J Motors, now what do we do...

[Skoontz]

Ok, here is the difference from then until now. The Green tank Merc was what? 7.5HP? And the gearcase is not as ydrodynamic as the new through hub designs...
So, you take a full 15HP, OMC or Merc, (no rrestrcition device unless the speeds are too high) you build a J specific boat for the longer engine, which you have to do anyway to compete in J, and that 28MPH turns into 40, which the J's are running now. At this point I wish we still had KT's old boat, I would bolt a higher transom and go see for myself.

I like the passion with running the hotrod gear foot, but we are talking about bring new blood into the sport. Add the hurdles to find suitable engines, and the costs, and you have detourants.

BTW, very cool pictures, George!

[modracer7b]

Mk5 J

I started in a mk5 JR and ran the JH during the first year it ran. Until I started running A when I turned 12, it was fun to run. As to it being boring, todays J would be boring at 28MPH on a big no lift boat. The lower unit had nothing to do with the quality of the ride.

George - I remember running against Janet and later, your dad. He was a good guy.

Bill Rosado

[raceright]

Daren , Mercury at one time had program to lease 9.9 tiller motors to summer camps and recreation programs. These motors were offered to dealers after 3 or 4 seasons to be sold as used . Ask your Rep if there is still a similar program. This could offer a chance to purchase "Blueprintable "motors and add the APBA kits. We now have 3 new J racers in region 1, my son being one of them.The class is growing and we are now working on a set of props. My son had run a Powermatic 12 Wizzard ( Gear shift motor) on a old 25 ss boat for 2 summers at the Antique meets to get some seat time. The speed was about 32 mph, But he wanted a" REAL RACE motor." I think the entry classes should prepair the racers for a move to a larger similar class , dont stick the kids in some different type of set up ( gear shift) than they will move up to. There have been a ton of OMC motors converted into RACE motors, and I think the trend will continue with the Merc. If I had the backing I would do something like that in the off season ( I fix boats for a living ,but here in Maine the water gets a little hard next month.) Used motors could be purchased and set up or owners could supply their own for conversion. The new parts are available from Merc for the powerheads,With George or somewith similar skills building long blocks the motors could be restored and set up with the kits form APBA. side note; Pat , dont let Danny and Ryan loose in the bar. Happy Thanksgiving , Shawn

Shawn
Danny will not be with me,seems like a good idea as Ryan might be a hand full with Danny around HUH???
anyway you guys have my head spinning with get this from him and get that from him and $200 here and $1,200 there who what a mess I understand boat racing and can't follow you how can anyone who know's less going to do it...If Ya can't buy it ya can't race it end of story

Pat

[Fast Jack]

j motors

Pat, Looks like J is like any other class now, You have to sorce parts and the people to put them togather. Kind of like sending a motor to Mike, then get the parts from Rex, get the chrome re done, Call MSD. .... At least we have provided a way for some one to get a motor to start a kid out. And Thank you for helping to sponsor my kids J boat. He helped build and the finish the Hull, and paid his APBA membership,now if I can get him to buy a new tow truck!! Hope you I had a good holiday , Shawn

[mercguy]

more info........

so, I had a decent and informative talk with a friend in Outboard Engineering at Mercury Marine today. The correct news is that the Merc 15hp 2 stroke is STILL made in the USA, but the motors are all exported. He suggested if furthur inquiry on the motor is needed, one would have to call the sales department. I did inquire on, if the motors could be sold in the USA with an EPA exemption, but was told he could not answer that, but to contact a big wig in sales. So, I leave that with the members of the J committee or the SORC to pursue (since I do not have a vested interest in the class and am just a member of APBA, not a rep), if more Merc 15's are wanted........maybe there is a glimmer of hope?????

[mercguy]

lease program......

Daren , Mercury at one time had program to lease 9.9 tiller motors to summer camps and recreation programs. These motors were offered to dealers after 3 or 4 seasons to be sold as used . Ask your Rep if there is still a similar program. This could offer a chance to purchase "Blueprintable "motors and add the APBA kits. We now have 3 new J racers in region 1, my son being one of them.The class is growing and we are now working on a set of props. My son had run a Powermatic 12 Wizzard ( Gear shift motor) on a old 25 ss boat for 2 summers at the Antique meets to get some seat time. The speed was about 32 mph, But he wanted a" REAL RACE motor." I think the entry classes should prepair the racers for a move to a larger similar class , dont stick the kids in some different type of set up ( gear shift) than they will move up to. There have been a ton of OMC motors converted into RACE motors, and I think the trend will continue with the Merc. If I had the backing I would do something like that in the off season ( I fix boats for a living ,but here in Maine the water gets a little hard next month.) Used motors could be purchased and set up or owners could supply their own for conversion. The new parts are available from Merc for the powerheads,With George or somewith similar skills building long blocks the motors could be restored and set up with the kits form APBA. side note; Pat , dont let Danny and Ryan loose in the bar. Happy Thanksgiving , Shawn

we did talk about the Merc "small motor" camp lease program (ran in Canada), but is really a dead end now (if wanting to recoup those 15hp 2 strokes for reuse in racing). Too many issues.....

