MY thoughts on the Mini Most

[ryan_4z]

APBA should advertize in Popular Mechanics.

That's the best idea I've heard yet! I bet it wouldn't even put a dent in the promotional fund.

[ryan_4z]

NOT as long as APBA has those ridiculously long , boring , and mandatory meetings the night before a race!

David, That was a national championship event, not a weekend race. When you have that many entries, roll call takes a while. Plus, I didn't think it was too boring, we had fun at the table I was at!!

[ryan_4z]

Am I mistaken or is the minimost concept for kids starting at 6 years old? I think I read that some where.

I think this is the key to the whole idea. Right now, you have to be 9 to start racing. Kids are already racing go-karts or dirt bikes for years at that point. This mini-most thing isn't to replace the current J class or anything, but it may be a way to get a 5 or 6 year old kid racing boats BEFORE they get hooked on something else.

[ryan_4z]

There are no $8,000 rigs in Stock.

I wouldn't be so sure about that Sam.

[mercguy]

I wouldn't be so sure about that Sam.

I second that!!

a complete NEW DSH will cost more than $8000...........some C rigs are pretty close to $8000 also......

[ryan_4z]

To all the new guys on this thread, Don't let some people's negative attitudes get you down. This is a great sport, and none of this kind of childish bickering actually goes on at the races. As far as the cost goes, new eqipment in most classes will cost you anywhere from 3500-6000 dollars. Nevertheless, it is still quite possible to find competetive used rigs in the 2000-2500 dollar price range. Don't give up the idea of competing locally either. Racing is growing in many areas around the country. I for one think that this sport has great future potential, and there are a number of people working to realize that potential. Good luck.

[woodman]

30mph-40mph

Forget that little 5hp motor I want a 15hp-25hp stock outboard on this little
8' boat. What simple mods can be done to an 80's Johnson -Evinrude to push these little boats to 40mph.

This has been the big discusion over at http://www.muskokaseaflea.ca/
But they are only adding bigger motors getting kind of dangerious.

Another boat I want to make is to modify the Tunnel Mite and get that little 10' boat to push 40mph

[YankeeRacing]

IMO, in order for boat racing to grow we need strength in numbers. Having 3 (+) sanctioning bodies with our numbers so small is hurting boat racing, AOF, NBRA both need to merge into APBA (and ALL other forms of boat racing Champ, Offshore, Unlimited...need to go APBA also). Unless this happens we will die a slow death even with new equipment available. With boat racing being so fragmented, we're hurting ourselves.

As for the minimost or a B&S engine for boat racing, well that's why you are AOF, APBA would never entertain such an idiotic thought.

The main reason why the merging won't happen, (although it should in some form).


Scenerio: You have two identical Ford diesel F350's for pulling race trailers on a car lot.
The ONLY difference between the two is that one has an AOF sticker on the bumber, and no CD player, and the payments are $150 a month.
The other pick up truck, identical in every way EXCEPT: it has an APBA sticker on the bumber and has a CD player, and payments of $800 a month.

Now, you are going to look at the APBA stickered truck and say, wow, I gotta have that one no matter how much it costs.

I am goind to look over both identical trucks, and decide that I can add my own CD player for about $100, put an APBA sticker next to the AOF sticker, and still only pay $150 a month.

[aojesus]

Forget that little 5hp motor I want a 15hp-25hp stock outboard on this little
8' boat. What simple mods can be done to an 80's Johnson -Evinrude to push these little boats to 40mph.

Now you will need a parity comittee to keep things equal

[ryan_4z]

The main reason why the merging won't happen, (although it should in some form).


Scenerio: You have two identical Ford diesel F350's for pulling race trailers on a car lot.
The ONLY difference between the two is that one has an AOF sticker on the bumber, and no CD player, and the payments are $150 a month.
The other pick up truck, identical in every way EXCEPT: it has an APBA sticker on the bumber and has a CD player, and payments of $800 a month.

Now, you are going to look at the APBA stickered truck and say, wow, I gotta have that one no matter how much it costs.

I am goind to look over both identical trucks, and decide that I can add my own CD player for about $100, put an APBA sticker next to the AOF sticker, and still only pay $150 a month.

By a CD player do you mean over 100 years of prestige, a Hall of Champions, UIM recognition, well structured national classes, etc.? Connie, believe me, I am not trying to start anything here, I believe that all the racing organizations serve their purpose. I know that you and AOF have done a lot to help grow and promote the sport we all love, and I truly appreciate all you have done. I just don't think that your's is really a fair comparison.

[ryan_4z]

Forget that little 5hp motor I want a 15hp-25hp stock outboard on this little
8' boat. What simple mods can be done to an 80's Johnson -Evinrude to push these little boats to 40mph.

I would be worried that the mini-most wasn't designed to go that fast. With an 80's OMC 15 you can go over 50 mph, its called A Stock Hydro.

[Skoontz]

"I would be worried that the mini-most wasn't designed to go that fast. With an 80's OMC 15 you can go over 50 mph, its called A Stock Hydro."

Yep. Length that boat to 10-11', use a stock FNR gearfoot and stainless prop 11-12", run 40 all day long. They are running 15 Yamahas in JT-250 in UIM and they are pushing 48 with FNR gearcases. 40 is the avrage....

I think if you want to model a class, get some plans from the Hungarian company who builds the JT-250 boats for the UIM, or see about importing them.

[ryan_4z]

What if APBA sponsored mini-most building programs? Like say Cub Scouts or something. It would get our name out there, along with getting young kids into something at least similar to a race boat.

[aojesus]

What if APBA sponsored mini-most building programs? Like say Cub Scouts or something. It would get our name out there, along with getting young kids into something at least similar to a race boat.

It could work. There are definately options out there that could be persued.

Many people have mentioned concerns about the handling aspect of the mini most. Maybe some of our runabout designers/builders could help us come up with one hull design that can be made easily and affordably from a set of very cheap plans. This would allow the basic concept to continue, but adds the bonus of better handling and a safer ride. Maybe the Mini most plans just need a slight make-over

[jsilvestri]

A 60-J runabout would be the perfect sized boat for a small outboard like the Briggs. Remember that the J's in those days did not go as fast as they do now and there was still great racing every time the J's hit the water. Plus, there were more J runabouts then because us kids could man handle the boats easier than the kids can now. Ever wonder why kids do not want to drive J runabout now???

I do not think the 60-J runabouts would be as easy to build as the mini-most but I'm sure some construction changes to that size boat could be made for an easier build.