Jet-powered boat to raise money for returning veterans

[kach22i]

Jet-powered boat to raise money for returning veterans
http://www.nvf.org/jet-powered-boat-...rning-veterans
By LORI BECKER
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 17, 2007

FORT PIERCE — Arnie Gemino builds fast boats. But now he's creating one like no other. A former commercial pilot and owner of Fort Pierce-based Thriller Powerboats Inc., Gemino is dropping two fighter jet engines into his company's high-speed catamaran, creating an extreme machine with 25,000 horsepower.

"When those afterburners kick in, you're going to get rid of all the wrinkles on your face," he said.
He is not looking to break speed records but to intrigue onlookers. The Thriller F-4 Phantom II Jet Boat is going on a national tour to raise money for war veterans.

Called "The Sound of Freedom,"..................

Project home page with videos:
http://members.usmsg.org/

[Kay9]

I would rather he just sent the money the boat will cost to the Vets. You see guys like this all the time. Hey send me $50,000 Ill build the boat/truck/airplane of my dreams, and then Ill go on tour, charge people a $1 a head to see it, and give the money to the vets/kids/homeless, after I take out my expenses of course.

Just my opinion.


K9

[kach22i]

You might be right.

I posted this because it reminded me of the "Military Recon Boat" thread a guy named "Alex" started.

Plus I thought "The Rat" might like it.

FYI
Their schedule says that they are at the Miami boat show right now.

http://fundmsg.com/events.html

[Kay9]

It is a neat boat.

K9

[FranklinRatliff]

Two General Electric J-79 engines, the powerplant of the F-4 Phantom, would weigh over 6,000 lbs. The more appropriate and likely choices for this boat are the General Electric J-85, the Pratt & Whitney J-60, and the Westinghouse J-34. Another possibility is the Rolls-Royce Viper. A J-85 weighs about 500 lbs while the J-60 comes in at around 600 lbs.

[kach22i]

I'm guessing that cost is a factor, and "loud" is a positive for this application.

The engine install on the homepage is pretty cool.

I'm not sure about the paint job.

[FranklinRatliff]

www.jetwebb.com

They're using the J-85.

A J-85 dragster can be delivered for around $60,000.

It's not a "million dollar" boat.

[FranklinRatliff]

Attached are photos of the J-85 hydroplane Craig Arfons built for his attempt on the Water Speed Record.

In 1989 this entire project was done for around $300,000 (including liability insurance premiums)

[charmc]

Originally Posted by Kay9

I would rather he just sent the money the boat will cost to the Vets. You see guys like this all the time. Hey send me $50,000 Ill build the boat/truck/airplane of my dreams, and then Ill go on tour, charge people a $1 a head to see it, and give the money to the vets/kids/homeless, after I take out my expenses of course.

Just my opinion.


K9

I understand your thoughts. The goal is to raise a pretty large amount of money, several million. Unfortunately, despite everyone's claim of "supporting the troops", simple pleas for money don't raise much. There always seems to be a need for some entertainment before people and organizations are willing to cough up the money. Yeah, he'll get a lot of personal/business publicity out of this, and his expenses will be paid, but if it raises several million for veterans aid, more power to him.

[charmc]

Originally Posted by FranklinRatliff

Two General Electric J-79 engines, the powerplant of the F-4 Phantom, would weigh over 6,000 lbs. The more appropriate and likely choices for this boat are the General Electric J-85, the Pratt & Whitney J-60, and the Westinghouse J-34. Another possibility is the Rolls-Royce Viper. A J-85 weighs about 500 lbs while the J-60 comes in at around 600 lbs.

The F4 Phantom name is just a name to grab attention, might be a plane he flew.

The J-85's (from the light and nimble F5) will give plenty of power, and are much less costly and complicated to maintain. Good choice.

[Frosty]

I dont think its the need for entertainment but guarantee that the money will get to where they say it will,--not been too successful in the past in other charity organizations has it.

Bob Geldof threw millions at Africa,----like spitting in the fire.

You cant blame them being skeptical.

[kach22i]

returning veterans

Not to get political, but the wars are not over.............while we are picking at the title of the thread.

A friend of a friend is about to go off on his fouth tour of Iraq.

Lost his job, and wife and kids have had it, a life in ruins.

At least he did not lose half his face (lower jaw) like my firends brother did over there.

Cool boat though.