What does it take?
 

With the Worlds over the next two weeks, I thought it would be a good time to ask this question,

What does it take to get the wanna be racers into the water actually racing?

In the past 5-6 years the market to buy a used race boat has never been better that makes me wonder what you are waiting for?

Looking at the OSO classifieds there are 4 boats that are ready to race for under $40k, and I think Team BRE's Warlock is still out there for $39k.

Let's recap:

1. 95 Hydra A Boat $29k
2. 01 29' Fountain F1 $39k
3. 93 26' Corsa $23k (this is a great boat we raced against it at the 2005 OS Worlds)
4. 01 Bat Boat $39k (no excuses now, here is a canopy boat)
5. and Team BRE's Warlock $39k (as I am told)

It is not very rare to see a "I wanna race" post, so I ask again, what would it take to get you in a boat racing?

All of these boats could be financed and insured (not on race day though). You could buy that Corsa for a couple hundred a month.

From where I sit the time has never been better to buy that race boat and get in the game.

Rick

I (think) I wanna race!

There's also a part of me that wants to have a chance if I do race.

So I'm answering a question with a question.

Which boat would be the most competitive for someone running the SBI circuit?

This is another one I'd like to throw into the mix:

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/1/5/89846415.htm

The answer is.... the one you choose to race.

All of these boats can be competitive. Each has its pro's and cons depending on the water, circuit size, etc.

But only hard work and determination will get you a checkered flag.

I can tell you the Corsa was a tough boat for us to beat in Key West in 05. They ran top 5 in SBI's P4 Class that weekend. On the second day when the water was "smoother" we had a real tough time with them (we went on to finish 2nd that year, I think this boat took 4th).

Out west in 2003 and 2004 we went undefeated in our Bat Boat (did not race it since), but I know we will be very competitive when we return next year. That boat will turn on a dime at WOT, but when you get in real big water, hold on you are in for a ride.

As I stated, pick one, buy it and start racing. Before you know it you will figure out how to be fast in whichever one you buy.

Just don't give up and remember, "Football, Baseball, and Golf use one ball, Racing takes two!" :ernaehrung004:

Rick

The Hyrda is being sold without a motor and some assembly required, so thats not race ready.

My pick is the Bat Boat. NOTHING ON EARTH TURNS LIKE A BAT BOAT. May be a Super Bike or F1 car on land, but no offshore boat. It has a canopy and it plenty fast enough. Plus it has won multiple races and an SBI championship. Furthermore, you can lease it out if you can't race it one weekend. Finally, there is nowhere you can go with drawing a hugh crowd. Sponsors love that it is not just another 24 foot boat with stickers.

So make an offer and go racing.

I did not want to seem like a "homer" when answering the "which should I buy question", but I concur wholeheartedly with this statement.

It seems like every time I take the boat to a public event, I have gotten TV coverage and a line of people wanting to see what the boat is all about.

Although I would not say nothing turns like one, my karts and Lotus turn pretty fast, but you will not find an offshore boat that turns faster.

The benefit of the bat boat is that you really can win races in the corners. If you get semi flat water this boat really cannot be beat in its class, it handles the rough water (but in the rough, bigger is always better) well and will always leave you smiling.

There is no doubt the bat boat is a fan favorite and at $39k, that is a virtual steal.

Rick

Any of these boats can show up and race. To show up and win however, they need new power. It's all about torque now. Big HP, Big torque, 0 to 74.9 and not a 1/10 over. So although the boats may be inexpensive, the new engines won't be. These are good entry level boats. For the POPRA races you would definitely need to re-power. Just look at the race locations. 5 lake races and 2, maybe 3 ocean races.

Flat Water Races
Lake Havasu, Az
Pittsburg, Ca
San Diego Bay Fair Hydros
LOTO
Las Vegas

Rough Water Races
Orange Beach

Either Way Rough or Flat
Long Beach


Worlds TBD Nov??

