350 questions and open cockpit QU.

[B Walker]

350CCH is not the place to start learning about racing hydroplanes. It is like giving a teenager a Bugatti Veyron.

New racers need boat time. The more the better.

Get a C Stock Hydro. Go to every race you can. Put a restrictor plate in it and race 20SSH. Take the restrictor and weight out and run OSY.

On a good race weekend you can race 3 classes with one rig and minor changes.

Anyone advising a new racer to start out in a 350CCH is doing a disservice to both the sport and the new racer.

BW

Bonus: A Yamato 302 and CSH rig, with Safety Equipment, measuring instruments, a variety of propellors, trailer to haul it all costs about half of a top end 350CCH rig alone.

[hydroplane junky]

hey i just thought of one last thing
how much safer is running a cap. in 350 and will it slow you down much (wind and weight)
you guys may be right i have been in boats all my life and i have exp in hydros but jumping to 350 i am not so sure any more how fast do 125 and 200 mod go

[B Walker]

Get a CSH and race it as much as you can for a year or two, then move up to something faster, more complex, that burns alcohol or whatever floats your boat.

If you want to play with chambers, you can take the 302 powerhead and put a chamber on it and it is a C Modified motor.

out

BW

[DiGia54D]

Hydroplane junky,

a 125 hydro I would say runs in the 70's.. I would say go to one of the title series races if close by and see these first hand and meet and talk to some people. Wanting to run 350 is a big step for a first one. Most of the guys in those classes ran stock or mod for years. Watching 8-10 350's on the back stretch is a site to see

[Dave M]

More Answers

Yamato did make Pro engines, they have not in some time now. There are very few that race in the Pro Division using Alkie fuel. There is a class called OSY400 that is a CSH with no min weight. Those Yamatos are produced even today by Yamoto and raced in Japan. Once they are done with them, they rebuild/repair them and if there are orders, ship them to the U.S.. Rick Montoya is the importer.

As I said, I would reccomend you find a used Konig if you really want to run 350CCH. Parts are available, and there are still many out there that compete today. A lot of knowledge is out there for these engines as well. I simply think it would be a wiser choice than to jump into it with a new out front rig like a VRP or GRM. You can let off the throttle in the Konig while milling, and run slower and not load it up. The other race engines are so highly tuned that it only takes one mistake to end your heat with a loaded engine. It takes some real experience to drive. When we say slide the pipe, we are not talking about changing the pipes as you would on your M/C. The Pro Alkie engines actually slide the expansion chambers on a header pipe while underway to maximize top speed and also torque in the corners. It is not hard to master, but it is not easy.

Main thing is, have fun and be safe. After a year or so you can upgrade to a new rig and start winning some races. For now, just get some real experience laying down in a hydro.

[David Weaver]

In Summary

I concur with the general sentiment abut 350cc hydro perhaps not being the best class to start with. I am guessing that you have done some level of homework and are interested in the PRO category. There are several good options in PRO, as there are in other categories. If you are heavier, then 125cc or 175 cc might not work. Both of these classes offer plenty of excitement at a little lower speed. 250cc is a 90 mph class in competition and 350 is faster.

As suggested earlier, your best move may be to attend some races, learn a little and maybe take a ride. With the right coaching and patience, one can start in a faster PRO class (coming up to speed steadily). One does not have to pull the pipes and conservative set-ups can increase safety. Yvonne Koenig started in 500cc and has done well.

Brad suggests CSH. This is a great class. But, one can get in just as much trouble running 70 mph in a shorter boat, trapping a lot of air, as a faster 250 or 350 that is longer and not trapping as much air.

[hydroboyv9]

If you dont mind me asking, what are your dimensions? Height, Weight, ect..

[hydroplane junky]

well i know about pulling the pipes but i got exp in that area
i weigh like 200lbs and height 6-6 ft 1in
i may not get into 350 right now i may run 200 cc because of my size
what you guys think

[treadguy]

Really?

What is your age also? 6' 1" is a good size for a 250/350 laydown hydro. (What class is the 200?) Where did you learn to slide the expansion chambers? Too many things don't add up. If you are interested, I have a 5 port 350 Konig that is so fresh, you might smell a bit of a beer garden when you turn it over. Complete engine including pipes and lower unit. PM me if you are interested, but be prepared for a really good ride.............

