Aug 28

Aug 28 Tuff Marine Brings Some White Heat to Lake of the Ozarks: Tuff 34 Sets Single Engine Top Speed Record

Although I’m a bit biased, the stark white Tuff 34 stole the show at the Lake of the Ozarks shootout. With Thomas Weigl at the wheel, the sleek hull from Ontario, Canada ran a blistering 135 MPH on Saturday August 26. That’s a phenomenal number considering the size of the boat and that it’s running a single 1100 Mercury Racing engine, making it the Shootout winner in the single engine V class. Here are the details of the boat and behind the scenes at Osage Beach.

Even though it’s a dual calibration that can run 1350 HP, Mark and Thomas have dialed it in at 1100 HP and have run the boat up to 148 MPH on the rev limiter. Mark mentioned they could run it in 1350 mode but would probably want to make some changes, primarily the propeller and possibly a hatch or canopy for aerodynamics. In fact, there was consideration of using a hatch and removing the seats to optimize the run but they decide to run it as is.

The Mercury Racing 9.0L 1100/1350 dual calibration engine is a monster, connected to the water via a M8 drive.

Of course, you can prepare for almost everything but not the weather or the course at that moment. The ¾ mile track runs up the shore across form Captain Ron’s and it’s usually pretty calm, but the odd wave can come across the course. Rain and lots of heat and humidity isn’t ideal but everyone is in the same conditions for the most part. Thomas did a masterful job given all that goes on during the shootout and the conditions.

When you watch the video of the run, the Tuff rides beautifully up on it’s pad and you can see why it’s so fast; hydrodynamic and aerodynamic. You certainly can’t sneeze at 1100 HP but any other boat running in the 135+ MPH range had way more power than the Tuff. With an overall length of 35’6”, the bow curves downward slightly to punch through the air better, and the notched pad features an intricate design with a multilevel tapered pad. It’s truly incredible and the fastest single V I’m aware of. Sport cats running twin 500Rs aren’t close to the 148 MPH this boat runs.

The hull design is very sophisticated with a notch and a pad that has multiple levels that taper, making a wide running surface that is stable at extreme speeds. The aerodynamics are especially important and another area where Tuff does lots of work.

And the Tuff team is a truly a family operation with Mark, Thomas and Mark’s wife Dana all part of it. They are truly passionate about every detail. They aren’t trying to mass produce anything, but they are making some of the most hardcore performance boats in the 16, 20, 25, 28 and 34 range. I believe the 34 will be titled as a 36 next season. That is another thing I love, they are always innovating with new designs and improvements.

It was great to see Tuff Marine back at Lake of the Ozarks and it was worth the wait, they really brought the heat this time. I can’t wait to see what they work on next; you know it’s going to be unique and it’s going to be fast.

Tuff 34 148 MPH top speed run