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NBRA is Paying $10,000 Tow Money: APBA Offers $200 Memberships
In 1979, I was Region 12 Chairman, actually back to 1977, I bid for the APBA National Meeting at Las Vegas. At the time Caesar's Palace sponsored a Seebold Tunnel.
I did my usual job of management, and with the help of our Region 12 clubs, and Molly Ballou, Margie Harmon and a few other hard working women, we put on a hell of an even. Rocki Aoki of Bennani Hanna fame was a prop customer, and he put on a two hour booze and food party, OMC spent $2,500 for a cocktail party and Mercury spent $5,000 for a cocktail party, We had a snake charmer put on a show for us, at the banquet and every lady was given a long stem red rose. Every table AT LEAST ONE BOTTLE of Champagne. Roses and CHAMMPAGNE WAS COMPLIMENTS REGION 12.
With tee shirt sales and all we made $25,000. (And I pocketed the money, NOT). I returned the profits to the clubs based on membership.
Fast forward, 2023, Who put on the APBA Convention and why? APBA puts on the convention because no club can afford to do it or wants to do it. What's in it for them?
So, APBA boat racing except for Offshore is circling the drain....not my words, a true fact.
It is time for APBA to GIVE BACK to their members and start promoting races. They need a National Sponsor and they need a national Plan.
How would NASCAR do if they only sanctioned races? No need to answer!
9 Years ago, Marlee Hill...and Dave Hale...me, Bunker Hill put on a driver's school. APBA needs Driver's schools with equipment ready to buy at the schools.
There has not been another driver's school in California in 9 years...
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Nice Post, Well Thought Out: Outboard Racing Could be Bigger the Bubble Up
I don't know you but you have some great, and possible good ideas.
APBA is dead and they just keep circling the drain. NBRA has done a great job, except they aren't thinking growth. You can't keep a sport alive with 40 year old ideas. They have not expanded out! They have no new FOUR STROKE classes. Four Strokes have been mandated since 2006 or 2009.
NBRA has no "LITTLE LEAGUE". Off Road Racing has classes for "YOUTH" and at 16, it is an adult class. So, dad can run the boat as an adult. Kid, can run as youth...
Back about1984, I started the Mini Boat Revolution. Tohatsu's were being distributed by the Volvo Distributor. and I talked them into paying our insurance when we raced.
Our first MAJOR race was a Five Hour Enduro. We had like 67 boats in three classes: C-Nod, O-Nod and U-Nod. Nod was National One Design.
This Picture in Havasu...and I have idea whyit is side ways!
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!985-86 Mini Boat Revolution Was in Full Swing
The Volvo Distributor (Western Engine) was paying our insurance bills and giving us money for trophies. The Mini Boats were racing with the "BIG BOYS".
Jimmy Johnson, Rick Hoffman, with the help of Ed Land had the 30 Yamaha' doing about 90 MPH.
Because the way I wrote the rules the 31 cubic inch, 40 Tohatsu was fastest in O-Nod.
Charlie Strang, OMC President, hated the Japanese and called them, "Japs". Charlie tried to make a deal with Ernie Dawe, then Stock Outboard VP a deal. He'd make a new "A" motor and anew "E" motor if Ernie would kick the Japs to OPC where he and Mercury controlled the rules. Ernie made a smart move and said, "Get me the motors and I will get these "Sit down Classes" moved to OPC.
Charlie built the "A" and the "45 SS". Trouble was the 45 SS was so fast, OMC broke the test driver's leg testing the motor. So, Ernie kicked C-Nod, O-Nod and U-Nod to OPC.
OPC being controlled by OMC and Mercury changed the rules for these classes.
The 45 had promise on a tunnel but would not beat the Yamaha. So, OMC hired Fred Miller to start a 45 Series. Paying pretty good money for various races. U-Nod became Mod C, and "Dropped" for lack of members. (All members has Yamaha motors)
The 45 was nightmare on a tunnel. Everyone that owned one blew them over. Breaking arms. legs, shoulders. The small prop and high speed wasn't safe like a big gearcase.
So, once OMC had the 45 class being dominate, they pulled their money out of the series.
A new series of classes could easily be started with the new four strokes.
Someone, like a RON HILL, NEEDS TO WRTE SOME RULES.
