Apr 25

Apr 25 More Stock Outboard Racing Classes Would be Good for the Sport of Boat Racing

When I hear stories of racing from the old days from race veterans, one key component was the accessibility to racing. For most outboard racing classes, you could run a relatively stock outboard and run your personal boat. And although traveling to a race is a pain, the concept of accessibility is the key to building a larger race community. How many legendary offshore racers started in little outboard boats? Most is the answer. I actually love the new 450R factory stock class in offshore racing, that is still a high end class and not for the average joe, but using stock engines is smart. I think it’s time for a new class, to slot just above class 7, making a new 300R single 24-26’. class.

The Factory Stock 450R class is really exciting and seems to be growing rapidly. The first MTI 390 ran last year, with Taylor Scism and John Tomlinson teamed up to showcase the new class.

The current class 7 is capped at 60 MPH and limited to 22’ boats, so why not make a stock 225 or 250 for that class. I’ve beat the dead horse of Mercury Racing doing a “R” V6 200, 225 or 250. This is a simple parts bin engine for Mercury Racing. New Class 7 boats should run V6’s and then make the 300R V8 single for larger boats. This could maintain the two classes as affordable and stock, while expanding the market. Quite a few manufacturers make 24’-26’ boats already; Progression, Tuff, Chaudron to name a few.

The 300R has been a great match for mid size single outboard hulls like this 24’ Progression. This would be perfect for a stock race class. Daniel from Keys Island Runners has built a huge group of enthusiasts who do meetups in the Keys.

One thing I’ve mentioned before is Mercury’s under utilization of the V6. If you go back in time, there is a precedent of having similar power using different sized engines. For instance, Racing at one time offered 200, 225, 280 and 300 HP outboards alongside mainline Mercury’s larger 3.0L engines in the same HP range.

I do believe the 200 V8 ProXS is not great as a V8, and a tuned V6 200 ProXS and or R, would be a much better platform for that HP. A 200 and 225 V6 ProXS, with racing mounts, 6,200 rev limit and optional torque master (Pro XS) or sport master (“R”) gearcase would be ideal. That saves Mercury from having too many SKUs, and simplifies the offering. From what I understand, the only thing holding back Mercury Racing from producing a V6 based R is just the uncertainty of the market size.

I have no doubt a higher HP 200 and 225 R version of the V6 would really capture the enthusiast market. You could surmise that it would outsell the current 200 and 225 V8 ProXS models by a long shot.

If Mercury Racing offered a V6 R for class 7, and if the racing bodies opened a new V8 outboard class for larger boats, effectively replacing class 6, I think it would really expand the interest of the smaller racing classes, while simultaneously grow Mercury’s market share. Let’s face it, a really potent Mercury R V6 would dominate the repower market; new performance bass boats, flats and sport boats. The V8 is simply too heavy for most performance boats 22’ and under. The current V8 250R is a low seller because it’s too heavy, only mechanical and doesn’t apply to many repower boats.

High performance consumers have embraced the new four stroke engines, they’re reliable, efficient and loaded with torque. Seeing more on the race course would really solidify the move for enthusiasts. The V8 platform is really impressive. Mercury Racing’s latest competition APX line has a V6 for two different tunnel boat classes. Could a consumer R V6 follow in its wake?

These days, Mercury Racing is a super brand in the recreational market, so supporting these classes with stock R engines that owners can race one day, then do family duty the next, is a great marketing idea. Builders would get more incentivized to build some 20-22’ boats along with some 24-25’ boats, which there are some already available.

More accessible classes would mean more racing. This is an exciting size hull too.

The key here is the class 6 sterndrives would effectively be replaced. I think that improves the accessibility for racers who want to step up from class 7 without a massive investment. This makes the jump to the faster high HP classes easier down the road too.

This is just a thought, but making racing more accessible to more people seems to be the best catalyst for growth. In Europe, there are many more racing classes, especially in the lower HP range. Engines and technology have changed, so has consumer demand, racing classes should reflect that. More stock classes, and smaller outboard classes would be great for everyone.