1987 Miami-Nassau-Miami: New Boat, New Speed

1987 Miami-Nassau-Miami
Magnum 63’ (63-010)
Power: CRM 18DSS BRI
Horsepower: 1850hp, stock
Transmission: ZF
Drive: Arneson ASD-14
Weight: 47,800lbs
Elapsed Race Time: 6hr:10min @ 58mph average

When Filippo Theodoli received John Crouse’s letter in February of 1987, announcing the second running of the Miami-Nassau-Miami race, he knew he wanted another crack at it. Not because he felt he had anything left to prove, he didn’t, but rather because he felt he could win even more decisively this time. Not just winning because he outlasted his opponents but also winning because his vessel would simply outperform everyone.

 

Another new 63’ hull would be laminated, 63-010C787. This new hull was built with the race in mind from the start and a new laminate schedule was developed using copious amounts of a relatively, new material developed by DuPont called Kevlar. This made the 1987 hull both, lighter and stronger, than the 1986 boat, helping the final race boat weigh 10,000lbs less than its predecessor! This time the Magnum team went with a different engine manufacturer from the previous year, switching from Stewart & Stevenson 16v92s to CRM 18DSSs. CRM Motori SpA, is an Italian diesel engine manufacturer that builds high-power, ultra-lightweight, aluminum block motors, built entirely by hand. At the time CRM didn’t have much experience with manufacturing marine engines. The reason their motors were built with ultra-lightweight aluminum blocks, was because they were originally designed for use in blimps/airships. Because of their original aviation application, they were also, exceptionally reliable, something vital in a long-distance pleasure or race boat. The exotic CRM engines were lighter than the Stewart & Stevenson 16v92s, even though the CRMs had 2 additional cylinders, for a total of 18. The CRMs also provided a lot more horsepower, with each motor producing 1850hp vs the 1440hp of the race-modified 16v92s. Once again, Magnum would pair these motors to Arneson drives, this time the ASD-14 model and Rolla Propeller would supply the custom-made props, once again, designed based on the hull weight/length, and motor. This new Magnum 63’ race boat, this time painted black, was capable of 72mph, 12mph faster than the previous year’s contender!

 

The 1987 race had fewer competitors than the previous year with a total of 5, down from 8 the previous year and it began as the previous year had, with the dedicated 100mph race boats leading out of Government Cut. However, this year none of the other 4 competitors made it past Gun Cay, mostly due to mechanical issues, leaving the 63’ Magnum to run the 300+ mile course alone. The big change in the 1987 race, was the crew; with Katrin Theodoli, Filippo’s wife joining, along with the now famous propeller designer, Phil Rolla, who wanted to see first hand what Magnum was achieving with his propellers. Katrin Theodoli, today, Magnum’s driving force and President/CEO, had never been in a race of any kind, save for ski races in her native Switzerland, so this was a new experience for her. The 1986 team was well outfitted with coolers of sandwiches and water, something unimaginable for the other race crews. This year, perhaps due to Mrs. Theodoli’s presence, the race crew wouldn’t be munching on sandwiches. This would be a catered affair. “We had mountains of food- chicken, roast beef, all kinds of cheeses and freshly baked bread. Not the usual fare on a race boat.” Just like 1986, the 1987 race was devoid of issues and the sea was even calmer than the previous year. The ride was so uneventful that Mrs.Theodoli nodded off somewhere on the way to Gun Cay, and even asked her husband if it might be appropriate to take a dip in the azure waters of the Bahama banks, this idea was actually debated until everyone realized they had a record to set and the idea was brushed aside. After an uneventful 6hrs and 15min and an average speed of 58mph, the black Magnum 63’ raced back through Government Cut, alone.