Deck2Deck.us: Fantasy Unlimited Hydroplane Racing

Race Fans, Deck2Deck is wrapping up its review of the competitors in the remaining seven races of the season. We’ve already seen the Possible Entries, The Field of those competing all season, and boats On The Doorstep of greatness. Now in our final installment, let’s take a look at those sure to step on the podium this year. H1’s Top Dogs are the boats to beat in 2013.

U-1 – Oh Boy! Oberto / Miss Madison
Driver: Steven David – Lighthouse Point, FL
Home Port: Madison, IN
2012 Finish: 1st (9,377)
2012 Podium Finishes: 5
2011 Finish:2nd (7,474)
2011 Podium Finishes: 4
2010 Finish: 1st (9,444)
2010 Podium Finishes: 6

Following a one-year absence as National Champion, The City of Madison’s Oh Boy! Oberto returns in 2013 once again sporting the U-1 designation on her beautiful sponsons, just as she has four out of the last five seasons. The jerky-powered hull (0706) three-peated at Seattle’s prestigious Seafair Trophy race and also captured a Bill Muncey Cup in 2012. In the cockpit for his 13th season as the City of Madison’s shoe is the venerable Steven David. David just missed finishing on the podium at each race in 2013 by virtue of being a fraction of a second early at the score-up buoy in Tri-Cities. With the anticipated absence of the Team Ellstrom, the jerky boat appears posed to retain the national title this season and potentially attain the Madison team’s first Gold Cup since 1971.

HydroDan says: Preseason Rank – 1

This boat will win 3 or 4 races at a minimum and finish on the podium at all races barring mechanical gremlins or penalties. Not a question of if to play, but when.

U-5 – Graham Trucking
Driver: Jimmy Shane – Havre de Grace, MD
Home Port: Decatur, IN
2012 Finish: 2nd (8,193)
2012 Podium Finishes: 4
2011 Finish: 3rd (6,813) Jeff Bernard
2011 Podium Finishes: 2
2010 Finish: 4th (5,574) Jeff Bernard
2010 Podium Finishes: 1

After an uncertain offseason prior to the 2012 campaign in which the Precision Performance Engineering Team appeared to close its doors for good, Ted Porter fortuitously returned to the circuit with young gun Jimmy Shane in the seat of their T-6 hull (0001). Mr. Porter and team were rewarded for their efforts with 4 podium finishes including a Tri-Cities Water Follies victory and UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar. The UIM victory was the third out of four years for a Porter owned craft on Doha Bay. Shane will only improve as he continues to learn the nuances of unlimited competition, his surroundings, and his formidable abilities as an unlimited pilot.

HydroDan says: Preseason Rank – 2

Young Shane will give chase and pressure the Oberto all season. Five podium finishes at a minimum with a race win or two likely. Not a question of if to play, but when.