Cool Cover
Wow—the photo in the back of the February issue really caught my attention (Flashback, Page 138). It was the first page I turned to after noticing the Cigarette ad (whoa!) on the back, and I read it before I flipped anywhere else. I couldn't believe that was an actual Powerboat cover. Then to find out what photographer Bill Osborne did to get that photo made it even more impressive.

I can't imagine how scary that must have been for him, but then again, he said he wasn't too concerned. From that angle it looks like it would have been one wild ride.

Not only was it neat to see that perspective, but the photo made me think about how much hydroplane racing has changed with just the boats alone. Amazing. I bet Mr. Osborne has hundreds of other interesting stories to share considering he still photographs the sport.

Mark Ackerman
San Jose, Calif.

Easy TRS Replacement
In Teague on Tech in the January 2007 issue (Page 25), there was a question from Joe Marcotullio from Toronto regarding conversion options for his TRS drives. The reply suggested he may want to convert his 1988 Formula 357 to Bravo drives, which would require him to remove the whole system, remount the engines, fill in the transom and more.

It seems as though you may have forgotten to suggest that one of your advertisers has a product that would be the simplest, most-durable and cost-effective option: the Konrad 540 PRS (Performance Replacement System) stern drive. This drive has even been discussed in Powerboat ("Getting Centered," December 2005, Page 39).

Konrad's 540 PRS is a direct bolt-on retrofit for the TRS, requiring no glasswork or modifications of any kind to the transom. The engines do not have to be removed. Anyone with a little mechanical know-how can install the PRS in less than a day.

In addition to the benefit of easy installation, Konrad's PRS drive has a U-joint nearly three times the size of the TRS. It also has larger gears, bearings, shafts and thicker castings. It's conservatively rated to handle 738 foot-pounds of torque and holds a full 6 quarts of oil. The lower gear case on the PRS is 1.6 inches shorter than the TRS, which usually results in speed increase.

So for all of those TRS customers who still love that classic boat, leave the transom alone and replace your drives with the Konrad 540 PRS to enjoy hours of trouble-free recreation.

Randy Sofie
Konrad Marine
Hudson, Wis.

Kudos Mr. Jones
I recently attended the Florida Powerboat Club's Key West Poker Run and was pleasantly surprised. I want to share what I saw with everyone.

Safety was the No. 1 priority. I attended the drivers' meeting and (club president) Stu Jones gave one of the most intense speeches on poker run safety I've ever witnessed. Some people in the back of the room started to say "enough already," but Stu ignored them and kept on reminding everyone of the tragedies that occurred in 2006. Stu was visibly touched by those tragedies because both boats that were involved in the Lake Texoma accident were club members and his friends.

Stu drove home the following points: He wanted everyone to wear life jackets because it is the right thing to do! He wanted no one to consume alcohol until the run was over because it is the right thing to do! He wanted no one blowing through the pack at excessive speeds, and pointed out specific individuals who had done it in the past and were not invited back this year.

The following morning another boat owner came up to me on the docks and asked, "Do you think they are going to enforce the life jacket rule?" The whole crew I was with thought it was pretty funny that the guy picked me since I am so outspoken about poker run safety. I replied, "Why wouldn't you wear them?" He said, "Yeah I know but ..." and I repeated the question, "Why wouldn't you wear them?"

The boater looked at me in amazement and walked into the dock store. (Hopefully to buy life jackets.) The bottom line is that Stu's safety meeting the night before made people think about safety.

So are we to jump up and down and say mission accomplished? No, not yet. Not everyone had life jackets on and there were crew members having some cocktails at the lunch stop, but they were in the minority. What we should jump up and down about is the tremendous forward progress that has been made over the last year at events like it across our sport.

Dave Patnaude
New Jersey Performance Powerboat Club
Toms River, N.J.

Safe Season
Happy New Year Powerboat staff! I'd just like to take a minute to remind performance boaters across the country that boating is supposed to be about fun and spending time with friends and family.

Please keep this in mind this summer when you're at a poker run or spending any time boating for that matter. If we all just take a little time to be safe and courteous then it will make everyone's experience that much better. Here's to a safe 2007 boating season!

Jacob Cox
Reno, Nevada