Glen-L.com

Hi all.

I'm searching for a design for my first build and in love with a ZIP or a SQUIRT. in my endless hours of search found a nearby mark 55H recondicioned at a good price. My question is the Mercury 55H suited for this king of boat (ZIP) or just for hydroplane type. also dont know exact specs.

Some photo to tease...

Beautiful motor,I'd love to have it,but I don't think an H model would be good for a Zip.

It would be more for a hydro like you said, or a utility race boat style like this:

https://www.boatdesigns.com/13-Class-CD ... ducts/314/

Maybe even a Tunnel-Mite:

https://www.boatdesigns.com/10-Tunnel-M ... ducts/369/

For a Zip, I'd use the Mark 55-E or any of the other 4 cyl Mark series with full gear shift and normal rather than racing lower unit

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

Love the engine can't wait to see what you build around it, keep us posted.

_________________
Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uDVzcVpdhc
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow

Hang On !!!! You'll need some sissy bars for the passengers!

Travis

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It's like anything you Build. You have to be Patient.

Measure Twice, cut Once.

Sounds like a plan to me! It might take a bit to get hooked up, but once it did - watch it fly!

I have to agree that the Zip needs a more civilized motor to live up to it's gentlemanly heritage.

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Paul Miller in Memphis, TN
"Yeah, I had lunch with him last week at the Cracker Barrel out on I-40."

The Mark 55H is beautiful and I'd snap it up If I were you and you have the desire to go really fast on your knees. They're getting pretty rare.

It's a mismatch with the Zip and there's no way to get satisfactory performance with this combination. The boat is much to big and heavy to take advantage of the potential of the 55H.
If you like the old Mercruy look, any of the Mark 55, 58, Merc 300-500 motors with give you a great retro look and will perform beautifully on the Zip and give you great top end performance from the low to the high 30 mph range.

If you want something special for the 55H, I agree with the guy who recommended the Glen L "C-D Runabout". This is a kneeler boat where you can shift your weight forward of the steering wheel to get on plane and then move as far back as possible and still reach the wheel. This rig is not for the inexperienced unless well coached. It's capable of 70+MPH.

The 55H is a pure racing outboard. It doesn't like to run at slow speeds one bit. You would love it as a go fast motor on the right boat and always on plane. You'd hate it as a pleasure motor.
There're lots of guys who know the old Mercs very well who keep up with these forums. I'm one of 'em. Feel free to contact me.
Randy