350 questions and open cockpit QU.

[hydroplane junky]

note i am not sure where to post it but this looked close enough

well i got confused i heard that open cockpit hydros were banned
(not class c, 350 or what ever (lay down) plus) but a cowl makes the boat closed right???

do they race 350 here much in the UK yes but here????

and if the open cockpit thing was/is a rule here in America how is racing this boat legal here http://www.area31racing.com/index.html now the cowl on some might make it legal right????

dumb qu. i know what motors do they run on them i know the KOING 350 and dint yamato use to make a 350 race motor right so what motors do they use and where do you get them

[David Weaver]

350cc Hydro Apba and O-350 UIM

Both are open cockpit legal. This does not prevent one from using a capsule, but it is not required. The rear cowling has nothing to do with a cockpit capsule. You can run any 350cc engine that you desire (Konig, GRM, VRP, Yamato, Konny, etc.).

[treadguy]

David is right...............

BUT...........how much experience do you have in a hydro? Have you ever raced one? Once you get into a PRO boat, you have crossed into a realm that is quite different than a gas burner. The speeds are much greater, the cost is much higher, and upkeep on a pro engine is a very important thing to make sure you run consistantly. There are many, many racers here on Hydroracer and other sites that will be helpful in guiding you during your early years. Much info is available to make you a winner in whatever class you decide to race. You are only limited by your ability. This is my 50th year in boat racing. 45 of those in the PRO division. Best time of my life, socializing with the best people in the world, but some of the time getting my butt kicked by the best drivers in the business. Whatever you decide, be prepared to learn from the best, and you will do well. Good luck.

[hydroplane junky]

it just so happens i am most likely to buy a 350 boat this year but the motor has me stumped i know a lot of the models but where do you get one

I got another dumb qu how old do you half to be to race 350 like 16 and older i can get into it but i am wondering because no one ever has that info posted

[David Weaver]

Research

it just so happens i am most likely to buy a 350 boat this year but the motor has me stumped i know a lot of the models but where do you get one

I got another dumb qu how old do you half to be to race 350 like 16 and older i can get into it but i am wondering because no one ever has that info posted

Well, you are starting OK by asking questions. I believe that 350 requires one to be 18 years of age. I suggest that you check out the APBA web-site and also inquire with AOF. Given the speeds, a novice needs to some strong guidance with the 350 class.

In terms of engines, brand new VRP and GRM's can be purchased from vendors who frequent this web-site. New, complete engines are going to run upwards of $10,000 (depending on exchange rates and amount of spares). Used engines can be purcvhased less expensively and there are more choices. Konigs are less competitive, but can probably be found used for a resaoanable amount.

Have you been to a PRO race where 350's would compete? Before spending a bunch of money, be sure that you understand what you are getting into. And remember to budget $$'s for safety equipment and the many extra's that you will need (tools, fuel line, kill switch, propellers, fuel tank, etc.).

Ask questions here, you will get answers.

[sam]

I agree with David's recommendations. People don't talk about the rules here because they are posted on another website: http://www.apba-racing.com/downloads.html#RULES

I good study of the rules is very important before buying or getting in a boat

If you don't understand a particular rule, hydroracer.net is a good place to ask

[hydroplane junky]

thanks SAM and David but what is the most competitive engine i would think grm but koing there been out o business for a bit well you can get parts but no new 2011 models or whatever
did not yamato make a 350 a couple years back right?????
how well did that motor do??????
and i know what i am getting into i have been to 350 before but i have seen 500 cc 750cc and 850cc race too but i want to get into 350 because i like it the most and i know it is not cheap
is there a spot where i can find all the rules in the book for the 350 motor cc/ci. displacement gearing ect and lower units ect.
because i got tons of parts and i am a machinist and have built motors before just build one 350 and tune it they don't run restriction plates right

[hydroplane junky]

hey sam thanks for the link it helped alot i dint know you oly had to be 14 to race osy400 and 250 and 200 and 125 hydro thanks but i still need a bit more info

[hydroboyv9]

If you have any other questions about pro stuff, send me an email. hooch8910@gmail.com



best of luck,
Brennen V-9

[Dave M]

350 Pro

If you have never raced a hydro before 350CCH (Pro) is a pretty wild class to start in. You are running at and sometimes over 100MPH in a less than 13' boat. You truly need to know what you are doing. It is for the safety of the other drivers more so than your own. There is a good chance you will not finish a heat your first couple times.

