NATIONAL BOAT RACING ASSOCIATION

Hey all you Tahatsu drivers , I have a little idea to help keep things safer in the pits....  I"d like to relocate the starter rope to the side of the engine instead of the front..  This is a pretty easy mod , I"ve looked at the possabilities and it would be a easy fix,,,, No performance gains whatsoever. It would allow the starter to pull from the side and remain clear of the prop and wouldn't  interfere with the cowling that most guys are using in front of the engine .  Would anyone object to this mod...... ??????? post your thoughts and lets hear it ........

We had no safety concerns starting our  Tohatsu last year Just warm it up on the cart  starts very easy. I am really against modifying this engine of any sort. If you have any safety concerns Just take one of your mod starter ropes and tie it to the handle. That gets you plenty far away from the engine. Even the driver can start it then. Apba stockers do this all the time. Then you don`t have to cut holes into a $500.00  cowl.

Art K

Wouldn't it be just as easy to add an electric start. If you warm the engine up on the beach first by pulling the cord then I could be started with a small battery in boat. or even could use a quick disconnect- battery could be carried by pit person and simply pull the cable when started by driver. The only added weight to the rig would be that of a srarter and maybe a starter ring on flywheel if one not already present.

If you would want the rope out the side, top, middle or back it should be up to you after all its your engine. As long as it poses no safety concerns. This will have no change to engine performance.

Alan

The rules say the engine is to remain stock. Even though this may may seem trivial. Once we start making changes. Where does it stop? Adding extra holes in the cowling can aid performance.

Art K

A decision will be made by the NBRA Commissioners and the results should be forth coming in a few days. So everyone hang on for their decision.

Steve Swartz - NBRA Safety Director

Even though I am leaving my set up as is, as far as safety goes I would think the stock location is the worst place for someone outside the boat to start it.

JUST FOR THE RECORD , IT IS VERY AWKWARD TO START FROM THIS POSITION.... IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME , COME ON OVER AND GIVE HER A PULL....DIDN'T MEAN TO CALL CONGRESS IN SESSION BUT IT'S A SIMPLE MOD AND SHOULD KEEP MY PIT CREW HAPPIER........   WE COULD MAYBE TRY IT FOR A YEAR AND MAKE A DECISION THEN AFTER REVIEWING THE PROS AND CONS.   SWITCHING BACK TO STOCK WOULD BE QUITE EASY ALSO...   BIG TIP    - DON'T TAKE THE RECOIL SPRING OUT ,,,,  TAKES 3 MEN ,  2 DOGS AND A HORSE  TO GET IT BACK IN ...

Vernon, the good thing is that they do make black duct tape, I only stock red and white at this time.

Alan

Alan Owen at 05:40PM on Mar 26, 2009

Vernon, the good thing is that they do make black duct tape, I only stock red and white at this time.

Alan

i think somebody wants to play games with a new motor . i see more of a problem with the starters geten stuck and the boat trying to go

the hand held starters. people are  useing,

BURNINVERNON "PREDATOR RACING" at 12:23PM on Mar 24, 2009

Hey all you Tahatsu drivers , I have a little idea to help keep things safer in the pits....  I"d like to relocate the starter rope to the side of the engine instead of the front..  This is a pretty easy mod , I"ve looked at the possabilities and it would be a easy fix,,,, No performance gains whatsoever. It would allow the starter to pull from the side and remain clear of the prop and wouldn't  interfere with the cowling that most guys are using in front of the engine .  Would anyone object to this mod...... ??????? post your thoughts and lets hear it ........

What He Said , Burnin' i mean and i'm glad Alan commented also , tho' i only watch from the side lines ,i think this is a safety issue.

I guess this is the death nell for the old mercs in that class , well oh well.

RichardF  

Alan Owen at 05:40PM on Mar 26, 2009

Vernon, the good thing is that they do make black duct tape, I only stock red and white at this time.

Alan

Alan , i thought Jimmy H. had the corner on that, before the nascar guys even...

If you guys get a chance to look at my pull rope mod -- check out the last picture in photo galleries under   ft gibson ....   any comments ????  

richardkcmo at 12:23AM on Apr 07, 2009

Alan Owen at 05:40PM on Mar 26, 2009

Vernon, the good thing is that they do make black duct tape, I only stock red and white at this time.

Alan

Alan , i thought Jimmy H. had the corner on that, before the nascar guys even...

 

Vermon, I think you have a good idea with the starter out the side. I have always thought it would be awkward pulling on a rope out the front. I would have put it on the other side if possible, it just seems more natural for a right hand person to me. I know you are getting a little static from this  but I think it needs to be discussed and not just dismissed.

Larry McAfee

Alan Owen at 05:40PM on Mar 26, 2009

Vernon, the good thing is that they do make black duct tape, I only stock red and white at this time.

Alan

So Alan, if you use your red or white ducttape on your cowling. Is it no longer a factory  stock motor??

Thanks for the reply Larry...... I checked the rules for the super stock and in the first sentence it says that you can alter cowling ect . as long as it doesn't alter the specs of the motor......  Which is the way i would look at it ...  If it doesn't alter the specs and no performance gains ,,, and make things safer ......  why would you not do it ?????? No need to blow this thing out of proportion-----  it's safer and it's legal  .......The defense rest your Honor..... unless we change the rules this is how we are gonna roll !!!!!!!!!!     

Vernon ck pg. 1 Tech rules the Tohatsu is not  a superstock engine it is listed under the stock engine category.

Art K

ITS LISTED UNDER BOTH STOCK AND SUPER STOCK........IF I RUN IN A SUPER STOCK CLASS DO SUPERSTOCK RULES APPLY ????? OR STOCK RULES   APPLY      ????    THE RULES FOR SUPER STOCK LIST THIS ENGINE ... THIS ENGINE IS LISTED UNDER THE SUPER STOCK RULES AND NOT THE STOCK RULES !!!!!!!!!!!!!   AM I WRONG ???????

ON PAGE 28 IT STATES THAT THE POWERHEAD MUST REMAIN STOCK AND SPECS UNCHANGED , BOTTOM OF PAGE. THE SPECS LISTED FOR THE HOTSU ARE ON PAGE 32 AND SAY NOTING ABOUT THE COWLING .   WE NEED INSPECTION CRITERIA FOR THIS ENGINE ,, ITS NOT LISTED LIKE THE OTHER ENGINES..... CLASS 1 , 2 3 ECT...    PAGE 28 STAES RULES FOR THE HATSU NS 40  NOT THE   MD50 .