Check out the Banana in the classifieds for 5k
It would be nice for this class

Ted,

How many boats from your area do you think would be interested?

Unknown at this time. If this thing looks like it is gonna happen we'll pump it up and see who pops up. I have spoken with a few people that might be interested but no firm commitments yet. The funny thing is I can think of 5 guys that sold boats like that in the past few years. Obviously there may be more racers from this area now that we have had a successful race here and they know racing is back. Good luck to all involved with this, I will do whatever I can to support the effort.


And I would look cool in that Banana

We have two 21 Challengers here, one is already being rigged Wazzup II

Ut oh......
Looks the level up competition in the S.O.B'S just went up dramatically.....I already see a LI vs NJ rivalry in the making with WAZZUP II joining the fleet.Maybe one of the LI teams should be called YO

WAZZUP,
You don't know how great that is to hear! So I take it you will be a yes vote...


3 more to go fellas!!!!


I really didn't want to state any #'s that I see will be going racing, but after your commitment, let me just say I feel we are well into the double digits!

Sharkey et al, did read the minutes. I don't at all speak for OPA (my adoption papers are barely 6 months old ..) but I noticed two points:

Course: If the SOB race will be part of an OPA race, then the SOBs will have to race the course everybody races. There are no special courses for certain classes.

Fees: In the past, OPA did pride itself to have the same registration fees for all the classes, and the same purses were paid in all the classes, no matter how big or small the boat. I can imagine that they want to continue that. They might not want to offer a lower fee/no purse for certain classes. For fear of the can'o'worms.

Why limit the class size to 21ft? I have a 16.5FT v-hull with a hand built bridgeport, that I would race any single outboard. How does your average joe boater get into racing?

The guys had a (consideration) of keeping the course real close for the spectators and safety. If OPA has a 4 mile course, then they figured that at the halfway mark they could then have their turn without altering anything. Also, it was brought up as a safety concern by John of Superboat, that it may be better for them to run in a separate race from the bigger classes.

So the thought is, keep the course tight, make it the first race by themselves or with one other class. And put a time limit of 1 hour on the race so as not to interfere with the next race if it were to be too rough and may take too long to finish.



Originally posted by Peconic

OPA also said that they would consider the racer's point of you last year. Majority of the room at last year's meeting raised their hands in a vote for lower entry fees and no purse.
What happened? All classes got a higher fee and a purse to win. What will they have to lose by allowing these boats in at a reduced fee? The way I see it, they have everything to gain. More boats, more registration fees, membership fees, hotel rooms and a better sell to their sponsors. The other option, keep it unaffordable, and they will not see an increase in anything. It will remain status quo...
Hopefully this year, things can be worked out.

With this being a separate portion of OPA, if set-up right, it will not effect the larger classes purse and will not interfere with them out on the race course.
Picture it as being the Pre-Show for the bigger classes.
If OPA can make it truly affordable for these guys, they will get an unbelievable turnout.
$500 to go and race for a trophy is just not going to be attractive to them...and unfortunately some may not bother going racing.

Originally posted by H2OMPH
We are talking about Ocean Racing, not Bay racing.
It is possible for Insurance reasons to not permit a 16 footer. I don't know...
But take a look at APBA, they have several classes for the smaller boats from Stock Outboard, Outboard Performance Craft, to Formula One. That is if you want to get your feet wet...

I think that course size could be dictated by weather and wave conditions. Also you have to take into account the fans. If you have people stretched all the way down a beach to watch a race and the last half find out that there is a race they can't see-they might get a little testy. In Cambridge we woul likely run the full course since the place is calmer water and the course is like a stadium anyway. Running with other classes should be an option depending on turnout so that each race will have good boat counts. Although I suspect OPA turnout will be great next year due to their growing popularity.
As I said before-as long as fixed costs can be met there should be a way to lower fees.


As fo size restrictions,there are 2 determining factors-insurance and the Coast Guard. You have to give them minimum boat sizes and maximum speeds in order to get insurance and permits. I doubt either would approve of the idea of a 70 mph 16 foot boat out there in offshore conditions.