The Canadian Hydro League would be a perfect place to start a new "GRASS ROOT" group of classes.
Keep in mind anything FREE from big business, probably has a catch to it. In Canada's Hydro Plane League, RACING is their business. I could see real growth here!
John Rinker in an Evinrude power O-Nod Parker 5 Hour. #9 Chad Hill one of if not the last Mini Enduro with 45's in it. Chad finished Second to s Stock Formula 50 Tohatsu. Formula 50 was a great classes, killed by APBA. Capsuled tunnel with 50 Tohatsu... Trouble was the motor wasn't Merican.
Pre 1977, I was Region Chairman of APBA: Ernie Dawe was SCOA Commodore
I was to say that from about 1967 till 1977, SCOA had a Boat Show with equipment for sale at the Unlimited Hydro races in San Diego. The race was in the last week of September, and for about ten years we recruited about ten new racers a year at San Diego.
Frank Pruess was our Race Chairman and a hard working SOB, and his wife Ernie worked just as hard. After the 1977 Bakersfield Nationals I drifted on to MOD VP racing, my two children took a ton of my time. Frank moved to Colorado. Ernie Dawe was teaching, like me and raising three kids.
But alass, in '82 or so, it was Ernie Dawe and Ron Hill that started the Mini Boat Revolution.....
OMC and Mercury were so dishonest with the Japanese Outboard companies. Both were glad to see Yamaha and Tohatsu disappear from racing.
I saw my first Unlimited Hydro, in Detroit, 1956. I was 12, on our way home from Cambridge, Maryland where we'd raced the Stock Nationals.
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Dean: Boat Shows and The Like Are Worthless Without Something to Sell
Let's see: You have a boat show in SoCal. Races are 500 up north or 500 miles east...two or three races are within 300 miles. No Sidewinders to sell, no Yamato's to sell. Those that have Yamatoes don't want to sell them. You need a $1,200 cut suit but no one makes them. Let's see what can we sell at the "SHOW" T-Shirts? Oh, I've got a motor for sale! 1960 650 Merc on a speedmaster...no class for it but I have a motor.
Solar Racers for 20 Years Now
I have worked with the solar racers for 20 years. They race one race a year and never show interest in a second race. Not one of the Solar Racers have ever asked to go to a boat race or where boat races are.
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I'm Not Sure you Are Correct About Kids not wanting to Get Into Boat Racing
Over the years, I've seen lots of people come and go. Many reasons people don't get into (OUTBOARD) boat racing now days.
1. People really don't want to get hurt.
2. Not one new motor available.
3. Racing format isn't very good, out dated.
4. Too much traveling for the average person.
5. Who helps people that are racing?
6. What do you get when you win?
Addressing each point:1-6
1. I look at O'Conner boat repair on Face Book. He does a beautiful job repairing boats that are busted up pretty well.
If the boat his busted and the driver was in the boat what happed to the driver? Grass Root Boat Drags from 40 HP to 500 HP has a lots of participants. Why? You don't get run over in the corners, there are no corners. You boat doesn't require duct tape after a heat. Your expansive paint job is good for the season or more.
No small outboard Boat Builder talks about Safety! But I do. A capsule in a "C" Hydro is cheaper to make than a cut suit.
2. 1976, Tom Ige brought us the Yamato 80. Great motor, some as still running today 3/31/2023 or 47 years later. Oh APBA has the 300 Class. A you run against guys that have raced for 40 years and you get to race two five lap heats a day.....Sit on the beach and watch 5 other Yamatoes race, with four oats in each class? That sure sounds like fun.
There isn't a current class with a current motor. Talk for a 4 stroke 20 for almost two years, 4 Strokes have been out and LAW since 2006....or 2008. Or around 15 years.
3. Clock starts and two 3-5 lap heats. How about One 12 lap heat, with shore start with a Yellow caution coming out at lap six, let them line up, a flag start them on SINGLE BOUY turns. Single bouy turns are required in Tri Hulls. Single pin turns are safer the three pin turns. Run three heats instead of buying a second boat. Race more laps so you get your money's worth.
How aout a Team race, where you count points by teams?
4. Change boat designs so you don't have to find a "PISS PUDDLE" to race in. Most current Outboards cancel races when there is a 2" chop on the water.
