How Ron Hill Would Plan for a 20 HP Four Stroke Class

[Ron Hill]

I think, number one would be to establish a "Soap Box Derby" class. Also known as DIY 20 HP Class>

This boat would be old school. Like 10'6" long, 22 inch bottom, fin on the bottom, 10" high sides. I'd have a transom pattern and a center rib pattern.

This would be a sit down class, designed to be built with Home Depot wood and a 200 pound driver. Driver would be required to sit in front of mid ships (5 feet, 3 inches from the inside the transom).

If I can get Ernie Dawe to build one, I will make templates of the transom and center rib...

Soap Box Derby Class

Every race would consist of:

1. Two rules at a slalom course for time. As a chance to see if the driver can drive.
2. Two 15 lap qualifiers.
3. Double elimination 660 Drags
4. 30 Lap main event
Total points for the top three trophies.

I would still encourage 3 lap heats in B Hydro and B Runabout....

5. There would be a Youth Class, 10-14 years olds , that runs one 15 lap heat.

[Ron Hill]

Ernie and I have been friends since about 1959. We raced hard against each other. He won Nationals and I won Nationals. Ernie has probably built 200 boats.

I have done his props, Steven's props, Tammy's props for every Now, I'm working with granddaughter Kara.

Tammy Dawe passed, at 42 years old about ten years ago.

Her sister is Mandy Dawe, is taking over my wife's Eye Doctor position. Kara is Mandy's daughter.

I don't see this class becoming bigger the "Bubble Up" but I think what I will offer: Anyone buys the plans for $25.00, proceeds going to the class. Yu show me a completed race "Soap Box Derby Boat" with legal Merc or Tohatsu 20 HP on it, I will give you a race propeller.

Here's our boat, just want it to be 2023 and a sit down...

[Ron Hill]

The picture of me driving a Quincy on a Hill Runabout was for the ARR Runabout Kilo record, of 70. The newer, mahogany and blue boat upped the record with Carl Meyers driving it.

Ernie and drew the boat out on the floor of our apartment in college on the back of wall paper. A few beers and a few arguments but we built the boat.

[Ron Hill]

Tell me if you can see the "Secret" as to why Hill Runabout were very fast. A very clear picture as to why. ARR Kilo record, 70 plus, 1966.

[modracer7b]

Tell me if you can see the "Secret" as to why Hill Runabout were very fast. A very clear picture as to why. ARR Kilo record, 70 plus, 1966.

Of course the secret is that Ron Hill is driving it. On a more serious note it's because the boat runs loose on the last inch or two of the bottom. All my runabouts were made to run like that, which is what made a runabout more fun to run than a hydro. If it wasn't running loose, then you might as well be driving a log.
Bill Rosado

[ClayT]

Your butt is behind the transom at the waterline.

[Ron Hill]

When my butt looked like it was behind the transom, I had a 4 inch set back, an unheard of set up, 1966.

Looking at #9, Hill 12 foot runabout with a 40 Tohatsu on it....We may need a deeper boat than I'm thinking for a 20 Tohatsu.

[modracer7b]

When the OMC came out for the J, I built boats with extended transoms to use the engine weight to counterbalance the boat weight forward of the transom. At the time, everyone was moving the engines into the boats to try to get as high as possible with the engine. I did not care about engine height as my focus was on the weight distribution across the entire length of the rig. I could put a single sawhorse at the transom and both the hydro and runabout would balance on it. Many were sure my rigs would not go fast, yet they ended up being the two fastest J rigs in the country running 40 and 60 lbs overweight and my son able to sit in the middle of the cockpits able to drive with comfort. The only thing everyone saw was how deep we ran the engines and they could not understand why they went so fast. Bill Rosado

[Mini Max]

My first race was Jessup marathon, as in first time I ever raced a boat. I love my seat. Fixed the sliding seat after the first day. The steering slides 18” also. It was like working out on the rowing machine at the gym while playing the trombone. I did not have the thrust jack stop nut tightened properly so I had 5 degrees of tuck by the end of the race. I also learned to reduce throttle on right turns after the first 5 spin outs. Must do better.

Fitted 20 hp to a Desilva and building a new boat for another 20 for TOPO if they let the class race.

[Ron Hill]

When was this marathon? How long was it? How many entries?