By the way...if you're wondering which engineering minds created this concept back in 1985/86...........

Two of the best........

Jerry Gilbreath...... Smartest guy in the sport today

and my pick for all time Top Gun

Billy Sirois........

T2x

Hold on, rivets may have been a problem back then, but aluminum boats are commonly welded today. Why arent peiople building more aluminum boats for offshore applications. Is it vibration, or what?

Actually the concept was discussed and proposed at Lake X (cir. 1982/83) by a group of guys that were just hanging around another similar experiment (A staggered engine Cosworth unlimited hydroplane with stern drives) and proposed to Rick LaMoore Sr. (Innovation Founder) who was head of Merc High Performance at the time.

As I remember it, the Cosworth team (Visiting from England) was discussing pullling the engines for the umpteenth time, after a day of testing, really just a few minutes testing, I don't think I ever saw it run more than that, and somebody said "Too bad you don't have a bunch of these in it." pointing to three new model 2.4 powerheads on the floor behind an offshore boat that was next to the hydo.

Problem was that the 2.4s were carbs back then. A new intake manifold and exhaust system was crudely designed and quickly drawn on a piece of cardboard. This was all in everyday fun and BS'in around the shop just like thousands of other shops around the country everyday.

The idea was eventually conveyed to Rick, who's office was in WI. I think Rick left Mercury soon after and founded Innovation Marine in Sarasota and the idea was shelved for a couple of years pending the new technology of the electronic fuel injected 2.4s.

While I agree with Rich that Bill was and Jerry is probably the best field engineer in the business today, my belief is that the credit for the concept must go to those people that were just "shop talking" one afternoon back in a place where so many inventions and ideas were born, on the shop floor at Lake X by a group of guys that also if cut would bleed boat racing.

Time frames might be fuzzy, but I have alot more grey hair than Rich and certainly a worse memory than Alan.

AC

Was one of those guys Fred Hauenstein?

When was Rick La More head of Mercury Racing? We were doing the T-4 Shadow project in 1981 and the Conquest/Champ motor project in 1983 and Rick was not in charge at either time....although he managed both projects.

As to the Unlimited...are you talking about this?

With this guy?

I really don't remember who said what or when it came up in conversation, it was typical everyday shop talk that everyone contributes to when BS'in boat racing. I don't believe that Fred was there as I think he was working in WI and wouldn't have been greas'in out in the shop and I know he wouldn't have been working on the Cosworths. This was back when the lake allowed anyone that ran Merc drives to test at the lake regardless of the engine.

I think I was working on the Broward Aluminum/Lead Sled or maybe the Cigarette who knows. I remember the triple outboard boat next to the hydro was white and blue, I think.......damn grey hair.........

I remember where the Hydo was because it was in the stall right next to the west slip. They use to lift it with the overhead and warm it up inside (extremely loud) using drums of I think acetone. Wasn't my project so I'm not sure. While I was allowed at the Lake when it ran, you were always sure not to ask too many questions about it least you be asked to leave.

I think it was just before that hydro went to TX for a race and blew/burned all the oil lines off the turbos.

AC

Here's Sirois in 1969 winning the World Outboard championship..... courtesy of Boat Kitten.


T2x

Andrew:

Believe me without those two...the Popeye's project wouldn't have gotten very far....

T2x

P.S. The T-4's outboards on the Texmo were modified by Cosworth....is that what you are remembering?

T2x