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Heavy Metal Hall of Fame

  • Updated: October 4, 2007

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1 This 1953 Hydrojet from the Kermath Manufacturing Co. inhaled water from behind the nozzle. Kermath claimed a discharge rate of 1,100 gallons per minute. As is common today, the helm steered the nozzle through 360 degrees.

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2 The saildrive (this one by Yanmar), featuring minimal drag and good thrust, revolutionized auxiliary power for high-performance sailboats.

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3 Rolls-Royce Merlin and Allison V-12 aircraft engines of more than 1,000 hp sent speed into the stratosphere.

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4 Gas turbine engines similar to this General Electric T58 made their marine debut with Donald Campbell’s record-setting Bluebird. Nowadays, gas turbines power the Unlimited Hydroplanes and a variety of high-speed superyachts.

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5 The most significant advances in the propulsion of sailboats have come from the sailcloth, and the 3DL from North Sails. Introduced in 1992, this technology thermo-molds sails as a unitary membrane on a full-size 3-dimensional mold. A 3DL sail stretches less for its weight, holds its shape over a wider range of wind speeds and retains its designed shape longer.
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