Since people are requesting to move down I thought I would do something different and for the second time request to move my 29 fountain with a sealed 500 efi to move UP to class 4 for the Chattanooga race? I would rather get lapped than break out 3 seconds into the race like we did in 07 and that was with a 24 Bravo.(1.36 ratio) back to a 1.5 now and based on the prop calcs with a 29 Hydro I will obtain 84.583 mph. Being that is based at 10% slip, I usually avg approx 6-7% slip since I race her in kilo setup there. 85 shouldnt be an issue for her.

As I said back then, this is your sandbox, I am there specifically to support Jim Poplin and the Make a Wish Foundation(nothing more, nothing less). Whatever you guys want, the 29 is retired now and will only be brought back to run this race and Jupiter, the 35 will be the meat and potatoes from here on out.

Trent

I'm runnin with stuck on stupid and I dont give a fuge who has what bring it me & ant are gonna show Boomer how to get his gonads to swell LOL and kick all ur azzez

Hannibal, very nice statements that Smitty, Louie The Rigger and I don't usually get. Thank You. Guy's, ALL we can do is try to be fair with everyone. When and if you were there five years ago when Smitty and I took over OPA we told you all, What's best for all our teams and I think we've done a pretty good job. Hannibal, Smitty said the first steak of the season goes to you. How do you want me to cook it. Great Hoboken Eddie Sauces!

Augie,

I believe what Smitty said was that this was our organization and what ever we, as a class vote on, he will implement.

I know you want to keep every one happy, but its impossible. Class 5 has always been the life blood with the most boats and the most excitement, and most of the teams have been here from day one. I think it would be prudent to keep them happy.

Im not trying to start trouble. I dont want to be banned again. But lets keep it real.

twin motors should be in class 4. Grandfather in boats that ran last year. I dont think a canopy vee lite is any more competitive than a twin engine 30 footer in class 5.

I think the class 5 guys should cast a vote.

just my opinion from someone who has had to run against twin engine 30 footers in class 5.

"But Im just an 800 pound Gorilla in the room."

Being a class 5 team, I believe the ruels have been and are fine. The class is a success. I also believe that a ruel change has to have more than just the class vote to approve it. Current racers don't always have the whole picture in mind when they vote. I think this has been proven many times over in other organizations, APBA vs OSS, OSS vs Pro Series, Merc vs Non Merc, Merc vs Wiesmann, OSS 850 vs OSS 750 etc . My preferrence is to have a conference call where the racers make recommendations and then Smitty and The Boyz weigh them with the good of OPA as a whole.

Just my thoughts on it...

Well if the rules are fine, do you have a problem with a 30 foot canopied boat in class 5? Its not in the rules.

Bruce, as you of all people know, the rules are also subject to the number 1 rule, "Do no harm to the OPA". Or something like that. In other words, why make a change for one boat, that does not race an entire season with OPA, and effect an entire class which is already sucessful? SVL has a class in OPA already, just bring the boats, what's wrong with that?

Canopy 30' boats will chase the open boats right out. If you think you can tackle the same corner in an open boat as you can with a lid you are kidding yourself.

Class 5 has been a great success, this major change would likely take away from the class rather than improve it.

I agree. I dont know why Im even posting on this. But I guess Im just saying that twin engine boats should not be in class 5. Just like SBI is and APBA was. thats all.

With regards to SVL in OPA. I doubt it will happen. You would only have possibly, 3 boats max. Me, Randy, and Heater.The rest of the SVL fleet is loyal to OSS schedule.

thats all I really have to say. You guys figure it out.

fantastix have ever taken 6ft waves sitting down

Hello, i havent raced much with my own sutphen but i saw it was brought up. If work would allow me to race more i would jump on it. I too think smitty has been very fair. I read the rule book before putting the sutphen together and spoke with those that are in charge. My boat was teched and was legit for class 5. If i am pumped up to 4 then o well. I do know that twin small blocks arent posting high speeds but i think if your boat fits in the class why not let all who has run?

so a single engine 30 canopy that fits in the speeds of class 5 -yes make them happy, its one more happy family racing and being a spokes person for the org.

6 footers? Ya and that was on a jetski going around key west with the gf on the back!!!! :angry-smiley-038:

ahaha best part was when we got back the guide said "I was going to make you turn around and go back with the water this rough, but i couldn't catch you! Best day on the water since I've been here". classic. drive it like you stole it! :drink:

I'm sure smitty/opa will put you in where ever you fit. I don't think there's been one complaint on them being unfair.

