Is the OB class doomed?

[BruceHartmann]

I've got 2 of these NIB but this price is just stupid.

https://www.towerhobbies.com/product/21xm-vii-.21-air-cooled-outboard-marine-engine/OSMG1720.html

 

[Joern Markset]

Naah, it is probably where it should be, and I guess this price reflects the higher prices we see all over.
The cost of everything has gone thru the roof.

 

[john v]

high start up cost but these motors almost last forever with some basic maintenance, my kb red head 7.5 is over 20 years old

 

[BruceHartmann]

What class are you running it in? I picked up a NIB one a while back of RCG.....wasn't sure what I was going to use it for but the price was right.

 

[Al Hobbs]

I have been in contact with manufacturers in Europe concerning an outboard engine. They say they will make one for me.

Howeve at the rate they are making my other items, I won't hold my breath.

 

[topfuel443]

Our pricing on the OS hasn’t changed since before Covid. Still have them in stock, as well as parts, etc.

https://www.novarossi.us/products/o...os=1&_sid=3eab854c5&_ss=r&variant=36002324492

 

[Grimracer]

Price is relative.

I will say this.. the OS outboard is a good value for the performance and longevity of the motor..

I have had one motor on the same piston and Liner for 15 years.. (my back up now) and the Air cooled a BEAST i race now.... now 8 years old.. I have not dropped in ONE PART on the motor.

AWESOME performing!

Grim

 

[Mike Hughes]

Only ever wore out the hinge pin mount on mine. The air cool is an awesome motor.

 

[SayMikey]

I have a handful of motors and just keep gathering parts to make sure I have enough to last till its done or im done

 

[john v]

well, my 21 tunnel is one of the smallest boats in my collection, up here in dist 11 namba the water is never calm and yes everything is expensive about the nitro boats but i love my ob tunnels and will always run one, i think its a good habit! hopefully people continue to build them

 

[Brandon Atwell]

The price of the OS outboard is still competitive compared to getting a new CMB and running hardware required for an inboard.

We have hulls, engines and servos at a one stop shop with StumpFab. Currently the only nitro design you can get everything at one place.

Certainly a more looming issue is the for the larger nitro tunnel classes, though conversion kits for the CMB from Joern, Bam Racing and StumpFab help lessen the blow.

We need some more innovation and availability in the design department to really “fix” the issue. Hard to push those needs when people aren’t buying as quickly however.

 

[Joern Markset]

I push these XM engines to your door for aprox 400 bucks. Even though it is freakin`cheap I don`t sell a lot of them, guess they are not so popular as we like to think

 

[Sonny Cook]

I push these XM engines to your door for aprox 400 bucks. Even though it is freakin`cheap I don`t sell a lot of them, guess they are not so popular as we like to think

for the Outboards? if so i will take one!

 

[Joern Markset]

for the Outboards? if so i will take one!

Yes, for the outboards, including exhaust adapter. Parts For Sale - OS Max 21 XM Ver. II

 

[Mark Poole ModVP]

The outboards are doomed if innovative ideas keep getting rejected by the very people who run outboards. Down here in the southeast we had some really cool things going on with outboards that lasted for a few seasons. At the tunnel champs and some other races we were running endurance races with pit stops, a Mod-VP class (some races with beach starts), kneeler hydro, super sport class ( any 40 engines with no tuned pipe) and run whatcha brung. It all died with in fighting and politics. I have always said and will still say that the outboard class needs to be more than just tunnel hulls. But all you will hear is "no new classes" from the same people who are letting the OB's die. The Charleston club was the epicenter of all of these cool ideas until the club was invaded and 'transformed'.

 

[john v]

endurance races with pit stops, sounds pretty cool. never seen a race like that

 

[Wasted wages]

I always liked the .45 outboard riggers...
Seemed like a cheaper and easier way for an upcoming boater to get his feet wet in the hydro class using some of the equipment that he may already own.

Some of the ones I saw back in the 80's were pretty fast for the overall investment...

 

[Wasted wages]

There were a few endurance classes in the late 80's internats...couple of the guys from Houston entered a boat, and it was a blast to watch all of the pit stops that were part of the rules... boat had to come in, be shut off and placed on the stand and restarted at minimum. Some folks tried larger fuel tanks, others refueled, changed plugs etc.
It was organized chaos.. good times!

 

[Carl Van Houten]

The outboards are doomed if innovative ideas keep getting rejected by the very people who run outboards. Down here in the southeast we had some really cool things going on with outboards that lasted for a few seasons. At the tunnel champs and some other races we were running endurance races with pit stops, a Mod-VP class (some races with beach starts), kneeler hydro, super sport class ( any 40 engines with no tuned pipe) and run whatcha brung. It all died with in fighting and politics. I have always said and will still say that the outboard class needs to be more than just tunnel hulls. But all you will hear is "no new classes" from the same people who are letting the OB's die. The Charleston club was the epicenter of all of these cool ideas until the club was invaded and 'transformed'.

Mark, I did what I could to help your Mod VP class. I put 36 years into supplying O/B boats for Nitro. What you have said is very true. This past year was my last year as a Nitro O/B Supplier. I am now concentrating all my efforts into Gas Outboard Tunnels and the Sport Hydro Class. I hope the Nitro O/B guys that are left will open their eyes and find a way to turn it around.

I will still help anyone who has ideas just PM me and I will be glad to help!
- Carl

 

[Mark Poole ModVP]

Mark, I did what I could to help your Mod VP class. I put 36 years into supplying O/B boats for Nitro. What you have said is very true. This past year was my last year as a Nitro O/B Supplier. I am now concentrating all my efforts into Gas Outboard Tunnels and the Sport Hydro Class. I hope the Nitro O/B guys that are left will open their eyes and find a way to turn it around.

I will still help anyone who has ideas just PM me and I will be glad to help!
- Carl

Carl, you have been a cornerstone of outboards, no one can dispute that. Have to give credit to Gabe and others who keep the supply of equipment available. Did anyone notice the list of classes for that east/west shootout race....not a single outboard class, not even open tunnel. Mic did a good job with his southeast tunnel series. Hope they are okay down there in south Florida.