
This boat must be named after a female..