I am bit confused

[HRTV]

Not sure if I have ask this question before but I am bit confused on the topic of new motors here in the states when it appears in Europe that they run several off the shelf stock long shaft outboard motors in a number of different classes All six of these photos were taken last month at race in Europe, all these motors seem to be stock long shaft motors straight from the local dealer

My point is what the hell is our problem here in the states ? is this an EPA issue or something here in the US ? Why are we not running these motors ? If they are legal motors for lake recreation in the US why not racing ? I'm still lost on this whole SideWinder Motor project seems all we need is a universal mid section and gear case, why are we reinventing the wheel when Mercury, Jon Rude and Yamaha did this 45 / 50 years ago ?

[PopPop]

SO Racing

BEWILDERS ME !!!!! I love it just the same. We now see OMC, Merc and Sidewinders all on the same lower unit. Right ????

[HRTV]

BEWILDERS ME !!!!! I love it just the same. We now see OMC, Merc and Sidewinders all on the same lower unit. Right ????

Hey Phil,

I just don't understand the logic of trying to build a complete motor from the ground up when all the R&D etc. has already been done by all the major manufacturers. the approach taken by the Bass brothers seems to be far less risky in terms of investment capitol and return on the dollar. Dont get me wrong my hat is off to all the folks at SideWinder and I will back them 100% here on HR but my God what a risky investment in my opinion.

[David Weaver]

But it works, Dan,,,

Hey Phil,

I just don't understand the logic of trying to build a complete motor from the ground up when all the R&D etc. has already been done by all the major manufacturers. the approach taken by the Bass brothers seems to be far less risky in terms of investment capitol and return on the dollar. Dont get me wrong my hat is off to all the folks at SideWinder and I will back them 100% here on HR but my God what a risky investment in my opinion.

VRP, Rossi and Konny have been dong it for years, now!!

[HRTV]

VRP, Rossi and Konny have been dong it for years, now!!

Hey Dave,

I cant sneak one past you can I

[David Weaver]

Maybe the answer...

...is for stock outboard to just open up classes based on displacement, running gasoline (while it is available) with some modest limits on lower units, weights, boat lengths. Let people get creative in a positive manner, rather than getting creative in a manner that cir***vents the rules. I am not suggesting sliding exhausts, superchargers or allowing nito.

I hope Sidewinder works, because its efforts are in keeping with the American Spirit of overcoming tyranny (and the EPA and tree huggers).

[Richard K.C. Mo.]

Good Thread!!!

I hope this continues for a while as this an interesting thought.
Some of those pics remind me of the trihulls i've seen race pics of.
RichardKCMo
add, the trihulls have 100 cube limit and i think they're claimers so noone goes crazy with cost.

[KG4]

Not sure if I have ask this question before but I am bit confused on the topic of new motors here in the states when it appears in Europe that they run several off the shelf stock long shaft outboard motors in a number of different classes All six of these photos were taken last month at race in Europe, all these motors seem to be stock long shaft motors straight from the local dealer

My point is what the hell is our problem here in the states ? is this an EPA issue or something here in the US ? Why are we not running these motors ? If they are legal motors for lake recreation in the US why not racing ? I'm still lost on this whole SideWinder Motor project seems all we need is a universal mid section and gear case, why are we reinventing the wheel when Mercury, Jon Rude and Yamaha did this 45 / 50 years ago ?

I agree with you 100%,There is a lot of good engines out there that would work great.

[DougMc]

Not sure if I have ask this question before but I am bit confused on the topic of new motors here in the states when it appears in Europe that they run several off the shelf stock long shaft outboard motors in a number of different classes All six of these photos were taken last month at race in Europe, all these motors seem to be stock long shaft motors straight from the local dealer

My point is what the hell is our problem here in the states ? is this an EPA issue or something here in the US ? Why are we not running these motors ? If they are legal motors for lake recreation in the US why not racing ? I'm still lost on this whole SideWinder Motor project seems all we need is a universal mid section and gear case, why are we reinventing the wheel when Mercury, Jon Rude and Yamaha did this 45 / 50 years ago ?

I'd like to see a stock motor, or spec motor if you like, and a one design boat. This would put our racing more on driver skill rather than boat or prop design or motor design as it is in Pro. Let's compare apples to apples not oranges. If someone wants to get funky let them run mod/pro.

[Tomtall]

Oh

I'd like to see a stock motor, or spec motor if you like, and a one design boat. This would put our racing more on driver skill rather than boat or prop design or motor design as it is in Pro. Let's compare apples to apples not oranges. If someone wants to get funky let them run mod/pro.

They did it in car racing. It's called IROC. The most boring racing Iv'e ever watched. Talk about a parade.

[HRTV]

I'd like to see a stock motor, or spec motor if you like, and a one design boat. This would put our racing more on driver skill rather than boat or prop design or motor design as it is in Pro. Let's compare apples to apples not oranges. If someone wants to get funky let them run mod/pro.

Doug,

I agree 100% thats why we have Mod & Pro for the guy or gal who wants to take that route.

[HRTV]

They did it in car racing. It's called IROC. The most boring racing Iv'e ever watched. Talk about a parade.

And watching a three boat heat makes you sit on the edge of your seat ?

[PopPop]

And watching a three boat heat makes you sit on the edge of your seat ?

Dead on Dan !!!

[hydroracer25]

....IF they were available!

Problem is that 2-stroke outboards (production form) are just not available in the U.S. any longer...and before someone says "4-strokes" , they are not going to work for numerous reasons on a small outboards (hydro or runabout). Therefore, our few remaining options are:

1) support efforts like the sidewinder and have patience, it's only a 2-man team.
2) support efforts like Bass/Dave Scott (taking 2-stroke fishing powerheads) and bolting to a racing lower unit/mid-section
3) race yamatos and buy the 302s while they are still available.

Yes, it would be great to have all manufactures like Bombardier, Merc, Yamaha....supporting us, but the truth be told it's highly unlikely ever again.

I think the question should be asked how many of the engines in those pictures are 2-strokes vs. 4-strokes and how old are those engines (date of manufacture). If a guy from Europe or China for that matter looked at a group of DSH pictures racing in the Midwest, he might ask why don't we race the good looking 44 Mercs in our country. Answer, because they haven't been available in race trim from the manufacturer for over 15 years. But we still race them.

Not trying to p!ss on the parade, but small (stock/mod) outboards can't run a big long shaft 4-strokes. Maybe someone from the OPC ranks should be asked the same question.

Mark

[HRTV]

They did it in car racing. It's called IROC. The most boring racing Iv'e ever watched. Talk about a parade.

Tom,

Take a look at the last photo in my original post for me that sums up the future of Stock Outboard Racing many will not agree but thats my opinion. I have no idea what they call the class in Europe but it appears to be a bone stock no frills sit down 12-13' runabout with a store bought 15hp motor.

This is a class that any John or Jane Doe in just about any place in America could race and have a great time and what is needed to spark interest back into the sport "bone stock" no fancy kneel down ASH etc. I am not saying do away with any of the current stock classes but I am suggesting that a new "bone stock" class using a standard of the shelf long shaft outboard be introduced into the Stock Outboard line up, a motor that can be bought and worked on by your local corner marine dealer for the guy or gal who is not mechanically inclined etc.