Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Murphy's on the hunt today!

[jackiewilson]

Talked to Mark today-------- asked him if he was in touch with the old farts?. Apparently, he offered to put sandwiches and beer on the table, ( that was with Bert the Squirt) and arrange a tour of the new facility, he just wanted confirmation from Rich,------or someone, but he's heard nothing back.
Mark, Craig, and Gary are all attending the Friday night hanger party at Charlie Wolfes place, but I doubt that'll give him enough time to organise a guided tour with beer and burgers!
The new shop is in Port St. Lucie-----------Lassie got a spread and an RV up there I'm told, ----his missus does a bloody good Zumba too .

[jackiewilson]

In the seventies, the pleasure boat market in the USA was Vees of various degrees.
Tunnel pleasure boats were almost unheard of. Today's fishing boats have to do a hundred miles an hour and look more like the old ST boats than a flat bottom fisher.
Vee bottoms are on the decline--------common everyday fibre glass is almost a thing of the past, New technology, and with it the new materials, will bring in new designs and methods of construction that should take boat design and construction to the next level.
Modern outboards are big and brutal ------can't be long before the first 1,000 horse power hits the water,---------clever bit will be keeping the damn thing on a boats bum.
You can no longer call these monsters "CLAMP ONS"- it'll be the swivel pins, the tilt and jacking mechanisms, and the suspension of an outboard that will be cause for concern.especially when you get
6 x 500 hp in a line hung on a transom .
I never envisaged the size and power that outboards would attain--------fact is, they have , they will also increase in size, weight and horsepower. Manufacturers will leave it to the designers to solve all the problems!

[jackiewilson]

Really thought this was going to be a going concern------first reports we're promising------unfortunately that's all there's ever been------hope and promises!
What is it with projects like this-------cost ?------marketing--------breakages ? Or is it simply, the product hasn't come up to expectations?
Now, not for a moment am I criticising the effort-------I would just like to know where it's at, this moment in time!

[jackiewilson]

Why bo I think of this picture as "FECKIN OBSCENE" ? I've pondered long and hard over it but still can't quite put my finger on it-------do we have any smart asses out there who could help me with this.
Does anyone else feel the same way, or is it just me.?

[FUJIMO]

Nothing "obscene" about it at all Jackie. Been going on in South Florida since the late seventies here. With all the performance boat/engine dealers here, and the performance oem boat manufacturers here, its just a way of life. Its normal. Never been a shortage of currency in this area, to make anything & everything happen.

[FUJIMO]

...Their "busy"...filling orders Jackie...lol

[jackiewilson]

...Their "busy"...filling orders Jackie...lol

ok Fuji------ in all honesty---- has any one person put one of these motors on a half tidy hull. And entered it any sort of event-----anywhere in the world?
Did it finish-------did it break ------did it give a good account of itself ? Did it ever do more than just "Look the Biz"

Then there's all this bull she-t by the APBA/UIM that a hundred and one motors must be produced before their eligible to compete?
Just hope it doesn't get lost in the mountain of rules, red tape and regs that organised bodies can think up.

[jackiewilson]

I finally cottoned on as to what's wrong with the picture---------it's a colour thing -------you can paint a lemon blue, red or white--------you'll never squeeze a glass of wine out of it?

[AZMIDLYF]

Not 100% sure and maybe someone who was there can chime in, but I believe these 2 boats with the CRT livery on them were running the motor above at the Jasper races.

[powerabout]

that engine need to run with a clear plexiglass cowl over it

[sammythebull]

i would really like a pair of these at max displacement but i don't think it in my budget any idea of the cost of a complete powerhead

[jackiewilson]

Have no idea myself of the cost Sammy, but will Facetime Seebold------he knows how much everything costs.
Theres a meeting of the old farts in Stuart this weekend, somebody's bound to know. My mysterious colleague "FUJIMO" is a font of information on all things Mercury, doubt he knows about pricing other folks products.
Another in the "who's who" of boating facts ( as long as its OMC) is Lassie Strom ! Be interesting to see what he knows!
COULD ASK MY GRANDSON CRAIG, he's got a meeting with Timmy Seebold today, between them, they should know something!
would be kinda nice to get in touch with the guy in the CRT Allison waving the chequered flag with "Sunoco" emblazoned on it-------CRT Motor has Merc cowling and colours-------first time I've ever seen a winning boat with no number on it ?
Sorry if I sound a bit cynical------but if I was the "Butler" at CRT, I would be shouting the win from the rooftops and hanging out the Stars and Stripes, which makes me think it might have been a two horse race for a publicity shot. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

[jackiewilson]

that engine need to run with a clear plexiglass cowl over it

That motor just just needs to "RUN" Pilgrim.

[jackiewilson]

Looked on the CRT website---------first thing that jumped out at me was -----------the very same Allison that was shown running the chequered flag, which I would say confirms my belief it was a
" stunt" picture.
There's lots of questions regarding pricing of the product-------lots of speculation-----but very little in the way of actual prices.
Lots of talk about mid sections and gearcases etc. Not once anywhere does it come up with a complete working motor. Reading between the lines and using a touch of common sense, I would guess you could buy the short block for around $30,000. .
Havent seen a Caldwell built lump in its entirety yet! I would guesstimate that you simply replace the top end of your present Mercury/Mariner motor, keeping the cowls and hope they fit.
i sincerely hope I get shot down in flames over this----- I've been an ardent fan of Caldwell since I first saw that first billet.
you know what they say about publicity of any kind Caldwell, you're getting a fair share here,, and it's all for free.