Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog

8 outboards ought to get you a big fish

A boat reportedly used for drug running across the English Channel had eight outboards totaling 2,000 hp.
A boat reportedly used for drug running across the English Channel had eight outboards totaling 2,000 hp.

BOATING -- "But officer, we're just out fishing..."

I've seen boat set up something like this for federal drug enforcement being transported on I-90 near Seattle.  Seems the feds have to keep up with the speed-boating criminals. 

But outboards totaling 2,000 hp? Can you imaging the fuel bill?

The photo above has been going around the Internet for a while, with this explanation, verified by Snopes:

2,000 hp drug runner boat from Europe.
 
Used to run cross the English Channel three times a week, it was a blure on British Coast Guard radar.
 
Enforcement called in a  brought in a special high speed helicopter to chase it. Drugs were found on board. You'd need a good cash flow just to run it. 
 
  • Yamaha Vx250 outboard engines list price: $23,000 EACH!
  • $23,000 X 8 = $184,000.00 just for the motors!


Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

Follow Rich online:




Go to the full Outdoors page