Well said Ryan, AND the courses are so short you don't need GPS. I never used on, just write the headings from bouy to bouy on tape and stick it to the dash. It will get you close enough to see the turn boat/bouy.

YEAH RANDY.....quit whining

hell you've been racing and doin well all these years. What has changed?:D :D :D

Geze, I would expect that from a rookie like myself. Not the man himself.

REMEMBER ...."Typhoon Rules the Seas"

I think the biggest complaint we had while at savannah was that someone was waving a red flag before the finish line on time trials... come to find out, it was some guys shorts.....(time trials)

A boat came back and cussed us out... It wasnt our fault... I was holding the red flag at the end of the course..... :)
He felt so bad... he put a garbage bag over himself for the rest of the day.


Jill

Amen Catman

NOT BIG ENOUGH??
 

$700 pillows ....who needs eye surgery??:cool: :cool: :cool:

Now I am crying Ryan? I thought I was making a suggestion and looking for input from fellow racers. Sound like I'm not alone. I am just trying to prevent an accident in the future.
MD

I'm just a spectator, but come on, I think there should be at least basic navigation involved here. I can remember the days of long laps in Key West and racers could only use a compass (I seem to recall Loran and GPS were not even allowed!), now you can use GPS and there's no leg longer than 2 miles and you can't find your way from one buoy to the next!?!

I would agree that they need better (bigger) anchors, having the buoy cut loose like it did during the first race in Savannah is no good ...

Glenn: You absolutely have to see my 10" screen, mounted to the door in White Trash. This thing is huge, easy to see even at high speed, and it does screen updates like a banshee. Looks kinda embarrassing though ...

Its not about navigating the course! Its about the turning angle at the marker. Its not the good old days when you turned buy yourself in the turn. We know have 2,3,4,5,6 boats at the same time in a turn and all looking for the best line at which there boat turns at the speed they are traveling. Know if you are looking at your compass or GPS in the turn you must be out of your mind. The course is not a problem if your not in a close race.
What could it hurt to have better markers?
MD

I may have the answer! Put strobe lites or flashing becans on top of the markers or turn boats! What do you think of that.
MD

how about each lap the leader puts a yellow jersey on, or a strobe light on his helmet?? :)

Randy, I think Ben is right. Coming from someone who has been directly affected (Daytona) a few years back by the size of the buoys, my excitement, being told all about the BIG water in Daytona, being so spooled up and so on. Making those types of mistakes in my opinion makes us all better racers. I know I`m MUCH more comfortable in a turn with you than I would be with, well; someone not as experienced. What I`m saying is it`s our job to get better, not the APBA`s job to make it easier for us. My .02 cents. Later

Markers
 

I can see where it can be pretty bad, but if it works... why change it.

THe beacons are a good idea... how large do they get?
I think the only problem they would have with that would be the cost. SOmetimes spectators will go out and steal buoys.....

We had one guy out there this time... he had a flag on his boat but was not part of the race. We drove up and asked if he had a map of the course... but he didnt. We knew he either didnt know where to go or shouldnt have been there. He was sitting anchored right in the middle of the course.

anywho...
Hugs

Jill

Okay, I am no racer but I love watching so I thought I would post.

I think what Randy is trying to say is that all the classes seem to have tightened up a lot in the last few years and races are very close sometimes. When these races are that close bigger markers would be helpful for making the races SAFER. Bigger markers are not going to take away from navigating the course, just make it safer as racers get close and set up for the turns.

I take it from you name and avitar, you are the proud owner of a donzi blackhawk. Sweet ride

BINGO!!!!!
MD

Typhoon racers, I think you guys are great,great racers. I have raced with you and against you. I don't know what unfortunate incident occurred that set you back. I know you guys are good enough to deal with the size of those buoys. After all you lost turn 2 not 1 after the straight. Savannah blew me away when that same buoy disappeared after 2 laps. It really sucks you had it taken away from you. Coming into this race I figured you to be the team to beat. OPA did a great job putting this race on. Bigger buoys would help. I know you guys are good enough to start setting up for these turns a mile away and I believe it is your frustration with the final outcome that has led you to be pissed. I would be too. I have watched films of you guys and you guys ****in fly. You guys are good ,you already have a great history and it will get better. I only hope my history in offshore racing can catch up to you guys. Pat Tkacz Sonic Racing ,Driver

Luck
 

What happened to the buoy? Did it float off? I thought I heard Jim say a buoy was loose, but that was on the spectator line.

