Spare Motor is Available- A spare rebuilt Mercury 78 is available for $2500 

DeSilva race boats, designed by Ralph and built by Bill DeSilva, were dominant, high-performance boats from the 1930s through the 1980s. Renowned for setting numerous competition and straightaway records, these California-built wooden and later marine plywood boats were favorites in classes like A, B, and C stock outboard. 

Key Details About DeSilva Race Boats:

Design & Construction: Ralph DeSilva designed the boats, while Bill managed the construction, utilizing marine plywood and Weldwood glue to create lightweight, fast hulls.

Dominance: They were considered the premier race boat to own for competing at the front, with a long history of national championship wins.

Evolution: Early boats in the 1950s featured 14-inch sides, which were later reduced to 12-inch sides for improved performance, with continuous bottom design changes to handle increasing speeds.

Models: Famous models include various runabouts and the KR series, which emerged around 1970.

Racing Legacy: DeSilva boats were staples in APBA (American Power Boat Association) stock outboard competition, often powered by modified Mercury engines.

The brand is highly regarded in vintage boat racing circles today, with many surviving, restored examples appearing in exhibitions and auctions

Mercury Mark 78 Serial # L192067

The 1958-1959 Mercury Mark 58 is a 4-cylinder, 44-cubic-inch outboard motor rated at 45 horsepower. It was a popular, high-performance 2-stroke engine of the late 1950s, often produced as the Mark 58A or Mark 58AE (electric start) and known for its 4-cylinder in-line design.  

Key details about the Mark 58 include:

Horsepower: 70HP.

Displacement: 44 cubic inches (approx. 721 cc).

Configuration: 4-cylinder, 2-stroke.

Years Produced: Circa 1958–1959