Come to the USA- Ray Stevens! ... Thx Pidge F!

Ray Stevens- "Come to the USA" ... Thx Pidge F!

 

http://www.youtube.com/embed/WgOHOHKBEqE?feature=player_detailpageskegley.blogspot.com

Fastest amphibious car ... thx Sonny H!

Read our latest product comparisons

• RIBA announces Stirling Prize 2013 shortlist
• Volvo portable solar pavilion could power plug-ins of the future
• The sights of Speed: 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed round-up
• "For Special Services" – on James Bond's creator, his closeness to the CIA, and the real spy gadgets he inspired
• Review: Plants vs. Zombies 2

more top stories

AUTOMOTIVE

Is it a Jeep? Is it a speedboat? No, it's WaterCar's Panther amphibious vehicle

By Brian Dodson
June 30, 2013

9 Comments

37 Pictures

17
inShare

Email

WaterCar's Panther is as at home on the water as it is on the land (Photo: WaterCar, Inc.)
Image Gallery (37 images)

Brookdale Assisted Living - www.BrookdaleLiving.com
Quality Care For 30+ Years. Find Senior Assisted Living Today!

Ads by Google

Recreational amphibious vehicles are nothing new, but most are one-offs, and most tend to be boats that can creep on land, or cars that slosh slowly through water. There are exceptions, notably entries from Gibbs, but arguably, amphibious vehicles have not made the grade as true all-round vehicles that can be driven to work during the week, and on the lake on weekends. WaterCar's new Panther straddles the divide.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• View all

Take a Jeep CJ-8, put a Honda Acura 3.7-liter V6 in the back to provide 305 hp, add a fiberglass hull, retracting wheels, and a jet boat drive and you've got the new Panther from WaterCar, which it claims is the world's fastest amphibious car. Capable of doing over 80 mph (127 km/h) on the road and 44 mph (70 km/h) on the water, the Panther is equipped with a long-travel off-road suspension that allows access to less user-friendly lakes. The appearance of the Panther takes after the Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler, with a stretched wheelbase that provides extra interior room.

Because the Jeep chassis proved too heavy, so WaterCar designed a lightweight chassis made of chromoly steel. Having properties (weldability, formability, strength, ductility and toughness) that greatly exceed those of regular carbon steel, the choice of chromoly steel, while pricey, solved the Panther's weight problem.
The Panther's chassis was designed to slip neatly into a fiberglass hull, and is secured therein by modern epoxies, thereby reducing noise and shimmy during hard handling. The hull and chassis incorporate advanced composites where extra strength and toughness is required, and the hull is filled with closed-cell styrofoam, rendering the Panther nearly unsinkable.

What goes inside the hull and chassis includes a powerful powertrain that provides motive force both on land and water. The engine for the Panther is the latest-generation Acura 3.7-liter VTEC V-6 engine. An all-aluminum powerplant, the V-6 is equipped with single overhead camshaft cylinder heads and 24 valves. Both intake and exhaust valves are controlled by Acura's Variable valve Timing and lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system.
This 3.7-liter engine is a bored and stroked version of the Acura 3.5-liter engine. As this left little clearance between the cylinders, the cast-in iron cylinder liners of the 3.5 liter were replaced by high-silicon aluminum liners. This results in better cooling and tighter piston ring seals. The compact and efficient 3.7-liter engine produces 305 horsepower at 6,300 rpm with special emphasis on mid-range torque giving this VTEC a peak torque of 274 lb-ft (371 Nm) at 4,500 rpm.
The Panther uses WaterCar's own transfer case with Winter's Quick Change gears and components to transfer power between a model 091 VW Vanagon bus four-speed manual transaxle driving the rear wheels, and the H450 Panther Jet drive. WaterCar's transfer case is rated at 1,000 hp, so should have a long service life in the Panther. The H450 Panther Jet drive is rated to 500 hp input.
Enough tech specs – how does the Panther perform? On the road the Panther is capable of a maximum speed somewhere north of 80 mph (128 km/h). Acceleration times are not yet available, but with 305 hp (232 kW) driving a car weighing just under 3,000 lb (1,340 kg), it is reasonable to expect snappy, if not extreme, acceleration. The VTEC engine has a compression ratio of 11.1:1, and requires 91-octane premium gasoline to avoid detonation.

