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FLYING FISH
25-11-2010, 07:26 AM
Here`s a boat that promised so much,yet in 1989 seem to fade from the scene with only 4th place finishes.
Designed by Harry Schoell,the man who also designed Don Aronow`s boats,it was fitted with Ford Merlin diesels,which were once considered for Roger Fletcher`s `Debenhams` before Sabres were selected.
`Down Undies`an Aussy boat driven by Robert Voges at the Atlantic City Worlds had the Merlins fitted to a Lear hull (Apache copy),but he too couldn`t keep pace with Roger Fletcher in `Diesel Dancer`(ex-Abo).
pete60
26-11-2010, 05:04 AM
I recall "Down Undies" after Robert Voges brought it back to the Gold Coast in 1990. It was a lovely looking boat (37 ft I recall) but the Merlins were absolute hand grenades. The boat rarely finished a race here and after a couple of years I think the engines were junked, with the boat converted to a pleasure cruiser.
jonp
26-11-2010, 06:47 AM
Wow, that boat looks sweet. Are there any other pics of it?
FLYING FISH
26-11-2010, 08:40 AM
I recall "Down Undies" after Robert Voges brought it back to the Gold Coast in 1990. It was a lovely looking boat (37 ft I recall) but the Merlins were absolute hand grenades. The boat rarely finished a race here and after a couple of years I think the engines were junked, with the boat converted to a pleasure cruiser.

Thanks for that.I wondered what happened to it after the 1989 Worlds.

BTW has the AOPC website packed up.Seems there isn`t a website now for keeping abreast of Aussy Offshore racing.
FLYING FISH
26-11-2010, 08:42 AM
Wow, that boat looks sweet. Are there any other pics of it?

Haven`t managed to locate any others.Nothing seemed to be reported on it when it raced in 1989.
pete60
26-11-2010, 09:27 PM
Thanks for that.I wondered what happened to it after the 1989 Worlds.

BTW has the AOPC website packed up.Seems there isn`t a website now for keeping abreast of Aussy Offshore racing.

The Championships here have been renamed "Offshore Superboat Championships". For those who are interested I'll start a new thread with a link to the web site.
littlenige
30-11-2010, 06:38 AM
That rounded stern is pig ugly. Shame because the basic hull design looks nice.
olli
01-12-2010, 01:12 AM
That rounded stern is pig ugly. Shame because the basic hull design looks nice.

I like the shape of the stern but those wings...:puker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHxX9n4zdh8 at 2.11
littlenige
01-12-2010, 05:49 AM
Totally agree Olli - what function did they perform?!!