Hot rod/mods

hopes&dreams83

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May 30, 2023
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Why does it seem the boating community in all forums seems to be so anti hot rodding or modifying. I don't have anything in particular in mind I'm just wondering why everyone seems so against it and unwilling to help with related topics. I know it's not really safe but neither is hot rodding cars and trucks but it's done everyday. I mean boat racing is a real thing so how do people get in it without people willing to share the knowledge?
 

alldodge

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No issue with Hot Rods here, but did move you to Dock Side Chat
 

Scott Danforth

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no issue if you understand that everything used to hot-rod a car stays in the automotive world, and hot-rodding a boat is like building a dump-truck to climb a hill of sand in 4th gear while pulling a trailer.

the boat in my sig is a perfect example of hotrodding.
 

alldodge

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All good, your user name is a possible issue, some are commenting
 

hopes&dreams83

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no issue if you understand that everything used to hot-rod a car stays in the automotive world, and hot-rodding a boat is like building a dump-truck to climb a hill of sand in 4th gear while pulling a trailer.

the boat in my sig is a perfect example of hotrodding.
I kinda get it but not sure. So what you mean is you can't just shave heads and throw a stroker kit and a turbo in and expect it to go?
 

Scott Danforth

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not without blowing up or hydrolocking first.
 
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Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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This is a family friendly site with global reach.
 

Scott Danforth

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understanding reversion and cam overlap

understanding IMO and USCG regs

Understanding why SAE J1171, CFR 33, sub-reg 183 in its entirety and not having any surface warmer than 200 degrees keep you from blowing up.
 
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Scott Danforth

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just flag your own post and tell the mods what you want your name to be
 

hopes&dreams83

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understanding reversion and cam overlap

understanding IMO and USCG regs

Understanding why SAE J1171, CFR 33, sub-reg 183 in its entirety and not having any surface warmer than 200 degrees keep you from blowing up.
Ok so the temperature I get. You don't want a race car running much hotter either but the laws kinda get me. I know all about hp rating from the manufacture but say I modify my hull to hold more hp how would I prove that? Is there a way to get a modified hull tested for a new hp rating?
 

dubs283

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Most people seeking info here own a regular boat. Naturally aspirated, oem stock eninges/running gear

In order to properly maintain a boat like this is very expensive for most passively passionate boaters (which is about 98% of boaters)

To properly modify a boat engine for maximum performance is ridiculously expensive. Think supercharger, proper mapped ecm, ilmor drive, etc., all custom build. Most people who do it either on their own or have a shop modify it only do it once.

When the engine makes a noise, feels off or lacks power in any way its too late. There's very little chance of saving anything. Talking complete teardown/rebuild to spec again, probably for more money

Not to mention people who modify boats don't have time to discuss builds online
 
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alldodge

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Your going abstract and what if, yes all kinds of things are possible, but if they where easy then many would have Bat out of (you know what) boats, but they do not exist as yet.

Folks in the know, keep perfecting the issues, but all do it in very small incremental efforts. Your welcome to come in are try your own ideas, but unless it's really new it's all old and been tried before
 
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Scott Danforth

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there is no horsepower limit to an I/O or inboard boat. you can have 1 million HP in a 7 foot boat.

However. any cam overlap and you suck water in from your exhaust. unless you are running open headers in a jet boat.

any electrical device must be SAE J1171 compliant to prevent sparks

the fuel system must be marine rated to prevent any fuel from entering the bilge because unlike a car where the gas fumes exit under the vehicle and dissipate, in a boat, they accumulate in the bilge until the boat blows up.

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southkogs

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Frank Acampora (see HERE) used to do quite a bit of what I would call boat hotrodding. He passed away a while ago, but he's posted quite a bit on the site about his antics.
 

stresspoint

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latest boat Maxum SR 1800 4.3 vortec , they said you cant make power with a 4.3 , well that theory was wrong , we hot rodded it and its happy to cruise @5500 rpm , will touch on 6000 if i let it.

Stevens TR2 center mount , toy boat , 500+ hp 5.7 , was Vdrive converted to center mount , loud and fast :).

previous boat 15 foot Pride Starfire , highly modded F80 Yamaha carbed 4 stroke , estimated 130 hp , fun to drive but dangerous wanted to tail stand when accelerating , chine walked @ 90.

boats in the past include : 16 foot Stevens flat bottom x drag boat 400m BB ford with jet drive .

I'm no stranger to hotting up boats , so long as i can keep a reliable and safe ethic into whatever i do , i will never sell a boat with a hotted motor that is over powered for a hull , i generally strip the boat when i get board with them and put more appropriate motors.
 
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