What does 'US-1' mean to the boating world?
 

I see this term on a lot of different boats and have always wondered if it has significance or if it just looks cool.

(...now searching for my asbestos jacket, just in case)

Each of the SBI classes has different identifiers for the reigning national champ. For the superboat class, It's US-1. For the superboat vees, V-1.

This is the United States...US=1 just makes more sense than Canada-1 or Mexico-1...........

US-1 has it's origin with APBA. Traditionally, APBA Offshore awarded the US-1 designation to the national high points champion in the old Open Class, which used to align with UIM Class One.

I think it has something to do with who spent the most $$$$$ :D

Hmmmm.....

I just thought it looked cool. I've never even been in a boat race but I will put it on the 28 Skater I'm going to build some day....just for looks :)

As Mike said, historically the title US-1 went to the APBA national champions of each year. In the Open class you were allowed to run the number US-1 for the worlds that year and the US-1 number all season the following year. It is prestigious in that manner and carries an honor to have it. Currently the Stihl Race team have it on there 388 Skater as they have won the title twice in a row.

The number is on you boat because Stuart Hayim whom built your boat was a national champion and earned the right to use it. As was Jim Lee's Freedom boat , ALSO one of Stuarts old boats. Putting US-1 on a 28' Skater would be ridiculous and IMO for anyone to put US-1 on any boat that did not EARN it by winning a national championship is a joke. Begin in the graphics business I personally do not care for people putting race numbers on pleasure boats. I believe it is asking for trouble and degrades true boat racing and racers. You want a number, earn it....

US1 was earned over a whole season, "World Champion" Over one weekend :)

Well said Ryan!

Cool. Thanks

[ATTACH=CONFIG]530105[/ATTACH]So I bought a former race boat. What do I place in the oval? A smiley face was suggested. Steve Neeley campaigned the boat as 55 and I think US - 1. Looks kind of incomplete blank. [ATTACH=CONFIG]530106[/ATTACH]

FORE! In remembrance of that blade you lost last week.

I keeeed.

You are right. It is getting the paint freshened now. I should have them sand it off down to fiberglass.

I want to build a 28 Skater that matches my beautiful 40 that someone else built and I purchased as is. I happen to love my classic old school boat and want to recreate it in a 28.....I hardly think that is degrading or disrespectful. This isn't the American Flag for goodness sake. It is a boat. Geez.

So what does "world champion" mean???

wrong quote

wrong quote

So I have to ask, is the boat floating in a ditch?

Narrows it down to a Cig, MTI, OL....

I think Ryan was only referring to your future 28. Your current boat earned the US-1 and I'm sure he believes it should remain.

I built a launch ramp that goes into my pond. I float the boat when I work on the trailer.

Here ya go, Doug

[ATTACH=CONFIG]530118[/ATTACH]

It means that Your Team Drank Less, Went to bed earlier, Had better Luck for 3 of the 8 nights/Days you were in Key West :) Bam, "World Champion"

From the looks of where you go boating, I would put a "cattle crossing" or "shut the gate when you leave" sign in the oval, lol.

Thanks Steve. The smiley face always makes me smile.

So when I find a suitable 28 to restore with the windshield conversion kit and I want to make a matching replica of my 40 Recovery boat I am forbidden to put the US-1 on it?

I think not. A replica is just that...a replica.

I'm not going to get into some internet argument over how to paint the boat I don't have yet and probably won't have for 6 more years after my kids leave the house.

But.....I would put US-1 on it to make it MATCH the boat I already own if I were starting the project today and it would look cool as hell setting next to her big sister.

First build a Bigger Pond- Next the stick people going "69"

its your boat, do as you please :argue:

Hey Orthobam, you have the history in your boat and a replica that celebrates it is awesome.
What the others are saying here is that alot of boats over the years have slapped US-1 on them and - 1. had no idea what it meant and - 2. had a boat that never even came close to a championship. That makes them look either like wannabes or just ignorant of what it means and demeans the title for those that actually earned it.

The bottom line is it is your boat and of course you can do anything you want but you have a boat with the heritage to back it up which makes it cool.

buy mine...LOL...it has the original number it was raced under back in the day...28-1...not a US-1 unfortunately but it did run with that number. first 28 built by Peter so the 28-1 suits it to a T IMO! never have come up with a font I liked to put the "special addition" back on it similar to it like the it was when I purchased it though [ATTACH=CONFIG]530134[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]530135[/ATTACH]

This thread got me all stirred up again on the 28s. I looked at yours last night and got me thinking........the 28-1 painted in the same style as my US-1 would be cool and a "Skater" in the same style as "Recovery" might just be the answer.

paint "Room" on the 28'

Based on your choice of boating local I would suggest a "No Wake Zone" in the oval.

.

I would paint the boat whatever way your little heart desires. if it makes you happy to have a twin of your boat, have at it! those of you who think that putting "us-1" on the side of his boat is disrespectful are looking at it all wrong. it should be looked at as a sign of flattery, not disrespect. if i got mad at every replica ac cobra i saw i would be a very unhappy person and also look like an idiot for being upset about it. no different than a copo, nickey, baldwin motion replica. enjoy them for what they are

I always thought it meant, Dude, when i had an IROC Z back in 87, i painted 11.9 ET on the drivers back window with white shoe polish. I would run it but my parents won't sign the waiver.

Don't forget the Yenko's, and ZL-1, man if I knew you were a muscle car guy I would of stayed in NY longer, LOL

BAM:

Buy a 28, paint it EXACTLY like your 40 and call it "Short Recovery"!

Anyone that wouldn't think it's cool would be wrong! :D

IMO, both the US-1 and particularly "World Champion" have been so over used in the past, they have already lost whatever meaning they initially had. Sad for those who actually achieved one of those accomplishments.

Finally somebody said it! Now that's true!! from when this sport started, all the way to the end of APBA in the mid 2000's you had to EARN. a national and world championship. Now its ridiculous. Look at the past couple years in most of the classes of SBI & OPA. You race 2 other boats and you call yourself "world Champions". Come on. Heck, some boats race all by themselves or with just one other competitor! Im sure if we got all the guys from the entire nation, Canada, down by Bermuda, and from Europe and THEN held a race, and you win Then you are "world champions". No disrespect to ANYBODY that has these titles to their name/brand. It is an accomplishment, and one of the highest at that. But this is just how I view it.
On a separate note we really gotta get this sport back to where it has the potential to be. I keep watching old APBA race footage of F-!, F-2, Supercat. 20 boats for every race in these classes all year. Now that's racing.

Still wish I would have bought your 40. The matching 28 already exists. Problem would have been solved.

Now SBI is giving out Florida state championship titles. Maybe a " city of clearwater championship" is next.