Class 5 Question?
 

I know OPA, Class 5, has a "BOAT SIZE LIMIT 30FT". Our race boat is a 30’ Hydra Powerboats. It measures 30’ 4”. Is there any leeway on the 30’ rule?

I would think 30ft 4" would be fine.

Rick..I wouldnt be so quick to speak. 30' 4" then 30'6" then 32'. Where does it stop?

and to add insult to injury with a blower motor???? I dont know bout that.

I strongly suggest both of you speak with OPA. your boats will create problems with the P-5 class.

Well my question is the length; I have email Smitty about it. Thanks.

As far as the blower motor. It is a pump gas, 89 octane motor that will be in an older (13 year old) OPEN COCKPIT boat that is 30' 4" with a single motor. Boat is being reconfigured for racing/poker runs/ family boating. Boat is turning a 22 pitch Bravo I four blade with a 1.5 gear at 6000 rpms. Older, straight, deep V hull has about a 10% slip factor, do the math? 75 mph is 75 mph, no matter how you achieve it, right? So why would it create problems?

Johnny,

Unfortunately for you, but the cut-off for Class 5 is 30 feet Maximum.

Also note this from the OPA Rules: "Inspectors do not have the authority to waive any aspect of the OPA Rule Book."

I am sure you will know how to get that boat to run up to 85mph. :drink:

Johnny,

I have to agree with Bruce on this one (standing here in disbelief lol) but 30 ft is 30 ft. One suggestion would be to clarify how OPA measures the boats and go from there. ie per APBA LLC specs my boat is 26' 10" for a 29 ft model boat. They dint factor the beak or the swim platform.

In looking at the pictures, I dont know about you, but I am pretty sure I see a 5" beak on your boat ;) Tim has proven that he is a closet Beaker :o lolol

Trent

That is the Anti Stuffing Bow Plane...It's not a beek boat. :rolleyes:

:D :D

We measured her from the very tip of the most forward front rub rail edge to the very back edge of the transom’s furthers point on the rub rail. That is the longest measurement we came up with and it was 30' 4". Rules are rules. If 30' 0" is the cut off, then Class 4 it is. I will just have to measure every Class 5 boat to make sure they are under 30' 0" mark as well. No fudge room, zero tolerance is a good thing, that was my question. I didn’t want to put her in Class 5 and dominate, then get to the Worlds and be measured and ruin a good year over 4" ;)

Just wanted to clear it up, up front! I am sure we can turn the wick up and get to 85 mph out of her for Class 4 and give those race only OSS SVL style canopy boats a run for their money! :D

I think its kewl how USAuctions.com, Team Jersey Boyz, R&S Twin Screws finished 1, 2, 3 in points in open cockpit boats over some of those Race Only Canopy OSS SVL style boats. Kind of gives the pleasure boat/stock racing style owners something to cheer for like Pro Stock drag racing cars. Fans can relate to them.

I agree with that Bruce, I was thinking his boat was listed from the manufacture as a 30'4 model and may have been only 29'9 or something like that buy the tape.

Lucky mines only 29'8 :eek:

Dont think they raced all the races for one, and in P-4 barring any mechnical issues , Typhoon rules the seas, Randy raced 6 races at the worlds, won P-5 Title, and was kicking a$$ until the steering coluum broke off, in one race and the coupler let loose in the other, and he still managed to race all the OSS races of the worlds.

True, good point. Randy is a racers racer for sure. But saying a blower motor in Class 5 will create problems, is like saying a race only canopy boat in Class 5 will create problems, same line of thinking. 75 mph is 75 mph. We want to race class 5 because we are a very low budget blue-collar race team and can’t afford to push the equipment to the breaking point. I am sure if we swap pulleys and turn up the boost and rpm’s we can run Class 4 or 3, but just thinking of cost of higher octane fuel, more stress on parts, etc. Like I said, we are a very low budget blue-collar race team and just want to run what we brung & have FUN! :)

First off, the SVL boats only ran two races last year. Most of the teams you mentioned ran almost every race.

