Outerlimits/Whipple SV43: On Board And Up Close

When is a five-hour round-trip drive for an hour of boating worth the effort just three days before Christmas? Especially when the wrath of your family is guaranteed? In almost every case I can think of, the answer would be never.

In its third testing session today, Dustin Whipple’s Outerlimits SV43 topped 150 mph. Photo courtesy/copyright Robert Brown/Robert Brown Photography.

But today’s run with Mike Fiore and Dustin Whipple in Whipple’s Outerlimits SV43 V-bottom powered by a pair of 1,385/1,600 supercharged engines—the product of a collaboration between Whipple Industries and Teague Custom Marine—was absolutely worth it.

Under construction, so to speak, for almost two years, the sit-down 43-footer is a one-of-a-kind rocket. And the detail work on the boat is as over-the-top as that of any Outerlimits I’ve ever seen. Plus, I got to spend a little time with Fiore, the owner and founder of Outerlimits, and Whipple, both longtime friends.

Why the rush to take a boat ride just before Christmas? Because a complete feature on Whipple’s SV43 will run in the January/February issue of Speed on The Water digital magazine. Syncing schedules with Fiore ,Whipple and photographer Robert Brown is kind of like—to borrow from some of the talk of the day—mapping a new engine platform. It doesn’t necessarily happen easily or on the most convenient timetable, so when the planets align you seize the moment.

Look a feature on this one of a kind boat in the JanuaryFebruary issue of Speed On The Water digital magazine.

We didn’t run the boat hard, at least while I was there, during what was its third time on the waters of an empty lake just outside of Fresno, Calif., the home of the Whipple facility. But after I left, Fiore and Whipple told me they ran the beauty to 152 mph. Based on what I saw I have zero reason to doubt that number. (Plus, Fiore sent me a video of the esclating GPS speed readout.) There certainly was plenty of throttle left when the boat was running 130 mph at about 5,000 rpm, and when it came to acceleration the SV43 was a monster.

But you can read all about that in the next issue of Speed On The Water magazine. I have step to away from my laptop and get back to my family before they disown me.

To download the November/December issue of Speed On The Water digital magazine now at no charge, please click here.