In the summer of 2002, a jet-black 36-foot boat was launched. Its name is classified . Under the deck lurks a classified . A contender in the annual classified . After missing three races due to lack of completion, classified was launched on July 25th. Fine-tuning and adjustments ran throughout the night and the next day, finally ending at 0100 hrs on the 27th. The day of the classified race. After a few restless hours of “sleep” classified was fired up and on its maiden voyage. Its destination: classified Harbor in time to register to participate in classified . With no electronics hooked up, classified was on her own against the ocean, and not knowing where to go. After ending up 15 miles past classified she had her electronics rigged up. They weren’t pretty, but they were online. She now knew exactly where she needed to go. Roaring through the waves with a newly found sense of direction, classified found her way into the harbor, just as her competitor was lining up to race. Lacking the ability for long-range communication, she had to rely on her cousinship to call the race officials and clearing her for the race. After getting cleared to race, classified made her way to the line, her dual exhaust rumbling quietly on the water. classified's main competition was a boat that shared the same hull; only under its deck was a classified who was the champion the last two years. At the line, there was a flawless start as the boats were in a perfect line. classified , a painfully under-worked engine (not even having been run enough to set its valves properly) up against a classified veteran, was holing her own… for a while. About half way up the course she was passed and claimed second place. classified had her second race that very same day, in the classified . She went up against boats with double and even four times as much power and still claimed third. Her engine purring smoothly under the deck, begging for another chance to run. After the races she went to classified with her cousin ship and her competition.
When classified was docked up at the marina, the decision was made to adjust the engine. After some minor surgery, life was breathed back into the engine. The mild mannered engine that once lived under the deck was now a fire breathing dragon, billowing black smoke like some primeval challenge. Her dual pipes roaring the aggression of a beast from hell. She now was a threat, and everyone around her knew it. With her newfound power confirmed, classified went to sleep for the night. When dawn finally rose above the quiet harbor, more boats began to trickle in. Boats were docking beside boats, that were beside boats, that were beside boats. With her new power, classified had to keep her idle up so that she could keep herself clear of smoke, some 600 rpms more than her stock idle. After rafting up with another competitor, classified awaited her chance to run. When the call finally came, classified crept behind the crowd, trying not to give away her surprise. At the line, classified growled loudly, eager to prove herself. The flag dropped. The strength gained last night was certainly apparent as classified shot ahead the pack, her dual pipes roaring proudly. As she sped down the track, classified was definitely ahead, but the boat that beat her the day before was not very far behind. Sailing across the finish line, classified picked up her first win. On the way back home, classified wanted to know what she could do. Many times during the trip she was given the chance to run free, just not for very long. That all-important seal was needed, once in place, the engine would perform superbly. Until then, the engine would just keep getting stronger. Once classified cleared classified , she was allowed to run rampant, all the way to her homeport, some 30-odd miles away.
With classified just weeks away, classified worked up new plans for speed. A new part was ordered, to combat backpressure and further adjustments were done, checking and rechecking the data. Comparing this with that, and back again. Confident in her abilities, classified was now ready, even without her new part that was somewhere in the mail. Starting out in the early morning hours with the rest of the pack she travels with, classified chewed up the miles along the coastline of classified. Pulling into classified and rafting up besides other boats at the dock, classified’s crew went ashore to sign her up for the day’s activities. Little did they know that shortly after going ashore, the five boats between classified and the dock, untied and left. Leaving classified adrift, certainly not the nice thing to do. After a few frantic moments of the crew trying to get aboard, with the help of a couple in a canoe, classified fired up and moved away from the sharp rocks, lurking just inches under her keel. Chugging out and rafting up with her companions, classified waited for another sure win. Finally the call was issued: classified up to the line. The request was made, for the faster boats to line up on the starboard side of the start boat and for the slower boats to line up on the port side. classified, wanting a clear view of the flag, slid alongside the start boat. There were eleven other competitors classified would have to best. The start boat started forward, the boats all jockeying for position… False start. classified turned around and went back to the line. Idling at 1,200 RPM and the turbo starting to engage when in gear due to the backpressure, classified was once again in position with the start boat. Her main competition, the boat that’s hull was the same, just on the other side of the flag. Once again the start boat lurched forward, the boats lined up the best they could. Two boats, one on either end of the line were trying to get ahead of each other to settle a personal dispute… Another false start. One more and they would be disqualified. Back to the line the competitors chugged, getting into position once again as the start boat glided through the waves. The flag dropped. An excellent start! classified shot out of the hole like a rocket, gaining boat lengths on her competition by the second. Half way down the course, the engine hiccupped. classified’s bow dropped. Then, just like a marathon runner who just regained their breath for that final sprint, classified once again lifted her bow and surged forward. It didn’t last. Once again she lost her power and dropped her bow, then she was back up and running, then down, then up. Her overworked turbo had blown, and was starving