1973 Merten Speed Record

**Mark75H** · 03-23-2007, 10:58 AM

Here are some pics I resized for mdb, starting with the 1973 speed record set by Jim Merten. Some of these we've seen before and some are new to us - but the best thing is that they are all in one place

**Mark75H** · 03-23-2007, 11:03 AM

next 3

**SonOfLegend84** · 03-23-2007, 11:12 AM

How fast?

**Mark75H** · 03-23-2007, 11:17 AM

Oh, yeah ...3 more

**Mark75H** · 03-23-2007, 11:25 AM

136.381mph in the kilo

**SonOfLegend84** · 03-23-2007, 01:06 PM

I knew about Jim and the boat but I had no idea it was that FAST. AWESOME..

**Powercat** · 12-04-2024, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Mark75H

136.381mph in the kilo

It is now the end of 2024 and this record for the fastest boat ever using a inline 6 Mercury as power still stands.

**2us70** · 12-04-2024, 02:15 PM

It looks like they tried 3 exhaust systems on that motor? Which one set the record?

**Tom Smyth** · 12-04-2024, 04:24 PM

I talked afew years back with Jim jr about the single pipe exhaust sytem i acquired. He told me that they did indeed test the single pipe and double pipe and that the double pipe gave slightly getter acceleration. That is what they used to acyually set th3 record according to him. Even though most of the pics show the single pipe configuration.

this is what i wtote down after my discussion with him. Of course i cant remember if i put 7 derwear on today, but this i did write diwn after our conversation.

**Tom Smyth** · 12-04-2024, 04:25 PM

And mi spellllin sux toooo

**willabee** · 12-05-2024, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by 2us70

It looks like they tried 3 exhaust systems on that motor? Which one set the record?

They tried two, the twin pipe system (pictured) was used ..... read the caption

Click image for larger version.

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**2us70** · 12-05-2024, 10:50 AM

Thanks.

**Tom Smyth** · 12-05-2024, 09:43 PM

I also heard that they hurt the motor on the first run but managed to make the second run.if the motor had been healthy for the second run the record would have been much higher….

**wogi** · 12-06-2024, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

I also heard that they hurt the motor on the first run but managed to make the second run.if the motor had been healthy for the second run the record would have been much higher….

I pmed you

**willabee** · 12-06-2024, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

I also heard that they hurt the motor on the first run but managed to make the second run.if the motor had been healthy for the second run the record would have been much higher….

Just an old "wives tale" ..... the two recorded speeds were pretty close, down river run was 138.085, up river 134.677