Guys, just my thoughts..

I think you would be fine in P-2. team RELENTLESS runs P-2 in a 32 Skater w/ twin approx. 640's, and I believe they are capable of over 100 in flat water. But truthfully, do you really think that any of you are gonna push those cats over the edge in race conditions? I dont think so. On the other hand, a 24 Skater cabable of 100 going against a 32 Skater in the same class is rediculous and suicidal. Its the same problem we have down the line. A 28 V single cabable of 80 goin against a 38V twin in rough seas is just not fair. in calm water it would be the other way around. But who wants to race in calm water???
NOT ME.

So what do we do????? damn if I know

Relentless is for sure in the wrong class! a 32 Skater with 640's should run about 120. Shawn an open cockpit 32 set up will run around 110. My 24 Skater with 200's is running 96 in Flat water. MMWalters boat has seen 109. Besides hardley any one ever races P1. Do you think it is fair that I should race my boat in P2? The APBA rules are based on TOP SPEED that's why they placed me in my class, but there are several questionable boats in other classes. I don't understand how someone would want to race against another boat that they know will never beat them. THATS NOT A RACE. Why can't guys be honest and fair about the class they race in?

Ryan...

Unfortunately your in a difficult scenerio. Very fast Small boat. It is real hard to place you in any of the current P classes especially in Ocean conditions. If you were in the lakes or rivers, you would probably compete in P-2 or P-1 for that matter. But unfortunately, we are in the ocean most of the time. And no, its not fair but what can we do without adding more classes???

It's easy start buy running boats in the PROPER class based on top speed don't round up or down 1 class.

Im all for that. I know I will be in the right class. But where do you think that you would fit in and be competitve in a 24 skater?

Im not 100 percent sure about RELENTLESS but I do know they are cabable of 100 plus.

To be honest with you, I'll runn p2 because thats the class my boat fits in. I am saying that guys shouldn't sandbag to win. I know that there is probably only 1 or 2 races a year that will suit my boat but if it's rough it doesn't matter what class I am in, I can't run fast safely.

Ryan I said it before you are a P3 boat.Be honest and tell how fast you can run in the ocean with 4 footers? We should base the classes on top speed in the ocean with 4-5 foot waves.Top speed in the bay doesant mean ****.That one race a year should not determine the class for the year.If we go ocean top speed it reduces the size of the boat issue. I think Im on to something here.
Dont let me decide weather you buy a boat or not to race and dont forget I have nothing to do with placing boats officialy in any class.If OPA would like me to help them do that I think I am pretty fair but thats up to them to make the big dissions.
Randy

Randy...WAZZZZZZZup

I agree with you to a point. We should set the classes based on top speed in ocean conditions. How do you propose to go about classifying the boats? Based on the teams input or the officials ?

If you set the speed in 4 footers then I'll run P4.

OK guys,

Let's leave class placement up to the tech guys. As you're getting inspected you give them the info required to do a theoretical top speed calculation. The prop size that you give them would be the one you MUST use in the race. If your top speed is 2-3 mph over the class you could prop down. If your calculated top speed is say 4-5 or more mph over minimum class speed you're stuck in that class unless you demonstrate that the boats actual speed is slower.
At the conclusion of the race, as soon as you are crained out or trailered out, an inspector applies a tamper proof mark to the prop. You would then have 1/2 hour (more or less) to present that prop to have the pitch measured. The time would vary depending upon site factors that I am not aware of.
I feel that lap speed won't work. Placement in class according to water conditions isn't going to work. GPS's in the boats only tell how fast a boat is going, not how fast it could go.
If we continue to allow sandbagging and gps racing we will not be successful and therefore not have any fun.

raynman