Hydroplane Racer Restoration

[enderx475]

OK Folks, here's the deal:
After about 30 years of being stowed away, I pulled this out of the garage and decided to give a go at restoring it. The hull seems to be in perfect shape, but the transom looks a little rotten and will probably need to be replaced. I need to get a new steering wheel and a new fin for it. What I really need help on is the motor. Back in the day, it had a 20 HP motor on it and it went decently well. Right now I'm looking more at 30 or more HP to make this baby really fly. I assume I'll probably need a short-shaft motor so that the prop is just in the water when I'm up on a plane. Anyone give me a hand on how to find a motor (or what motor for that matter) for this little craft? Heres a few pictures:
Unfortunately, at this point, no further pictures can be taken because it is at my summer home, 9 hours away from here.


Shot with Canon PowerShot A520 at 2007-07-12


Shot with Canon PowerShot A520 at 2007-07-12


Shot with Canon PowerShot A520 at 2007-07-12


Shot with Canon PowerShot A520 at 2007-07-12



Shot with Canon PowerShot A520 at 2007-07-12

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

Nice ride! Look/search Ebay and find an old Merc and pay the bucks...look perfect on it, great resale.

 

[enderx475]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

thanks. can you be a little more specific then just mercury? on ebay, i'm coming up with tons and tons of mercury parts and boats, and rarely in the fray do i find mercury motors, even more rarely in the range of HP im looking at.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

If it were mine to use as a cottage racer, I'd find a Johnrude 22-cuber in an 18, 20 or 25hp flavor. They're plentiful and cheap and go like stink! Plus, there are some decent 2-blade performance wheels out there, too, from Michigan and OMC.

If you get into an old Merc racer you're looking at VERY scarce parts, VERY expensive parts, and VERY expensive up front purchase price.

Make sure you rig up a kill switch AND a deadman throttle that springs closed if you let go. Lots of hardware can be had here:
http://www.btmco.com/boat.html
and good info here:
http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forums/index.php
and here:
http://www.hydroracer.net/forums/profile.php?do=dst

Have fun!
- Scott

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

go to ebay, catagory ebay motors clik, then outboards and the hp you want. had one just like it 30-35 years ago, had a 1950 15hp on it. had to start motor, jump in and go or the stern would sink. then had to beach it.

 

[enderx475]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

i still can't find any real racing motors. i mean, i dont really need a racing motor specifically but a lot of the 30 or 35 HP engines i find dont have short enough shafts. the links provided gave me information and parts, but no motors really. any website that specifically sells motors made for these boats? maybe motors that have been used only a few times and are sold to the public?

 

[sdunt]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

Personally I think nice 1970's Chrysler 35 would be the ticket. At the time it was the FASTEST OB in the HP range. And they were mainly sold in short shaft versions.

You also might want to read some of my friend Max's columns about where to get and how to maintain cheap reliable power..

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/02/columns/max/03/wawrzyniak.htm

 

[Stampeder]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

Wow! Haven't seen one of these in over 40 years.
We used to race these on Sundays when I lived in Ontario, Canada.

If memory serves we used Johnson 10's and 15's running on alcohol...went like stink. Push off from shore, pull the cord, turn around fast and go!!!

Remember the knees used to get pretty sore though. Get your helmet and a life jacket that supports head and neck before venturing out. These little puppies will put you in the drink faster than you can shake a stick at them.

A real blast though.....Enjoy yourself with it.......Hmmmm I used to have a set of planes for these around someplace...Pretty simple construction as I recall.

Glenn.....now a Canadian Texan.

17 foot Sea Ray
140 hp OMC Cobra drive.
under restoration.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

enderx475,
Any "real" racing motors you find are going to be VERY expensive, used or new. The few new motors that are being made at the moment are hard to get and being made in small quantities. They can't be sold to the general public due to restrictions on emmisions and they are sold for "racing only". To my knowledge there aren't any 4-stroke "green" racing motors being offered as yet, although I did see a Yamato 4-stroke prototype a couple years ago so they are on their way.
The currently raced used motors are very sought after by racers, and the more vintage Mercury/Champion/Martin, etc. racers are highly sought after by collectors. A Mercury Mark 20H like the one in my avitar might bring upwards of $3000-$4000 on eBay. If money isn't an issue, search on Mercury Mark 30H, Mark 55H, 25SS, KG7H, Yamato 102, 302, 202, Champion Hot Rod, etc.
You don't list a length in your previous post. How long is it? That would determine what size motors would work best. A big 35hp might be too much as you don't have much freeboard at the transom. You'd be surprised how fast 40mph feels that low to the water, which is well within the capability of an older 25hp. You can always get a larger motor later if you deem it "too slow".
Enjoy the learning curve - your boat is an actual racing design - not a sea flea style, so it may have quirks that a sea flea may not. Also, that boat probably won't handle anything more than a light chop, so you'll be looking for the calm water areas...
- Scott

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

I recently read an article about kids racing Hydro's, using the older 15hp Johnsons with real pretty racing lower units...if I can find a link, I'll post it

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

Well, looked around, and heres some stuff off the APBA site (google it for more)
A Stock Runabout and A Stock Hydroplane
These classes use the Evinrude or Johnson 15A engine. 14 cu. in., 15 h.p. This engine is presently out of production, used prices range from $900 to $1,400. Also the Mercury 15 hp. with racing gear case is approved for this class.
Boats in A Stock Runabout are about 10 feet long and have a top speed of about 50 m.p.h.
The minimum overall weight for boat, motor and driver is 350 pounds.
Minimum driver age 14.
This class is suited for drivers up to 160 lbs.

