A-stock

[Kev43V]

This is just a question. I do not have a valid opinion either way. I would like to see some GOOD discussion on the subject:
1) Should the A sidewinder be slowed down to the OMC speeds.( with no omc in production)
2) should the sidewinder be slowed down to the merc A speeds. since merc is in production.
3) insert your better idea here

[Skoontz]

If you slow the Sidewinder down to the Merc, the OMC is still able to pass the Merc in A class so, what then, would you do about the existing hundreds of OMC motors out capable of running?

I think the sensible thing to do is slow the Sidewinder to the OMC speed, until the stock of OMC motors becomes a bigger issue to get parts, and so fourth. Keep the Merc in AXS/J with OMC as good competition, and, if the Merc is still made when the OMC's finally start depleting, speed the Merc to meet the Sidewinder, or, slow the Sidewinder to meet the Merc, so you have some good brand to brand competition.

One of the things that myself, and many who enjoy boat racing have said, is, that it is kind of disheartening to see one brand dominate one class.

Just a thought here. I would love to see a Sidewinder on the back of KT's boat.

Just a thought or two from a simple caveman landscaper here

[Tomtall]

Well -----------

1) Should the A sidewinder be slowed down to the OMC speeds.( with no omc in production)
No
2) should the sidewinder be slowed down to the merc A speeds. since merc is in production.
No
3) insert your better idea here

A- Phase out the OMC by 2011 and replace them with the sidewinder 15
(if Sidewinder can make enough by then.)

B- Retain the Merc in "J" and "AXS" (if they can still be produced for APBA
by Mercury in the future.

C- Say screw it all and go jet ski racing.

[aojesus]

1) Should the A sidewinder be slowed down to the OMC speeds.( with no omc in production)
No
2) should the sidewinder be slowed down to the merc A speeds. since merc is in production.
No
3) insert your better idea here

A- Phase out the OMC by 2011 and replace them with the sidewinder 15
(if Sidewinder can make enough by then.)

B- Retain the Merc in "J" and "AXS" (if they can still be produced for APBA
by Mercury in the future.

C- Say screw it all and go jet ski racing.

Would the phasing out of the OMC be just for A or for J and AXS as well?

Just curious, not looking to argue.

[Tomtall]

Well --------------------

I would love see the OMC stay around in the "J" and "AXS" classes even if they cannot win against the Mercury 15 all the time. After all, they would still get kids (and some adults) on the water to get into the sport.

[Kev43V]

Russ I personally think it is a moot point LOL (j and asx) when was the last time the omc won anywhere but local races in those classes?
Tom the only problem i see with not slowing it down. I am concerned that many people are in the same boat i am. I can not afford to buy a new sidewinder(even if they cost 1/2 what they will cost) so when the omc is phased out I will find myself entering in FAH. I suspect there will be quite a boost the the FAH&R classes nationwide upon the phaseout. And I worry about the viability of the A classes when that happens. One of the thoughts i have had is that if the Sidewinder and the Merc were the same speed. Then the Omc could be phased out. and more of the mercs would run A. (please remember this is just a thought not a firm opinion. heck i have had too much time to think lately, combined that with good pain meds. why i have had lots of stupid ideas the last few weeks LOL)

[aojesus]

I would love see the OMC stay around in the "J" and "AXS" classes even if they cannot win against the Mercury 15 all the time. After all, they would still get kids (and some adults) on the water to get into the sport.

The reason I asked was because of all the speculation about the OMC's future in the J and AX classes especially with the Mercury's performance.
I like your answer. (there is a way to put the OMC back in the hunt)

Kev,
With 2 kids running I will not be able to afford the A class either when it is time for them to move up if the OMC's are not competitive. They too will go to formula A or something else.

A tip of the hat to Ron Selewach though. He has really put a bunch of effort into these motors. I hope the Sidewinders are a huge success for him. They look and run very good!

[Skoontz]

Or, plan D.... Several motorcycle companies are beginning manufacturing a new technology two stroke that runs far cleaner than the 4 strokes and is lighter.
Bombardier is supposed to be working on a direct injected 15 cubic inch 2 stroke, that when it hits, could be the one to beat all, but who knows what when and where......

[Kev43V]

Or, plan D.... Several motorcycle companies are beginning manufacturing a new technology two stroke that runs far cleaner than the 4 strokes and is lighter.
Bombardier is supposed to be working on a direct injected 15 cubic inch 2 stroke, that when it hits, could be the one to beat all, but who knows what when and where......

thats great for Pro i do not think we will ever let motorcycle engines run in Stock outboard no matter how unstock it actually is. LOL

[Skoontz]

Yeah but they are in works with a direct injected 15 cube fishing motor.....

Now that's exciting!

[Tony Staron]

Remember history repeats it's self. We lost many KG-4 drivers after the introduction of the OMC A. Have we had 100 entries at the nationals for the A class, since the outlaw of the KG-4 ? Sometime you get what you wish for!

Tony Staron

[Dave M]

Opinion ?

This is just a question. I do not have a valid opinion either way. I would like to see some GOOD discussion on the subject:
1) Should the A sidewinder be slowed down to the OMC speeds.( with no omc in production)
2) should the sidewinder be slowed down to the merc A speeds. since merc is in production.
3) insert your better idea here

Since Mr J. Runne so put I always have the best interest of stock outboard on my mind.

1 - YES - Precedent already set, must follow suite.

2 - No, Merc is not dominate A Stock engine, only Hot Rods and OMC's are.

3 - Put some pipes on the OMC and see what she can do in a mod class. Or you can simply run A2 SH (FAH).

[spunky64w]

[QUOTE=Kev43V;116299 heck i have had too much time to think lately, combined that with good pain meds. why i have had lots of stupid ideas the last few weeks LOL)[/QUOTE]

he he, Kev, wait til you start trying to figure out why the Greeks were called "Helens" in ancient times or the etomology of the word "grass", shortly after you kinda wonder what they put in pain meds, that or if they got your RX mixed up with someone else's...I've felt your pain buddy.

As for the classes, I think it would be interesting to see, at least just to test, the Sidewinder against the Merc in Ax. Just as measure of curiosity.

Otherwise the idea of a motor monopoly over such a broad spectrum of classes seems somewhat ominious. Sure it would be good for mobility between classes, but I think it could diminish some of the competative edge. I'm no mechanic, but there are things you can do in a Merc engine to make it go faster that you wouldn't necessarily do in an OMC, and vice versa. I can't say to what degree that variance plays its effect, or if it even matters in the long run, but I think it would be a shame to lose the variety we have now.

It is however, difficult to speculate this now as we have yet to see more than a hand-full of Sidewinders on the water. I think we'll have a better idea of how things will play out when we have more data.

[Kev43V]

I'm in no hurry to phase out motors either. just wondering what others think about it

[jeff55v]

You wanted it, you got it.

For a long time now I've been hearing a lot of buzz about the sidewinder engine. Mostly I've heard people express support for a new engine in the affected classes. I've heard many folks say that a lot of time and money has gone into the development of this new engine and we need to support the effort. So, in with those things in mind, I think the A sidewinder should not be slowed to match an older motor. I think the phrase should read: If you want to win, you'd better buy the "prefered" motor. If the sidewinder is slowed to match an older (and less expensive) motor, who's gonna buy the sidewinder?
If APBA does this, (restricts the sidewinder's speed) then the sidewinder company will need some help removing the knife from their back.
Just an observation, and a familiar scenario.