Wooden Corkscrew thoughts.

OK, so a crazy rumor has come up about a wooden corkscrew...I think most of us have read that.

Some folks also think that there may be some legitimacy to the rumor, that a company is indeed developing that. I don't know whether this is true or not, and don't care much to discuss that....it's beside the point and none of us really know :)

I'm interested to hear people's reaction to the thought of this....not necessarily through our eyes, but through the eyes of the GP. On one hand, we all can likely agree that the loop is the best part of SOB. But, even many SOB fans will agree that the ride, as it was intended to be, failed.

So.....how do you think the public would react to such an element in the midst of a "good" wooden coaster?

Can anyone really see a park putting such a ride in? Say a mid size woodie (CCI quality) with a corkscrew element? I'm just not sure that I can. To open up a further bag or worms, who would be the likely builder, S&S?

Sorry if this thread will just turn into a mess I hope it doesn't....I'd love to hear some honest constructive thoughts :)

I think the only reason we can agree that the loop is the best part of SOB is because it's the smoothest part of SOB ;)

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When CCI was building Medusa at Six Flags México, I have the chance to speak with Dennis the owner of the defunct company. At that moment, the SOB was the #1 wooden coaster at the top 10 list, and I mentioned it to Dennis.

Se told me that the loop was made of steel and for that reason she didn´t consider that coaster a genuine wooden coaster.... but an hybrid coaster.

She also told me that in that moment they were developing a Wooden Corckscrew element for a new coaster that was supposed to open in the 2003 year.

The rest is history, but I think that is a matter of time that we can see inversions made of wood.

I'm curious to see if this is really true or not as well, but if built, probably not something I'd go out of my way for. Unless the wooden coaster portion was better than Ghostrider of course!

But my main concern would be, would the trains then have harnesses? On a verticle loop like SOB's, it's pretty easy to keep folks in their seat due to the downward forces on the riders. On a corkscrew, aren't forces quite different? I think there's a reason why corkscrews are taken at a much slower speed, in which case harnesses would probably be required, which in turn would ruin the wooden coaster portion. And if it isn't glass smooth and impeccably maintained forever, the headbanging would be unbearable.

Dunno, I really don't think the industry needs a corkscrewing woodie, but it may be the next gimmick that the GP will eat up.

*** Edited 4/8/2004 2:21:48 AM UTC by jomo***

I hoped SOB was the last we'd see of inversions in woodies. It was an interesting concept, but one was enough. Inversions on wood seem as out of place as anything. If anyone were to develop one, I agree, it would probably be S&S.

Jomo...with a restraint like a premier Lapbar I think a corkscrew would be fine....I don't think we need to worry about that.

But, even a "smooth" woodie wouldn't be so good with OTSRs. From OLD ACE (or was it Amusement Park Journal?) mags I seem to recall that the Riverside cyclone had OTSRs for one season around 82 or 83 and had horrible rider reaction....this is the only one I can recall ever having them.

Why does everyone hate SOB so much? I've never ridden it, but it doesnt seem like such a bad ride. From what people have said, it is not very smooth. Is that the only bad part?

It's not the ride. Inversions on woodies just don't seem like they're meant to be.

You mean other than SOB's boring, uninspired, helix-heavy layout?

Back on topic: wooden corks? Bah! Leave those for the steel coasters.

mOOSH

Corkscrews=worst inversions ever made, they are all (with the exception of BMs) headbangers and just arent as much fun as the other inversions why anyone would take on the task of making another version of them is beyond me.

I disagree. I love Arrow corkscrews when they're taken at slow speeds. To each his own, of course.

Well personally..........if someone wanted loops on a coaster, why go thru all the termoil of the wooden structure. It would cut back on retracking and personally i think a wooden coaster w/ inversions is just a rougher looper. I think the wooden looping coaster is a gimmick that was good for SOB. But as a trend it wouldnt bother me cause i would still ride it, just like the rest of you guys.

By the way, w/ all the bad things some say about SOB, how is ridership?? does it always have a line. Cause i would think the GP would eat up the idea and they arent as "technical" as some of us are.

Jeff, you've been reading ThrillRide.... what a bad, bad boy. ;)

Corks? Are they nuts? No thanks.

I never get tired of you saying that Rob ;)

Seriously....I admit to reading it "back in the day". I ahd to check it out today after reading it was back for "nostalgia's sake".

Me too dude... I was a faithful reader there long before I discovered (happily) CB. Thrillride and Rollercoaster.com were my things until I came here.

Uh, I don't think SOB was ever the #1 coaster on any top ten list...except for maybe "ten worst rides ever built."

-Nate

I am TOO sure PKI has had considerable second thoughts about the first modern looping wooden coaster...and whoever is the first to try THIS (corkscrew) out, will probably feel the same.

BullGuy, the ONLY Arrow I've ridden that took the corkscrews at a speed that I felt "appropriate" for the trackwork, was also at PKI. I'm not really fond of the element overall, but Vortex's were NICE and slow....

Eventually, there MAY be an inverting wooden coaster that earns positive reviews....loop or corkscrew...but I don't see it happening with the "first of its kind".

bill, came here directly from URC...where I *still* post, occasionally...;)

Question...I keep hearing how rough SOB is...so this is directed towards anyone who has ridden both Viper at SFGadv and SOB...how do the two compare in terms of roughness? If SOB is worse than Viper, I may only ride it once if I ever to get out there to ride it...but if it's less, well then I might be able to handle it...I just really hate Viper at SFGadv, so I was just wondering this...if anyone can answer my question, I'd greatly appreciate it!

They are different. The main problem with SOB is the trains IMO. Do a search for SOB and you will see what everyone else has said time and again.

Sorry about that...I was just looking for some point of reference between the two...thanks though!