[hydroplane junky]

well i don't want to say my exact age but try 28-31
i slid the exp chamber on one of my dirt bike and on a off road racing go kart but we bent the expan. chambers in a loop because they were two long but it worked well
i looked at this page
http://www.apba-racing.com/Forms/2010/010SOMOPRO.pdf
under rule 9 it says age and there is a 200mod hydro in middle column so???? i never heard of it before but it is closer to a beginner by the sound of it but still fast i am assuming

[treadguy]

I'm done.........

Junky, I'm 57. Do you want us to guess? And I am very unfamiliar with the mod classes (although they really do run well). PRO classes are a great division to be a part of. You will meet the best people you have ever met.......but.........(lots of but's in answer to your posts) you need to be open to suggestions from the guys and girls in these classes. They not only want to make sure you choose wisely, we don't want to worry about someone on the race course that may cause a problem in any way. I gave you a way to get into a Konig cheap, all the WELL seasoned racers have given you the options they think you should take, and I still hear you talking about things that don't make sense. Slide the pipes on a dirt bike, but bend them in a circle (I think that's what you wrote)..........be honest, be up front, and appreciate all these great people wanting to help you. Drop the "I know what I'm doing". If you have never been in a PRO hydro, you don't. Safety, being able to finish a race, and good competition is what you will find here. Listen and you will learn.........from the best. These people are what make PRO racing what it is. Learning is just a part of it. Accepting the fact that you are new and willing to learn is up to you.

[hydroplane junky]

i am sorry for posting crap like that off topic kinda lets just forget about the pipes for now
i don't really care if you guess my age but i don't like posting it right on the internet kinda one of my habits as weird as it sounds sorry
well i know what i am doing about exhausts but i have less than a clue on 350 boats OK lets get off to a better start
i want to go into 350 some of you say dumb idea try 250 i respect that and i respect the boats and safety i am not gonna end up dead for a race and or kill someone because of a dumb idea

i want to know if i do race 350 is it much safer to run a capsule???
how does it effect performance (capsule)????
what are the most competitive motors???
what are the most rookie friendly motors???
and what co. make good 350? like pough or whatever the name is?? (spelling may be off)

and treadguy thanks for your help what do you want for the motor (pm me)

[ebss011]

Junky, Ive been racing stock and mod outboards for 20 some yrs, and 750 hydro for the last 6 or 7 yrs. 750cch runs mid 80s to 90 and pro350 hydro runs around 110 and that is a really really big difference in speeds on the water. Trust me listen to them and start slower and work your way up, take it as a learning curve. Good luck Dustin TOPGUNRACING

[mercguy]

i am sorry for posting crap like that off topic kinda lets just forget about the pipes for now
i don't really care if you guess my age but i don't like posting it right on the internet kinda one of my habits as weird as it sounds sorry
well i know what i am doing about exhausts but i have less than a clue on 350 boats OK lets get off to a better start
i want to go into 350 some of you say dumb idea try 250 i respect that and i respect the boats and safety i am not gonna end up dead for a race and or kill someone because of a dumb idea

i want to know if i do race 350 is it much safer to run a capsule???
how does it effect performance (capsule)????
what are the most competitive motors???
what are the most rookie friendly motors???
and what co. make good 350? like pough or whatever the name is?? (spelling may be off)

and treadguy thanks for your help what do you want for the motor (pm me)

dude, lose the "know it all" attitude!!!!!! You are getting in over your head! Sorry, but by the sounds of all your statements (all over the board), it sounds like you are 12 (pretty sure that why you have been asked how old you are). You have some of the best racers and info being given to you here, SO LISTEN and don't try to convince everyone you are ready. Start slow, LEARN HOW TO DRIVE a race boat (is not as easy as you think it is) and then move up, once you feel comfortable and know what you want. Starting off in 350, you are **** WELL gunna possibly hurt someone else on the race course. Boat racing ain't no where near like cart or motorcylce racing!!!!!!!!! 350 hydro ain't no joke!! You better be on top of your game for that class!

PS: the boat you are selling has NO USE for any of our type of racing, so give it to the local kid that wants something to play with..........

PSS: your previous bashing of C stock boats and the class hits a LOT of nerves with people on this board, as it IS the LARGEST STOCK/MOD/PRO class out there and has some of, if not THE best drivers in APBA.............so tread lightly there......

[treadguy]

Thanks, Daren.........

Maybe he will understand you better than all the rest. I think we are past trying to get someone into the PRO division, and have moved on to try to keep what we do as safe as possible. This just worries me.