Entering the water can be done at speeds up to 15 mph (24 km/h) if there is no step higher than about six inches (15 cm) and the beach is sufficiently firm. Some spectacular entries and exits from the water appear on the video below. Once in the water, the pilot places the four-speed in neutral, pulls a knob to switch the transfer case over to jet drive, pushes a knob to hydraulically lift the wheels and tires out of the water, and start boating. The entire procedure takes less than 15 seconds.
Once in the water, the Panther is remarkably stable for a boat that is only 15 ft (4.6 m) in length. It leans a bit in tight turns, but makes the most of the low center of gravity resulting from having both automotive and marine drive systems. This also renders the Panther a bit reluctant to get out of the hole to planing speed, but the amphib appears to handle well at its top speed of nearly 45 mph (72 km/h).

Remarkably, the Panther maintains an even keel on the water even when stopped. It appears to be slightly low at the stern, but at most by an inch or two. The video shows a person diving from the Panther, which again appears to take the sudden shift of weight in stride. The Panther has all the power and speed needed to pull water skiers or wakeboarders, with the vehicles getting up to enough speed to let even most barefoot skiers to get on top of the water.
The Panther's design also allows it to function well as an off-road vehicle. This is due in part to the Jeep heritage together with the wide 30X9.50R15 tires, but is mainly the result of WaterCars designing a long-travel suspension system for the Panther. The primary purpose for this suspension was to allow the Panther to drive directly in and out of the water without requiring a slipway, but in the end it also gives the Panther a chance to shine on, for example, Arizona sand dunes.

As a rear wheel drive, it is probably best to go off-road only in locations with which you are familiar, or together with a four-wheel drive vehicle that can tow you out of soft spots. Despite that, there are many situations in which off-roading just adds to the Panther's potential for fun.
All in all, early descriptions of WaterCar's Panther suggest that it will provide real enjoyment to anyone living on or near water. The Panther is pricey, starting at US$76,000 for a "Rolling chassis", $106,000 for a "Turn-key minus" version, and $135,000 for a complete Panther. The reason for the uncompleted models is that WaterCar's legal and regulatory requirements are far less if they sell kits instead of completed vehicles.
The rolling chassis requires a good bit of work and additional components, but the components can be bought off the shelf. The Turn-key minus version lacks the engine and automobile side of the powertrain. If buying a complete Panther, WaterCar's approach will be to find an outside firm that will complete your amphib for you.

Perhaps the fairest price comparison for the Panther is with separate vehicles. A decent off-road capable car that will tow a boat trailer that carries a 45 mph (72 km/h) boat. When you look at it that way, the price seems a bit more in line. Besides, being able to drive to a lake, drive into the lake, speed past gawking landlubbers, go back to ground for a nice meal, and then slipping into the water to enjoy a slow twilight cruise through the span of London Bridge (now in Lake Havasu, Arizona) before returning to the road home is surely worth a bit of sticker shock.
Source: WaterCar

Ad by Federated Media

7 Key Lessons from The $100 Startup

OPEN Forum

New Mitsubishi Waterjet - www.Mitsubishi-World.com/Waterjet
2-3, and 4-axis, High-Precision Quality & Experience Guaranteed

Ads by Google

About the Author

From an early age Brian wanted to become a scientist. He did, earning a Ph.D. in physics and embarking on an R&D career which has recently broken the 40th anniversary. What he didn't expect was that along the way he would become a patent agent, a rocket scientist, a gourmet cook, a biotech entrepreneur, an opera tenor and a science writer.   All articles by Brian Dodson

Tags

• » Amphibious
• » Boat
• » Boats
• » Car
• » Cars
• » Jeep
• » Marine
• » Off-road
• » Vehicle

skegley.blogspot.com

My worst nightmare ever ... Thx good friend Anon Ymous!

