Roper Kilo Capsule Boat

[pro350hydro]

If I remember hearing correctly, the boat that Marc Johnson built for Sean Mckeen that holds the 350/500/ and 700 kilo records with, has adjustable air traps, and adjustable shoes on it. I was wondering if Marc would be so kind to show us some close up pictures of this boat. It really intriges me. Thanks

Mike

[Composite Specialties]

Yes, you are correct. let me find the photo's and I will post them for you.

[Kevin Martin]

what is your brain doing now??? if you hurry we can travel to orville together for the kilos?? kev

[hydroman6]

Better stop by on the way thru. Just got off the phone w/ JDS, his new 350 VRP is in the mail!

Steve

[Composite Specialties]

You have to look close at the pads. The ones installed in the picture are 1.25" deep and can be unbolted thru the manholes in the deck and replaced with another set that is 2" deep. Sorry I can't find the pictures of the pads, they were made of wood and Carbon Fiber.

[Composite Specialties]

You have to look close at the Airtraps. They are aluminum and basically bolt on and off and we had different lengths and depths for the lift conditions.

[Composite Specialties]

This is Jim being interviewed by the Discovery Channel, which did a story on the McKeans that day.

[Composite Specialties]

This is Sean being interviewed by the Discovery Channel, which did a story on the McKeans that day.

[pro350hydro]

Sweet Pics. Thanks Mark

[pro350hydro]

Originally posted by hydroman6
Better stop by on the way thru. Just got off the phone w/ JDS, his new 350 VRP is in the mail!

Steve

The motor isn't even in the country yet. It will be another 30-45 days.

Mike

[Jakeroub]

Any idea when that Discovery channel things gonna be aired?

Jake

[Kevin Martin]

steen's a good guy, i don't think he's aware at what an uphill battle he has ahead of himself. kevin i can't wait to be on the water with him. kevin

[bill boyes]

Originally posted by Jakeroub
Any idea when that Discovery channel things gonna be aired?

Jake This was at the Oroville Calif Kilo's several years ago.

[Composite Specialties]

That was aired sometime back in 1995 I think.

[Ron Hill]

Who built this boat? I thought it was a Karlesen?

I saw Sean run through the kilos at Parker, handled like a dream, but still scary at the speeds it went...

[Jeff Lytle]

Nope..........ROPER !!

[Ron Hill]

Roper build other stuff? Or have I just forgotten.? Didn't McKean have a Karlesen?

[Composite Specialties]

Ron,

For that project, I purchased the Seebold Capsule and built the boat myself. Jim Mckean had a laydown Karleson for some old records, but he wanted a capsule and adjustable pads and airtraps. He gave me the money and the concept and told me to come up with the design, so I did.

I will say this, that boat has so much more for speed built in it. Talking with Jim and Bob Wartinger one day, we all determined that the boat could easily handle around 150+ mph. I sure I could have seen that one.

I also have built all of Sean's pro boats including his capsule boat that he drives now.

[Ron Hill]

Marc,

I never really consider myself a "Historian" but I like to know what is going on.

Thanks for your post. I'll agree, 150 seemed that it wasn't impossible...and with a Yamato..."WOW"... Do you have any pictures of "STUFF""?

Where are you located now?


A very good friend of mine told me, he took his granson to Parker...His grand son is 30...same as my daughter... His grand son siad, "Grandpa, why don't they tell people about theis?"

This being boat racing!!!

I've often thought, we were a "SECRET SOCIETY"...

Again, thanks for sharing..../
Ron Hill

[Composite Specialties]

I am located in North Carolina. I do have a lot of pictures but have to dig them out of boxes. I actually purchased some A-Stock props from you back in the late 70's when I was racing my Craig Craft.

On the kilo boat, I know that Sean told me that they were seeing speeds on test runs in the mid 130's but just never got the conditions right. That was with a basically stock yamato 500cc engine with prop guessing. Think of what could have been if they really tried!

[Ron Hill]

I thought your name sounded familiar...A wheels, huh?? Still have people looking for "A" wheels, they ain't easy, folks...

I read somewhere here that you have "Projects"... , what are you up to now??

I'm of the "OLD SCHOOL" but I feel we need to change our "COMPETITION" from "SPEED" to... fastest lap, top time, best in show....

But that is me, 20 years a head of my time...

Though a wing on the back, add a center "POD...and I've copied your boat in my FOAM BOAT PROJECT...

Well, except, my capsule will be a roll cage...

Post pictures...Trust me, not just "RON HILL" wants to see them...