Division I

[Ron Hill]

007 may have Elvis drive next year, but I'm betting on these four D'Cucci rigs winning Division IV...


I need four drivers as there are four boats...None of this last minute stuff...LET'S MAKE A RUN ON DIVISION I......Can you see the look on those Division II-VI guy's faces, when we walk away with the OVERALL FIRST PLACE with a D'Cucci hull and OMC sterndrive????

I looked at these four boats and said, "Self......No, you ain't driving one, but these boat have possiblities...Need some horsepower, need raised outdrive...need a race porop..need roll cage...need drivers...

Truth is.....Batman got second in Division I (007), what could you do with a D'Cucci boat????? I'll sell you one of these D'Cucci's, boat, motor and trailer for $2,500.00.......(hard to tell what this is, but it is a16 footer, Four banger, OMC Sterndrive...What would happen with a 230 Buick V-6 in the mother??? A little cam, and heads!!!!! Even Elvis might not want to drive it...

[Skoontz]

I'll drive one!!!! But, instead of the 231, drop in a 2.8 liter Vortek V-6 with 180 headers. 7K redline......

[Ron Hill]

I only knew of the 231 Buick because it was in my 1978 El Camino and that mother had power...

A Vortek sounds better up front...

What are the weak spots of an OMC Sterndrive??? (Don't say everything)....

[Skoontz]

The only thing my dad hated a much as Mercs were OMC sternm drives, which I called "lower unit boats"

The weak spots, the Paul drive mechanism, I.E. the screwball fingers made of brinze between the outdrive at the stern and the primary.

Why they never used U joints was beyond me.......

[Ron Hill]

I've looked at those OMC Sterndrives...Maybe we should just replace them with a Bravo drive!!!! I've got 14 of them...

[Skoontz]

Yep. Cobras were a little better on a lower unit boat, but they still used those hideous pall mechanisms to drive the primary. Mercruiser is the best. Volvo makes a durable unit, but I'm not sure how well it runs.

[Boat211]

007 may have Elvis drive next year, but I'm betting on these four D'Cucci rigs winning Division IV


Dont you mean DIV. 1??????

[Ron Hill]

Division I, yes... But I was talking of winning overall....Well, dreaming about Overalll...

I think Division I had a projected speed of 70-75 mph....Seems to me, one of these little hulls, set up right, could get those speeds......and be fun and safe to drive.

[Boat211]

Well what are you waiting for? Better get building.

[Ron Hill]

I'm going back to Joey Cucci's next weekend......Keep your eye out for Elvis or Batman....or me driving... (Probably, not me)...

[Boat211]

I'm going back to Joey Cucci's next weekend......Keep your eye out for Elvis or Batman....or me driving... (Probably, not me)...
Scared?

[Ron Hill]

I took a couple of laps in C Runabout at Salt Springs..several things entered my mind (first runabout ride since 1978)....A. Damn this thing is fast. B. Man, I can't see for prunes. C. How bad will I feel tomorrow???

D. Holly Cow, I could tip this thing pretty easily....


I realized, for sure that FAT C was for me....

[Skoontz]

Find me a Switzer super sport, pre 1975, we'll step the bottom, and hang a 99 cubic inch 140 Johnson, and the title will come home.

[Ron Hill]

Talked to Jimbo and Cathy, yesterday.....Jimbo will be around if you come to Needles to test...

Now, this Division I boat is YOUR DEAL, the Switzer idea sounds GREAT..but do it, don't talk about it....(Remember Clint Eastwood in the Good, the Bad and th Ugly....? Clint said, "If you're going to kill a man, kill'em, don't talk about it..."...as I have my eye on four D'Cucci boats for next year......


What is the cubic inch, you think, of those inline fours...or sixs on the OMC Drive??? Or horsepower???? Any educated guess??? Had BRATS last night and thought about San Diego, last summer.... Next year, I'll have a boat in the water..

[Skoontz]

An educated guess is telling me the 4 banger OMC lower unit boats were 179, give or take. With a 16' boat, look at the weight of a V-6 vs a 4 inline. That's why I said the 2.8 liter vortec, it's aludimen, and would weigh similar to that cast iron 4 banger.

