What's with all the people comparing this to Donald Campbell's FAILED run which was, unfortunately, fatal? Firstly, even if that run was successful, this would have still beaten it. Secondly, this was built in the guys back yard from second-hand parts and he had the balls to break the most dangerous speed record in the world in it - give the guy some credit. Thirdly, his trap speed on the final runs was MUCH faster than any boat has achieved, including unsuccessful runs.
Just want to point out that I mean no disrespect to Donald Campbell. It goes without saying that he was one of the bravest (and fastest) men ever on the water. I believe he was also a hero to Ken Warby when he was growing up in Australia. It just gets on my nerves when people are saying that Campbell was somehow better than Warby.
I found an interesting article from 2003 here wired.com/wired/archive/11.03/cheating.html
Funny how cocky those guys were 8 years ago, but still no record.
It's hard to believe the friction of the water drag don't set that beast on fire, man he's freaking faster then a bullet, talk about fire on the water, that sob is something else.
@barthoedemaker What do you mean, isolated from the rest of the world?Check a map. Australia is far closer to Asia than either Europe or North America. Australia is right up there with the UK, the US and every other country in the western world when it comes to science, technology, art, sport and all other human endeavours.The world is a much smaller place today. Australia is not considered an isolated place. Look how many movie stars are Aussies these days.Antartica is remote.
I was riding my motorbike from Tumut to Adelong in the 70s. At a place called Willow Bend was a store and a house. I saw this boat with a jet engine mounted on it, and stopped for a squiz. The owner let me sit in it. Nice bloke that Ken Warby.
@xswamp & if I had the money, I would be the next one to die........... I love nothing more than water and speed. I use to have a jetski with a tank of NOS under me I was told by the mechanic who did it that I was crazy and I was sitting on a bomb..............I asked if he could put another under there. lol
@kittin267 It was Sir Malcom Cambell and its Coniston Water in the Lake District UK. This was in 1967. The boat was raised in 2001, along with Cambell's body. He is now laid to rest at a local church. The boat is being rebuilt.
I wouldnt wanna sit in that when it does a nosedive at 328mph. O_o I dont think it feels so nice to sit in a boat that makes a 328mph to 0 mph in just a few blinks.
If you look up the percentage of deaths involved with the ppl trying to set speed records on water you'll see this makes every other "sport" seem pretty wimpy in comparison....that shit is spooky bad.
@TheRunereaper Yes, he did build it in his back yard from his own design and everybody said that he could'nt get the record,even our own press snubed him, but he won the right to piss on them all with his achievement.
I was there at the time, only 6 years old. From memory it was originally planned to happen a month earlier or so and was delayed because of the weather. My dad has the runs on 8mm film.
On 20 November 1977, he set the world water speed record of 288.60 mph (464.46 km/h). With a subsequent 317.60 mph run, he became the first and only person to exceed 300 mph (482 km/h) on water and live to tell the tale; Donald Campbell died on his attempt after his hydroplane crashed at over 320 mph on his return run in his 1967 record attempt. Warby's record still stands, and the 300 mph barrier has never again been exceeded.
@AussieStriker And I guess YOU missed the part in MY comment where I said "Where" is this taking place...not "When" is this taking place.......I looked it up: Blowering Dam, NSW, Australia.
@ageboyd When Warby set the record, it had been very wet so the dam would have been high. On the day he achieved it, however, it was a very warm 26˚C and sunny, and October was not that wet.
Impressive what can be done working in a backyard garage with some wood and an old military surplus jet engine. Considering some of the multi million dollar campaigns, modern composites, modern engines, and all todays technology - this record remains untouched after 30 years. Great Effort Ken!
The craft called "Phenomenon is built for the PROPELER record NOT unlimited.
Phenomenon is 56 feet long and 13 feet and 6 inches wide. The boat comes equipped with 4 turbine engines that provide an amazing 12,000 horsepower.
Al Copeland Jr. is the man beyond Phenomenon. He created Phenomenon for one simple but monumental purpose – to break the world’s current propelled speedboat record of 220.5 MPH.
