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Dart Hits the Water! |
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When you think of summer time, you think of the beach. And even though we spend a lot of time at the race track, Dart does get out to the beach from time to time… especially when insanely fast, powerful boats might be involved.
This time around we take a look at two incredible boats, one from Van Dam Boats in Boyne City, Michigan, and one race boat built by Marine Technology in Wentsville, Missourri.
Van Dam Boats
Van Dam builds only custom one-off boats, and they don’t use typical building materials. Instead, each boat is constructed from cold-molded mahogany.
Almost every inch of the boat is built of wood and employs the WEST™ system of joining and sealing all the structure in epoxy. This allows the boats to be as user friendly and 100% trailer-able as fiberglass. There isn’t any swelling, soaking or rotting as one might expect with wood construction, thanks to the epoxy process. Many of the issues associated with fiberglass boats are eliminated as well, like blistering, delamination or panel fatigue. The boats, on average are also roughly 25% lighter than boats constructed in more typical fashions.
Van Dam custom designs, machines, polishes and builds their own rigging hardware, mounts, brackets, shifters and miscellaneous fittings including custom wiring harnesses for the engines and the entire boat. The upholstery and canvas is all custom designed as well, then sewn in house.
The engines are nothing to sneeze at either…
Here’s a look at the specs and performance figures for one particular Van Dam custom boat named “Gonzo.”
Van Dam “Gonzo” Engine specs:
Engines built by Champion Performance
Twin Dart Aluminum 400 Cubic Inch Small Blocks
Dart Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Callies Crankshaft
Carillo Connecting Rods
Mahle Pistons
Comp Camshaft
Crane Rockers
Inconel Exhaust Valves
Whipple S.C., Intercooled
FAST Fuel Injection/Engine Management w/ Oxy and Knock sensors
Aeromotive Marine Fuel Pump
MSD Ignition
Melling Oil Pump (Mobil 1)
Eickert Oil Cooler (t-stat controlled)
Edelbrock Recirculation Pump (close-cooling)
Hardin Raw Water Pump
KRC Power Steering
Motorola Marine Alternator
Eddie Marine Exhaust Manifolds
Gil Marine Custom Risers (w/ pyrometers) and (Van Dam designed) exhaust system
IMCO Bellhousing and Transom Shield
Zeiger Hydraulic External Steering, Car-Lyn Helm Pump. (power assist)
The engines produced 625 h.p. and 600 lb/ft of torque on the dyno and will turn up to 6000 rpm (rev limiter). Using 92 octane fuel.
The engines are hooked to stock Mercury Racing Bravo One XR stern drives and turn stock Mercury propellers.
Marine Technology Inc.
Marine Technology produces custom high speed boats, often themed after the buyer’s requests. This particular boat is a 44 foot “Mercedes Benz” theme Catamaran, built for Mr. Gino Gargiulo, at around 170 mph, it can certainly back up it’s pedigree.
On the competitive scene the Mercedes boat has dominated every run since it’s introduction. Blasting away other boats from Sarasota to Jacksonville.
Most recently the Mercedes boat broke the record for the fastest time to Bimini from Florida in a piston powered boat, at 22 minutes and 36 seconds!
Marine Technology “Mercedes Benz” Specs:
Engines built by Sterling Performance
Twin Dart Custom Aluminum Race Blocks
Dart Custom Aluminum Race Heads
Mercury Racing #6 Drives
Custom Parts and Rigging, Drive Lines and Covers all custom painted. Bonded Hull and Deck, Dry Sump Oil System, Show Quality Rigging, Stainless Steel Lifting Eyes, Engine Flush System, Carbon Trim Package, Enhanced Lamination Schedule with Upgraded Structure, Vacuum Bagged Epoxy Lay-up, Ram Air Intake System with Water Separation and even a 1500 Watt stereo system.
The engines produce around 1550 horsepower EACH, which makes it fairly unsurprising that the boat is breaking records.
If you’re interested in seeing more from Van Dam or Marine Technology, we’ve included some links below.
Check out Van Dam Boats Here:
www.vandamboats.com
Check out Marine Technology Here:
www.marinetechnologyinc.com
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