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15/08/2008- Honda-powered Cougar sets new 150hp speed record

A Honda-powered Cougar race boat has set a new 150hp speed record for the circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.

The record was set shortly after 6am on Saturday 9th August in a Honda 150 Class Powerboat, driven by James Brooke and navigated by Daniel Whapples. The 57 mile round-trip was completed in one hour, nine minutes and 22 seconds, at an average speed of 49.77 mph.

The Cougar was powered by the Honda BF150 (150hp) 4-stroke engine. The BF150 is one of the larger Honda outboards, which range from the compact BF2.3 through to the powerful BF225.

James is MD of the Sail Power & Watersports Show (Earls Court) and Daniel is the Production Director of Cougar Marine. Together they compete as Team Earls Court in the 150hp class of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Series – the largest offshore powerboat championship in the world.

Geoff Matthews, General Manager of Honda (UK) Power Equipment comments:

“One of the original aims of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Series was to underline the superior performance of the 4-stroke engine over 2-stroke. Nine years and almost 100 race days later, 4-stroke is firmly established as the standard, and fantastic feats such as this simply underline Honda 4-stroke outboards as the best on the market. Congratulations to James and Daniel on a great achievement.”

James Brooke, driver of the Cougar race boat comments:

“We experienced a range of different sea states, and passing St. Catherines Point was particularly exciting with the sun dawning over the island as we raced over the roughest part of the trip. Thanks to Cougar for building a great hull and to Honda for designing a superb engine”.

Team Earls Court will be in action again when the Honda Formula 4-stroke Series reaches a climax in the Isle of Man on the weekend of 13th-14th September.