I agree with PTSonic. I wish you guys more luck. You guys are awesome and i hope to see you guys come back in Key West and Bahammas.


I saw a few guys miss one of the turns... I yelled "Where are they going? It appears that the finish line boat lost its roof and the flags with it. Maybe thats the one?

It was a terrible sight when the finish boat lost its top. THis boat came back and i was like "That boat... theres something different". and MIke was like "Yeah, it lost its top."

Good luck to you all. I pray for alls safety every night. You guys have sorta taken over my life.. Im spending time trying to figure out if we can go to ALL of the races next year. Mike and I are nuts over this.


Be safe all...
See you down south...

Jill

Maybe I can help.....
 

Im going to try something....
Maybe what they need are Bigger Turn boats...
Heres what I can do...
I will talk to Jim next time we come to a race. I will see if he will let me call every marina in the whole area and ask for BIGGER BOATS. We will hang the flags on the masts and voila... a better turn marker.
As long as you stay 50 ft in front of it.. you will be fine.

Let me talk to him next time. I think we are going a week early to the bahammas and key west so I can be on the cell all day long.

Be good...
Jill

As a freshly DQed member of the "Where's that friggin buoy" society, I can attest: Randy has a point.

BTW, I mentioned the strobes to Kurt, even volunteered to donate some for the cause. Kurt said they had tried the strobes. Only good during fog. He also tacitly aknowledged that the bouys can use some improvement.

Looks like Kryptonite not only nuetralizes Superman, it creates havoc with the vision of mear mortals::eek:

I for one would like to see larger bouys.
Although I'm new to racing, I do feel it would be a lot safer for everyone out on the race course.
The bouys that were used this past weekend at Atlantic City were to small!! As randy mentioned, when you are bouncing along in snotty water, spray on your sheild, you need to be paying attention to the water and the other boats around you!

TomR
P5-15 "Sonic Boom Racing"

I think we should make the bouy's smaller so those with 20/10 vision have the advantage, this certainly would increase the competition...sort of like a fighter pilot finding his target aircraft carrier for landing...

Time to get that eye exam! :eek:

Why do 12 ft sailboats, racing at 5 mph across the Metedaconk River, have inflated bright orange turn marks, about 5 ft in diameter, yet boats running at 15X their speed do not.

PECONIC what about youre ten inch screen.who loves ya babey

Peconic,
Did you and Kirk have a decent in flight movie to watch with that thing? lol But seriously, thank you because we followed you out of the inlet and I just looked over your shoulder and I could navigate a lot easier. It was great to finally meet you and hopefully at the Point we can actualy have the time to sit down and BS for a little bit

A rectangle course following the shore line is easy folks. But put in more turns and some spectators and its ?
And as for the shrimp boat in Savanna that thing moved during the race and was not a mark. If some people used it as a mark you were in trouble when he left.
MD

Wow! All this commotion about turn buoys, I cant see any negatives on having larger buoys, only positives. Make a determination on a size then call Budweiser and have them sponsor APBA with the New Bud Buoys. I'm a rookie too but we have won every race we have started except one second and we (Treadwell and I) find our way around with compass headings and a mental picture of the course. Maybe navigation lesson after the drivers meeting by an experienced racer would help racers who are having difficulties getting around the course, I know I would be happy to attend. Norman

Randy, glad I could help clarify and I totally agree with you!

Scott B, yes my baby is a 1995 Donzi Classic Blackhawk, thanks.

Doc:

I have several thoughts/observations as I read your post . . .