the engine of much needed air, for both cooling and aiding combustion. classified was running on just fuel now. As the heat soared within the combustion chambers, she fought for the finish, her main threat gaining on her each second. The cabin filling full of orange caustic smoke as the engine coolant was being pushed out its over flow at its boiling point, only to be running down the engine and being sucked into the air intake. Smoke poured out of the exhaust as well as the cabin, making it look as if classified was on fire. Losing all power just before the finish line, classified coasted across. Not even a full boat length ahead. Although totally spent, the engine was not ruined. classified made it off the course under her own power and was shut down just to be sure that nothing blew up while among the spectators. Being towed over to where her traveling companions were, classified underwent exploratory surgery. Her turbo apparently had over-spun and lost its bearings, it was ruined. The cover was taken off and the valve clearances checked; they seemed to be ok. classified’s classified ran fine at idle, even without the turbo blowing air to feed her. A call out to the judges’ boat found some transportation by car to classified, where another turbo lay… In pieces. classified was towed to a mooring so that she could be protected somewhat from the waves and she had her turbo pulled off and her coolant sopped up from the bilge. After a few hours the turbo arrived, now it had to be put back together. Small adjustments were done with a hammer and a block of wood, until it was finally lined up correctly and would spin free. After installing the turbo, classified was brought back to life, purring like an excited kitten. It was now 2200 hrs and rather dark. She could make it back to port relying on her electronics if need be. But she didn’t have her speed, something was still wrong. She didn’t have her RPMs while under load. So classified was docked for the night, her crew would come for her in the morning.
In a perfect world, classified would have been in classified for the other race of the double weekend. But she was still in classified. After looking her over, and trouble shooting some issues, classified tried her way out into the ocean. She could only get 1,500 RPMs under load. Just over 12 mph, just under half of what she normally cruises at. The decision was made to go home under her own power, so First Team sailed off into the distance by herself with only half the crew aboard. The slow pace gave time to reflect and to think of possible causes for the sickness that now plagued her engine. Following her electronics gave a solid course home, until the satellites passed out of range. Now it was based on memory. Is it to the right, or the left? Sailing down the course she came, the satellites came back into range and classified continued forward. The space below deck filled up with some gray smoke that was escaping through the crank case vent. After four and a half hours, exactly twice the time it took to reach classified, classified was home. She was pulled onto land and her engine was removed at noon on the Tuesday before the last race of the season. She was rebuilt and sitting back on the floor behind classified that Thursday at noontime. Back in her cleaned engine compartment that night and hooked up at 2300 hrs. The next day classified once again felt the cold water of the Atlantic under her keel. Her new turbo (that came on the Monday after she got back from classified) and some smaller enhancements classified was back like nothing had happened. In classified after the turbo blew, the temperature in each cylinder shot up past the melting point of the aluminum pistons and slagged three of the six, one was so thoroughly melted, some of the molten metal flowed out the exhaust ports. Still classified had made it home under her own power, a true testament to the abilities of the engine. classified’s race was the next day. Classified docked for the night, rather than being put out to her mooring, just so she could mingle with the other racers that came in during the night and following morning.
The morning of the classified race, many of the people around were curious as to the huge scorch marks on the side of the dock. The very same night that classified’s engine was being put back into her belly, another boat from classified was getting ready. A gasoline craft had tied off to the dock on the loading ramp, so that when the tide went out the propeller could be changed. Unfortunately the ropes supporting it broke and it fell over onto its side, apparently filling the bilge with fumes, and when the starter was engaged to start the engine, the resulting spark ignited more than was expected, and the boat blew up, casting its pilot out into the water. The craft burned alongside the pier as her captain suffered from burns and stayed in the water to cool his body. Even with those events, the races still went on. That portion of the dock was taped off and was in no way compromised, but off limits just to make sure. The races began, everyone remembering what had happened last year. One of the boats in that race was not present at classified, and the other (who rolled-over) had put in a diesel, so they were in a different class. Once again classified was called to the line. All too familiar faces were present. classified idled smoothly, not needing to idle at 1,200 anymore. As the flag boat started forward, two boats were holding back behind the line, gaining speed as they came up fast to the line, the moment that they were lined up with the start boat, the flag dropped, apparently some scheme between the flag boat and those racers so they could get a good head start since they were already up to speed. But once again classified would not be denied. Her throttle driven forward and the engine drinking heartily, classified shot forward, her new turbo going through its paces. What advantage in distance her competitors had, it was soon turned around as classified sailed passed all, and kept going. Gaining distance all the way to the finish line for her third first place trophy and qualifying her in the point standings, where she came in third for the year. Missing those first three races, classified lost 30 points. Even so, after facing the multiple challenges set before her, classified conquered them all without hesitation. With the race season for 2003 coming up quickly, new plans are currently awaiting classified, which will make her even stronger.
