Please chime in if you have any interest in some sort of semi spec under 32 ft class,based around 85mph? maybe based on some prop calc. or HP x weight, this is your chance speak up !!!!

Isn't prop calc and a mph designation exaclty how the OPA classes work now?

The "semi-spec" class would have to have very specific rules that everyone builds to and speed ends up where it may.

let's hear what you got?

I don't mean to be a hater here but you've got one guy that wants this class that has a 500hp type motor and one guy who has a 750 supercat motor........I don't know where your going to end up at a semi spec class with that big of disparity to begin with???

AND LIKE ALWAYS <<<<RYAN TAKES THE FUN OUT OF EVERYTHING !!!!!!

WY DONT YOU TRY TO GET SOME MORE BOATS TO RUN IN YOUR CLASS ????? SO ATLEAST YOU CAN BE HAPPY .

Daredevil...Ryan does make a very valid point. He has been involved in the sport for many years and is certainly someone who knows what he is talking about.The A-Class was strong in the early to mid ninties in terms of boat count; mainly because it was the most affordable class.I was fortunate enough to drive an A-Class boat in some USO and SBI races.As the class evolved;so did the variety of hull and engine combinations.You had everything from 24ft open cockpit conventional vees with 450hp to 30ft canopied vees with 750hp.Inboards,outboards,stock,modified etc.The disparity in power and speed capabilities of the boats ultimately compromised the racing, and lead to the formation of the spec Factory 1 Class.

I understand why people want wide open throttle spec racing.I guess the real challenge now would be to try to develop a set of rules to address all of the variations in the boats that may want to participate in this class.It will also be interesting to see how the new open cokpit vee one design class developes.Bracket racing,although far from perfect,at least provides a place for the older boats to still race competitively.Just my opinion.

Anyway..I look forward to seeing your team at some OPA races in 2009 in whatever class you decide to enter.

I agree with Ryan and Mr Waterboy. You guys are trying to resurect a dead class. Hollis made a go of it two years ago with F-1, and the only team that committed was Typhoon. Whats different today? The economy sucks ...period. no one has the cash to piss away when they are worried about keeping their jobs. Lets stick to what already exists. You are trying to complicate things.

Scott, what happens when you blow a motor or two and you are out for the season? No money to keep going. The class is dead. Stick to P-4 and you'll be fine.

Oh,,,no doubt Ryan knows what he is talking about.
I was just trying to be funny and non the less think that it can be done.
There are alot of people out there that whant to see real racing,also alot of racers are tiered of Bracket racing.

Like you said rules that make sence is what we need for a class like this.

My boat is an old A-Boat ,basicly all the Phantoms and Extremes are too,but i would love to have a class only for open cockpits ,,,,,because its hard to run against a canopy boat.
And i think if we keep the rules simple enuff ,we are on to something.
Like Just N/A engines ,not more 540 ci, not longer then 32 and not smaller then 26.
No Blowers or any other kind of compression boost, not lighter then 4800 # max weight 6200 # and i think it can work.
Drives dont matter because the bravo style has the advantage in weight,and the SSM is solid and fast.
But wy would anybody put a SSM on a 26-28 foot boat weighing 4800 # ,so it will equal itself out ( kind of ).
The boats should all do between 75-90 MPH easy ,,,,,so lets race.

Also i would not care about stepped or non step, both of them have good and bad points.

I also would not compare it to F-1 because they had merc.sealed engines which made it hard for the bigger boats.

So again if you built a 800 HP N/A motor it needs to last and you can built it the way u whant.
If i put a 525 and a bravo in my boat , i would need to run P-8 or so. LOL

Bruce,,,been there ,,,blew up every time
But kept going and thrust me im on a smaller budget then u think,,,or everybody else.
But i love it,so i do my best to get back out and hopefully i will get an engine that lasts.

build your boat to run the class,