Shorter Shootout Courses: Causes And Effects
 

From the OSO homepage, http://www.offshoreonly.com/articles...es-and-effects.

Interesting take from shootout veterans John Tomlinson and Jason Parvey.

Pics are flipped, Matt.

Or is it the text? Lol! :ernaehrung004:

Think this is the right move. To be honest. Pleasure boats have gotten too fast as a whole.

Agree. I usually try to tie off for the Shootout at LOTO between half and 3/4 course. As stated in the article, most of the smaller boats are already at or near top speed when they go by at that point. The bigger boats are either pulling like a freight train or are getting in and out of it trying to settle a hop, chine-walk, etc. The bigger/faster boats that have taken a set and are pulling like crazy going by us are still hauling the mail and putting on a great show. I'm all for this.

Thanks, Knot. I let my editor know and she'll fix it ASAP. My fault ... I confused her.

What happens when the teams get aggressive and start kiting the cats bow high real early in a run trying to push the top end on a shortened course?

They had the extra distance to let the boat settle and pack air in the past... granted the smaller boats + the shortened course will expedite boats down the course

Matt, do you need a copy editor? I'd be glad to help out :)

Count me as the lone member but I think 3/4 mile runs or 1 mile for that matter in boats that are "supposed" to be used as "offshore" or rough water boats is silly. I get the showcase of bling, the parties, the rafting, the spectacle, but I'd rather see rough stuff like last year's Boyne than this. This is the realm of drag boat types...but I'm obviously in the minority.

I absolutely agree with shortening the course(s). And the increased safety of those running on the course is only one aspect. How about the safety of those watching the events? If somebody gets truly out of shape at the speeds we've seen recently, they could easily get into the spectator fleet before getting things back under control - if at all. I think it's a great move and quite honestly, long overdue.