That’s racing for you.


posted by Suicide at 6:03 PM

I got my hairs cut today, oh the joy
posted by Suicide at 11:51 AM

The names are classfied, but I thought I would share it with you anyways
posted by Suicide at 6:43 PM

In the summer of 2001, a jet-black 28-foot boat was launched. Its name was classified. Under the engine box laid a classified with aspirations of becoming a contender in the annual classified . After missing two of the six races, the first due to not yet being completed and the second due to a fuel problem, classified made its way to classified, the third race of the season. An unproven boat in unfamiliar waters surrounded by last year’s champion of classified competition and this year’s top runners. A humbling fifth place gave classified its first points. Now classified knew what she was up against and what had to be overcome in order to win.
With about two weeks until the next race, a plan was set into motion. Screws were turned, nuts tightened down, fine-tuning was done by ear, a most impressive charge of ingenuity, the engine leaping ahead in both performance and speed with each slight alteration. The day finally came, the first double race weekend of the season, classified on Saturday and classified on Sunday. Even though classified is a non-points race, classified wanted to know where she stood in the contention slots. After a few hours traveling down the coast at the gait of 25 mph, a speed most lobster boats can only dream of, classified arrived into classified. Swallowing the spare fuel to replenish her tanks, she stood ready for her next challenge. Again she took to the line, the only hint to her newly gained power was the low rumble from the exhaust. And, unlike the other racers, there wasn’t even the slightest possible trace of black smoke. At the drop of the flag, classified shot ahead, an excellent hole shot, but her lead wasn’t for long. Slowly gaining on her were two boats. Last year’s champion and this year’s hopeful overtook classified and kept their lead. But classified now had her first placing and her first trophy. After taking on some fuel it was over to classified for the night. A quiet evening, rafted up amongst other racers at the marina, and a little more tweaking of the screws and nuts. The next morning was a bright crisp day, well it would have been, if not for the fog that now engulfed the harbor. All speculation was that it would burn off as soon as the sun cleared the horizon. Slowly what once were just dark spots in the distance, now began to take shape as they made their way out of the mist, and soon thereafter their details were apparent. Finally after only a few hours of control, the last wisps of fog were blown away by a gentle breeze from the ocean. The cool dense air seemed to invigorate the people around and most certainly the engines. It would be a good day of racing. Now pulling up to the line, officially a contender, but regarded as just a fluke, classified idled smoothly; the only disturbance to the ocean around her was her wet exhaust, rumbling away like some medieval dragon, lurking within its cave, awaiting anything that dared come near. At the drop of the flag, another excellent surge ahead. But like the day before the top contenders were coming up fast, ultimately getting past classified's bow. Now classified had her first “official” placing, adding more points to her title. Now classified was a threat. While running back to her homeport, more scheming was about to take place.
Hardly a day after arriving home, new ideas were taking place on the deck. classified liked to roll to her side at speeds over 32 mph, this wouldn’t be the case if she had been intended to be a racer from when her keel was laid. All of her weight was on the starboard side - the hauler, the bunk below and, of course, the helm. An ugly green barrel was placed on deck. An eyesore if ever there was one in the history of classified. But like all things on Lobster Boats, it served a very important purpose. For within this barrel was the end of a hose, and within the hose, a liquid that hoped to turn the tide of racing to classified's favor. Water. The thought was, that by adding water to the port side, the roll-over effect would be countered. With classified running on an even keel, she should gain speed, even though more weight kept pouring onboard. Once satisfied with how she ran, thought was given to the apparent eyesore. Ultimately trading the barrel of water for bags of “pixie dust”, a compound we all are familiar with, and much easier to shift, and conceal for that matter, than a big green barrel of water. Tests were ran and re-ran. Carefully recording information, shifting things around until they were just right and then finally, the biggest race of the season was upon her. classified, the race that drags out more contestants than any other race. Each racer gets their chance to win a new hull. This would be a very interesting test indeed. Taking to the line once again, all too familiar faces were there to greet classified. A few unfamiliar faces were there too, an unknown hometown quantity. The low rumble of the engine gave no hint to the anticipation of this upcoming race; the unproven theory, quietly riding in bags, on deck. classified was literally between the top dogs. If she got caught up in their wake, it could be all over in an instant, never being able to place. At the instant the flag dropped, the three surged forward as one, staying close together, with classified's hole shot putting her just inches ahead. This year’s new contender for first place suddenly shot ahead of classified, roaring ahead. But last year’s champion fell back. Still rocketing down the course, the distance between last year’s winner was increasing and the distance between this year’s hopeful was slowly being whittled away. The pixie dust worked! But would there be enough course left to take the lead? The finish line was coming up fast, the distance between classified and the boat in the lead was diminishing. Unfortunately it was not enough. classified claimed second place, missing first place by only a few boat lengths. Traveling back to her homeport for the night, classified rested before her early morning trip the next day down to classified.
classified is another big race, although for no points. This is the place where the big money is awarded for first, second and third places. It was a bright crisp day on the ocean, the sun just breaking over land’s edge, glimmering upon the surface of the water. While enroute to meet up with another racer to travel down together, disaster struck. The high-pressure oil line that helps lubricate the injector pump had blown. Although it was caught quickly, six gallons of oil were spurted into the bilge. After a few frantic moments, and a few stolen parts from another system, a temporary patch was put in place. A near fatal disaster quietly averted in those wee hours. Limping back to port, with only a scavenged gallon and a half of oil, nearly all hope was lost. The hours that followed gave classified a more secure patch job, an unintentional oil change, and she met up with another racer, making his way down. Finally arriving at classified, hours later than planned, another unforeseen event occurred. The fuel tanks weren’t switched quick enough and the last sip of fuel was taken. The engine quit. After finally priming the system back up, classified once again came to life, the rumble like some huge kitten purring, waiting for something to play with. The number of racers signed up to race in classified were so many that they broke it up into two heats, with the top three of each heat racing again to determine the winner. The first heat was composed of the top five contenders and one hometown boat from classified. classified would have to wait her turn. The second heat was classified and five hometown boats. Lining up, the boats surrounding classified were all trying to get the advantage, inching their way in front of the start boat’s bow, but when the flag dropped, any lead that they might have had was blown away in an instant. classified roared down the course by herself. Crossing the finish line, turning around and heading back, only then did she greet her closest competitor. Now the final heat was on. classified was once again reintroduced to the three from heat one. Her sister ship, that year’s new hopeful, had always beaten her. Although the same hull, there was some four thousand pounds difference between the two. The battle between the lightweight, high rpm engine of the sister ship vs. the heavy duty, slow turning engine of classified was about to be underway. With the events that happened that day, there was some doubt cast upon classified. But when the flag dropped, there was no doubt. After a season of coming in third and second, classified would not be denied first place. Roaring down the course like a bat out of hell, first place was all hers. The roles from the day before had been reversed, it was now the sister ship who lost by a boat length. The careful tinkering throughout the summer had finally paid off for a win. Although some still thought it was a fluke, classified was sure to prove it to everyone that it was in no way, shape or form a “fluke” at the last race in classified.
classified. The last race of the season, where all disputes are settled. This would settle it once and for all. Boats started to drift in the night before. The dock turned into a friendly get together. Sharing stories, food and some cheerful brew. When morning finally rose, the rest of the day’s contestants arrived. After a late start, the wind started to blow, tossing up some waves. Nothing to be concerned of and races went on their way. The skiff races began and concluded. The work boat races started and finished. The gasoline classes were under way and classified started her way up to the line, two races before her own to wait for her time to prove herself once and for all. The final gasoline race lined up. The next race was classified, classified would be sure to dominate in the choppy conditions. Her lighter sister would bob around like a cork and would not sail very easily like the heavier classified. As the final two gasoline racers started down the course and passed where classified was floating off to the side of the course, disaster struck. One of the boats caught a series of waves wrong, rode up onto the crest and ran out of water under the boat, flipping over and slamming into the water. The frantic moments that followed were a blur of activity. Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but the races for the rest of the day were canceled. classified wouldn’t get the chance to prove that she wasn’t just a fluke. classified was sold over the winter; detuned from the speedster she once was, back down to how she started life. A good solid workboat, that can get to where she needed to go, and get there fast.


posted by Suicide at 6:41 PM

OOOOOO lunch at home WEEEEE the fun AND excitement!
posted by Suicide at 12:05 PM