MY WORST NIGHTMARE EVER ....

...
In the nightmare I found myself nude in bed, and I was looking at a mirror on the ceiling, and I discovered that I am black, and I’m circumcised! Quickly I sat up, found my pants and looked in the pockets to find my driver’s license photo and it was that same color, black. I felt myself being very depressed, downcast, sitting in a chair. But it’s a wheelchair! That means, of course, besides being black and Jewish, I’m also disabled!

I said to myself, aloud ‘This is impossible! It’s impossible that I should be black and Jewish and disabled! It’s the pure and holy truth’, whispers someone from behind me. I turn around, and it’s my boyfriend. Just what I needed! I am a homosexual, and on top of that, with a Mexican boyfriend. Oh, my God… Black, Jewish, disabled, gay with a Mexican boyfriend, drug addict, and HIV-positive! Desperate, I begin to shout, cry, I try to pull my hair, and Oh, nooooo… I’m bald!!!

The telephone rings. It’s my brother. He is saying, ‘Since mom and dad died, the only thing you do is hang out, take drugs, and laze around all day doing nothing. Get a job, you worthless piece of crap… Any job!’ Mom? Dad? Nooooo… Now I’m also an unemployed orphan!

I try to explain to my brother how hard it is to find a job when you are black, Jewish, disabled, gay with a Mexican boyfriend, are a drug addict, HIV positive, bald, and an orphan, but he doesn’t get it. Frustrated, I hang up. It’s then I realize I have only one hand! With tears in my eyes, I go to the window to look out. I see I live in a shanty-town full of cardboard and tin houses! There is trash everywhere.

Suddenly I feel a sharp pain near my pacemaker… Pacemaker? Besides being black, Jewish, disabled, a fairy with a Mexican boyfriend, a drug addict, HIV positive, bald, orphaned, unemployed, an invalid with one hand, and having a bad heart, I live in a crappy neighborhood.

A t that very moment my boyfriend approaches and says to me, Sweetie pie, love, my little black heart-throb, have you decided what you are going to wear to Washington to meet Obama?

Say it isn’t so! Now I can handle being a black, disabled, one armed, drug-addicted, Jewish homosexual on a pacemaker who is HIV positive, bald, orphaned, unemployed, lives in a slum, and has a Mexican boyfriend, but…………

OMG, please don’t tell me I’m a Democrat!

Things liberals hate ... Thx Jon K!

Things Liberals Hate

11 hours ago

-If you want gun law reform for the purpose of "saving the children" but you believe its ok to abort a baby....you might be a liberal

-I you think that Republicans are racist but have called a black conservative an Uncle Tom...you might be a liberal

-If you think the economy is recovering, but didn't know a budget hasn't been passed since 2009 or that we are $17.5 trillion in debt...you might be a liberal

-If you have put a 'coexist' or 'tolerance' bumper sticker on your car and then said something negative about Christianity...you might be a liberal

-If you watched the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 but have called a conservative a hatemonger for saying something "intolerant" of Is Lame you are a traitor...and you might be a liberal

-If you think that rich people need to pay more taxes, but that there should be fewer restrictions on who can qualify for welfare...you might be a liberal

-If you think that the government should stay out of women's bodies, but you believe that taxpayers should pay for contraceptives...you might be a liberal

-If you think that Mitt Romney is a moron; but think Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Matthews and Piers Morgan are intelligent...you might be a liberal

-If you think that the constitution should be changed so that a small minority can justify their fetishes, but also want to change the constitution to take away other American’s established rights...you might be a liberal

-If think that more should be done to advance women's rights, but have said something negative about Sarah Palin...you might be a liberal

-If you think the Republicans are the reason Obama hasn't been able to fix the economy, but didn't know that the Obamas spent $1.4 billion in taxpayer money for vacations in 2011...you might be a liberal

If any of the above applies to you...You are an idiot

For the rest of you, feel free to add to this list in the comments

~TheSlackPanther

Ten Pills ... Thx Pidge F!

