2012 Sea Lion Prototype Amphibious World Record Competition Vehicle

For the most part, a GPS display with a YouTube recording is internationally accepted as “valid” for speed documentation. There has been talk of creating a corporate event, similar to Burning Man or Kinetic Sculpture Race, which records and awards the competitors with specific acknowledgements. This, however, may be more of a detriment than assistance. The addition of Rules and Requirements always diminish scientific achievement and exploration. And it just plain ruins all the fun! If a neutral party is required to settle a performance dispute, “Guinness World Records” is available to record and bear witness to any new achievement. So at least at this time, there does not seem to be a need for any larger event organization.
Sea Lion was designed using CAD software and spread sheet calculations, by M. Witt. The vehicle is primarily, TIG welded 5052 Aluminum constructed from CNC plasma burned shapes and other CNC milled components. It has an integrated monocoque welded uni-body center section. There are removable side pods, used for floatation and cargo, and removable fenders front and rear.
With few exceptions, there are no structural parts borrowed from other vehicles. The design is created from a clean sheet of paper, and was calculated to exceed previous speed records. When the project began, in 2006, the top water speed was 45 mph and the top land speed was 125 mph. Today, the land speed remains unchanged, but the water challenge has risen to 60 mph.