Hey Bruce. I think that's why we're going to have the phone call, see if we can get everybody on the same page. The "OUR TEAMS" doesn't mean Mine or Smitty, it means "YOU GUY"S", everything should and is about all of us at OPA. I'm just one of the four guy's that's gotta go into his pocket when there ain't enough money for the sites. I'd love to keep everyone happy but that's not reality so we'll try to do the best we can for all you guy's. Once in a while you do bring up valid points.

Heather,,,i know my boat is a little longer then yours but almost as light and i sit down aswell .

Taking 6-8 at 75-80 MPH ,,,the thing with the lid is u feel alot safer and push it alot more to the limit,,,THATS A FACT.

U be fine in class 4 ,,because not always and i don't care what they say ,they will go 80-85 ,,,also your boat will outturn any bigger boat ,,plus the exelaration on the litlle activator is way more the on a bigger boat,,and that is usually what wins a race.
I would start in class 4 if i where u and then if smitty and augie would realy see (what i don't believe) that your boat has no chances at all,,,i think they be fair enuff to drop u in class 5 !!??

Just my 2c .

Wasn't this you Niel? Ocean City I think.

That's a great shot but haven't done Ocean City yet...I think I'm still thawing out that early in the season! Keep me in mind if you have any open seats throughout the year.

What's the little guy got for power this year? Its just beggin' for an LS7!

The Bat has a brand new 377 Scorpion. Tyler just dyno it at 403 hp and 435 Torque. Plenty to spank Class 5 :drink:

I can't wait to put the hurt on the Crockett Rocket!

dean does your class 5 boat have a canopy? My boat is 26ft transome to nose overall a bit smaller than your avg svl

Yes it does, since it is a bat boat. It also is 22 feet long with a 48" beam. About 3000 lbs with a stock small block. Problably better suited for Class 6, but I enjoy racing and only winning when everything works perfectly. To me it is no fun when you know all you need to do is finish and u will be on the podium.

I can go for a boat ride and buy a big trophy for less money, I want to race!

Thats where you be mistaken. The V lites will not out turn or accelerate better than the bigger twin engine conventional Vees. Trust me. I know his boat, Ive raced it.

I would rather see a slow SVL in class 5 than a 32 Twin BB Sunsation.

But in a perfect world I would rather see both in class #4 so I have two more people to race with.

Guys....the 27 SVL Activator is a 88 mph boat.....and can see 85 mph in 2 to 3 footers......are we now placing boats on lenght and not speed....anyone knows that has raced a 30 foot or less open cockpit boat over a canopy boat is day and night in big water....hanging on when you stuff a open cockpit boat is tough enough....if you say there is not any advantage to a canopy boat in big water is not being up front...there is a big advantage....and then have to prop down to cut 12 mph off the boat to not brake out.....do you guys not think that its a littler over the top....we all know the F1 boats are capible of 80-82 mph in calm water...so proping down a little I can see and I think the F1 boats fit into Class 5 good....but should there not be a cap on the HP in Class 5....is there no limits..Eddie just picked up another 30 Super Boat....should he be able to put in 750 to 850 hp in it.....and I'm not saying he is....but if there is no limit...if that happend....what would happen to the 525hp boats in that class.....you can look at any other Class above Class 5 and you will see boats bigger then others racing in there Class....example: JC 32 Activator racing against my 39 Dragon....my boat sits 5 feet taller and makes his boat look like a fly....but in clam water its kicks out butts....but in ruff we get him.....and I think the Octane team is a great example how they can win in Class 4....will they win over the big boats in the big water...probably not but they are up front in the calm....but think of some new teams wanting to come out....and they pick up a old F1 Boat with a HP 500 in it...soon they will not be able to even compete if you start puting in SVL in the Class......

Heater I have talk to you and I hear what your saying....but if you ran your boat the whole OPA season in Class 4....and you finished every race....you would see you would be right up front in the point standings....and I know your boat...its fast and is a great ruff water boat...

Just my 2 cents from a Class 6 team....and maybe a Class 5 team also

Very valid point Gino, I guess no boat is perfect for every condition. But like I said I would like to see both boats in question in class #4 so I have more people to race with.

(On a side note, did you use spell check? :eek:)

Rick,,,,,u gonna have your hands full with me,,,,so don't worry about others.LOL:grinser010:

I agree though,,,SVL and everything over 30 feet in class 4 !!!!:ernaehrung004:

Are you from Key West? :eek:

Sorry but my props dont spin that way :party-smiley-004:

No need for spell check....I have Bruce and Ryan on here to correct me......