C Stock Runabout and C Stock Hydroplane
These Classes use the Yamato 102 and 302 engines. 24 cu. in. / 400 c.c., 33 h. p. The Yamato 302 in currently in production. It is manufactured for pari-mutuel boat racing in Japan. They are imported to the Untied States after a year of use in Japan. The price from dealers is $1,469. The Yamato 102 used prices range from $700 to $1,200.
Boats in the C Stock Runabout class are about 12 feet long and have a top speed of over 60 m.p.h.
Minimum overall weigh for boat motor and driver is 475 pounds.
Minimum driver age 16.
This class is suited drivers 175 lbs. to 250 lbs.

I have some friends that run the Yamoto (googled it, (Yamato Race engines) and out of stock at the moment)

Heres a pic...

 

[enderx475]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

Thanks so much for all the advice.
I dont have an exact measurement of the boat, but it is about 10 feet long and weighs about 160-180 pounds (without motor, steering, throttle, driver, or engine).
Hope that helps you guys determine what kind of HP would be good for me.

Also, are motors as old as the 1970's Chryslers reliable? I'm not going to race this boat, it's just for fun so I'm hoping to get as many years out of it as possible.

In terms of budget, something around $1000 would be good.

It was mentioned before that I should not go out in more than light chop. My summer home is located in inland Maine (salt water), so often times, the wind can be roaring and others it can be absolutely still for a day. Even if there is wind, it tends to cool off around 5:30 to 6:00 anyways. Thanks for your concern.

Where might I find engines like the Chrysler or Evinrude/Johnson 15A or that Yamato 102? I cant find any on eBay.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

Do a Google..(search)

 

[Sam Cullis]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

I have some friends that run the Yamoto (googled it, (Yamato Race engines) and out of stock at the moment)

You must have come up with the UK Yamato site, the US importer, Ric Montoya, has 50 to 100 new Yamato 302's in stock; along with $50,000 worth of spare parts for 302's.

The APBA web site's price info is a bit stale, the current price is about $2,000 new and used ones that have been blueprinted (almost all of them) go for almost as much. If you can find one for $1200, that's a good deal, $700 would be unheard of these days.

You missed a used Yamato 202 on eBay just a few days ago. They aren't on eBay every day, but have been on more than once a month recently.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

You must have come up with the UK Yamato site, the US importer, Ric Montoya, has 50 to 100 new Yamato 302's in stock; along with $50,000 worth of spare parts for 302's.

The APBA web site's price info is a bit stale, the current price is about $2,000 new and used ones that have been blueprinted (almost all of them) go for almost as much. If you can find one for $1200, that's a good deal, $700 would be unheard of these days.

You missed a used Yamato 202 on eBay just a few days ago. They aren't on eBay every day, but have been on more than once a month recently.

Yeah, just did a quick google.....engines for 10 foot Hydros are really a personal pref, but the options are simply endless!

 

[bigtom]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

Those are slick little units. Just curious what will a boat like that run, speedwise?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

A C-stock hydro (which the pictured boats looks to be) with a Yamato 102/302 style motor would run around 70 mph with a good prop and set-up. That's scary fast in a boat that small and at about a third to a quarter of the cubic inches needed to go that fast in a Sea Doo or Jet Ski.
- Scott

 

[MikDee]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

That is a true professional racing 3 point hydro, I would be careful about overpowering it, you are riding on only 3 points, and a cushion of air. With an old Mark 25 Merc 20hp, I'd venture to say it would do 45mph, and very "skittish" on anything but glass. I would say at most, nothing over 35hp, that's even if it don't sink the transom with that,,,lol

About 45yrs ago, I had an old 8' "Soap box" hydro (homemade, the size of 2 sheets of 4'x8' plywood) that weighed maybe 75-100lbs, with a 7.5 evinrude that did about 20mph. Not being happy with that, we put my friends 18hp johnson on it, much better,,, probably 38mph, then we put his brothers Mark 25 Merc 20hp on it, and I'd guess about 45mph with 2 people in it. Those were the good old days! and we actually survived through it,,, lol, Good luck, nice boat!

P.S. As an afterthought, IMO your boat would be classified as an A-class hydro, so I'd use the recommended max hp for that class to be on the safe side.

 

[enderx475]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

ok, so the importer Ric Montoya has a lot of motors....i googled it and found stuff about it, pictures, videos, and the like, but nothing for sale....help?
googled yamato USA, used yamato, used yamato engines...
im not finding anything!!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Hydroplane Racer Restoration

Try googling Ric's name and contact him directly at RPM...
- Scott