BIONIORCA
Bionic Dolphin inventor Tom “Doc” Rowe tests his latest creation.
Your
basic backyard in rural Northern California.
Well, not quite. How many people
do you know with a Bionic Killer Whale on a trailer?
Todd Walsh from Ventura, California, (master
surfboard shaper, radical skateboard builder, and technical specialist for the
Bionic Dolphin team) lifts the lid on the Hi-Perf
Chevy Ratmotor that will power the BIONIORCA.
With Todd observing from the open front
cockpit, and Doc at the aft controls, the inevitable crowd of spectators
assembles on the dock at Whiskeytown to watch the
BIONIORCA’s first operational engine test.
After
years of hard work, the boat is finally underway for surface maneuvering tests,
observed by day-sailors aboard a Hobiecat.
After
a successful series of test runs, Doc and Todd return to shore in the
BIONIORCA.
The
obligatory post-test “Hero” pose.
Hey! You just wish it was
you! J
And here’s the BIONIORCA on another day of
testing. You can see slight differences
in the paint job if you look closely.
And those red devices are to protect the leading edge of the hydrofoils
in transit. But man! I can just imagine what was running through
the station attendants mind. Ding-ding! “Fill ‘er up? Uhhh…will that be
Regular, Ethyl, or Seal blubber, mister?”
J
“Hmmmmmm… I think it might be the Flux Capacitor,
Doc!”
Todd
Walsh testing the emergency backup propulsion system.
Doc
in the water, making some adjustments.
BIONIORCA
underway and awash.
Here’s
a photo-montage I did of the boat out there kickin’
up a fuss as Doc hits the gas a little bit.
Comin’ atcha. Kinda reminds me of
the Nautilus on the attack, but then I guess I have a one track mind. J
Cruisin’ back with the hatches open.
Everybody dreams, but very few ever turn
their dreams into reality. Doc is one of
the few. The BIONIC DOLPHIN series of
watercraft is truly unique and totally amazing.
He’s achieved something all may admire and some may envy, but the World
knows that when you see this kind of boat, it is the brainchild of Tom “Doc”
Rowe. The man deserves respect, and he’s
got mine. Props to you, Doc. You are a true Original.
NEXT:
At the time of this writing, there’s ice and snow on the lakes in NorCal, so we’re looking forward to Spring when additional
BIONIORCA operations will continue. When
that happens, you’ll see it here.
NEW! Thursday, May 11, 2017: Found out about this old video of Doc testing
the BIONIORCA and had to include it here.
This was the first time they put it in the water and tested the drivetrain. Enjoy! J
https://www.facebook.com/BionicDolphin/videos/175115462500817/