350 questions and open cockpit QU.

[hydroid]

Cost??...address this now

Aside from pandering to Junky's wide-eyed wow factor w 350/250, and vortex of posts to which many have been sucked into(on how many threads?), you PRO boys better post what 350/250 is going to cost him, all-in...I'll bet it's a non-starter right there....Otherwise, this is just another Xmas wish list thread.
I'll start:
CSH: $4-5000, boat, 302, safety gear, prop(1), plus trailer($1000). For mid-pack results, great for a rookie, upgrade eventually as budget allows.

Somebody else do:
DSH:
250:
350:

Junky, once costs posted, can you afford 350/250/CSH?.... yes/no, and which?...no stories, and spare us the 'I do not want people to know what I can afford'.

[blueskyracer]

Aside from pandering to Junky's wide-eyed wow factor w 350/250, and vortex of posts to which many have been sucked into(on how many threads?), you PRO boys better post what 350/250 is going to cost him, all-in...I'll bet it's a non-starter right there....Otherwise, this is just another Xmas wish list thread.
I'll start:
CSH: $4-5000, boat, 302, safety gear, prop(1), plus trailer($1000). For mid-pack results, great for a rookie, upgrade eventually as budget allows.

Somebody else do:
DSH:
250:
350:

Junky, once costs posted, can you afford 350/250/CSH?.... yes/no, and which?...no stories, and spare us the 'I do not want people to know what I can afford'.

I would say $7000 to $9000 for DSH new full set up but does it really matter. He is probably sitting in his easy chair laughing about the replies since he has already been there and done that so he says!

[mercguy]

Aside from pandering to Junky's wide-eyed wow factor w 350/250, and vortex of posts to which many have been sucked into(on how many threads?), you PRO boys better post what 350/250 is going to cost him, all-in...I'll bet it's a non-starter right there....Otherwise, this is just another Xmas wish list thread.
I'll start:
CSH: $4-5000, boat, 302, safety gear, prop(1), plus trailer($1000). For mid-pack results, great for a rookie, upgrade eventually as budget allows.

Somebody else do:
DSH:
250:
350:

Junky, once costs posted, can you afford 350/250/CSH?.... yes/no, and which?...no stories, and spare us the 'I do not want people to know what I can afford'.

"NEW" DSH $10,000+............boat, hardware, Tohatsu, 1 prop.......

[1100-one]

Advice

Hydroplane Junky,
I have been reading all of the replies here from all the different racers. They have given you the best advice possible. I totally agree that you need to go to a few Pro,Stock, and Mod races and look around and ask questions as your doing here. Starting out in a 350 hydro to me is not the correct decision for you. Maybe a mod boat as you seem to like to work on motors.
Ok you know about sliding pipes and working on motors and want to race but you need to get your feet wet first. Starting out in a Stock or Mod class is plenty of a challenge as they are running fast as well. It also will give you a chance to see if you even like racing boats. Then you can move up if you like
Todd

[David Weaver]

Another View

For brand new equipment, you are looking at $10K+ for a 250 or 350 rig. A lot of variables here, depending on how many spares you carry and how much fabrication work you can do yourself. Of course, you can spend as much as you like and you can be as innovative as you like. As some say, speed costs money. This gives you a "state of the art" racing boat and one that may be unique depending on your innovations.

Certainly, there are cheaper options available in racing. If racing a PRO 250 or 350 is what you want to do, then understand the expenses and challenges. Do not let others dissuade you from racing PRO. You can learn as much racing back of the pack in PRO as you can learn running back of the pack in CSH or DMH. All good classes and options.

But also understand that the upfront equipment costs are only part of the story. Travel is a big part of the racing expenses. PRO races are scattered around the country and travel expense can add up. There are more numerous races for SO and MOD in the Michigan/Indiana area. Of course, if you are running more heats on a top running mod engine you can expect higher maintenance expenses as well. The more you use a racing engine or a modified "stock" motor, the higher you can expect your maintenance expenses to be. Stock outboard engines are more durable, because they generally are not turning up maximum RPMs. Of course, you are not allowed to be innovative here with the motor (well, you are not supoosed to get innovative).

Again, the best piece of advice given here is to attend several races, observe, ask questions and get informed before spending your bucks. Enough said on this topic.

[raceright]

If he has been racing Karts and dirt bike then the costs for running Pro should not scare him. The travel expense is a bit more if he tries to run around the country--we are all screwed here. I for one do not feel like playing philedelphia lawyer to see if he is on the up and up==we will know soon enough

Pat Wright

[mdaspit]

All you guys are awesome.
You go through all this and still you try to help.
I'll say one thing for sure, the fact that this sport is suffering from lack of new people isn't because of a lack of members willing to help.

Kind of fizzes me off that it seems to be unappreciated. But then I think well, maybe what we have here is a guy with a learning disability, or somebody who was never taught proper social skills.

If he could just get real, boat racing could make a huge difference in his life.

Just doesn't seem like it's going to happen.

[froggy3racer]

Pro racing info

If you want to talk personnally to a PRO racer, give me a call. I will try to answer any of your questions and help with info.

Jim Kirts
810-247-2206