As far as a 17' SS Switzer, does anyone know where one could be had? Bruce S????? You live in that territory???? Second, whio might know where to find a 99 cubic inch 140 V-4, and the last thing I need is a 28" Merc Chopper prop, and Ron would need to rehub it......

[RichardKCMo]

Is that 2.8 you speak of the 60 % v gm had in early 80s, if so it's a runner.
I've heard it called the small block of the 80s, good choice.
RichardKCMo

[snatchblock]

skoontz

sent you a pm about a switzer

[Ron Hill]

On my way to Phoenix....Then, to Joey Cucci's in Havasu.....If I don't come home with one of those Division I boats, it will be becasue I got smart on the way!!!!

[Skoontz]

Am anxiously waiting for the answer from the guy who had perhaps, some Switzers for sale. Heeez in Michigan so it would give me a great excuse to go back home and visit a while. If it werks, problem one sovled. Problem 2, finding a 99 cubic inch 140 OMC.....

[bowman]

I can hear it now Ron. Bowman what do you think of my new boats. Now lets put them together. (which as you all know means Ron supervises and Bowman works) Sounds fun though!!

Bowman

[Skoontz]

Ron:

I need some coaching here. Never drive an APBA race, and want to. Have found 2 Switzer Huggers, which is not my choice, because they qualify as squirellier than a 3 peck billy goat to hitchhike from your burro thread....I'm still looking for Super Sports.....

So, the boats, 16', could be set up with 135OMC's, I want a 140 because they got better gearcases... Speed should dance between 70 and 80 somewhere.

So, would this boat/motor werk in Division 1???????

[Ron Hill]

I'm betting that Division I as it has been for the last two years is HISTORY...Six boats in two years doesn't make a class.

[Skoontz]

What's going on December 3rd Ron? My thoughts are just like with A Hydro, Im going to find a way to make incentive to build division 12 representation. If that costs business profit then so be it. We had a GREAT, INCREDIBLE landscape season year, and the next 5 are strong growth years. Rather than give my least favorite uncle a dime, I would rather put it into something that matters. Thoughts?????

[fyremanbill]

Not to jump the gun on the rules meeting, but most of the div 2 jet boats should be in div 1.

[Ron Hill]

GREAT, GREAT POINT... When I wrote the rules for Division, 1973, Jet boats were put into the same class as IN LINE SIX MERCS...and IN LINE SIX MERCS won...but that was 9 HOURS...

I would back the concept of any jet....If you can keep a BLOWN JET RUNNING 300 miles, hell, you should win!!!

Great IDEA....Jets go like hell, it is just hard for them to do it all day!!!

Also, Roger Finney, who I really respect, thinks jets don't need no stinlking rudder.

[capnzee]

Ron, Ever lose an engine in a turn with a jet boat? Nuther question, ever drive a jet boat? I drove Mel Bacon" "von Bacons express" and George Striegels CJ, both under race conditions--I say take a ride and cut the engine in the turn--then make your call! Rod

[Ron Hill]

I talked to Roger, the other day, and will get his exact words about your rudder rule...and get back to you...What he said, made sense and I know he has a TON OF JET KNOWLEDGE and Experience...

Don't plan to drive a jet......ever had an outboard break a rod on the straightway and barle roll you??? Snap roll...bot screwed on the prop...75 to zero in three feet...as over tea kettle....DePue, 1966....

[capnzee]

Ever heard of a whirl-a-way? Maybe you should have had one on your outboard! I think the modern outboards have them but by a different name. Ask Roger what will happen to a jet boat without a rudder when the engine fails. If he tells you he can control the boat and steer it out of trouble, you may believe it but he will have to prove it to me. GN-24 locked up on me in the North turn with two boats in very close proximity and one following. I was able to steer it out of trouble and nearly clear of the course. I would not have had that control with a rudderless jet boat and may have ended up on the rocks. We're talking pure safety here and taking a rudder off a jet may add a mile or two an hour but could prove to be very dangerous. Rod

[Ron Hill]

The twirlies is what you get if you drink too much...

Whirl-a-way??? Dorothy and Todo did that in Wizard of OZ..Not OZ Outboard....

Just thinking, that imput from those that do it is worth the effort to listen to them... Truth is, I know the V-Drive group wants to have a "BETTER" handicap....

