Y-80 / Sidewinder Controversy

[blueskyracer]

If you all remember this was a hot subject back in late December early January after the national meeting and became very heated with some folks no longer posting due to there disgust over the whole subject.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion!!!!!!

Lets keep this nice and if you want we can make it a headline subject if needed or wanted. Or we can close the thread if it gets out of control.

[steve smith 150m]

Thanks for the update John. Do you know of a 20ci Sidewinder out there that we could test or run at the Big Rapids Marathon this year? We have a typical marathon boat and decent driver, which could demonstrate the merits of the Sidewinder? All we would require would some set up parameters and prop recomedations. Thanks for your hard work and time.....SHS

[Dave M]

My Opinion

The Marathon folks should be a seperate category away from the SORC, just like the J category did. Seems to have worked very well for the J category, as the numbers grew according to postings here. Not stepping on toes, just stating something someone posted on here a while ago. If Marathon had its own category, you could establish the rules to fit your unique racing. To me it seems like the best thing to do.

[Kev43V]

I personaly think it is a headline subject. I will go one step farther, I think it needs to be posted on here and at the stockoutboard site. plus in any and all promotional booths.
with that said: Mike you are 100 percent right lets keep the discussion respectfull.
questions 1-4: What did a new racing outboard cost in 89?
and in 99? for the A class? and B class?
" 5-8: what did a new fishing motor cost in the same years and same basic horsepowers?
(comparable quality AND walk in off the street cost. NOT the deal your mothers brother that owns 2 or 3 marinas gave you for being is favorite nephew

[steve smith 150m]

Thanks for the update John. Do you know who has a 20ci Sidewinder that would be willing to let us test and run at the Big Rapids Marathon in September? We have a typical marathon boat, 12' DeSilva and a decent driver. All we would need is some basic set up parameters and prop info. We have a few props we use on our Yamato, would they fit? Thanks for your hard work ....SHS

[Mrs blueskyracer]

In 2007/2008 when these decisions were made the economy was much better than it is now.

I like Kev's idea, write a proposal and submit it to make a change or amendment or extension to current rules (if it is felt that changes are inappropriate at this time) to keep the older engines around for a while longer. Gather some signatures or letters of support and submit the whole packet, nicely presented to the powers that be.

I am sure that we would all like to have newer (better, faster) equipment; however, in the current economic climate we have to be glad that we are boat racing at all. Money is so tight. That needs to be recognized and a vicious attack will be seen as only that, a vicious attack. Present facts and supporting info in a clear and unemotional way and see if you can be part of the solution to resolve the issue.

[kev29p]

new "American Hot Rod" 1989 $$

A new 15ss (current B motor) in 1989 cost $2200 from the factory. Then, you had to pay for the bore job and put oversize pistons in it (they came stock with too loose a bore size), open up the rod clearances (too tight stock), re-shim the crank (at least mine was not centered which seemed to matter), shape the gearcase (came very thick), drill the exhaust relief holes in the tower housing (came with none), find an oldstyle gearcase to break it in with, (the new ones that year had the eccentric for the water pump machined 180 degrees off, and pumped NO water). Two others shipped to Region 3 that year had identical issues, so no fluke issues with one motor...

All that said, it was worth the money, and worth doing the work at the time. It was a great ride when it ran well.

I personaly think it is a headline subject. I will go one step farther, I think it needs to be posted on here and at the stockoutboard site. plus in any and all promotional booths.
with that said: Mike you are 100 percent right lets keep the discussion respectfull.
questions 1-4: What did a new racing outboard cost in 89?
and in 99? for the A class? and B class?
" 5-8: what did a new fishing motor cost in the same years and same basic horsepowers?
(comparable quality AND walk in off the street cost. NOT the deal your mothers brother that owns 2 or 3 marinas gave you for being is favorite nephew

[blueskyracer]

Just remember that no matter what you do you can never,never,never buy a new Yamato engine of any size. The Sidewinder is new and race ready as far as I know. That being said I am a firm believer of letting attrition take care of the problem instead of banning engines from classes they help develope.

One of the suggestions in the past is just go to mod. That is fine except that solution sure does nothing to help the stock outboard classes, does it.

This is a good subject and I am sure there is a lot more ideas to come. I do think that the cost to get started for new folks is getting worse in a difficult economy. Take as a good example a used engine such as the Yamato 80 or 102 for around $1200 vs $4500 for a new Sidewinder plus safety gear and boat. I also realize that other sports cost a lot more to get into but we are not talking about them. We are talking Hydro Racing with Outboards.

[Boatracer4fun]

The Y80 is good until there is no more parts etc etc.

I was under the assumption that the 302 restricted was okay in 20SSH. Somebody correct me if im wrong.

[Sonny]

Outrageous

First of all, Ed has worked his ass off on the Sidewinder project and should be commended for that he has a beautifull product. That being said if it turns out to be a faster motor you will have to buy one or... get beat. It should absolutly under no curcumstances be a situation were if you cant beat the Y80 you make it illegal. Thats not fair at all. Lets not forget were the race is... 20ssh, 25ssr, and c stock Both hydro and runabout, classes dominated by Yamato. If you think you can make a Sidewinder go faster that an 80 then lets see it.. Otherwise we might as well take the theory one step further into foolishness and we can make the 302 illegal and we can all go back to the 30H.

[14J]

The Y80 is good until there is no more parts etc etc.

I was under the assumption that the 302 restricted was okay in 20SSH. Somebody correct me if im wrong.

This is correct, removal of the restricted 302 from 20SSH did NOT pass last year. Removal of the restricted 102 did.

[T Chance]

VRP, Konny and Rossi are all building new complete motors for the Pro Division. Has it ever been considered if they would build some models for the Stock Division?

[csh2z]

Next month, we boat racers have an anniversary to celebrate. Any guesses?

[D Shafer]

Lets Get Back To What Started This Thread The New Guy Wants To Get A Ride Not Everyone Complaining About Sorc . Where Do You Live. When Do You Want To Start Racing .whats A Good Number For Someone In Your State Can Get Ahold Of You Maybee Get Ya A Ride To Try Or Start Helping You Out. By The Way We Have A 160 Pound A Driver Who Competes Well.

[M721son]

clearing the water

I didn't mean to stir up the water. I already race in the A class. I want to turn the A's over to my oldest boy to run. He has spent the last couple of years being my crew chief and done a H@&& of a job. The idea is for me to crew the A's for him and move up to another class. I have a C runabout but no motor so I'm trying to figure the different options. I don't want to run A unless the race I'm at is short I would like to stay on shore and support and watch my son. My boy plans to run his first race at Jesup so I'm trying to see what is available to me between now and then. I think the Sidewinder is needed to help this sport we love proceed into the future I'm just not able to afford it at this time.
Jerry L. Oberlin