 This was done by the Capitol Steps from Washington, DC.  Have seen them several times et they are hilarious.  They target both parties with their original scripts/songs.  Enjoy!! pzf

Just too Funny to not share. http://www.youtube.com/embed/4U1ShwjleSE?

skegley.blogspot.com

A black deer- Unbelievably gorgeous! ... Thx Dr. H!

 Deer ~ Unbelievably Gorgeous

 1:22 PM
Subject: FW: A Black Deer ~ Unbelievably Gorgeous

bluemanm[1].png 1K   View   Share   Download

skegley.blogspot.com

Mourning black deaths in Chicago? ... Thanks Dr. H!

If you are using a screen reader, you may wish to switch to basic HTML for a better experience.

Where's The Anger!

Inbox x Subject: Where's The Anger!          Don’t get me wrong; I mourn for Trayvon Martin. But I don’t blame George Zimmerman for shooting him in self-defense. I blame the corrupt, violent, lifeless, drug and gangsta culture that is breeding generations of Trayvons – kids who are uneducated, devoid of morals, without vision, dreams and aspirations. I blame a political establishment that fosters all of this and lures kids and their parents into dependency on the state. I blame the broader culture that tolerates violence against black people – as long as that violence is perpetrated by black people. You think I’m exaggerating? As the nation is fixated on George Zimmerman’s trial for the death of Trayvon Martin in Florida, over the weekend, 74 people were shot in Chicago – most of them black victims attacked by black perps. At least 12 were killed. Many of the injuries are serious. Almost no one is talking about 74 people being shot in one holiday weekend in a city with the strictest anti-gun laws in the country. That’s more Americas that were shot in Iraq and Afghanistan combined over the same time period – a lot more. Where is the compassion for these victims? Why isn’t Barack Obama looking at the pictures of these victims in his hometown and saying, “If I had a son …”? Where is the anger of those liberals and Democrats who run the Chicago political machine and who are so outspoken about the Trayvon Martin case? And when will Americans take notice of the fact that “gun-free cities” like Chicago are among the most dangerous places in the world? Endlessly the talking heads on television debate the Trayvon Martin case. Nobody pays any attention to the 74 people – mostly black teens or smaller children – who were shot in Chicago in one bloody weekend. What can one say about such hypocrisy and moral blindness? We all know about Trayvon, but how many know about 5-year-old Jaden Donald and 7-year-old Christian Lyles – both shot on Independence Day in Chicago in separate incidents. Jaden Donald lost three organs as a result of getting caught in the crossfire. They didn’t jump anyone. They weren’t prowling around a gated community. They weren’t smoking pot. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time – Chicago on July 4. A 72-year-old woman was also among the victims. Twelve dead, 62 injured. And still we obsess about Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman. No one is threatening to riot over the 72 shooting victims in Chicago. No one is having debates on cable television. There is no wall-to-wall, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the bloodbath in Chicago. If, indeed, the Trayvon Martin case is an epic tragedy, how much more is the fact that we have a ho-hum attitude about 74 victims gunned down in one weekend in Chicago? Does it really make a difference what color the attackers are? Shouldn’t it be alarming that there were no extenuating circumstances, like self-defense, in these shootings and that many of the victims were innocent bystanders? Isn’t it incredible that death tolls like this are not the exception but the rule in cities like Chicago? What about these dead black kids? Don’t they count? Who made these rules? Have we collectively lost our senses and any ability to discern right from wrong? Take note of who is running Chicago and how. Is this the way you want your community run? Is this the way you want your nation governed? Are these the kind of people you want to place and keep in power? What’s more racist – to tolerate death on a routine and mass scale or to look objectively at the evidence in one isolated case in Florida without rushing to judgment?   -- If you forward this email please delete the forwarding history, which includes my email address. It is a courtesy to me and others who may not wish to have their email addresses sent all over the world! Erasing the history helps prevent Spammers from mining addresses, computer fraud, identity theft and viruses.Always use "bcc" Thank you.  "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797)