Turbines vs Pistons

By Fred Farley - Unlimited Hydroplane Historian

I truly miss the piston boats. But the turbines have created their own level of interest in the sport, which I appreciate.

There just wasn't enough GOOD piston equipment left to justify a class. The last vintage year of piston power was 1975. Starting in 1976, I detected a sharp downturn in the level of performance.

The 1978 season was an utter blasphemy. Only one boat started the Final Heat at Miami, while everyone else sat dead in the water. It was embarrassing!

The Turbine Revolution of 1984 saved the sport. Even so, it took until 1988 before the Unlimiteds were truly back on their feet. From 1976 to 1987, I had to be the resident apologist for Unlimited racing. And I hated that.

I still miss the glorious sounds of the Allison and Rolls engines. But we can't turn back the clock. The Rolls-Royce Merlin is extinct. And the Allison is nearly so.

I've never been in favor of automotive power in the Unlimited Class (although I did like MISS CHRYSLER CREW back in the '60s). Auto engines have never worked very well in a 28-foot hull. And they break all the time.

Turbines are much more reliable than pistons. When five boats start a heat, it's not unreasonable for five boats to finish. But that didn't happen very often back in the piston era.