The engines are real easy to work on, even a person with little mechanical skills can change a piston, etc on one of these. Good thing is, you buy them in stock form and race them. Not much is needed to be in the hunt from a stock pro engine.

Here is the tricky part, to learn to drive one, you need to learn about power curves, expansion chambers, and how moving these pipes affect performance. It is not as simple as bolt on and go. With these engines, if you don't know when you can let off the throttle without loading the engine, you will not finish.

I suggest this, if you have your heart set on 350CCH buy an old Konig engine. These are the most reliable of them all when it comes to sliding pipes, letting off throttle, etc. It is more forgiving. Get a decent hull to start with.

You have some folks in MI that could help you out in the class to learn some skills. Be eager to accept crtiticism from them when you mess up. Remember, they are saving their own life as well as yours. These are not toys.

If you are serious, hook up with some MI folks and get it done. You have Constantine as a USTS race, DePue IL is not far, and neither is the Wisconsin race. So you have at least three in easy distance.

[hydroplane junky]

thanks guys i may have more qu soon i know the 350 are fast over 100 but i can handle it i use to race dirt bikes so i know about engines,kart,outboard motors any thing motor racing ect i can do but 350 is still a bit new to me and in motor cycles the power band (term not really correct but people call it that)
hey just one thing left

what is the most competitive engine i know the most user friendly motor koing but what about grm and yamato i think a couple years back yamato made some 350 motors right???????????????????????????????????????????

[treadguy]

Junky........

By reading your messages, it seems that you are not focused on the bottom line here. I would love nothing more than to see another racer come into APBA and USTS in 350 hydro, BUT............from your comments throughout your posts, you said you were a machinist, you had racing experience, and then asked what the minimun age was to race this class. 350 hydro is a very competetive class, as is all the classes in USTS and you had better be prepared to run against some of the fastest guys (and girls) in the world. NOT the same as motocross, NOT the same as karts. You can make a mistake in those two types of racing and there is a good chance you can break an arm or leg. In 350 hydro, with the speeds that are being attained, you can have a mishap and come out just wet, but the guy that was next to you going into the first turn might not be near as lucky. Just an opinion, but you might need to get some experience in a class that doesn't run as fast initially. All the racers in all the hydro (and runabout) classes are my friends and family and I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to them because I made a mistake and someone got hurt or worse. And it does happen........even to the most seasoned driver. I just wouldn't want it to happen because someone got into something they couldn't handle. Choose wisely, choose knowing you will always have the opertunity to step up when you have some seat time under your belt.

[David Weaver]

Answers

OK,

A VRP 350cc engine won the PRO National Championship (hydroplane) in 2010 against a high quality feild of boats. This is a 2 cylinder engine and can be purchased from Steve Litzell.

A GRM (Rossi) engine won the World Championships (O-350) in 2010. This was a 3-cylinder engine. I have no idea if this can be bought new anymore. Check with Rex Hall the US distributor.

GRM also makes a competitve 2 cylinder engine that is available today.

Right now, one of these is required to race up front. Two very comptitive choices.

Both VRP and GRM also make 250 engines. This is a fast class and slightly a little more manageable than the 350. Some 250's will step-up into 350.

Both Steve and Rex can be sent a Private Message via this web-site.

DW

[raceright]

racing 350

Hey
350 Hydro is the fastest class in Pro before you have to start running a inclosed cockpit hydro..(capsule boat)
That said as it seems you have never raced a boat you will be required to run in the back of the pack untill the referee allows you to run all out.
So if you are up to it the reff will tell you and thats the way it is.

Pat Wright

[hydroplane junky]

well i know carting and racing dirt bikes is different but potentially deadly but i meant which i did not say clearly sorry about that is on those we run expansion chambers so i have experience with changing them and how that will effect performance and i have rebuilt many a 2 stroke so that's no problem i asked the age and the motors because i want all the information i can get even some on the not so helpful info to get to know the class better and i know the ref makes you run slow and in the back and you half to run tests verbal and actual before you can race all out for your safety and others