Josh & Jeff Racing in Equador

[ricochet112]

Josh, how many starters and finishers? Did you wear earplugs and can you still hear?

What's with all the floating vegetation? Did it plug up water intakes?

Aahhhh, getting hosed down by someone in a short sleeve shirt and no cut suit, those were the days...

[pearson95m]

I believe we had about 35 starters with only about 1/2 of them finishing. The most challenging part of the race was navigation. Not only navigating to the correct rivers and around the right islands, but also the "floating islands" and logs in the rivers. The water itself was pretty calm. In fact was like a mirror for most of the race. The floating vegetation is just that. Its floating plant life that you can drive over if you had too. More on that in a minute. I did wear ear plugs. After testing my right ear was shot for at least a day. I started wearing ear plugs after that. I also wore full kevlar the first day of testing, but decided to shed that to reduce weight. I was a good 50 to 60 pounds heavier than everyone else.

The vegetation... Its pretty crazy. This river actually flows two directions... depending on the tide. The tide changes the elevation about 10 to 15 feet and the river will flow back up stream at some parts of the day. The vegetation just keeps flowing in and back out daily. It just sorta grows like that. I ran over a few piles and thought I sheared a pin. They run there water outlet up by the throttle so you can see if it gets plugged. I was lucky enough to not have problems. I also bumped over a couple logs and again was lucky enough not to ruin a prop or lower unit.

Jeff and I are writing something up for propeller... so watch for that. I will also try and answer more questions over the next few weeks. There is a lot to share with everyone. The people there were so great. They are some of the nicest people i've ever known. Jeff and I are very thankful we got to go and meet some new friends.

[crfabbro2F]

How fast were the Yamato piped boats? Looked pretty quick from the video!

[pearson95m]

We were GPS'ing anywhere from 63mph to 69.3mph. Their is opportunity to go faster as well. Everything is stock except the pipes and the mercury carb they use.

[Jack Stotts]

Did any of the folks from down that way indicate that they may come to Top-O this year? It would be good to see them again. Jack

[kampkurz]

Race reports!

Thanks for the info/report Josh...and well done. Were the DNF's a result of breakdown, (hard for Yamato owners to imagine), or navigational error or ?
I can't wait to talk to you about it. Next time you make it to IR, let me know. I can't wait to hear all about it.
Happy for You and Jeff. Way to go guys!!! Mark

[chicagopaul]

Nice job guys! Hope the promotional stuff I sent you was helpful.

ChicagoPaul

[jeff55v]

Important question guys... How was the beer?

When we first got there, they served us a high end beer called "Club." But later, we got more comfortable with their everyday beer called "Pilsener." It was very good! And very plentiful.

Did any of the folks from down that way indicate that they may come to Top-O this year? It would be good to see them again. Jack

Jack, We are working on getting two or maybe three Ecuadorian racers up to the Top O'. More on that in the coming weeks.

Were the DNF's a result of breakdown, (hard for Yamato owners to imagine), or navigational error or ?

Mark, I didn't hear what the main cause of DNF's was. But I wouldn't be suprised if it were primarily caused by striking logs or other water hazards! Josh and I both ran into some things and also got weeds wrapped around our props. Luckily, we both made it to the finish with only minor damage.
Also as Josh mentioned earlier, navagation was a real challenge. One wrong turn, and you could go miles before you realize you're off course. Then you'll run out of gas before the finish line.

Nice job guys! Hope the promotional stuff I sent you was helpful.
ChicagoPaul

You betcha it was Paul!
I especially enjoyed handing out the toy unlimited hydroplanes to the young future racers. Their eyes really lit up when they got them. NICE!

The APBA DVD's went to many of the racers. Josh and I spent some time watching them with our hosts. They were great to share.

Did anybody notice the Stock Outboard banner in one of the photos I posted on this thread? I had hoped and asked to get a group photo with the banner and all of this event's racers. But, it just couldn't happen. But on the bright side, I asked my friends there to hold the banner there for me 'till next year. We'll try for that group photo again in 2012!

Also, I wouldn't be suprised to know many advertisers in the APBA's Propeller magazine will see a bump in business coming from Ecuador in the next few months. Josh and I distributed (and autographed) dozens of Propeller magazines for the Ecuadorian racers! They were all eagerly looking through the magazines.

Thank you Paul for your promotional support of this event. I'll be giving you a call to chat soon.
I am eager to finish this Propeller magazine article with Josh. I want to tell all about this experience, and thank the many people who helped us in every way.

Below is a photo of our study night at the hotel.
Satellite photos, notes, and our own photos of the race course

[CSR4C]

Navigation

When I ran the race in '06 I was having motor trouble due to junk in the fuel tank and was toward the back with some slow Standard Class boats. I made a turn up a wrong channel. Very soon I came to a town & knew I was lost. The town was completly deserted! Everyone was over at the town near by that was on the right channel watching the race!

[nelson yela]

Guayaquil-Vinces 2011 Jeff Yungen and Josh Pearson..
The Guayaquil to Vinces marathon nationals race.
Approximately 65 miles of challenging racing through 2 rivers.



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[nelson yela]

Guayaquil-Vinces 2011 Jeff Yungen and Josh Pearson..


VIDEO GUAYAQUIL-VINCES 2011 FINISH.


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[nelson yela]

Outboard Marathon National Guayaquil-Vinces 2011
Video driver: Nelson Yela

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[pearson95m]

Mark, I'll be up in indian river this weekend... maybe see ya at the rail?

[kampkurz]

The rail!

Mark, I'll be up in indian river this weekend... maybe see ya at the rail?

Good deal Josh. Will you be up tonite??

[nelson yela]

In the month of May on page 14 and 15 will be published in the magazine's prestigious APBA "Propeller" the traditional race on the Guayaquil-Vinces Ecuador ; written by our friends Jeff Yungen and Josh Pearson.