J decal question?

[brian]

Can I use these? Or will my son get pitched? We have a cowl that needs decals.

Brian

[Karl Dyle]

What part of STOCK dont you get, Brian? Those decals are nice looking, but some SSH will call you out if given the opportunity, im sure

[Bob Rusnak]

You mean a engine decal is not legal? I thought you only need an APBA decal on the boat.

[BabcockBros38A]

Bob, if my memory is correct, some of the stock classes required decals on the engine covers, as they came from the factories. I wouldn't see any problems as long as the Manufacturer's name was the dominant feature on the Decal. All through engine series productions, the decals have changed. And besides that who in heck
would give you grief over a patriot edition decal.

[pops67g]

Hey Brian, surely you must know that the performance advantage afforded by these custom decals is incalculable. Not to mention that your son's competitors in J would feel so unhappy because they didn't have them on their rigs.

[ram95]

Yeh I agree. Anybody that'd take it upon themselves to toss you for such a decal violation is... HANG ON FOLKS..here it comes from my Air Force vocabulary of 22 years: Anybody who'd toss you for that is Ate-up with the Dummazz!! This is one of those rules that shouldn't be a rule. The intention is clearly meant to embellish the concept of esprit de corps,... in other words to promote comrade-ship, enthusiam, devotion to a cause. The decal you show certainly tries to do all those things. Trouble is, you can't make a RULE that dictates those values. So it need not be a rule in the first place. If it were an issue of safety that would be different.

[Bob Rusnak]

Should be happy to have an engine to run with out worrying about a decal.

[Howie Nichols]

I took the time to look at the rules before posting, here is what I found...

Rule 17 Classes and Motor Eligibility
2. Motor Rules
B. The engine shall be operated with the production upper and lower motor covers installed and supplied by the manufacturer. Air inlets into cowlings must remain closed as in original factory condition, either with plugs or with tape. Any year OEM motor cover may be used, i.e. Johnson or Evinrude for OMC motors, Mercury/Mariner covers for Mercury motors.

This tells me you can run any sticker on the motor cover provided it was used by the Factory at some point.

[PittmanRacing]

I believe Howie has it on this one. While there is absolutely no speed advantage to custom decals, part of the logic to keep it OEM is so those watching or interested in the class (particularly new drivers in J) can more likely identify with it as a stock/ familiar motor.

[wrath of cron]

At Tabor City I did see one engine with these on them, I have also seen non-mercury style mercury decals on other engines. I also like these decals but don't know if I would chance it till I heard from an official. I don't think that the patriot edition was "production"

[jeff55v]

I have personally witnessed many people racing their Stock Outboard engines with non conforming engine cowls. I even witnessed an individual win a championship after crossing the finish line without an engine cowl.
And all of that doesn't bother me at all. What bothers me, is the fact that some people are called on these silly rule violations, and other people can get away with it.

[pops67g]

I think I understand the spirit of the rule, but since my OEM cowl was destroyed and no factory made replacement was available in 2006 things had to change. It was my understanding (via an elected official) that the rules requiring "factory" graphics was off the books, so I made my own vinyl graphics to apply to an aftermarket cowl. No factory stuff has been made for a 44XS in a while. I have run the engine continuously since 2007 with these changes.

[Fastjack]

Howie , You are to be able to get things done @ APBA ( a skill I lack ) - How about getting the rubber T tie downs ( 25XS 44 XS style ) on the cowl approved in J classes. There were 3 cowls lost in 1 heat at Tabor Citys last race . Thats $ 600. in fish habitat on the lake bottom . Plus they look cool and work ..

[PropNut]

Shawn, that is a great idea. Howie is the right guy, and our SO Commissioner, Alex Poliakoff, can take that to the Annual Meeting as well.

[pav225]

Just buy the "normal" Stock ones and then you don't have to worry about it.
-Mike

[Fastjack]

Many of the 1999 and newer 2 stroke decal sets are NLA and most over $100 a set , Aftermarket are 1/2 price - Rather have a new prop than 3 sets of STOCK decals

[PittmanRacing]

Buy the aftermarket ones that look like the stock ones and there shouldn't be any problem.

[mercguy]

decal set for 2006 and newer is STILL available ..........p/n 37-897506a02 list price $45.33.............over 40 sets available from Mercury................WAY better decal set than the 99 style..............

[brian]

Thanks it is nice to have a clean factory look too. And for the same price. Wish I still had my merc racing account.

[ram95]

RACERS.... can you hear me? We have slipped to a new LOW here. Can you READ LOW. When we are worried about being TOSSED by some OFFICIAL ?? for a freaking DECAL violation I am beginning to regret the day I was born. I'm sure some of you feel the same (about me being born.. hahahhaa).

[pav225]

Thanks Daren.

[brian]

Well, It looks like when I repair the hood and the decals come off I will just get the replacements from merc....I don't want to hurt resale value...

So how long can I run hood with no decals befor Ash gets pitched....lol.

Does anyone have the paint number for the merc black used on the hoods?

Thanks for the replies.

[ram95]

Brian, give Jeff Yungen 55V a shout... he has a muchacho down in Ecuador that makes model boats and also can make decals. Send him some money and keep a copy of the money order to tape onto your cowl to prove the decals are on order. That oughta do it.

[LarryR]

The PPG number for the black is 9300. Concept is DDC9300 or basecoat is DBC9300.
It has a bit of purple in it, but I expect a rattle can may be used if you prefer.
Getting a clear answer on the decal requirement would be useful.

[Howie Nichols]

I have sent Patrick Gleason (J Committee Chair) a request to add Decals and tie downs to the agenda for Chicago.

[ram95]

Yeah... I'm going to send one in to replace toilet tissue with scotch-brite to keep trash out of carburetors because air can get thru scotchbrite if you forget to remove the toilet paper on engine start.