This record still stands after 32 years. One would have thought that they could improve upon it today with all those advanced computers and simulations, but as yet nobody has.
I haven't read all the comments below, so forgive me if this has already been pointed out, I noticed the basic look this boat is very similar to the supersonic car, the Thrust SSC. Large engine inlets right near the pilot, and a small T-tail.
There is a new boat that was built to challenge the record. A 56', 26,000lb catamaran named "Phenomenon". Four 3000hp Lycoming T55s. The boat is in testing in Florida now.
It was built by the family of the late Offshore World Champion racer Al Copeland of Popeyes Chicken fame.
As Miss Geico Racing's John Haggin said, Mr. Warby has "balls big as coconuts". That is evidenced by the fact that he set the World Record in an open-cockpit boat he built in his garage. The stuff of legend.
@longmelford I'm pretty sure other pilots would have broken the sound barrier before Chuck Yeager too, but as they were heading into a spiral dive toward the desert, it doesn't really count there either.. Donald Campbell was a great man, don't get me wrong, but unfortunately he didn't survive the attempt. Ken Warby did...
@BertramTwentyEight The only claim I have ever seen for this came from a news report. All the other claims I have seen give the speed as around 310.
It's academic anyway. To be the World Water Speed record holder you have to complete the course...twice in different directions within the hour. Whatever your peak speed is doesn't really matter.
Wow. I'm in awe. "That boat was flying low". Kudos to one heck of a run. And to know that 30 years later, no one has been able to match it; let a lone beat it.
Mr. Warby it was a great pleasure to meet you, the man with "balls big as coconuts", at the Miss Geico dry pits several years ago. I'm still waiting for Russ Wicks to back up his mouth with a run at your record. I wonder if he has balls as big as yours...
Mr. Ken Warby's record still unbroken for 30 years since 8th October 1978!!!!!!!!!
"Spirit of Australia" officially exceeded 317.60 mph / 511.11km/hand reached a speed of 345 mph at the end of one run with an average speed of 329 mph for that leg.
Great vid, still makes me proud to be an Aussie, and well...it will take a lot of beating. Maybe there is a speed at which travel on water is just not meant to happen...400mph?? Who knows. And I'm glad Ken has retired from records...he saw how close to the abyss he was and backed off...fair enough to enjoy his old age!!
OMG i wat that enigine on my bike :0
MichaelNet97 1 month ago
that would make a great drug boat
DJseanoP1 1 month ago
Anyone knows the name of that music ? The 70s...:) I luv that.
buzomeu 3 months ago
Quite fast for a wooden boat. :) You rock Ken !!
buzomeu 3 months ago
529!! HOLY SH*T!!!!! Now that's FAST..
Scamwatcher 3 months ago
6 People are American.
Summitshow 4 months ago
My left ear enjoyed this...
beep813 4 months ago
What's with all the people comparing this to Donald Campbell's FAILED run which was, unfortunately, fatal? Firstly, even if that run was successful, this would have still beaten it. Secondly, this was built in the guys back yard from second-hand parts and he had the balls to break the most dangerous speed record in the world in it - give the guy some credit. Thirdly, his trap speed on the final runs was MUCH faster than any boat has achieved, including unsuccessful runs.
Largest. Balls. Ever!
hungryman211 4 months ago
Just want to point out that I mean no disrespect to Donald Campbell. It goes without saying that he was one of the bravest (and fastest) men ever on the water. I believe he was also a hero to Ken Warby when he was growing up in Australia. It just gets on my nerves when people are saying that Campbell was somehow better than Warby.
I found an interesting article from 2003 here wired.com/wired/archive/11.03/cheating.html
Funny how cocky those guys were 8 years ago, but still no record.
hungryman211 4 months ago
@MsClaireLouLou exit speed for this video was 345mph.
NVMDSTEvil 5 months ago
That guy in the ski boat was an asshole!
dgallegos4201 5 months ago
Hey LouLou, didn't you listen? This boat was doing 345 out the traps so...it has been blown away!
BillyBlue1969 5 months ago
my tinnie goes harder!
zxkuta 6 months ago
Very fucking impressive, and I'm not easily impressed.
chingchangchongfly 6 months ago
"....and going like a rocket..."....it IS a bloody rocket!!
manoman0 7 months ago
Put wings on it.