[DougMc]

Is this motor on E-Bay a possible J motor with the proper conversion?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...spagenameZWDVW

[G Stillwill]

That is the right motor just add a 15 carb and the tuned pipe in the tower and it becomes a 15. APBA has new motors now and can get more if needed so finding a motor isnt an issue now but if a good deal can be gotten on a good used fishing motor it would be worth buying and getting the conversion kit from APBA.

[Fast Jack]

J motor

George, I was able to pick up the E bay motor I asked you about, It did not get any bids. I was able to get it for 200. less than the starting bid!! I will probibly bring it to Millville for you to do your magic in it. With low hours what is usually needed? pistons -rings and gasket set? Thanks , Shawn

[ricochet112]

You keep mentioning "choked", it's all about horsepower, whether you put a smaller sized engine on the boat or limit HP some way, like a throttle stop, it's all the same. Get over the restrictor plate, you're the only one that has such a bad problem with running a plate.

Some one will want to win badly, so they go and buy 6 $200 props, then have them re-worked, now you have as much money into props as if you had to buy a racing lower unit. And it WILL happen!

You throw around 40mph for some reason, a 15 hp stock fishing motor's gearcase will have to run very high to get close to this mark, then handling will be sacrificed. I think if you want to start a wildcat club with your new class, aim for 30-32 mph, that's more realistic. But leave APBA out of this, APBA has a growing, viable J class that works well.

Sam made a great point about running F-N-R gear cases in J class when he mentions boats would need to be made for that gear case. We have no different situation now, as J boats, at least those that really work well in J are dedicated boats for a choked down J engine.

So, for the sake of cost, and cost alone, a family new to racing, with little knowledge can find a used motor all day long for under $900.00, buy a $200 prop, drop it on a boat, either Sorenseon Kit for a grand, build it, and go racing. A $2,000 deal and you're off getting your feet wet, learning the ropes. You eliminate a $1,200 gear foot, you eliminate the musical prop pick, and you are off. Secondly, you can take that motor, drop it on your R-7 Alumicraft and use it for a chase boat, or go fishing.

We have versitility here, and a far lessor cost. We would also have 40MPH speeds without restrictor plates.

I'm talking entry level, get your feet wet in the sport attract new blood here, not for those seasoned pros who love their set ups and motors so dearly.

I hear from many, and from many boat builders who wish to grow this great sport, one thing over and over. Ease of entry, turn key, cost effective as buzz words. The stock gearfoot on a J rig built per class would have this nailed, at least from those three angles. There could even come a time, so long as speeds were comprable, J rigs with Hotrod feet, and J rigs with F-N-R feet could run the same water.

I'm talking cost, ease of entry, and overall fun here. With the Hotrod gearfoot, and all the stuff one has to add to any bas engine, you eliminate the not so mechanically inclined novice, (little does he know he will ne mechanically inclined soon) and you add at least 3 hurdles needed to jump BEFORE new blood could enter.

Call me a nut, call me a does not know what he is talking about person all day, but I will stand firm, this idea/proposal needs to be seriously looked at so you have a K.I.S.S. way for anyone to enter....

[DougMc]

How much difference in size such as bottom width, afterplane, length, is there in a true JH, true AXSH or true ASH? I don't run the class and do not have a child who does, but am curious about the difference.

[14-H]

so, I had a decent and informative talk with a friend in Outboard Engineering at Mercury Marine today. The correct news is that the Merc 15hp 2 stroke is STILL made in the USA, but the motors are all exported. ****maybe there is a glimmer of hope?????

I thought everyone ought to know that it was this piece of information posted right here on Hydroracer that led to the recent agreement between Mercury and APBA.

Darren is the one that got the info which started the process moving. Be sure to thank him. Eddie.

[Matt Dagostino]

Doug

How much difference in size is there in a true JH, true AXSH or true ASH? I don't run the class and do not have a child who does, but am curious about the difference.

Top shelf J Hydro - 43mph

Top shelf AXSH - 54mph

Top shelf ASH - 57mph

These speeds are all 'competition' speeds. Testing speeds vary a bit to the plus side maybe a mph or so.

Happy New Year!

Matt & Val

[G Stillwill]

Doug the AXSH and the ASH boats are pretty much the same and Im not sure about the JSH boat but seems a little smaller Sam could tell you more.

[G Stillwill]

Shawn hard to tell if it needs pistons or not 50 percent of the fishing motors I pulled down had scuffed pistons if you take the exhaust plate off you can tell. If they are ok then just rings, gaskets and top and bottom seals.