BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 18, 2021 / For powerboat racing, one of the most important factors for racers is the additional gear that they use and wear. Traveling at speeds of over 180 mph, racers must ensure they are protecting themselves with quality gear that will help mitigate the damage if an impact were to occur. Professional powerboat racer and six-time world champion Hugh D. Fuller Jr. shares his insights on what he believes are the top three pieces of gear that racers need.
Life Jackets
Like any other responsible boat rider, life jackets are a critical piece of gear for powerboat racers. There are a variety of styles that racers can choose from, but most racers opt for inflatable life jackets that can be activated with the pull of a lanyard. These jackets are much more comfortable than your typical puffy boating life jacket, with convenient shoulder straps and adjustable waistbands. Powerboat racing life jackets are typically made from a tough nylon material that is made for the potential heavy-duty impact that racers might face.
"I don't get in a race boat unless I'm wearing my life jacket," says Hugh Fuller. "I've seen firsthand what can happen when people don't wear them. Especially for us racers, life jackets protect us from drowning if we were to end up in the water while driving. It would be crazy not to wear one."
Helmets & Headsets
While the jacket provides protection for racers' bodies, helmets are also a necessary piece of racing equipment. Similar to life jackets, their function for powerboat racers is twofold. The helmet protects a racer's head from potential impact, however, helmets also have built-in top-quality headsets to communicate with the driver or throttleman as well as the crew back on land. Communication between the driver and throttleman on the powerboat would be practically impossible without one.
"People wear helmets while riding their bikes in quiet neighborhoods, so why wouldn't you be wearing one while driving a boat that's going well over 180 mph? Also, trying to hear the other person on the boat without an audio system on deck is impossible, so headsets are absolutely critical," says Hugh D. Fuller. "The engine and wind can be deafening - they don't call them powerboats for nothing," says Hugh D. Fuller.
Oxygen
Finally, and perhaps the most important piece of safety gear for powerboat racers, is oxygen. In the circumstance that a powerboat flips over, oxygen is vital, as these boats are closed canopy. Racers can choose between normal scuba diving oxygen or even full-time air in case of a blackout, however, some racers may find this too restrictive. Using oxygen is a skill that must be practiced, and racers train by using boat pod simulations in pools. These boat pods, known as ‘dunkers,' allow racers to feel the disorientation they would feel in the water if they were in a blown-over boat. They also give them the opportunity to practice using oxygen in a controlled environment.
With his own fair share of exhilarating racing experiences, Hugh Fuller shares a time he needed oxygen while racing. "We were out on the Hudson River, and before we knew it, the boat started to flip over. It's an instinct for us and we spend a lot of time training for it. I immediately grabbed my oxygen regulator - mind you, we were going over 170 mph at this point - and luckily, I had the oxygen going before we hit the water. As soon as we hit, the cockpit was almost completely filled with water - very scary," says Hugh D. Fuller Jr..
There are many options for powerboat racing gear on the market, but as Hugh Fuller has explained, inflatable life jackets, helmet/headset combos, and oxygen are his top three most important pieces of equipment for racing. These pieces of gear best balance safety and technology to provide the racer with the best and safest racing conditions possible.
Contact: Andrew Mitchell, media@cambridgeglobal.com
SOURCE: Hugh Fuller
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https://www.accesswire.com/660268/Top-3-Pieces-of-Gear-You-Need-for-Powerboat-Racing-Hugh-D-Fuller