OtakuWulf 7 months ago
One of my dads best mates. He and his wife were married in my lounge room with my family as witnes
barrbarrjacqsheep 7 months ago in playlist Hydro
It's hard to believe the friction of the water drag don't set that beast on fire, man he's freaking faster then a bullet, talk about fire on the water, that sob is something else.
505197 8 months ago
if you were to jump off the boat at full speed, you would be SKIPPING across the water for like a MINUTE!
anthony3leaves 8 months ago
dam thats some 70's porno music lol
arancar101 9 months ago
What country is this boat from?
Dimitri0809 9 months ago
@Dimitri0809 Australia
HeavySabre70 9 months ago
@HeavySabre70
That's really bizarre to think that a place so isolated from the rest of the world has the worlds fastest boat.
Dimitri0809 9 months ago
529 km/h..sick !
barthoedemaker 9 months ago
@barthoedemaker What do you mean, isolated from the rest of the world?Check a map. Australia is far closer to Asia than either Europe or North America. Australia is right up there with the UK, the US and every other country in the western world when it comes to science, technology, art, sport and all other human endeavours.The world is a much smaller place today. Australia is not considered an isolated place. Look how many movie stars are Aussies these days.Antartica is remote.
HeavySabre70 9 months ago 2
imagine trying to keep your eyes out of the visor... and trying not to blink
iyrtl 9 months ago
I wonder what tubing on this thing would be like
METALandRAPsucks 9 months ago
I was riding my motorbike from Tumut to Adelong in the 70s. At a place called Willow Bend was a store and a house. I saw this boat with a jet engine mounted on it, and stopped for a squiz. The owner let me sit in it. Nice bloke that Ken Warby.
TheTonemar 11 months ago
is this the fastest thing on water ever?
deejaydein 11 months ago
@deejaydein Yes, it is. And everyone who has tried to go faster has died trying.
xswamp 10 months ago 12
@xswamp & if I had the money, I would be the next one to die........... I love nothing more than water and speed. I use to have a jetski with a tank of NOS under me I was told by the mechanic who did it that I was crazy and I was sitting on a bomb..............I asked if he could put another under there. lol
jasonkingj69 9 months ago
@xswamp the bluebird went very fast
it hit 300mph then did a backflip and exploded the daniel cambell died and the boat is still at the bottom of consistant waters uk.
kittin267 7 months ago
@kittin267 It was Sir Malcom Cambell and its Coniston Water in the Lake District UK. This was in 1967. The boat was raised in 2001, along with Cambell's body. He is now laid to rest at a local church. The boat is being rebuilt.
marcandsebe 6 months ago
@marcandsebe what ever
kittin267 6 months ago
@marcandsebe No, it was his son Donald Campbell. I can see how he/she got the idea of 'Daniel'.
EEEL123 3 weeks ago
pffft i could swim faster.
SCOTTYHUTCHY 11 months ago
I wouldnt wanna sit in that when it does a nosedive at 328mph. O_o I dont think it feels so nice to sit in a boat that makes a 328mph to 0 mph in just a few blinks.
spenatjonas 1 year ago
I wouldnt wanna sit in that when it does a nosedive. O_o
spenatjonas 1 year ago
Ken Warby & his boat story impressed me years ago.I even recorded it on to a tape from the ABC.
lomasck 1 year ago
im addicted to that tune . what is it .
lifeboat911 1 year ago
@lifeboat911 - I don't know, but after listening to it for the past 25 years or so I'm starting to get used to it.
xswamp 1 year ago 4
at 1:19 i saw chuck norris gaining on the boat. why cut it out?
appleintosh 1 year ago
If you look up the percentage of deaths involved with the ppl trying to set speed records on water you'll see this makes every other "sport" seem pretty wimpy in comparison....that shit is spooky bad.
quikvmax 1 year ago 2
i think this could be faster with hydrofoils?, but still a very nice speed
darkwizzy1o 1 year ago
@darkwizzy1o That doesn't even make sense. It is a hydroplane.
ryanrummler 1 year ago
Great achievement! is it true that he built it in his own back yard? And why isn't he Sir Ken Warby now?