5. No one helps new people. New people are supposed to buy everyone's junk, so the old timers have someone to beat.
6. Charge higher entry fees, but give away NICE TROPHIES or watches or silver plates...My daughter was 4 when on Monday she asked me what we won at the races. I showed here four certificates. She never got interested in racing.
1941 Rus Hill rides again C Racing Runabout.....82 years ago, oat look the same, kneel down, hand throttle...
It ain't the kids faults they don't want to drive a Model T.
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Affordable, Entry Level Boat Racing ???
Boat on sale for 110 dollars , Free delivery !
Electric motor on sale for 232 dollars , free delivery !
Cheap and safe entry level boat racing fun for our youth !
Run them on super short course race sites, or huge swimming pools ! !
Have a minimum weight !
No sharp propellers to hurt Kids !
For 332+tax and life jacket cost, our next generation boat racers could be formed !
I think we could get lots of sponsors, mostly local small businesses !
Great prize money cause of low cost to race and support !
Let the future in safer and affordable boat racing be born again !
Just a thought !
Paul A Christner !
P.S.
The boats could be made out of recycled water bottles !
The motor housing and most of the motor and jet pump structure could also be made out of recycled water bottles
and plastic !
The solar panels on top of the event competitors tents could have their frames made out of recycled water bottles,. while the solar panels could be charging the event racers extra motor between heats batteries !
In theory if the sun shines all day at the event, the racers could supply the energy for the event for free !
Just some more thoughts about boat racing's future, as all past and present classes of boat racing in history are and were made up with a supposed level playing field rules for the competitors, but mostly fierce competition from the competitors carried the enthusiasm forward over time !.
I know there will be those that say this would be to boring and not exciting enough, ,however tell that to the kids on the water banging a competitors boat for a better position and higher finish in the ongoing race !
We need lots of new talent if we are to have any kind of future of boat racing !
We need a new and growing racing boat base, and I think this would be the way to have a affordable way to achieve that hopeful outcome and carry the sport we love into the future !
Pumpkin Seed Boats, Looked Like A Pumpkin Seed
Ted May built and named the first Pumpkin Seed Boats I saw. Fiber glass was very new in 1955. Ted made a carboard piece, round bottom and pointed. He laid fiber glass cloth and fiber glass resin on the cardboard. When the glass "Popped Off" as Ted called it (Hardened), he'd pull the bottom off the cardboard. He'd turn it over and make a very crude transom, and both side decks, a dash and a front deck. Nothing was straight, boat probably weighed 60 pounds.
He managed to get some old KG-7 long shaft Quickies from the Mercury Distributor, for free or he just stole them. No fin, no real steering wheel, had two hand airplane steering well from war surplus. and like a spark hand for a throttle, no return spring.
Ted made at least five of these Pumpkin Seeds and he made his own open stacks a with a hacksaw blade. He's sit on the motor and throttle with his foot. He could go sideway and fast as straight.
When we started racing on TV, he showed up with four boats and wanted to race. No life jackets, football helmets and football jerseys. (Ted had played quarterback in the Navy).
Nothing legal or safe. My dad and a few people decided to let them run around the lake between head to be like Rodeo Clowns. Someone gave them the name Mercury Maniacs. As the heats ended these four Pumpkin Seeds would come roaring out of the back stretch as we didn't want them near "Real" race boats.
To us "REAL" Racers we were surprised how the crowd cheered the Mercury Maniacs. People would park their cars on their side of the "PUDDLE". Ted being a show man that he was. Would have someone dump gas on the water and light it, Ted would come roar through the fire like EVIL KNIEVEL BEFORE THERE WAS AND EVIL.
Davey Corckett and Coon Skin has were popular. Ted would were a coon skin hat and one of the other Mercury Maniacs would pretend to shoot him with a rifle, Ted would jump out of the boat and let it run into the rocks on the first turn are where no one sat. He usually, had someone there to kill the motor.
That it the Pumpkin Seed Boats I know.
On Yamato motors because the are metric, the thumb screws can be taken out of the clamp bracket, Mercury "T" thumb screws can be used, There is enough aluminum to thread the metric clamps. Every Yamato were ever raced had Mercury thumps screws in the clamp brackets.
