Looking for something with a lid. just seeing what's out there. My old 5 boat is getting tired. I would love to run svl class but don't have 150 to get started. looking for something that I can run in 4

I was under the impression that OPA did not allow a canopy in classes 3-6.

Mike,

The question is how competitive do you want to be? SVL's are great little boats, but being a former Class 4 guy, size does matter. ie 2010 OB, Randy had to break out 26 times to stay out in front of the Formula, while the Formula just stayed in the water w/o breaking out. It was 1-2 ft rollers. Spoke with Steve, hes coming back, Saris is putting the Cobra together and by the looks of the thread over in OPA section, I hope Howard comes back. If hanging out with the guys and having a weekend family getaway is what your after, then continue to pursue the SVL end of it(but if you find a deal, plse consider running in the SVL class, I speak from experience that it will be cheaper, maintenance wise than a bracket class will ever be) if you want to be competitive in Class 4, look at the competition and build a boat for the class, looks like the trend is former F2 boats with moderate reliable power is what has been winning the past couple of years or you can go with an older higher hp boat and take your chances.

Just 5-6 with single engine lids being allowed in 4

Mike, IMO only I feel you can get into SVL class in OPA for somewhere in the 60K with a very competitive used Phanton or Extreem boat. All the teams max out at the 92-93 MPH with a spec merc 525. It sounds like about 20 K north of what you wanted to spend but you can be in the hunt with reliability. You dont honestly believe you are going to get a top competitive class 4 OPA boat for 40K. For starters it will have to be twins and there goes the reliability and budget factor. Trent nailed when he said you will never hang in class 4 with a single and the money you will spend trying could have been spent on a SVL. If your not competitive in a $60K SVL in OPA its not the boat LOL. Or you can race in SBI and build yourself a 700 HP SVL and race the OL and Fountain for 3rd place. Be aware the motor program will set you back $40K a year. Then you have to buy a boat. (no disrespect facts only)

There I fixed it for you Randy, no disrespect taken, but the facts are now true

Thanks for cleaning that up for me. LOL Im talking out of my a$$ again I geuss.

Trent, Im just interested in what you think a stock sealed Merc 525 from the factory dyno's at? On the Merc. Dyno not the local dyno shop?

My bad, I posted thinking it was Frank posting the (no disrespect) Sorry Frank I was defending OPA and was shocked by what I thought was your post. Didnt mean to go there.

My Gen 1's in the Formula dyno'd out at 567 and 568 @ Innovation(at the flywheel) My assumption is that a Gen 1 will dyno out at the same range @ Mercury. We both know that Gen 1's were production line assembled and now in the current generation that they are hand built and in talking with them directly(Mercury), they are coming off the dyno at the 590 hp range(@Mercury) Your rules about them dynoing no more than 550 is 100% correct, however it does need to be added to your rulebook that it is a prop-shaft number and not a flywheel number as I was told by them that you lose approx 40-50hp thru the drive.

Are we in the same ballpark?