Real Open Offshore Racing....Can it ever happen again?
01-11-2018, 12:08 PM
#41
Registered
Trinidad and Tobago Great race comes to mind as a long old school open ocean race, start this video at 15 min when it gets rough, Also around 28 min is some good footage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9M5fSZ-UcI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9M5fSZ-UcI
Last edited by 302Sport; 01-11-2018 at 12:16 PM.
01-11-2018, 12:37 PM
#42
Registered
Following. I believe it’s worth the shot Charlie. Biggest thing is, keep the idea and info flowing. I know many that would love to compete in some fashion but classes now a days and cost are way to high and are financially unfair. Also not to mention expendable income separates many good drivers/throttleman/owners with talent from being able to make a name for themselves . I truly believe in the classic offshore races where men were men. Not be confused with today’s races. Takes balls and massive amounts of skill to race under today’s standards. I think today’s liabilities will damper the progress however. If it does go through I am interested!
On on another side note! Would the small block classes also exclude any newer engine designs such as the LS and would it be limited to Displacments? If they made stock style exhaust for an LS design? Just curious?
On on another side note! Would the small block classes also exclude any newer engine designs such as the LS and would it be limited to Displacments? If they made stock style exhaust for an LS design? Just curious?
Racer
01-11-2018, 04:38 PM
#44
"If you build it, they will come"
We have done something similar here in Panama City on a different level, but in theory it could work with real boats running offshore. We have an astronomical amount of rental wave runners typically Yamaha VX110's the plain Jane 110hp skis all over the place. Several of us will race them in the off tourist season in the lagoon/bay, it started with 3-4 of us and it grew to a dozen or so. We went from 100% stock ski's with anywhere from 100-900hrs on them to a stage 1 class. So you can run a 100% bone stock ski or a stage one she that has exhaust and intake mods and piggy back fuel computers. This winter we even have a rental pontoon group that runs 40hp outboards that have taken interest, talk about running rub rail to rub rail. The ski races get pretty competitive.
You can't look at it from a financial perspective, you have to do it for the love of the sport and most of all for fun. This will sound outrageous but there are a lot of various bow rider type boats out there in the $3k-$5k range that can be modified to have a throttle man and driver setup and keep the costs super low. Engine mods are easy and cheap, a 2 barrel to 4 barrel adapter plate can't be more than $50, throw a 650cfm on a 4.3 liter and ring its neck. Obviously these are not real offshore boats, but IMO you have to start somewhere affordable so your neighbor can afford to be involved. Not everyone can afford to beat up an old Fountain hull or even buy one to get started. The great part for us with the skis is the larger rental companies sell them off after 2yrs as rentals for less than $2k, its affordable and its a blast to run them. 2yrs ago we were freezing our butts off, many of us now have 5mm wet suits and we continue to grow with the little sport we've started to keep us on the water in the winter.
I would def be interested in getting involved as long as it could stay affordable because lets face it, when you do it for the love of doing it... you are your own sponsor :P
We have done something similar here in Panama City on a different level, but in theory it could work with real boats running offshore. We have an astronomical amount of rental wave runners typically Yamaha VX110's the plain Jane 110hp skis all over the place. Several of us will race them in the off tourist season in the lagoon/bay, it started with 3-4 of us and it grew to a dozen or so. We went from 100% stock ski's with anywhere from 100-900hrs on them to a stage 1 class. So you can run a 100% bone stock ski or a stage one she that has exhaust and intake mods and piggy back fuel computers. This winter we even have a rental pontoon group that runs 40hp outboards that have taken interest, talk about running rub rail to rub rail. The ski races get pretty competitive.
You can't look at it from a financial perspective, you have to do it for the love of the sport and most of all for fun. This will sound outrageous but there are a lot of various bow rider type boats out there in the $3k-$5k range that can be modified to have a throttle man and driver setup and keep the costs super low. Engine mods are easy and cheap, a 2 barrel to 4 barrel adapter plate can't be more than $50, throw a 650cfm on a 4.3 liter and ring its neck. Obviously these are not real offshore boats, but IMO you have to start somewhere affordable so your neighbor can afford to be involved. Not everyone can afford to beat up an old Fountain hull or even buy one to get started. The great part for us with the skis is the larger rental companies sell them off after 2yrs as rentals for less than $2k, its affordable and its a blast to run them. 2yrs ago we were freezing our butts off, many of us now have 5mm wet suits and we continue to grow with the little sport we've started to keep us on the water in the winter.
I would def be interested in getting involved as long as it could stay affordable because lets face it, when you do it for the love of doing it... you are your own sponsor :P
01-11-2018, 05:20 PM
#45
buying the boat is a small part of racing, the exspense of running an offshore race team is another issue. You have tons of down travel time, tow vehicles support trailer an array of extra parts and propellers. Then you have membership fees equipment fees and entrance fees travel money for the team hotels meals and entertainment. When you add that all up at the end of the year an average small team will spend 60 to $70,000. And if you have a desire to run the world championships in Key West add another 15 to that.
Last edited by Xtremeracing; 01-11-2018 at 05:41 PM.
01-12-2018, 08:00 AM
#47
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
iTrader: (6)
cool picture
01-12-2018, 09:24 AM
#48
buying the boat is a small part of racing, the exspense of running an offshore race team is another issue. You have tons of down travel time, tow vehicles support trailer an array of extra parts and propellers. Then you have membership fees equipment fees and entrance fees travel money for the team hotels meals and entertainment. When you add that all up at the end of the year an average small team will spend 60 to $70,000. And if you have a desire to run the world championships in Key West add another 15 to that.
You only left out the positives! What about the plastic "World Champion" trophy and the fact that a few weeks later nobody will even remember who won what race, what division anyway.
In the heyday of offshore racing it was fueled by essentially unlimited "offshore funds." Today if you have a huge sponsor (from chainsaws to insurance) then you can run a big campaign but for the "average guy" to blow all that time/money for a backyard race team is simply not an option.
01-12-2018, 09:46 AM
#49
You only left out the positives! What about the plastic "World Champion" trophy and the fact that a few weeks later nobody will even remember who won what race, what division anyway.
Non have a chain saw sponsor. Lol
In the heyday of offshore racing it was fueled by essentially unlimited "offshore funds." Today if you have a huge sponsor (from chainsaws to insurance) then you can run a big campaign but for the "average guy" to blow all that time/money for a backyard race team is simply not an option.
Non have a chain saw sponsor. Lol
In the heyday of offshore racing it was fueled by essentially unlimited "offshore funds." Today if you have a huge sponsor (from chainsaws to insurance) then you can run a big campaign but for the "average guy" to blow all that time/money for a backyard race team is simply not an option.
Last edited by Xtremeracing; 01-12-2018 at 09:49 AM.
01-12-2018, 10:23 AM
#50
Registered
buying the boat is a small part of racing, the exspense of running an offshore race team is another issue. You have tons of down travel time, tow vehicles support trailer an array of extra parts and propellers. Then you have membership fees equipment fees and entrance fees travel money for the team hotels meals and entertainment. When you add that all up at the end of the year an average small team will spend 60 to $70,000. And if you have a desire to run the world championships in Key West add another 15 to that.
I guess that's why there aren't that many small teams running SBI......Tow vehicles? Support trailers? When we take the boat on the far away races, we take 1 crew cab dually and 1 boat on a trailer. Don't need scooters and golf carts and all the other crap that has nothing to do with racing. Entertainment? Give me a break. We go to race, not run a bar tab.