1) You are going considerably slower than Mad Dog and Hollywood, hence giving you more time to see the buoy and react.

2) I'm not sure whom you would find to give this lesson to Hollywood (aka Glenn), as I know that he has been in at LEAST 1 or 2 races before.

3) The compass headings and mental picture are great, but what happens when you are forced to take a dramatically different line, due to either faster or slower traffic? Also, what happens when you use a visual aide that moves during the race? (the shrimp boat in Savannah, for example)

4) I was in your shoes last year. It is a whole different ball game when you step up a class (or two).

5) If Typhoon didn't rule the seas, and Mad Dog and Hollywood would just let a boat or two in front of them, they could simply follow the competition around the course, and not have to worry about this!
:D :D

6) I hope Chris and I can get back in the green bat boat at some point during the season, and give you and Tread a run for your money. (actually it is a run for Reindl's money, but you get the idea)

I applaud your enthusiasm, and look forward to racing against you some day soon.

I think JB finally found the problem. Typhoon is in the lead too often and Glen needs glasses.

I like the OPA markers. I can see those flaming red flags a half mile away. Plus they are higher off the water than a pillow.

The turn boat is there for the racers to see from a distance and then when they get closer, the markers appear. Turn boats should never move.

I'd like to see a dozen white markers to show the inside of the course. I just don't want to set them or retrieve them.:)

Folks, that 10" screen wasn't even in play. We used it as a big speed display, so that we wouldn't be breaking any rules ...

Navigating to and finding the turns is not the problem. You go where Ron's turn boats are.

It's the tight quarter stuff, especially with 5 boats going into the same turn, and a frikken Larry Flint boat trying to find an opening in our rear ...

JB, I didn't mean any disrespect to any fellow racers, I was just trying to be positive. Are your friends so good that they cant learn more, If so I would think they would want to move on to a higher challenge. Which class do you recommend moving up to? Which class goes so fast you cant read your compass? Which is harder reading a compass at 70 mph in a 24' boat or 80 mph in a 36"? I hope I continue to be blessed with the ability to race and one day move up but it would have to be at least P-3 because we beat P-5 and P4 now. Call Chris he can put you is boat, he would love the business. Then Tread and I can take you to buoy school. LOL Just kidding, Norm

Maybe a large orange flag like a biker flag waving in the wind attached to the current bouys standing 6 ft might help....20/10 is better than 20/20....let's get sirius now..

Re: Much BIGGER turn markers.
 

I disagree. ;) I could see all 5 turn bouys at the Savannah Race and I was on shore near turn 5, near Ft. Screven. :o

Also, this is what I know....

1.) I was told those bouys were brand new.

2.) The bouys were so big in Marathon they would hardly fit into the boat!

Have a good race guys.


Example: (Marathon Race Bouy)......

Marathon has never been a problem beaucause of the calmer water. What happens when the seas are 4-5 feet and your marker is 4 feet tall? Also a 50' turn boat is fine if there is no other boats in the area but at a mile away with other passer buy boats its hard to pick which one is the turn boat. This is just my opinion which doesnt mean APBA will do anything about it. I just like to hear the input of other racers. Sometimes following is much easyer!
MD:D

Maybe the turn boats could have some simple type of strobe light that can be picked up even in the dense haize from miles away so at least your heading in the right direction and inevitably the buoy will be evident as one gets closer.....there are many ways to help with visibility, not everyone has eagle eyes but APBA should open theirs' to the driver's liking....

question. if you guys make the turn markers so big, how can the cat hull boats get over them.and if you hit or deflate one do you loose points or time penalties.and the big question is does the team pay for a new one.$$$

The Buoys they are using cost around $5000 and yes, if you hit one, you buy one.

I think Doc had a good Idea to get a sponsor to Pay for them. I am sure if any (or all) of us came to them and said "here are your new Buoys, if they get hit, they get bought, but use them for us." They would be glad to use them.

If you remember, they had larger ones and a few of them were "Popped."

JB, we would love to see you in the class again this year, winning a few more flags.