Low Altitude Team Targeting 185 MPH for Shootout

Almost certain to be the only competitors with a turbine-engine-equipped powerboat at the upcoming Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, the Low Altitude team members are hoping to get 185 mph out of their 50-foot Mystic Powerboats catamaran during the Central Missouri event. Last year, the Low Altitude cockpit duo of owner/driver Win Farnsworth and throttleman Chris Kissinger struggled with port drive-trim problems throughout the top-speed contest and never laid down a solid run in the cat that is powered by twin T-53 1,800-hp engines.

Looking for better fortune this time around, Low Altitude (pictured here at the 2016 Desert Storm Poker Run Shootout) will return to the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in late August. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“We’d like to run 185 mph,” Farnsworth said. “That’s what we’ve been shooting for.”

During the years, a number of Shootout competitors have complained about the discrepancy between the top speeds they’ve seen on their in-boat GPS units and the official Shootout speeds, which are recorded by radar. To that end, the event organizers have continually worked to improve the accuracy of their radar gear. Farnsworth sees it as a non-issue.

“The reality is they have a fantastic speed trap that works really well for all of us,” he said.

In addition to his 50-footer, Farnsworth will bring his Mystic M4200 luxury performance center console to the event “just to tool around on.” Although the boats currently are for sale, Low Altitude fans don’t have to worry about their favorite catamaran dropping out of the speed contest even if it changes hands before the event.

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