We will see, I am going down in power with the BB not up and for some reason still think I will be plenty competitive in 5. In addition to changing the engine we will also drop the drive to get us additional cornering stability and in the end we shoudl be right at 74.9, and if things word correctly be able to corner at that speed as well :)

Looking forward to getting back in the Saddle. Although we will most likely not go to the LOTO and Orange Beach races. For some reason I thought POPRA stood for Pacific Offshore, and even if all our races are not in the Pacific Ocean, I thought to be a POPRA the races would at least be in the Pacific time zone. I guess we have a national traveling series now, not a regional one. :D

1)29k + 15k to 20k for new motor=44k-49k turn key
2)39k turn key option of 550.00 to seal and F1 legal or keep it in P
3)23k + 15k to 20k for new motor= 37k-43k turn key
4)39k turn key great P boat check with SBI office concerning leasing boat out, in 04 this was not allowed
5)39k turn key great P boat

My suggestion Towhead is to chose which class you want to race in b4 any purchase and build the boat for that class. I am partial to the Fountain of course cause I know Jim has only first rate guys working on that boat(being around a fountain F1 for 7 years now gives me a little knowledge of her) and only the best of parts, but if you dont have a great driver you will be disappointed with that purchase. It gives you the most flexibilty to go in to a choice of classes, plus a solid hull that will go 85mph with just a little old 500EFI that runs approx 60.00 a race in maintenance. The Bre boat is and was a great boat but you are limited to P class with it due to if I remember correctly it has a carbed 500 in it. and with the Fountain you get an extra 2 foot.

Bottom line they are all great boats and would fit in somewhere in SBI if thats where you chose to race. Good luck in your decisions

Trent

I'm a "wanna-be" racer. What I'm not is a "wanna-be" race prep shop. Been there done that with the cars. I don't have time for it. Thats why I'm looking around for an arrive and drive deal of some sort. You know what they say, if it flies, floats or F's... it's always cheaper to rent than it its to buy! :D

Rick, I didn't realize you were a kart guy too!

Please don't take the "wanna-be" as derogatory, it was meant to be descriptive.

I am also a Kart guy, won the IKF TaG Enduro Road Racing Grand National Championship last year (in my first year of karting). I have also raced stock cars, sprint cars and midgets. In fact I have a midget ride with the BCRA for 2008.

Road racing karts is a blast, the big tracks like Infineon and Buttonwillow are awesome.

Rick

Nope, no offense taken!

I'm too, um large... to do any sprint racing, so all my actual kart racing has been road racing (although I've got a lot of fun time at Moran, Adams, kart Willow, etc.). I'm dying to get up to Sears for the Thanksgiving race some time. I've got too many laps around Buttonwillow and Willow springs in IT cars... Hey do you know Troy Shooter? He's a real good buddy and until I switched to the Swedetech ICC stuff, he was doing my motors (basically a Darcy copy).

My post (to get it back on track and stop the hi-jack) was really intended to clarify (and further broadcast) what I was looking for for the 2008 season. I nearly bought a race boat earlier this year (but was waiting for my AS Camaro to sell), but owning and running my own race boat doesn't really make sense for me right now. I would like to get back into competion again and I'm hoping this turns out to be a viable way to do so.

Looking forward to staying in touch and meeting in person some time soon!

Sean

I disagree, partially. Torque is important, but what is more important is maximizing your advantages and minimizing the negatives of your boat and skill set. I have been in better boats and got beat badly by much better teams. Also I can tell you that the bat boat with only a 377 Scorpion has more than enough power to win in either C5 or C6 because it weighs 1/2 of what the traditional hulls do and it will turn better than any of them. Add a canopy and some ballz and you will win.

I think we have both, well I know we have a canopy.

Unfortunately the only way you really find out if you have balls is the hard way.

:ernaehrung004:

Like When you get kicked in them :eek:

I was thinking more on the lines of when you flip the boat and they finally pull it out of the water the sticks are still WOT. :cool-smiley-011: