GP009 Miss Marsden Cove, GP Hydroplane

GP009 Miss Marsden Cove, GP Hydroplane New Zealand's GP009, GP Hydroplane

Just a quick update on our DNF ,We had put the oiling issue to bed, and the engine was running amazing, Finally! Then on...
07/02/2026

Just a quick update on our DNF ,

We had put the oiling issue to bed, and the engine was running amazing, Finally!
Then on friday we spun and lost the shaft coupling what steps our shaft down from 1 1/2 to 1 3/8 in, we were fortunate that some how the jack shaft stayed in the boat meaning we didn't loose a prop, and we had a spare coupling from when ken used to run the boat, the only difference was it had a 5/16 key way where we ran a 3/8 key on our shaft, i manged to track down a mill locally and machine a stepped key to get us going, and it did! Boat ran great for the time trial and noting moved, oil tank was full, pressure was beautiful, then come heat 1a, Steve got on the line for an amazing start hitting it on the 0 sec mark, and in his words had an awesome feeling because he could finally run without just watching gauges, then all ofd a sudden he lost all oil pressure and shut it down right away,

Upon getting it out it turned out the oil pump belt let go, we got it on and ran it up and despite there being noting in the filter the decision was made to pack it away because the chance of a run bearing was just to high, at this stage it is hopefully just a set of bearings, if we ran it and blew it, its another crank, rods, set of pistons and possibly a block and oil pump, so it wasnt worth the risk,

Our focus is now we have a good package, come back next season and just do laps!

Thank you to all our Sponsers ,all our awesome followers who have offered kind words of support during the season, I know this has ment a huge deal to Steve and kept him hungry to get to the bottom of it, and a huge thank you to everyone that supports the sport!, To all the friends and familys that have been involved with getting to the bottom of this issue!

And we are always happy to answer any questions you may have about the sport, from what you may feel a simple to technical, we love it

Chemical Guys New Zealand Lucas Oil NZ Link ECU

Miss Marsden Cove – Mangakino Team UpdateAfter some solid testing on Friday at Lake Maraetai, Mangakino last weekend, we...
13/12/2025

Miss Marsden Cove – Mangakino Team Update

After some solid testing on Friday at Lake Maraetai, Mangakino last weekend, we were able to solve the oiling issue that has been causing us some problems over the last little while and make a few setup changes that showed we’re heading in the right direction.

Saturday threw another challenge our way with an electrical problem causing us to miss Heat 1. A huge thanks to Brendan and the team at Link ECU for their support, we got the issue sorted and came back strong with a second place in Heat 2 of the Lucas Oil NZ Hydro Thunder Series.

Sunday wasn’t quite as kind, with a broken prop shaft coupling resulting in losing the prop and ending our weekend early.

Plenty of positives, plenty learned and we’ll regroup and come back firing.

Next stop: Twizel on the 10-11 January 2026!

Thanks to our partners: Teng Tools New Zealand | Link ECU | Chemical Guys New Zealand

13/11/2025

A technical update from Brendon, following on from our Mangakino video, taking a deeper look at how an engine is set up in a GP Hydroplane.

Looking slick thanks to Chemical Guys New Zealand Teng Tools New Zealand Link ECU
05/11/2025

Looking slick thanks to Chemical Guys New Zealand Teng Tools New Zealand Link ECU

01/11/2025

Steve Preece catches up with crew member Brendon Hey to talk about the engine issues the team’s been facing, and Brendon gives us a bit more insight into what’s been happening under the cowling.

Tough break for the crew, but they’re working hard to get things sorted here at Mangakino and planning to be ready for Round 2 of the Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Series.
Link ECU Hydro Thunder Lucas Oil NZ Chemical Guys New Zealand Chemical Guys

The next generation oh boat racer checking out Ants weapon of a two seater F1 Tunnel hull! At 3 Max approves!!Kiwi F1 Ra...
04/03/2025

The next generation oh boat racer checking out Ants weapon of a two seater F1 Tunnel hull! At 3 Max approves!!
Kiwi F1 Race Team

04/03/2025

South island bound!

All set to proceed!!! We identified two issues contributing to the accumulated oil in the engine. Firstly, the cam follower bores had been machined 2.5 thou out of round, which was not done by our current engine builder, although he detected the issue and we chose to proceed with it due to limited alternatives. This led to excessive internal leakage. Furthermore, Steve discovered that the longest of our scavenging lines, located on the windage side of the engine, was particularly soft in construction and prone to collapse under minimal vacuum. This pipe was replaced following the failure of the borrowed engine in Twizel, despite our known reliable oiling system. However, the hose appears to be of subpar quality. Nevertheless, we have opted for a new block to get the engine back to legal and in spec, and are now operational. Let's proceed to St Arnaud!

Lucas Oil NZ Link ECU Teng Tools New Zealand Chemical Guys Chemical Guys New Zealand

17/01/2025

Well after a good morning of testing we are sad to say we are going to be calling it there, after finding our new oiling system combo is not getting the oil back from the engine causing the oil to become aerated and the pressure to surge,

This was despite having a sump built similar to the one that got damaged in Twizel,

Unfortunately no amount of dyno time can put these oil systems through the forces they experience on the track and it's only experience and experimenting that can find the perfect solution to each installation,

The first time we just happened to fluke it with the perfect sump that ken ran in the boat and a good pump, neither of which are available now.

We will be back!!!! Hopefully next time we nail it !!!!
Until then time to sit back at watch what is going to be some epic racing with Andrew tate here to give our kiwi boys a rattle up!!!

16/01/2025

Our first run on the new package, checked the logs, only hit 63% throttle, plenty rich and running spot on, we will dial a bit more timing and pull a bit of fuel, check the tappets, and back out,

Drivers happy with the setup, just needs to get himself familiar with the boat after 1.5 seasons off

Thabks again to FFR Engines & Machine Ltd Link ECU Chemical Guys New Zealand Lucas Oil NZ Teng Tools New Zealand

Out for a quick run on the new engine and ecu setup, preformed spot on!!
16/01/2025

Out for a quick run on the new engine and ecu setup, preformed spot on!!

15/01/2025

Sound on!!

Timing offset. ✔️
Oil pressure ✔️
Fuel at the hat. .... small control cable issue here but ✔️
Time to go hot!!!
First start up is go

We on!!

Who's coming to mangakino??

Thanks to Link ECU Teng Tools New Zealand Jase Brown Drift Chemical Guys New Zealand

Few finishing touches and we are there! Currently just helicoiling the blower hat bolts from where Jack G Lupton got a b...
14/01/2025

Few finishing touches and we are there!

Currently just helicoiling the blower hat bolts from where Jack G Lupton got a bit rough when he borrowed it haha

Teng Tools New Zealand Link ECU Chemical Guys New Zealand Teng Tools Australia

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