Boat for a Mercury KG-7H

[kmercury]

Hello,

I recently came to own an old Mercury KG-7H. I was wondering if there is a class that this motor is still raced in and what type of boat? If not, is there a small boat that could be built to run this motor on for pleasure?

At this point, I think it would be fun to run the old motor even if I am not racing in the super competative classes. Is there a vintage or antique class that is still quite active?

Thanks,

kmercury

[sam]

The KG7H has not been a competitive motor since 1954 when the Mark20H came out and made it obsolete. There are vintage rules covering older motors like the KG7H, but in general it is too obsolete for anything other than demonstration runs.

Plans for boats that would suit it were made by Hal Kelly in its time and are floating around the internet. You would want to build a B class boat for it. KG7H's are run as demonstrations at some AOMCI events. www.aomci.org

[STEVE FRENCH]

A-MODIFED as is.........if yer look'n for a class.

[JP53-N]

This would work great!

http://www.hydroracer.net/forums/showthread.php?t=20096

[Hal 212M]

If you build/buy a runabout, you can run in the Top O' Michigan Classic Marathon. It is about 12 miles each day (24 miles total). The race is usally around the last weekend in July or the first weekend in August. It is a lot of fun and a great way to get introduced to the sport.

[sam]

A-MODIFED as is.........if yer look'n for a class.

A stock KG7H is a bit far off for A-Mod ... it would be a shame to alter a nice antique.

[Bill Huson]

Sam is right . . .

A stock KG7H is a bit far off for A-Mod ... it would be a shame to alter a nice antique.

I had a KG-7 when I was a wee pup, sold it to a guy who converted it (Quicksilver gearcase & tower) for racing in BU. I seem to recall the KG-7 displacement was 19 point sumthin cubes, to large for A.

[krazy karl]

Boat

Hello,

I recently came to own an old Mercury KG-7H. I was wondering if there is a class that this motor is still raced in and what type of boat? If not, is there a small boat that could be built to run this motor on for pleasure?

At this point, I think it would be fun to run the old motor even if I am not racing in the super competative classes. Is there a vintage or antique class that is still quite active?

Thanks,

kmercury

A nice boat for this motor for fun would be a Hal Kelly "B" runabout. There are plans available. Clark Craft has plans for an Airborne. Darrell Sorensen has plans, kits or completed boats for the Jinx and Fooling. Any one of these would work very well with a KG7.
kk

[kmercury]

Excellent, thanks for the help. I had found the Sorensen plans and saw their "Classic Utility" boats. Would the Jinx and Fooling be able to enter in a race such as the Top O Michigan? Is that a good race to enter to see if I would enjoy the sport? I am willing to put in the work to get the motor running and maybe look for a used boat that needs some TLC and give it a try.

Worth my time or no? I am not interested in being a high competator at this point and just want to get a taste. Also, I am a pretty big guy so I am told.... 6'2", 220lbs. I would probably get out on the water and look like I am towing a 30lb anchor!

Thanks

[jeff55v]

The KG motors are great. I once owned many. But if you want to race, I suggest selling the motor to a collector. The money you get will likely almost pay for a current racing motor. (and one more suited to your size)

I wish you the best of luck, whatever you do.

[kmercury]

Ya, I figured that would be the solution.

So, given my size, what class would I race in and what type of boat?

If not, could it still be fun for pleasure or should I not risk messing the motor up for collectable value reasons?

[sam]

It would be suitable for a pleasure rig. Not all classes run in all regions ... what you choose depends a lot on where you live.

[kmercury]

I live in Southern Michigan... what would be a good pleasure boat?

Thanks

[STEVE FRENCH]

We have several run'n on Canadohta lake, Pa. (10hp limit).......Some on the MFG "Car-Top" 10-14ft tri-hulls......Some on older hydros/runabouts from yester-year.

Car-Tops were popular 60/70's.....most sold through Sears in 10/12/14 foot versions........I have a 12 foot'r with a 1/8" plywood deck and steer'n wheel...deadman throttle from one of my race rigs.....use it to test/break-in race motors.......fiberglass hull with a tri-hull bottom.....they trap air and carry very well with a 10-20hp motor......end of day, pull motor and two people can flip and load on "Car-Top"...hense the name....Trailer easier!

Here's a old thread dat might interest ya... https://hydroracer.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1892
https://hydroracer.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16723
https://hydroracer.net/forums/showthread.php?t=14511
One of these rigs would work well also...But might be hard to get since they want rigs out there on da race course https://hydroracer.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8433
http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...ead.php?t=2787

Pic is one like mine that My buddy Fred Brockman ran (my 200 LB slab at da wheel)......Mine has transum cut for the shorter "H" and MOD towers and run cable steer'n/pullies to motor steer bar.

[STEVE FRENCH]

Here's a cheep ride that would work for Top-O/Lake -racer with yer Kg-7H https://hydroracer.net/forums/showthread.php?t=20179

Transport might be an issue ?

Kind'a surprised 5P or Recon Marine has'nt scoop'd it yet!