APBA Secures Agreement for More Mercury J & AXS Engines

[14-H]

APBA has just announced on its website that it has reached an agreement with Mercury Marine to purchase a further supply of the 2-cycle 15 h.p. engines that have been legal in the J and AXS classes for the past few years. While Mercury Outboards no longer offers these engines for sale in the U.S. as fishing engines, the engines will still be produced in strictly a racing configuration for sale through the APBA for use in the J and AXS classes. These are NEW engines!

This is a significant accomplishment on the part of the APBA and, specifically, the J Category. These engines will be available for purchase in racing configuration for many more years into the future. Both the APBA and Mercury Outboards should be congratulated and thanked for their efforts in securing this agreement.

The Official announcement from Mark Wheeler is below:

Mercury J/AXS Engines

APBA has reached an agreement with Mercury Racing and Wheeler’s Marine Service to purchase twelve 15 HP Mercury 2-cycle engines. Each of these engines will be converted for racing in APBA’s JH, JR, AXSH, and AXSR classes. The converted engines (less gear case) will be available for purchase by APBA members at a price $2295.

These engines may be purchased by contacting Patty Malec at APBA. Phone: 586-773-9700 or email: patty@apba-racing.com. Racing gear cases are available from Racing Outboard LLC (800-749-4960, x 12).

[Mark.Wheeler]

Ed,

Steve Hearn and Ernie Dawe are the current co-chairs of the J committee.

Mark Wheeler
APBA Vice President

[22W]

Mark,

Co-Chair or not, thank you for the work in getting these motors requisitioned. Your continued efforts are very much appreciated in continuing our sport. No matter what category these kids end up in, we ALL need a way to get them involved.

[Matt Dagostino]

Excellent................

Great work Mark. Nice to know that we now have a steady pipeline of new Merc's available. Now people have the option to buy new or piecemeal motors together. AXSH and AXSR have really taken off in numbers in a large part due to the increased participation of the Merc 15 over the last couple years. This can only spell more enteries and a secure steady future with new production motors!!!!

Matt & Val

[14-H]

Thank-you Wheeler's Marine

I too would like to thank Steve and Mark Wheeler for their past and continued contributions to this project. Every Mercury race engine has the racing conversion installed by Wheeler's Marine. This is a great deal for APBA racers.

[14-H]

The price

By the way, the 300 change in price is still better than you can do with any thing else. Merc J Engine + Gear case: $3195.00; Rossi 125cc: $6,000.00.

[Skoontz]

Yes but consider the new J class in California. Any 15 cubic inch or under motor with a F-N-R gearcase can run, so a $400.00 E-bay motor is legal. Speeds without that stupid restrictor plate are 40-43MPH. Cost of total entry, boat motor is under $2,500.00. Everyone yells about attracting new blood, other than those born into racing familes, no one outside of a racing family is willing to pay $5,000 to begin a sport.

I commend the new engine endevor, but, there are far better ways than the current entry level situation if you think outside the box.

[T Chance]

By the way, the 300 change in price is still better than you can do with any thing else. Merc J Engine + Gear case: $3195.00; Rossi 125cc: $6,000.00.

Or, you can look at it this way: In the car world you can get a Kia and add a JC Whitney spoiler. . . or spend more money and get a Ferrari (Italian - like a Rossi).
By-the-way, I own three Kia's. Two daily drivers and a van to tow the racing trailer.

[mercguy]

not a new class...........

Yes but consider the new J class in California. Any 15 cubic inch or under motor with a F-N-R gearcase can run, so a $400.00 E-bay motor is legal. Speeds without that stupid restrictor plate are 40-43MPH. Cost of total entry, boat motor is under $2,500.00. Everyone yells about attracting new blood, other than those born into racing familes, no one outside of a racing family is willing to pay $5,000 to begin a sport.

I commend the new engine endevor, but, there are far better ways than the current entry level situation if you think outside the box.

it would be a "local" class only and has not even started. We DO NOT need more classes. Show me PROOF you will be able to run 40-43 with a stock 15cube fishing motor and lower unit.......not to be negative, but SUPPORT APBA and the J class efforts, not run off with some idea of another class with a "supposed" $400 Ebay motor...............

PS: it still costs $4000-$5000 to buy USED equipment to start go-carting also.............YES, I have checked!

anyways................WAY TO GO Mercury and Wheeler's Marine............

[Skoontz]

Actually, you can get into 1/4 midgets for under $1,500 and build from there. That's how we got into that sport. Go carts, yep, another whole other world.

I'll show you GPS speeds at what I'm talking about in about 3 weeks. 8HP motors are pushing boats at 38MPH with factory F-N-R gearcases all day long.

Once it gets going, it won't be local long.....

[krazy karl]

Actually, you can get into 1/4 midgets for under $1,500 and build from there. That's how we got into that sport. Go carts, yep, another whole other world.

I'll show you GPS speeds at what I'm talking about in about 3 weeks. 8HP motors are pushing boats at 38MPH with factory F-N-R gearcases all day long.

Once it gets going, it won't be local long.....

Skoontz,
Could you fill us in a bit more about this class. I heard something about J getting revitalized in Region 11 but details were really scarce. Is this part of what you are talking about? I have an interested 13 yr old but funds are too short to go with a full blown racing motor. My racing budget is blown, new Yamato and I'm retiring in a few days so will have a bit less money to work with. A "fishing" class would be a good idea especially at the age group we are looking at. I would hate to spend big bucks on first timer only to find out she didn't like it or decided to do something else, kids change their minds daily. Also I have the knack of buying high and having to sell low.
kk

[T Chance]

I have the knack of buying high and having to sell low.
kk

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one.

[bill boyes]

Yes but consider the new J class in California. Any 15 cubic inch or under motor with a F-N-R gearcase can run, so a $400.00 E-bay motor is legal. Speeds without that stupid restrictor plate are 40-43MPH. Cost of total entry, boat motor is under $2,500.00. Everyone yells about attracting new blood, other than those born into racing familes, no one outside of a racing family is willing to pay $5,000 to begin a sport.

I commend the new engine endevor, but, there are far better ways than the current entry level situation if you think outside the box.

Bill, You are referring to Region 12. I'm not interested in pursuing this new J class in Region 11.

[bill boyes]

Skoontz,
Could you fill us in a bit more about this class. I heard something about J getting revitalized in Region 11 but details were really scarce. Is this part of what you are talking about? I have an interested 13 yr old but funds are too short to go with a full blown racing motor. My racing budget is blown, new Yamato and I'm retiring in a few days so will have a bit less money to work with. A "fishing" class would be a good idea especially at the age group we are looking at. I would hate to spend big bucks on first timer only to find out she didn't like it or decided to do something else, kids change their minds daily. Also I have the knack of buying high and having to sell low.
kk

Karl, Bill is speaking of Region 12. He does not speak for Region 11. This will not happen in Region 11 at this time. I will not allow the "J" Category to be compromised.
Frank Banducci has several JA rigs that he wants to get on the water next year. So if your 13 year old wants a ride contact Frank.

[krazy karl]

Selling Low

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one.

I picked up a 30H about a year ago for a bargain basement price kind of with the intention of redoing it and turning a little profit. It turns out it had some internal damage from long term storage so it took a bit ($'s + labor) to get it back into running condition. I tried to sell it on ebay and the highest bid wasn't even equal to what the tower and foot were worth. I was going to use the proceed to pay for a portion of my new Yamato. I still have the 30H and the Yamato. Oh well, at least I didn't sell low.
kk