25XS Unrestricted

[Richard N. Duncan]

Get rid of it!

I vote for getting rid of the restrictor plate-I need every bit of power I can get in the turns. More to the point; eliminating one more item to hassle over is an improvement in my book. Let's try to keep things as simple in this SPORT as we can.
Thanks for the opportunity to hear feedback on this item.
Dick D

[crankbearing]

help!!!!

Hey all,

I just wish a decision would get reached to know If I should make restrictor plates or not. I have not received an e-mail back from Ed H in this regard. I do not want to leave it to long as I know there are several guys building motors from fishing engines and they will or will not need restrictors.

Regards,

[Illinifan]

The PRO class just eliminated the 350 RB Hydro class this year. It was actually one of the more competitive classes and pooof, it's gone....I have been around boat racing for 42 years and it's a shame when politics gets in the way of good boat racing competition. The official word is that 175 is replacing 350RB, why not both.

[les]

25ss something

Been watching!
I forgot what the goal was here!
new class? old class? class eliminated?
How many 25ss engines are available for a new driver anyway?

[dholt]

It's that time of year again

Here comes the annual debate on what to do with the Merc 25xs. It's like death and taxes. You can always count on it.

So, pulling the restrictor from the 25ssR for 2005 didn't raise the numbers, as so many Merc "teams" had promised. Where were they this past year? I believe 2 ran at the Nationals. And very, very few at local races.

So, there's still a problem. Dropping the Yamato height is a quick and easy fix. But even if that happened....DO WE REALLY EXPECT HOARDS OF MERC 25SSR's to come flying out of basements and onto the water? Let's be real here.

Long range planning should be the goal. A class is needed in between ASR and CSR. It should be BSR...with a true 'B' sized engine. 20ci Hot Rod or what's left of the Merc 25xs. The Yamato doesn't belong in the same class! You've got this huge boat, creating bigger wakes...flat turning...which is a big advantage over roll ups (Mercs and Hot Rods).

Eliminate the 15 ci Hot Rod. Return BSR to 20 ci Hot Rods and 25 Mercs.

Then you have ASR, BSR, CSR.

Hot Rod can build new 'A' motors to replace the OMC and 'B' motors for the new BSR.
Eventually, the 20ci Hot Rod could be the replacement for 20ssH...when, if ever, the Y80 shows serious decline.

As for 25SSH...it's dropping like a stone too. Short term...get more 20ci Hot Rods in there. Long term...phase the 25ssH into CSH.

[ER 7J]

The popularity of the yamato in the 25ssr class is due to the reduced weight of the rig. A number of the drivers competing in this class could not handle a CSR at 475# due to the size and weight of the driver. Add 50 or 60 pounds to your rig and tell me it's easier to drive! If you check the lap times of the 25 vs the c you would notice that they are virtually the same, at the NE divisionals the 25 times were faster than the c's.
How about a different direction? combine the restricted yamato in with the c, if you are light, 405# you run with the restrictor, 475# no restrictor. The light weight driver could now handle his c runabout..
This could be done on a trial basis for a year leaving the 25 class alone. if it works the only decision left would be what to do with whats left of the 25 class
Ed

[jsilvestri]

With all of this talk about the 20cu.in. Hot Rod, my question is will it be a hand-granade like it was in the past. If so, will racers want to purchase an engine that will not be reliable? Just questions.

[csh2z]

Joe, I believe there will be a new, beefed-up block & case. Sled can elaborate when the time is right. They know that without addressing starting & dependability issues nobody will buy them. It will be done right. Too much has been invested to not go the extra mile. Be patient & trust them. Also Dana's got it right, reread his post and my earlier post. John

[jsilvestri]

John,

I agree that there needs to be a true BSR class and the Hot Rod would make a good engine to use for such a class. Also, I believe we need more available equipment and Hot Rod could provide this for the sport. My earlier post was only meant to ask the question, will the Hot Rod 20cu.in. motor be more dependable than it was in the past. If so, what is Hot Rod doing to the engine to make it more dependable? I'm only curious.