My
story begins with inspiration from a magazine article
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It all started quite a few years ago when I happened
to come across an interesting article in a boating magazine
about Howard
Arneson's turbine powered Sanger Alley Cat. The
same boat shown here.
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The
reporter took a ride around San Francisco Bay with Howard,
then published an article describing the experience.
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According
to the article, this phenomenal machine "rode like
a rocket on rails through a 3 foot chop at speeds in
excess of 100 mph". I never forgot that phrase.
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This
boat performed like no other I'd ever seen or even read
about. I was hooked. I had to have my own Turbine Powered
Boat.
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That's
when my 'dream' began and I started my research. There
were so many questions to be answered; What turbine
engine works with what gearbox, and performs well in
what hull? What turbines are even available to the public?
Are they affordable? Lots of research to be done. My
research still goes on today.
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The
Arneson Surface Drive is one of the few drives that
will handle the power of a gas turbine engine.
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Controls
and thoughtfully arranged aircraft instruments are all
within easy reach of the driver.
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The
Pratt and Whitney PT-6 turbine is well designed in a
neat, compact package and is easily adapted to power
a boat.
Here's
a movie
of a high-speed run in this boat.
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As
soon as I read that article, I knew I had to have my own turbine
powered boat. This 'dream' helped keep me going all through
those years of hard work and long hours of Duty while I served
my country. Here's an excellent introduction
to turbine engines presented by General Electric
Here's
a video of an offshore race boat screaming along at 202
mph! (turn up your speakers)
In the meantime, I worked my way 'up through the ranks' in
the United States Navy, earning many promotions and personal
awards along the way. Through my work I became familiar with
all aircraft systems (fuel, electrical, instrument, pneumatic,
powerplant, hydraulic, etc.) and many specific varieties of
Gas Turbines. After completing 20 years of service, I went
back to school and graduated with an Associates Degree in
Multimedia Interactive Technologies (Web Design). Then (after
a few years in the trade), I earned the 'ultimate promotion'
and was able to 'quit the rat race'. I retired. Yes, I quit
working. For good. Now I have my days to myself. Plenty of
time to devote to my family and my personal projects. Just
in time while I'm still young enough to do the things l enjoy
(and my health is still pretty good).
My
formal training as a 'Web Guy' has made it possible for me
design and maintain this web site. Since I regularly register
my site with the major search engines and use many of my 'tricks
of the trade' to get high rankings on Google, MSN, Yahoo,
Mama, Dogpile, etc., my site gets lots of traffic.
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Besides
allowing me to 'tell my story', I get contacted by many
visitors from all corners of 'cyberspace' who share
with me the details of their own turbine powered projects.
That's how I was contacted by the current owner of Howard's
29 Sanger Alley Cat (show above).
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So
now that I've entered my 'retired years', I consider myself
blessed to be able to put my Aviation Maintenance experience
and boat building skills to good use. When I was on Active
Duty, I used my 'helium hand' to volunteer for various additional
duties; that's what helped me promote. Now I'm able to use
those same skills for my own benefit. This web site presents
the story of my adventure. After 'wrenching' on more Navy
jets than I care to remember, I still enjoy wrenching on the
big
turbines. That's why I still work on the General Electric
T58 and Rolls Royce Gnome gas turbine engines. I guess I have
JP-5 in my blood.
I've
always enjoyed being around the water
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Raised
on the water (Grandpa owned a marina and my Dad was
a Commercial Fisherman) I've always loved fast boats.
I still have a few trophies from years ago when I raced
the "20 Mod" hydro class (on the left).
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I
had a lot of fun chasing ducks in my "3/4 cabover
F class Hydro" (center photo). It seems like yesterday
when I raced "two-man runabout" and won second
place in a borrowed boat (on the right).
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I
realize it's not the usual 'career move' to jump from little
Hydros to the big Offshore
Racers, but I've had lots of boats since then and I learn
pretty fast. Since I enjoy working with my hands, this project
will allow me to put my boat building skills and aviation
maintenance experience to practical use. And, as an added
bonus (this is very important), this project will help
me "stay out of my wife's hair" (as she puts it).
The
details of my latest project are described on www.TurbineFun.com
I'm converting my boat to turbine power. No, I'm not crazy
(although I've been called that on several occasions), nor
is my idea original. I'm just copying a design that has already
been proven to be both fast and stable by the legendary
Howard
Arneson among several others.
Just one of Howard's many turbine
powered boats, his T58
powered 32' Skater is very stable and easily reaches
speeds in excess of 120 MPH.
With
several thousand operating hours between overhauls, powering
a boat with a turbine makes complete sense. Since there are
several commercially available turbines that weigh about one
third that of a blown big-block V-8 motor, producing similar
horsepower (and are so much more reliable) a gas turbine is
the obvious choice.
More
about the boat that started it all
I
was recently contacted by a boat customizer who reworked one
of Howard Arneson's original turbine creations (shown below).
Amazingly, this is the exact boat I read that magazine article
about (so many years ago) that got me going on my current
turbine powered boat project.
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Howard
Arneson successfully ran a Pratt
and Whitney PT-6
turbine engine in a 29 foot Sanger 'Alley Cat' with
an Arneson ASD6 surface drive. These are some 'before'
photos I was recently given of Howard's original boat.
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Look
closely and you'll realize this is the same boat after
a complete 'cosmetic makeover' done by John Triplett
of Nothing
But Customs.
The
Sanger 29ft Alley Cat was only produced for a short
time in 1984 and again in 1987, featured a beam of 8'
6" and weighed 2500 lbs.
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With
a new interior and slick graphics, you'd never know
you're looking at a hull that was designed well over
20 years ago.
Produced
by Pratt and Whitney of Canada, the PT6 outputs 850
HP and is the most popular turboshaft engine of all
time. It features an unusual design that takes air into
the rear of the engine, with the power section located
on the front.
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This
boat will still outperform almost any boat on the water
today.
Very
stable at speed, this is a winning combination of great
looks and phenomenal performance.
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Howard
Arneson built four of these 29 foot Sanger Alley Cats with
turbine power.
Three are shown here, the location of the fourth is currently
unknown.
If you've seen one of Howard's turbine powered Sanger Alley
Cats recently, please contact me and let me know the details.
Howard
Arneson's original 29 Sanger Alley Cat
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I
was recently contacted by the owner of another of Howard's
original Sanger Alley Cats.
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This
boat was located in Georgia and recently changed ownership.
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With
a slightly different look than the others, this boat
also boasts phenomenal turbine powered performance.
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The
PT-6 gas turbine makes this boat fast, stable, as well
as reliable.
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Another
example of Howard's outstanding work.
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The
'flame thrower' adds a touch of showmanship.
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Now
I think you can see why I want to assemble my own Turbine
Powered Boat.
My
turbine
powered boat is now complete.
I hope you enjoy my web site and the story of my Turbine Powered Boat Project.
Feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.
Here's
a T58 powered 29 Sanger Alley Cat
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Powered
by a T58-GE-16 turbine this beauty was originally built
with a Chevy V-8.
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Fitting
the gas turbine into the engine bay took a little engineering,
but was well worth the effort.
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Fred
designed his own Speed Decreaser Gearbox on the transom.
Gobs of power and great looks make this a winning combination.
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