Y-80 / Sidewinder Controversy

[D_Allen_III]

No, I would attribute any success we've had to testing, but thanks for asking Dan

That's why we don't have our panties in a bunch over the sidewinder if it turns out to be the engine of the future. Pretty good guess as to why people might have success in competitive classes though...

[Silas_53A]

You hit the nail right on the head! sure they are buying "old" used up gear at an attractive price running dead last and then quitting after a year or two. Is this your recipe for success?

Maybe I'm the exception, but I paid $450 for my Y102 from florida, bought some crank bearings (someone was very kind and did this for free for me when I sent them my crank) and Then had Crank reprofile the foot (was already done but was rough from being set on its skeg). All in all I have around $750 in my Y102. I then bought a fully rigged boat from a member hear for $1000 and refinished it myself and purchased new safety equipment and a few props (currently only have ONE prop). Thats what, well under $4k all in all.

This summer at Standish Maine (3/4 mile course) I had a VERY well respected racer take my rig out just to get his opinion. he ran 66.6mph on my rig, he said he had tried 5-6 props that day testing and only saw 66.3mph.

I wouldnt say my "old" used equipment has anything to do with weather I win or lose, but rather my capabilities as the driver. And I certainly dont plan on quitting in a year or two. Its simply my college/part time job keeping me from racing more classes.

In three years I will be done with college and hopefully have nice job somewhere in the Electrical Engineering field allowing me to race to my hearts content.

For the record I think the sidewinder is an awesome thing for this sport and I think $4,500 is in NO way an unreasonable price. My point is "old" and used doesnt by any means=uncompetitive junk

also thats comparing the y102 and y302, not y80 and sidewinder, if the sidewinder is faster, then the y80's will have buy a new motor or face not having the advantage..

[D_Allen_III]

...and you may want to look at the 20SSH highpoints for the year. Currently in 4th place is a gentleman named Chris Menter from California. If I'm correct I believe he is a rookie who bought some Yamato 80 equipment last off season.

[HRTV]

I'm out of steam for tonight guys you win, plus Mike and Teresa are probably wondering why I'm over here starting trouble

See you guys later I'm heading back over to the blog, stop by some times I am also supporting you guys on the social media side of the net these days.

Bon appetite

[Boatracer4fun]

...and you may want to look at the 20SSH highpoints for the year. Currently in 4th place is a gentleman named Chris Menter from California. If I'm correct I believe he is a rookie who bought some Yamato 80 equipment last off season.

That would be me. I have a Y80 that is hauling the mail. I am a rookie driver this year and my goal is to win 20ssh in high points and get rookie of the year.

..And yes I running a Y80 that I bought used with a Dewald prop.

[mercguy]

...and you may want to look at the 20SSH highpoints for the year. Currently in 4th place is a gentleman named Chris Menter from California. If I'm correct I believe he is a rookie who bought some Yamato 80 equipment last off season.

Gary Lewis's sold equipment..............Gary prolly invested enough $$$ in his 80's to buy a couple Sidewinders..........

[mercguy]

cash for clunkers...........

maybe the government should give Sidewinder $$$$ for all the 80's traded in, along with giving $$$$ to Bass Machines for the 44XS's traded in on a Tohatsu! That should stimulate boat racing!!!!!!!!

[Mrs blueskyracer]

That is what I said a "cash for clunkers" program for boat racing!

[D Shafer]

so basically i can see everyone can agree change needs to be made to further the sport i agree.cost for some may or may not be a problem but why all the eggs in one basket why not give sidewinder a class or 2 then if motor avalibilty meet requirements give them the rest .????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?

[csh2z]

Dave,
Supply and demand. Market forces dictate that if they are producing motors for only one class, all the manufacturing costs would be absorbed by those that only want to run that one class. Meaning that the price of the motor would go up, alot, and the demand would go down. By building a motor for three classes, even though the basic manufacturing costs would be the same, they will be spread out to a much larger market keeping the price as low as possible.

[Tim Weber]

The way to obsolete equipment is to make sure the newer stuff is faster than the old.

When the 25xs and 44xs came out they overnight obsoleted the 55h and 25ss merc. The old motors were legal and in the case of the 55h still legal but no one runs them.

Currently in 25ssr, the Yamtos were kicking merc butt, the commsion voted to remove the 25xs resitrictor and the Merc has dominated the nationals.

If you want to eliminate the Y80, Y102, OMC A, 25xs, 44xs then the commision better **** well make sure the Sidewinder, 302 and Tohatsu can beat the older stuff. The question is then what's the best way to handicap the older motors to make sure they can't win?

Tim

[csh2z]

Tim,

Our big issue, if we just make the new stuff faster, is you end up with a [ex.]60mph ASH. It's too fast for our entry level class, and it will evolve to be faster down the road. Truth is, we'd like to slow it down.The speed range of 20SSH is perfect for the Sidewinder 20, thats one of the reasons 20SSH has been popular.

[Tim Weber]

John,

You mis-understood what I was trying to say. You slow the old stuff down to make sure the new can't beat it.

I agree with the speed issue.

Tim

[csh2z]

You propose it and I'll vote for it.

[sam]

you end up with a [ex.]60mph ASH. It's too fast for our entry level class, and it will evolve to be faster down the road.

Very true ... boat racing used to be more popular in the past ... it also used to be slower. This could be another factor in declining membership and difficulty in attracting new drivers.