Man ,,u know alot about KW ,,,,,i was refering to racing,,,didn't know u fall in love that fast .LOL:eek:

So I've been lurking and listening to everyone’s opinions and concerns about the Activator in class 5. Dave here, the throttleman with Heater.

I think that OPA does a great job, but I think that they messed up putting us with class 4. Don't get defensive and your panties in a bunch yet...hear me out.

You weren't the ones in the cockpit in OC TRYING to get the boat on plane coming out of the channel. We raced our azzes off in OC trying to keep up with the other class 4 boats. Rough water we're better? 26' with a 6' beam...and a will to live! We are not much bigger than a Bat Boat. Our STOCK SEALED (from Merc and can be verified) 525 is a great engine package, but as Heater has said, we can't keep a drive on the thing. Pushing the speed envelope with that boat to be at 85mph all day is just not realistic. I would guess to say that if you took EVERY boat in class 5...put it on the edge, with the most aggressive set-up, they would all run 88mph. See, that's what we have to do to TRY to keep up in class 4. We can't out accelerate a twin boat, even Augie's condo blew us away on the start of the OC race.

For those who don't know, we have the ONLY 26' canopied Activator...the "red headed stepchild" as it is. Everyone has had their hand on this thing and everyone has their solution to make it run faster. It can't. We have maxed out the time and effort to get it competitive in OSS, we can't keep up. The best fit we believe is OPA class 5. We will STILL be one of the smallest boats there!

Thanks for listening,
Dave

listening??? coudnt' hear you ...speak up next time:drink:

I don't have a dog in this fight (class5) ,,but i hear u and i think since it's realy and i know that for a fact ,,only a 26 foot boat and not competitive in SVL i think smitty should droop u in class 5 !!!!:ernaehrung004:

Bounty Hunter (the 25 Corsa one) was competitive in class 4 with a open pit, so was Grampa's Toy ; 26 American Offshore.

Your 26 can be competitive with a little more H.P., But just not in the BIG WATER, But neither were the two above I mentioned, chit it big water Augie condo laps class #3 cats.

I personally would like to see you in #4 (more for me to race), But honestly this could go both ways and be fair.

But if your allowed in 4 what about Randy, or Bruce? will they be allowed down also?

Additional horsepower is not going to be an option for us.

This is not about Bruce, Randy (he already has a class 5 boat), or other SVL's. Let's keep this about our Activator. I'm not going to speak on their behalf.

Dave

Rick,,,randy and bruce,, both 29 foot boats (REAL SVL) running 90 + MPH in 4-5 foot seas !!!! I rely think u canot compare them to the Activator,,,,i seen that boat run and i worked on it ,,,i tell u ( NO AFENSE ) its NOT a SVL,,,,,its a wanna be SVL !!! SORRY .:party-smiley-004:

Like I said; I would like to see you in 4, but I understand if they allow you to move into # 5.

But In the future if a team buys a SVL and try’s racing it in #5 you can be sure your name and team will come up to help there argument, that’s all I'm saying.

What one second.. If we don’t have a “written” rule against canopied boats in #5 why are we having this conversation?

once again...you are wrong. Its not a wanna be SVL. The boat ran well as the original SVL when it was High Noon.

The Phantoms and Extremes just have more boat in the water and are more stable.

It can however, be competitive in semi rough water. I know, I ran it. it runs better in the rough. It is extremely squirlly in calm water over 87 mph. It chine walks like a sum bi*ch, causing it to bow steer and subsequent barrel roll.

Will it ever win in SVL ? probably not, unless everyone else breaks,can and does happen. That how Lavey craft won in PR and OB.

Will it ever winn in class 4? Probably not, unless Augie, Simmons, Awesome , INMOCEAN and Octane break or breakout. Which can happen as well.

For the record, If I race, I will race class 4. I have proven we can win in the ocean against the bigger boats (PP 2007) Simmons was right on our azz the entire race. It was a blast trying to hold them off.

Oh ,,,,,,$HIT ,,u did it,,,u upset me ,,,,shame on u ,,,,,,so u think the activator can win against me ??????????? in class 4 .

Tell u what bruce u jump in it and show everybody how it runs in class 4 ?! How's about that ?! LOL:grinser010:

That would be easy for 2 reasons

1- you dont finish races
2- we can kick your azz in 4...hand down

1- i "DID" not finish races !!!!
2- Can't wait untill u show me ,,,hand down :rolleyes::evilb: