Power to weight
 

I have recieved a lot of calls in ref to the formula being used in P1 overseas.
Lets put some idle minds to work.
Some teams would like to see a class of wide open racing, I have my doubts that with the assortment of boats, power to weight could be effective in our series.
What do you think? Smitty

I think it would be very cool and I would definitely give it a shot, but as to how it would work. No idea, I would leave that up to others that know better. If Smitty and Louie are in I'm in.

Smitty, haven't you allready used the example of your two boats both with the same power and realized the speed difference, both being approx. the same weight.??

Yes I have. But I figured it was worth getting some input.

Just and idea.....

Pick 10 differant type boats and within 3 feet of each, then ask the teams the hp they are currently running and what there boats weight and at what speeds they are running..... see how close there speeds and acceleration is......After watching both the Fountain and the O/L diminate P1 last year....it looks like the newer designs are running up front....I know there would be a big differance in speed with Bill's Cig and my Dragon compaired to the 38 Foutains....all of us weighting around 8k with the same hp...with about a 10mph differance....

Interesting subject here... a while back, I was curious as to how my boat stacked up against the P1 boats with power-to-weight.

Evolution class has a p/w ratio of 1hp/3.5kg, Supersport class has p/w ratio of 1hp/4.5kg. If my lbs/kg conversion is right, I'm running with 1hp/2.98kg! Does this mean that I could run away with the Evolution class? I think not.

So many factors contribute to a boat's competiveness, hull type, steps/no steps, balance, x-dim, etc. My boat weighs a ton, has a straight bottom, has hooked with age (or was possibly designed in), and is just plain old technology.

Your GPS-verified class placement is working well. We have competitive racing with large variances in hull designs out there. Think about the tech process that would be needed to verify each team's power output, and also how to maintain parity within the classes. Sounds like a tall order.

It ain't broke, Smitty!

Cheers,
Brian

would be a great idea, what speeds/size are you looking for?

Prop shaft dyno testing would be the easiest
http://www.land-and-sea.com/prop-sha...arine-dyno.htm
This one isnt powerful enough, but you get the idea.

Could also make it fit into a current spec class so those boats can cross over.

I dont race boats, but I have raced cars, motorcyles etc... when youstart P:W ratios,you lose the "run what you brung" factor and it becomes less about fun on the race course and more about frustration in the shop. the algebraic formula is somethinglike:

Power = Common sense
weight Cubic Dolars

I will go first after I back my timing off 5 degrees and richen the carb 5 jet sizes before the test :D

And If we have to add weight, you want a pound of lead or a pound of feathers?