F1 and F2 Going away?
 

Editor's report in July Powerboat page 20.
"The number of boats in F2 racing could begin to diminish, eventually to the point that the class is as devoid of competition as Super Vee was in 2002. The ranks could thin as the new Super Vee class , which is basically F-2 with a canopy and staggered engines, will swell with former factory 2 teams. The same thing could happen in Factory 1," etc., etc., etc.
I thought that F1 was the true entry level. What happens to the cost if you have to go Super Vee Light? This I'm sure is just the editor's opinion but it is very interesting.

Super Vee light actually seems to cost less, and One Design Certainly does cost less. These moves are about safety and guys realizing they want a roof over thier head.

However I doubt F2 and F1 are going anywhere, you will always have guys that love open canopy and would have it no other way. And a class is allowed to have an off year once in a while. I remember 2 years ago and 27 F2 Boats at the worlds.

www.reindlpowerboats.com

after driving a bat boat and an SVL boat, i'd rather be in a a full canopy. i'd rather race SVL than F1 for the safety factor.

IF WE ARE LOOKING AT A SAFETY ISSUE WE SHOULD GET RID OF
THE 525, THIS MOTOR PACKAGE IS VERY HIGH ON HORSE POWER
AND IS INCREASING THE SPEEDS BY 4-5 MPH IN CERTAIN BOATS EVEN WITH THE WEIGHT PENALTY, THIS IS A FACT WEVE DONE THE TEST. THE F1 BOATS ARE NOW GOING FASTER THEN THE F2 BOATS WERE TWO-THREE YEARS AGO.

Is it time to go to the 496HO motor?

I just read the article, I do understand the concerns of f2, I would race SV over F2, but I do not think many would leave F1 for SVL. I do not thank its an even comparison, the dangers of F1 at 80 to F2 at 90.

From my point of view the author is right. We have a year or two left in our boat and would only consider going to a canopied boat for the next one. It has nothing to do with safety...it has to do with competition. The SVL class is growing. The cost between a SVL and an F1 boat is very small and the F1 boat is only used for racing, so why not?

J

Jim I don't know, take the cost of any F1 boat and add a lid...we talked to a few manufactures and you are going to add another 12k-18k to the price at least. Not every team getting into F1 can spend $100K+ for a boat and then race. Look it how many teams are buying F1 boats that are used in the last 3 years. between the Great Lakes Series, Pacific Offshore, SBI, and APBA there are 23+ F1 boats still out there ready to race. Instead of them talking about the F1 class getting smaller and changing it. WHY DON'T THEY CONCENTRATE ON GETTING THEM BACK TO RACE APBA.
There were 6 F1 boats at East Lake the same as Marathon in a Pro-Series.To me its seams fairly simple, talk to all the F1 guys and see what it would take.

Due to the limited manufactures that make SVL boats you don't have much to pick from. And with the economy and boat sales down I don't see to many manufacture retooling molds to make 1 or 2 boats for few race teams that wont help them sell boats to the public.
So whats left? Buying a used A boat. A new SVL rigged is aprox $120,000 with no resale value.
We still need a F1 fleet but need to look at the basics with cost in mind.
MD

I understand ya Jim, but I cant see SVL replacing F1, THE 496 package would save ya at least 10K, if thats the answer. Your getting back to A-class witch never had a lot of boats, of all the SVL out there how many of them are new boats, just curious. When I get threw with racing may boat, It's a pleasure boat in less than 10 minute's no inserts, no relocation of gauges, moving the seats and steering wheel I'm not sure how that got started anyway. I think Jim Arvis may have had something to do with that before he left the class.

Maybe if F1 get back to Factory Boats it wouldn't be so expensive to enter the class, it would be nice to get into a Pro Series Class for 50 to 60K