TheRunereaper 1 year ago
@TheRunereaper Yes, he did build it in his back yard from his own design and everybody said that he could'nt get the record,even our own press snubed him, but he won the right to piss on them all with his achievement.
Ken Warby is a real legend in my book.
entrad157 1 year ago 2
@entrad157 Actually, he got quite a bit of media support. More from the ABC than anyone else IIRC.
Camerameister 10 months ago
@AussieStriker Mate pity there working on the dam wall as they wont let it fill to 100% atm or so ive been told from a rello at talbingo
ageboyd 1 year ago
I was there at the time, only 6 years old. From memory it was originally planned to happen a month earlier or so and was delayed because of the weather. My dad has the runs on 8mm film.
AussieStriker 1 year ago
@AussieStriker spill way upgrade mate but its finished n now at 100% full
ageboyd 1 year ago
Killing a lot of Birds . .
EtrofOnaip 1 year ago
Blackbird is the FasTesT!
12345tubie 1 year ago
On 20 November 1977, he set the world water speed record of 288.60 mph (464.46 km/h). With a subsequent 317.60 mph run, he became the first and only person to exceed 300 mph (482 km/h) on water and live to tell the tale; Donald Campbell died on his attempt after his hydroplane crashed at over 320 mph on his return run in his 1967 record attempt. Warby's record still stands, and the 300 mph barrier has never again been exceeded.
KarILsson 1 year ago
campell went through the start line at 320 still accelerating
CARL23092 1 year ago
Where is this taking place?
db0255 1 year ago
@db0255 It happened in 1977, guess you missed it...lol
AussieStriker 1 year ago
@AussieStriker And I guess YOU missed the part in MY comment where I said "Where" is this taking place...not "When" is this taking place.......I looked it up: Blowering Dam, NSW, Australia.
db0255 1 year ago
@db0255 Sorry sounded like you meant it was yet to happen
AussieStriker 1 year ago
blowering dam is at 75% n its ben pissing down so looks like its time 4 warby jnr 2 get the boat out n break the oldboys record!
ageboyd 1 year ago
@ageboyd When Warby set the record, it had been very wet so the dam would have been high. On the day he achieved it, however, it was a very warm 26˚C and sunny, and October was not that wet.
guodade 1 year ago
@guodade maybe u should check the weather records?
ageboyd 1 year ago
@ageboyd It's at 89% now.
AussieStriker 1 year ago
@AussieStriker good shit ive been told there working on the dam wall so they wont fill it 2 100% atm
ageboyd 1 year ago
@ageboyd I'm not down that way so I wouldnt know about that. Not sure what they would be working on though to prevent it going up.
AussieStriker 1 year ago
That is not a boat its a rocked on water crazy
bttatum 1 year ago
@bttatum Provided at least one point (three in this case) touches the water, it's the 'water' speed record. Doesn't have to be a boat.
EEEL123 3 weeks ago
Ken sei un grande!!!!!!! Ammiro tantissimo il tuo coraggio!!!!!
LandSpeedR 1 year ago
That may be true but crashes dont count you can have the fastest boat in the world and still not break a record
williesurvives1 1 year ago
That may be true but crashes dont count you can have the fastest boat in the world and still not break a record
williesurvives1 1 year ago
Can you imagine tubing behind that!
mikerepmo 1 year ago
What's with the music? Geez. I think he could have gone faster if the music wasn't so terrible and boring! lol
terramar111 1 year ago 2
Impressive what can be done working in a backyard garage with some wood and an old military surplus jet engine. Considering some of the multi million dollar campaigns, modern composites, modern engines, and all todays technology - this record remains untouched after 30 years. Great Effort Ken!
justaddwata 1 year ago
They should create a pool that is like 100 miles long and 100 ft deep so this record can be broken without the factor of waves involved.
belliebum12 1 year ago
here will still be waves
oneor2ormore 1 year ago
Brilliant Australian effort!
OzzInter 1 year ago
ffs thats mad
krvav1 1 year ago
The craft called "Phenomenon is built for the PROPELER record NOT unlimited.
Phenomenon is 56 feet long and 13 feet and 6 inches wide. The boat comes equipped with 4 turbine engines that provide an amazing 12,000 horsepower.
Al Copeland Jr. is the man beyond Phenomenon. He created Phenomenon for one simple but monumental purpose – to break the world’s current propelled speedboat record of 220.5 MPH.
quicksilver300 1 year ago
This record still stands after 32 years. One would have thought that they could improve upon it today with all those advanced computers and simulations, but as yet nobody has.
McLarenMercedes 1 year ago
Chuck Norris and a row boat would have been faster!!
LadYKilleR8520 1 year ago
I haven't read all the comments below, so forgive me if this has already been pointed out, I noticed the basic look this boat is very similar to the supersonic car, the Thrust SSC. Large engine inlets right near the pilot, and a small T-tail.
greenfruitface 1 year ago
just one wave infront and its goodby
navylaks2 1 year ago
may i remind you longmelford donald campbell got killed
bunyipseeker 1 year ago
There is a new boat that was built to challenge the record. A 56', 26,000lb catamaran named "Phenomenon". Four 3000hp Lycoming T55s. The boat is in testing in Florida now.
It was built by the family of the late Offshore World Champion racer Al Copeland of Popeyes Chicken fame.
dieseldog00 1 year ago
As Miss Geico Racing's John Haggin said, Mr. Warby has "balls big as coconuts". That is evidenced by the fact that he set the World Record in an open-cockpit boat he built in his garage. The stuff of legend.
The boat has one 9000hp jet engine.
dieseldog00 1 year ago
That'd be awesome if on the 1st boat, after the boat accelerates, the wings come out of the sides and the boat takes flight
Petanator101 2 years ago
it is a friking rocket.. i agree it is fast though hehe
timonix2 2 years ago
YERRRR it had to be an OZy bloke !!!! shit yerrr!!
lukejwillmot 2 years ago
May I just remind people that , in 1967, Donald Campbell was travelling at 321mph+ when Bluebird crashed!
longmelford 2 years ago 4
Since there was no timing equipment at the point where Bluebird took flight, the 320+ number was only an unofficial estimate.
xswamp 2 years ago 11
@xswamp And Warby actually came out of the speed trap at 345...
Camerameister 11 months ago
@longmelford Warby was doing 345 mph at the start gate on the second run. Who cares about bluebird? It CRASHED!!!
av8rdav 1 year ago
@longmelford I'm not really sure what you're on about.
Warby *averaged* 317mph over both runs - you have to do a run in both directions for the World Record to count.
His second run averaged 328mph, and he came through the end-gate at 345mph.
I don't know where you went to schook, but according to my math, both 328 and 345 are greater than 321...
Q:)
Quokka57 1 year ago
@Quokka57 "Schook"... LoL... better make that "School"... Q:)
Quokka57 1 year ago
@longmelford I'm pretty sure other pilots would have broken the sound barrier before Chuck Yeager too, but as they were heading into a spiral dive toward the desert, it doesn't really count there either.. Donald Campbell was a great man, don't get me wrong, but unfortunately he didn't survive the attempt. Ken Warby did...
parkaoz 1 year ago
@longmelford
Donald Campbell was the only one to hold both land speed and water speed record.
McLarenMercedes 1 year ago
@longmelford Craig Arfons was estimated to travelling 370mph when he died in his attempt to break Warby's record.
BertramTwentyEight 11 months ago
@BertramTwentyEight The only claim I have ever seen for this came from a news report. All the other claims I have seen give the speed as around 310.
It's academic anyway. To be the World Water Speed record holder you have to complete the course...twice in different directions within the hour. Whatever your peak speed is doesn't really matter.
Camerameister 11 months ago
@BertramTwentyEight Wasn't it closer to 300?
EEEL123 3 weeks ago
@BertramTwentyEight The problem is, Craig Arfons died and didn't complete the course.
EEEL123 2 weeks ago
rowing boat?!
nuttyhead 2 years ago
FOSSEYS HAH I remember this bloke as a kid WHAT A LEGOND
TheAussiNut 2 years ago
he was just sitting on 2 jet engines !
shittyfuck 2 years ago
one actually - two intakes
bunjit1 2 years ago
Wow. I'm in awe. "That boat was flying low". Kudos to one heck of a run. And to know that 30 years later, no one has been able to match it; let a lone beat it.
SChaconJr 2 years ago 7
not thats a JET boat! lol
crx350x1 2 years ago
Mr. Warby it was a great pleasure to meet you, the man with "balls big as coconuts", at the Miss Geico dry pits several years ago. I'm still waiting for Russ Wicks to back up his mouth with a run at your record. I wonder if he has balls as big as yours...
dieseldog00 2 years ago
ken it was awsome to watch you to that would of loved to been there... it is an honer to know you first hand..... thanks old buddy
dan isaacs
dtktki 2 years ago
right
therealstory1 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
rc boats go faster than that
JLNRandomness 2 years ago
Not impressed... does not come with cupholders.
jokes, this was awesome!
leonidarizzo 2 years ago
What a design & engine of the boat?
Mr. Ken Warby's record still unbroken for 30 years since 8th October 1978!!!!!!!!!
"Spirit of Australia" officially exceeded 317.60 mph / 511.11km/hand reached a speed of 345 mph at the end of one run with an average speed of 329 mph for that leg.
It was powered by a J34 Westinghouse jet engine.
abed04me 2 years ago
Great vid, still makes me proud to be an Aussie, and well...it will take a lot of beating. Maybe there is a speed at which travel on water is just not meant to happen...400mph?? Who knows. And I'm glad Ken has retired from records...he saw how close to the abyss he was and backed off...fair enough to enjoy his old age!!
Motoguzzi750 2 years ago
I cant believe he still run with all that chop 30 years on fuck mate your the best
and he need a gun on the front to blow that fucker out of the way
stevenJEDI3 2 years ago
how about putting some wings on it? :D
thebeast239 2 years ago
LOL!
ZeroKenshin 2 years ago 2
I know
Timcookie321 2 years ago
never mind just saw th jet engine lol
superdave31 2 years ago
also why arent the modern super boats desinged like this one?
superdave31 2 years ago
coz thsi 1 cant turn
jhultquist000 2 years ago
who was the ass hole going across in their boat? he was a bit insane to still do it after that, as that could adone najor damage
superdave31 2 years ago
I think it was Dock Holiday
REDneckCLOWN 2 years ago
Give me 10 cans of red bull and a rowing boat and i'll put him to shame
samshim12 2 years ago 2
lol haahah ur funny no sarcasm hilarious
supraxz 2 years ago
BALLS OF STEEL :)
scottwebb 2 years ago
sa dechire lol
titirc52 2 years ago
WOW !!! that was fast.....
ElectricUniverse 2 years ago
AWESOME!!!wat a fastest boat in the world how could they do that??
can u teach us how to make it??
your my IDOL
nonescostLHS 2 years ago
wait till i get a scram jet engine for my boat... it will go 7,000 miles an hour... beat dat beeiotch
adam3176 2 years ago
Bah! The Black Pearl is faster, and it has cannons.
mathiastheok 3 years ago 37
lol
wiffleball90ui90 3 years ago
That guy has got big nuts.
phraud123456 3 years ago
REALLY big nuts going 328 mph on the last pass...daaaamn.
Thing looks a bit like a small version of the F-104 Starfighter jet but without the wings lol
DraGonFlaMe24 3 years ago 2
it's even got fun music :D
halonkandy 3 years ago 3
That's a record that would require lots of tech, balls, and luck.
The chance of it being broken relies heavily on all 3.
Icepacalapse 3 years ago 9
and money
jennyup 3 years ago
@Icepacalapse
i heard the drivers seat had a special dent in the base to hold his testicles
mageac 1 year ago 2
That video was AWESOME!!!
vegasfordguy 3 years ago 3
AWESOME!! Go get 'em Ken! God bless your safety!
bbvonb2 3 years ago 3