Gladiator with #5 SSMs

[2112]

OK guys, I posted this question in another long thread and I think it got lost with all the other posts.

This picture of a Gladiator with SSM # 5s was posted. I asked about the support strut and if anyone knew why they went with #5s in what I would consider a pretty light boat.

Anyone know why they did this and what kind of results they garnered? Was the tranny for the aft motor in a standoff box? How was speed and handling affected etc.

Thanks

.

[GENERAL LEE]

I'm not seeing the #5's for some reason?

[Chris]

Those look like 750 race motors. They'd eat XR's up.

My guess is that with the extension boxes on the 5's they were concerned about the additional leverage being exerted on the transom. But their solution was a waste of time. It's not nearly heavy enough to do anything of value. The mount bridges over the inner transom plates and the rod is thin and would certainly deflect.

[2112]

Those look like 750 race motors. They'd eat XR's up.

My guess is that with the extension boxes on the 5's they were concerned about the additional leverage being exerted on the transom. But their solution was a waste of time. It's not nearly heavy enough to do anything of value. The mount bridges over the inner transom plates and the rod is thin and would certainly deflect.

I concur, Just hoping someone can fill us in on the details first hand.

.

[2112]

I'm not seeing the #5's for some reason?

I am taking it on faith. Boat's name is "totally unleashed".

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...?t=9147&page=6

Post # 111 and #118

.

[DAREDEVIL]

This one has #5's , it also had 750 supercat copy's....turning 7600 RPM and making 800+ HP ...thats the reason for the #5's

The aft engine is a plug in style ,,tranny right behind the engine and plug in goes about 2 inches into the gimbal, forward engine (as seen) driveshaft !

All of the staggered set ups are like that. Boat ran strong !!

[glassdave]

Thats Ray Genicks boat, its one of the two remaining canopy gladiators. Those were Dereks supercat motors and he ran with us in class two. It was never a real strong performer at the time but i think it was mostly tuning issues and in my opinion needed a different drive ratio and prop combo. I think the choice for the fives may have also been for the bigger skeg. His boat also had a trick set of tabs with fins on them as well, all in an attempt to make it handle better i would guess.

The boat later had a pair of SB2's i believe from the Winston cup truck series or something like that. The boat never really performed with those in it either but, again, i think it was also mostly prop and ratio issues that needed to be resolved.

I tell ya one thing though, Rays boat as well as Purnells Glad are two of the nicest looking race boats out there. Really good looking boats. Purnells is pretty competitive in class three with Bravos.

heres a better pic of the stbd transom i don't believe it had boxes. We've used struts like that in other applications to un load the transom a bit it doesn't need to be a very huge diameter because it is primarily in tension. I put a pair in Deans DW cat and it made a huge difference in relieving a bit of recurring stress. I'm sure they were a precautionary measure, Rays good at thinking ahead. The rod is fine but the upper bracket i would be suspect of. Way to big a span between the bolts for a simple flat strap type bracket. If your only trying to control a small amount of flex then it must be very rigid, an angle piece there would help.

[Chris]

The tubes on those SB2's give new meaning to the phrase "dry pipes".

[rchevelle71]

Cool,

This is kinda what I was thinking of doing until I can get to my transom replacement, except I would run 2 rods, one from each upper motor mount bolt on the outboards, down to a plate thru-bolted between the stringers.

[glassdave]

Yep, they were dry pipes inside and out. The boat had to run without the hatches it smoked you out so bad.

[glassdave]

Cool,

This is kinda what I was thinking of doing until I can get to my transom replacement, except I would run 2 rods, one from each upper motor mount bolt on the outboards, down to a plate thru-bolted between the stringers.

its not uncommon to run chain and a large turnbuckle. See it all the time in OB race boats and it works well. 90% of the time its seeing tension anyway.

[DollaBill]

I'm sure its pretty quiet around the docks at night too LOL

[rchevelle71]

its not uncommon to run chain and a large turnbuckle. See it all the time in OB race boats and it works well. 90% of the time its seeing tension anyway.

Not sure if you can pic. this in your head, but,

My thought was clevises, and rod ends from the top bolts to threaded rod, running down and thru an Aluminum C-channel(with welded on end caps) that is thru bolted between the 2 stringers. Nuts and washers both sides of c-channel makes the tension adjustable. I just updated my transom thread with a crude hand drawing as to not clog this one up, see what you think.

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...d.php?p=430962

[GENERAL LEE]

I am taking it on faith. Boat's name is "totally unleashed".

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...?t=9147&page=6

Post # 111 and #118

I see, thanks. I wasn't trying to be rude, I really couldn't see the 5's

That was Brett's boat (Dhlaw). He did the "Unleashed" theme:

Here's how it became "Unleashed":

[DAREDEVIL]

I don't think its unleashed ...... and it was blue or is, and Bill is the owner / or was...LOL


But maybe i am all wrong now ???????? mmmmmmmmhhhhhh very

[glassdave]

Scott - The boat is Unleashed, it's owned by Ray Genick. I've raced with these guys for the last four years. Bills boat was the Lynch Mob boat and is now Wanted racing. There was one other that i believe was converted to an open boat.

Great pics Lee, one of my favorite paint jobs. Thanks

rchevelle71- we've done the clevis/turnbuckle thing to. One thing to keep in mind is that the lower attachment point (at stringer) should be as far forward as you can get it. The maximum angle of the rod should be no more then 45* with the stringer (actually 45 plus the transom angle). Between 45 and 90 the tension grows quickly. Your trying to contain flex to a small amount so making the lower attaching point as far from the transom as possible will go in your favor.

[2112]

I see, thanks. I wasn't trying to be rude, I really couldn't see the 5's

I did not take it that way, I thought you were joking.

[/URL]

Thanks Guys,

I guess I was wondering if the #5s were a good performance choice (regarding speed and handling) over the ITS/XR shorties in the pictures or did the weight and, I am assuming, more drag hinder it more that the durability helped. (I am not under the allusion an XR would have lived) Did this class require Merc only power and drives?

.

[glassdave]

If it was in SuperV yes but in OPA's P classes you can run what ya brung . . . . even Ford powered

[rchevelle71]

Scott - The boat is Unleashed, it's owned by Ray Genick. I've raced with these guys for the last four years. Bills boat was the Lynch Mob boat and is now Wanted racing. There was one other that i believe was converted to an open boat.

Great pics Lee, one of my favorite paint jobs. Thanks

rchevelle71- we've done the clevis/turnbuckle thing to. One thing to keep in mind is that the lower attachment point (at stringer) should be as far forward as you can get it. The maximum angle of the rod should be no more then 45* with the stringer (actually 45 plus the transom angle). Between 45 and 90 the tension grows quickly. Your trying to contain flex to a small amount so making the lower attaching point as far from the transom as possible will go in your favor.

Gotcha, Thanks for the info.

[GENERAL LEE]

I did not take it that way, I thought you were joking.

Great pics Lee, one of my favorite paint jobs. Thanks

No prob man. I had forgotten how good it looks. I haven't opened those pics in a long time.