Secondly, If you think you can keep up with a twin engine 38 or 34 with a single engine 30, I applaud you.

Its not an easy task....believe me.

30'4" with single engine blower motor remember? :D

So what you are saying is you have a boat that can probably run 85 or possibly 95, but you dont want to run those speeds because you dont want to break the boat. So you run class 5 and prop down to 75. Sorry....thats not racing, thats poker running.

Racing should be about hangin it out to the limit to win.....not sand bag and dominate the class.

Sorry, if I come off as a hard azz, I dont mean to be. but In my opinion thats just not the way it should be. The classes were set up 2 years ago. You had plenty of time to research them and put your boat together accordingly.

It is not propping down or sand bagging, by far! We set up for Class 5 & 75 mph top speed and put our boat together accordingly and that was what we were setting up the boat to run.

The thread was about the 30’ rule for Class 5. We believe we have a true 30’ boat. Were not 100% sure, since we do not know of any other 30’ Hydra Powerboats, since it was a kind of one of by Hydra using that 30 mold. So we measured our race boat from the very tip of the most forward front rub rail edge, to the very back edge of the transom’s furthers point on the rub rail. That is the longest over all measurement we came up with and it was 30' 4". Take off the rub rail and it is 30’ even! That was the question we had and the reason for this thread. Rules are rules and I will stand by whatever Smitty says. I have emailed him and pm him. Once he gets back I am sure he will clear up how boats are measured.

You came in with the “to add insult to injury with a blower motor???? I don’t know bout that. I strongly suggest both of you speak with OPA. Your boats will create problems with the P-5 class.”

So, that being said, now I have to find a way to move up to Class 4 to be legal, right?! So, now I have to twist the motor with more boost, over drive pulleys and more rpm’s! It is not sand bagging, it is what we planned and set the boat up for! Single engine, open cockpit, V bottom boat, on pump gas (87-89 octane), max 6000 RPM’s, 1.5 gear ratio, 22 pitch 4 blade Bravo I prop. Do the math, its 75 mph at best!

Seems like you have it all figured out. Good luck, have fun and be safe.

Sounds like if you need to run Class 5 then all you need to do is remove the rubrail....:evilb:
I didn't think they included bolt on pieces in the measurements. :confused:
Always thought it was the measurements of the glass as it came out of the mold.

Check for clarification if you must....:drink:

The yellow 29 Warlock with a blower had to run class 4, You should talk to Smitty when he gets back, I wouldn't think the 4" is as much a problem as the blower.

Rules are rules,stick to them or everyone will be looking for exceptions.Run the boat where it belongs,like Bruce said and believe me sometimes it is tough to accept but if they do not stick to there guns it will create more and more issues.

it was put in four based on prop calc i believe.

If your a chump run class 5 if your a racer go to class 4 but don't insult Smitty & Augie with that blue coller bullchit. I'm a garbageman and Curtis pulls wire. We built our boat wich is 13yrs old for class 2 but Smitty felt that we should be move up to class 1 while there are still boats in 2 with equal hull size and power. Anyway my opinion and mine only is that Smitty will do the right thing so get your a$$ to OC and your gonna have a blast in 4 or 5.:cool:

One milimeter over the limit is over. Period! Let one slide for a "minor detail" then where does it stop?? Thats the reason for rulebooks.

As far as the blue collar bullchit, lol... I work in farming and my partner is a carpenter. I make $12.50hr (need a raise!)... Doesn’t go far for racing, 2 kids, and all! We just want to go have some fun is all!!! And run what we brung and be legal within the rules!

I totally agree that rules are rules, NO GRAY AREAS! That is why I am asking the question up front before we start racing, not trying to get by with ANYTHING!

