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    by Published on 05-10-2012 09:48 PM
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    Guy Williamson from our Australian office sent me exciting news recently regarding our OptiMax 200XS SST race outboard. The latest generation of the low emissions 2-stroke made a big impact at its Australian Formula Powerboat GP debut. The second round of the national series was held April 28-30 on the Clarence River in Grafton, Australia

    In a David vs Goliath performance, The three OptiMax entries finished 2-3 and 5th in Formula 1 competition. Apparently the Australian powerboat racing governing body has not yet finished its technical inspection and rule book for the 200 h.p. engine designed for Formula 2 competition. Those wishing to race were forced to move up into the Formula 1 class and compete against 300 h.p. Mercury 2.5 EFI race outboard powered hulls. Any way you look at it, it’s an all Mercury victory.

    Reigning 2011 Australian F1 champion Damien Mackenzie continued his winning streak in Grafton. Although Damien was able to fend off the pesty F2 Opti entries – three of his fellow F1 competitors weren’t so lucky. Mercury OptiMax, driven by Michael Page, finished second, just ahead of fellow Opti competitor Grant Trask in My Home Now. Gavin Simmons finished behind the two OptiMax powered entries in his Mercury 2.5 EFI race outboard powered hull. Page and Trask are now 4th and 5th in the F1 points chase – despite their running F2 class engines and missing the 2012 season opener.

    ...
    by Published on 04-26-2012 10:06 PM
    The Mercury truck in position at the Lake Havasu Boat Show. Photo credit: Bob Brown.

    I just got off the phone with our National Sales Manager, Kevin Skiba. Kevin is on his way back from Arizona after the Lake Havasu Boat Show. It sounds like the show was a resounding success. Kevin and drive technician Dave Vehrs represented Mercury Racing at the show. Other Mercury reps included Brad Hammel from Mecury Repower and West Coast Technical Area Manager Michael Scott.

    Lake Havasu is a Mecca for performance boating. It’s only natural to have a boat show and the upcoming Desert Storm Poker Run there. Performance boat exhibitors for the boat show included Advantage, Conquest/Group 1, DCB, Hallett, Eliminator, Howard, E-Ticket, Doug Wright and MTI.

    New boats making their Havasu debut included Nordic’s sporty new 24-foot catamaran powered by a single 565 sterndrive and Frisini Motorsports’ new SCX 43 cat with twin 1350s.

    It’s going to be a crazy, fun next couple of days. Kevin and Dave brought our truck over to Oregon Custom Marine (OCM) Monday to unload engine displays for the Desert Storm Poker Run open house and Kruzin’ for Kids silent auction on Wednesday evening. We are supporting the kids by donating two CNC Cleaver Prop Covers and a certificate for Lab Finishing or repair of one set of Bravo I propellers. Our indoor display will feature a 565 — painted Devil Red-Eye (one of 10 color options available for the 8.7 liter big block). We’ll also display a 1350 engine package along with a variety of Mercury Racing Propellers and Accessories.
    ...
    by Published on 04-19-2012 02:56 AM
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    I’m fortunate to annually represent Mercury Racing at the Bass Master Classic in the Mercury booth. This year, a fisherman named Rick asked me if there was a Mercury prop that would work for him. He had recently purchased a 2012 Triton 19XS powered by an OptiMax Pro XS 200. Rick was frustrated with the performance. The sharp turns and switchbacks on the Bayou where he runs were causing his propeller to break loose. This forced him to back off the throttle, causing the boat to lose speed and drop off plane. Rick had contacted his Triton representative regarding the issue. Although they discussed various options, the rep suggested Rick continue using a three blade prop.

    The performance facts that I gathered in our conversation pointed me to a Bravo I XS. I told Rick the prop is designed specifically for low-emissions 2-stroke OptiMax outboards. Rick responded, “Isn’t Bravo I a sterndrive prop?”
    ...
    by Published on 04-16-2012 01:07 PM
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    Fly-by-Wire
    A system that replaces manual cables in a boat or aircraft with an electronic interface.

    Livorsi has spent countless hours researching and has developed several products that minimize (and in some cases eliminate) mechanical systems and componentry, replacing them with an electronic interface. Such technology provides users with accuracy, dependable plug and play systems and immediate response times.

    Adjustable LED Indicators
    Available Summer 2012

    Adjustable LED indicators can be applied to a wide range of applications such as tabs, drives, jackplates, rudder indicators, water level or fuel level senders. This revolutionary indicator can be set to read CAN Bus protocols (J1939 or NMEA 2000®), as well as analog inputs. Mechanical cables have been completely eliminated, giving you precise, immediate readings.
    ...
    by Published on 04-13-2012 06:49 AM
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    Mercury Racing has received numerous questions on ethanol fuel in older engines. Here is an article from BoatUS, written with input from Mercury engineers (republished with permission), that covers many of the ethanol issues:

    A Shotgun Marriage? Ethanol and Old Outboard Boat Engines

    ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 28, 2012 — Ever since E10 gasoline (gas containing 10% ethanol) became widely available several years ago, the nation’s largest recreational boat owners group, BoatUS, has received hundreds of calls and emails complaining about boat engine problems. The majority of complaints concern older outboard motors, those made before about 1990. BoatUS’ Seaworthy magazine asked Mercury Marine’s Ed Alyanak and Frank Kelley, who between them have over 60 years of experience, to find out what’s made these decades-old outboards more susceptible to ethanol’s well-known problems and what owners can do.
    ...
    by Published on 04-11-2012 11:13 AM
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    LOWELL, MICH. – The American Boatbuilders Association recently selected Attwood Fuel Systems as the preferred supplier of EPA-certified fuel systems.

    The American Boatbuilders Association joins the United Marine Manufacturers Association (UMMA) and Independent Boat Builders, Inc. (IBBI) and the industry’s leading independent boatbuilders in selecting Attwood to ensure member builders meet the EPA emissions control requirements for marine fuel systems.

    “Attwood Fuel Systems were selected as the preferred solution based on exclusive safety features, extensive component and system validation, ease of implementation and industry-leading implementation support and value,” said Jay Patton, president of ABA.

    “Being selected as the solution for all of the major buying groups, as well as the leading independent builders, helps solidify our position as a leader in the marketplace, “said Chris Drees, president of Attwood. “Builders have already implemented thousands of EPA-compliant systems and have experienced firsthand Attwood’s commitment to delivering the safest, easiest to implement and most cost-effective solutions possible.”
    ...
    by Published on 04-08-2012 02:51 PM
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    In my previous post (Part 2) regarding high performance boat operation, I reviewed basic information on rigging fit and function. Now its time to head to the ramp.

    While the boat is still on the trailer, walk around for a visual inspection of the hull. Next, climb aboard for a visual inspection of the interior and engine compartment (motor well for outboards): ensure everything is in place and secure. Don’t forget the drain plug(s)! Check your other safety accessories: aboard? In secure locations?

    Once your boat is launched, review the helm to familiarize yourself with the location and function of all instruments and controls. Make sure the steering wheel, throttle and shift controls are well within your reach and that you are comfortable with their operation.

    If your boat is fitted with K-Plane trim tabs, be comfortable with the location and operation of the tab trim switches. The driver needs to know the location and function of accessory switches such as bilge blower, bilge pump, running lights, horn, courtesy lights and related fuses, or circuit breakers.
    ...

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