Turth is, Rod, your HANDICAPS were pretty DAMN GOOD....Pretty Fair and pretty straight forward......

I just see jets at a handicap, and we do have RED ZONES in corners and if Jet Boat owners don't like they handling, maybe they should have their way...

I know some Division V owners think 2" below the bottom (Prop Shaft) is too low and unstable, but Freddy Hauenstein told me the only handling problem he saw was that they went slower.....

Bottom Line....Does the Rule Committee make th rules or do the racers???

We've actually had two good years of The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro... and although we won this year, HAD WE NOT BROKE, we'd have won last year when we ran Division V....

Who the hell came up with "THE RED ZONE" idea??? (Great idea, by the way)....

ADD: What Division are you running in 2007???? I want to run in Division .5, starting a week early.....

If you get off your butt, you could run one of my 45's at Parker, Thanksgiving....(We can capsule train you without yelling "Whale on the Beach".....

[Ron Hill]

The drivers of 007 at the 2006 Blue Water Resort and Casino 300, are getting ready for the 2007 Blue Water Resort and Casino 300...plus the Mini Enduro...

Avenger with an 1150.... You could be looking at the Division I winner....

[Ron Hill]

2007 Division I "SLEEPER"... The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro, October 2007.

[tthibodaux]

Who's ride is that??

[capnzee]

The pictures are pretty lousy but the ride is good. The boat is Lee Buchanan out of Bellvue, Iowa. He is running a 2.0 Liter Merc on a Mod VP hull. His best speed so far, 67 mph. (I was there!) He was doing quite well in last years Parker 300, then lost the high end of his stator which brought him to the end of the road. The bottom line in the enduro, is you gotta finish to win! :) Rod PS: If you want a better picture of this boat, it is one of the feature boats on the 2007 poster. Click on the main thread to the left (under forums), then go down the menu til you hit 2007 Parker Enduro Poster. Be sure you go past the first poster picture, (it was a bad post) and you will get a great picture of 10 of the boats running in the upcoming race. The jet boats are also Division I boats. Tim, you and John will have your hands full!

[capnzee]

What happened to the great pictures you had on here Tim? I purposely didn't post over you so people could see them. you can't believe the interest those tri-hulls are generating--get those pics back up! :) Rod

[tthibodaux]

I had a couple adult beverages last night and hit the wrong button. :D deleted my own post.

Division I. Super Stock Tri-Hull.

#10 is Mr. Jerry Rinker. #22 is that kid from Texas :confused: can't remember his name.:D

Had to show this pic of Jerry, as you can see he's always so serious about whats going on.:eek:

[Ron Hill]

Tinker Collinge wants to know which Glastron Tri Hull is the best one for this class??? 156 was a 15 footer....

[tthibodaux]

Hey Capnzee, thanks for the posters! I put one in my shop and my son had to have one in his room.:D

Thank you!!

[DKL]

You want the 16 footer Ron, It's the 166. I hear the 15 footer is a little squirelly in the turns with all that power.

I would like to see us start a class for the cvx type boat V hull and run a plain jane 70 on the back, another exciting affordable class for beginners.

Doug

[capnzee]

I'm really tired of guys talking about new classes!!!!:mad: We have a race where nearly anything you can put on the water will qualify and we can't get 35 entries. YOU GUYS keep talking but never do any walking! It doesn't take a whole lot to put together a boat for the Parker 300 but all I hear is talk of new classes. Hell, you wouldn't show up if we gave you a boat and just said pay the entry fee and run it! We had several D'Cucci boats that were up for grabs. They were grabbed all right, with a promise to run the Parker Enduro. We haven't heard from them since. Is this the kind of boat racers we have today? Wasn't that way when I raced. We would have 150 boats at a single race. Of course we weren't a bunch of couch potatoes either. We ran hard and we played hard. We weren't afraid to win and we wern't afraid to lose, trying to win! We didn't cry about the rules, we simply built a boat to run within the rules. After 11 months of trying to get this thing off the ground, I am really dismayed with the response. Tim, have you sent your entry in--we wrote special rules for your class and there is local interest in seeing your boat run. :confused: Rod