Tohotsu-Hemp WIN!

[Ron Hill]

Can You Go Low Enough?

Hydroplay and others..

Do you feel that you CAN go low enough to slow speeds down or do your feel that handling will always be a problem?

The reason (s) I'm asking is simple:

1. We at www.boatracingfacts.com with the help of MANY, have revived the Parker Enduro, now called the Blue Water Casino 300. The Rules Committee lower the propshaft to two inches below the bottom in MOD VP (Division V) with the hopes of slowing the boats down to the mid 80's...Our Baker/Stoker MOD VP went 97 with 63 gallons of gas. And handled well, I wanted to lower them more but was over ruled...(97 seemed way fast for these boats to be running 300 miles)...because everyone felt handling would become a problem..and they wouldn't really be slower, just ill handling.....


So, what do you think? As a SIDE BAR: How would you slow D Hydros??? Or would you?

2. California "C" also known as Fat "C" is going to have a transom height of 1 1/2 inches above the runners, but we have a written goal not to exceed 65...we have a weight of 750, and had planned to lower the transom if speeds increase, but we have a "CLUB FOOT"..... Maybe, we'll just run a GPS like Nostalgia and set the speed limit at 65, as I don't want an ill handling machine...

Seems to me, low enough would slow them down, in any class, boat design would change with time....I still recall, 1976, when I suggested a transom eight, bein laughed out of the Commission meeting in Atlanta...

Last add: Anyone put this "D" motor on a 45 tunnel??? Why not allow it to run in 45SST???

[42R Dad]

Tohotsu-Hemp win

I was at the Kitsap Lake race, the Tohotsu ran well, but Craig Fiarlie was blowing everyone away with his Burgercraft on Saturday. Until Todd had his mishap. The race was stoped because of Todds location. The heat was rerun with J. Michael coming out on top.
I agree with Sam, the Tohotsu may need a different hull then that of the 44 Merc. It seemed to me that it has torque enough to torque the boat to the right coming out of the turn, it also seemed to be working (worming) down the front and back stretch. This could be from the depth of the lower unit or other parts of the setup.
J. Michael made some good starts that gave him the better water.
Any one could have won this race in DSH over the weekend.

[Geezeracer]

"Guys, before you go changing all of the rules because one guys' ride looked twitchy, let it work itself out for a few races. For all you know the fin could be crooked or inboard canted."

I don't think anybody's looking at an instant change, the concerns about handling are just speculation on causes and fixes.

I doubt that it's a matter of fin adjustment or anything on the boat. I've seen Brian run it and it's always been clean, and with a Merc it's the same for Mike. Todd's boat is a twin and it runs clean as well. I think it's just a matter of testing and adjusting to find the sweet spot, and in the end a little less depth may be the answer...You have to sort it out first, and the answer might or might not result in a rules adjustment.

If I were to compare one motor to the other I'd say they're about equal with the Tohatsu a little stronger on torque but the Merc having the overall edge right now with a little better top end. Eventually everything will work itself into balance, and in the end, regardless of concerns, the motor needs to be included. When I started racing years ago in inboards nobody ever thought we'd burn our way through all the millions of small-block Chevs, but we did. Having an option on stage is better than cobbling the class back together from scratch.

John

[mike ross]

This is what needs to happen so we know how this motor is performing against the Merc's. Put a GPS in the boat everytime you run it. Keep a log as to what the readings are for the pairity commitee to review. Also note the handling issues so those can be considered. I will make sure we get some current data from Merc Drivers in the midwest so we have something to look at and compare. I'm glad to see that the rig was competitive but what is more important is that we keep as much data coming in on this new motor. It needs to be a safe ride and if it needs to be slowed down and running it deeper is not the answer then we will need to look at the engine exhaust as recommended by Mike Wienandt as a way to reduce its horsepower. Please get this data to the parity commitee soon so they have a chance to compare and make good desisions going forward. Mike

[crankbearing]

exhaust

Hey Mike,

Phil McDaniel did this test with the yamaha pro 50 powerhead pretty much the same thing plus a mm or two bigger carbs. It was run on a Merc mid section and gearboot for testing and if I recall went over 90+ mph in Stock form.. then it blew up. The diagnosis on the blow was the exhaust was too restricted at the powerhead. Just some FYI.. But the SORC needs to get hold of Phil and discuss this as he went through all this stuff with the YAMAHA I believe Art Kampen could add some insight as well he is running one in NBRA/AOF on pipes I think.

Regards,

[mike ross]

My point here is to get data. A gps reading and handling results help to see if this motor is a comparable match. If it is still running slower than the current Mercs that we know run at the front of the pack currently then we can tweak it. If it starts to run faster the SORC may need to rethink what is best for the class. The issue here is to make any changes it needs to be due to accurate data as to why we would change something. If the Tahatsu camps want to keep this motor a viable option I would recommend this data be compliled for the SORC to review. Otherwise the Merc camps are going fight to boycott this motor/class as we have allready seen at the first races this year. Like I said this post makes me happy that it is competitive but could be viewed negitively to those who own Mercs currently. If the GPS data was available then maybe all would be well and this motor would be more accepted. Mike

[reed28n]

Data

Data is a geat idea, not just the "How to slow down Joe Pater" method...

[Steve Johnson]

Data GOOD

Shouldn't this data have been collected during the probation period ?

[daveracerdsh]

Tohatsu

As far as data being collected during the probationary period...It actually was. There was not the height restrictions etc as there are now. I was right behind Mike Kelly, or next to him, the whole heat, and let me tell you...this thing was all over the place. I could not get around him because the back end of the thing was skating all over the place. IE going from lane 1 to lane 4 with no control, or little control. I think Mike Ross has an excellent idea...GPS readings for every heat the motors are run. I hope people dont make a great big deal out of one heat win....It was not faster then my rig by any means, at least I dont think it was. Mike just made a better start then me, and had first place water. But it is kind of neat fot the thing to register a weekend win. I am on the parity committee, and I feel that at some point we should run it a touch higher and see what happens. Racerdave

[daveracerdsh]

More DSH stuff

Ron Hill: I am going to make a second try on the 44XS cowling monday. We have most of the bugs worked out in the mold. As far as prop shaft height..I do think we need to raise it a hair..also, I think a wider boat would help. Just some thoughts. Dave racer

[propnuts]

Just wondering

I know the Bass lower unit has been run on many other boats, shouldn't there be some data available from those guys on setup and shaft depth?

[brian]

Ask any FEH driver using the bass foot where they run it. 1/4 below or higher.

[Russ Birch 45R]

FEH depth

We run the FEH at 1/8" or 1/4" under the bootom. (Bass lower unit)
Russ Bircher 45-R