Fiberglass to fiberglass it 30" 0". Rub rail to rub rail is 30' 4", but how do you take the measurement is the question at hand? From rub rail to rub rail? I been in contact with Smitty and he will let me know.

Thanks for the help,
Johnny

Cut 4''s off the boat now its 30' long

Like I said before in another thread about P-Class style racing:

I raced some in 2000 in P-5 Class, was just about when P class started as an organized entery-level class. Had a daughter, then a son and had to get out of racing for a bit. Plan to get back into it in 2008. Looking forward to race in OPA and P-Class. I like the OPA no red tape, no hypocrisy, no hidden political agenda way of doing things. Doesn’t seem to be any feuds in that sanction. What was intriguing for me in P-Class, where many factors:

• Run what ya brung
• Fairly inexpensive & cost is really up to you! (like drag racing/bracket racing: More Speed=more $$$) but your really racing brackets and the bracket=speed-money
• Has a vast array of boats, great mix!
• No egos really, just FUN times and some bragging rights!
• Plus as a fan of the sport first and racer second, I could relate to P-Class open cockpit boats to my own boats and friend's and family’s boats. Kind of like how some like NHRA Drag Racing Pro Stock Class, you can relate the car’s body type to your own street machine (not like a funny car class so much and definitely not like a dragster)
• I kind of like to see the guys who tow their own boats to the race with their family and their SUV’s and all and make it a family weekend sport and a family trip/vacation at the same time.
• It seems to be more related to the “Average Joe” every day man’s sport.
• Kind of a grass roots racing run what ya brung.
• Race your boat on Saturday and take your boat on a cruise with family on Sunday.

Just my .02 cents as an offshore race fan foremost and a racer second. Love the sport, then the competition!

Johnny

:D

Sorry I was away......One comment here first. And please take this lightly. Guys, welcome the new guys. Dont chase them away. Help them understand the rules. Sometimes, we forget, that we have been doing this for a long time, and the new racers may need some help and guidence in a positive way. I gave Johnny my number, and we'll talk tomorrow. Welcome aboard. Smitty

well when we started it was not always cordial but that has changed dramaticaly simple need help ask cause this is a family so to speak. when you get to site anyone and everyone will try to help you. Hope to get to a few this year.

Thanks Donzilla

Sorry Smitty I thought I was being nice !.

Don't worry there J-bird we'll give you guidence while your chasing us.:evilb:

Johnnyoffshore,

My advice to you....Listen to what Smitty has to say. I learned a lot from him and is looking forward to meeting him at St. Clair. He is a great guy...Of course feel free to ask any racers also! :) :)

Great Advice!!! Thank you.

Johnny good luck hope to see you nexted year. I am shooting for 08 now going in for another knee surgery the 15th:rolleyes: and don't think its going to work:rolleyes: . so 08 makes more sents, 07 has been a nightmare. so just maybe we will see each other in p5. Good luck ARTIE

I use to race for Team Baja in 2000, GOOD TIMES!!! Good Luck on the surgery, hope things work out. We will see you in Class 5 on the race course in 2008.

God Bless,
Johnny

:eek:

Rick,
The 29' scarab clearly fits into class 5 specs.

So does the Cat :evilb: But I'm still holding out hope for class 4. Just need to find another 14mph (and a motor :eek: )

Honestly you won,t be competive in (4).find a way to get those 4" off. I hit a bulk head with my 28 cigerette straight on. the impact flattened the first several inches. we worked dilligenty to get the nose back to correct demensions. it would have been easy to fix as hit which in your case would have gotten you in to (5).we could run 85 m.p.h in the magnum running it at 100 %,in class(4)The twin engine old factory (2)boats could run 85 at 80%In the big picture you will break you stuff and have big bills and not much fun.good luck. Grumpy G

That is great advice and my thoughts exactly! Thank Grumpy.

[QUOTE=GARBAGEMAN;2149671]If your a chump run class 5 QUOTE]

:rolleyes: