What class should this be in?
 

If you were to race a 32' Sunsation ( the running surface is under 30' if you exclude the swim platform ) with 454 mags the boat runs around 78MPH in ideal conditions low fuel. With 496Mag HO's and Bravo One 28" pitch props it will run a best around 80 MPH loaded with fuel it will average around 78 MPH. Would both these boats be able to run in P-5 would you have to run a smaller prop in the boat with 496 Mags to get the speed down? I think either one of these boats would not be competative in P-4.

Thanks Kirk

I think you would need to add some power and run #4. Last year we had a 35 fountain (only a 28 if you dont count the beak:eek:) he ran class 4 and had a ball with a boat unable to break 80.

Just run and have fun....

Yep, no twin i/os in class 5 so class 4 is the best fit.

Class 5 also has a 30' limit. Class 4 would be your class.

Since when is there arule for no twin I/O in class 5 ?????

I thought if he cut of the swimplatform and make it to a thru 30 he be ok ??? NO ???:party-smiley-004:

Then again ,,,every boat is competetive even if it only runs 75 in class 4.
Because most of them break all the time .LOL

New Rule?:grinser010:
:food-smiley-007:

So do they count the length as overall length of the boat or tha actual running lenght of the boat. From the bow to the transom of the Sunsation is under 30'. I didn't see anything about no twins in P-5 maybe those are last years rules I saw on the OPA website. I didn't know if the speeds of the two boats were to high to run in P-5.

Thanks, Kirk

You can slow it down to 75mph, no problem with that but your still a Sunsation 32 and it is what it is. If they made a exception I could see allot of 29 Fountains moving down to class 6.

Just run 4 and have a ball, if you like it after a year and would like to continue just upgrade the power, or upgrade to another "race only" boat.

But it's Smittys call...

Hi Kirk, If the running lenght is under 30 ft you are good for class 5. The twin IO boats are ok, provided it does fall within the speed bracket of the class. We might have to go for a spin. If you have any questions 732 920 3945. Gimmie a buzz. Smitty

Thats what i am talking about .

Smitty will fix it !!!!
Just hope he helps me this year ?! LOL:party-smiley-004:


C-YA !!

Wow shows ya how much I pay attention. I could have sworn the rules only allow twin o/bs and a few twin small blocks grandfathered in.

Honestly, with the way a twin boat stays hooked up AND accelerates anyone serious about winning class 5 should be building a twin boat. So Kirk, sounds like you should have a blast - in 4 or 5!

Thanks, Smitty

I have to agree with Randy on this one. No new twin boats in class 5

After receiving several phone calls I post this. If Im not mistaken the 32 Measured beyond 30' nose to top of transom by APBA and was removed from F1 after 1 or 2 races. The only rule that was discussed at the Meeting last week was no more twin engine boats in class 5, grand father the registered boats that were presently racing, it was just 3 years ago that F1 boats were allowed in class 5 because 27' boats racing against 38's

I have to also agree with Mad Dog and Eddy, one of the problems racing a single engine boat against a twin engine boat is the acceleration. If we are going to allow twin engine boats to enter the class( regardless of the size of the boat), are we going to allow the single engine boats to run super-chargers? or maybe a small turbo-charger? I think the line has to be drawn in the sand at some point to keep this class rub rail to rub rail. Just my oppion not fact!!

I remember in Mentor a few years ago we ran our bat boat against a twin Velocity and I think Stanch was running it. If he hadn't run out gas we would not have been able to touch him. He was just playing with us, looking over his shoulder and then hammering down. You can't stay with twin big blocks with a single small block

As the rules read now twin engine boats are allowed in class #5, so I have no problem with that. Problem is the rules read 30ft and under and like fastedy said it's over in length.

case closed you would think.

The objective here is not to eliminate anyone from racing. Always remember that. We will have a call in the next few days to discuss the class. But, before everyone jumps on their key boards, think for a minute. If the boat is under 30 ft, and has the stock power he says it does, how fast do you really think it is. Can it run 85 and compete in class 4? No. Do all the boats in class 5 run well over 80? Yes. This particular boat probably stuggles to get 75, and with stock power will not excellerate worth a shi#. So when you say no twin engine boats, you are eliminating racers. Not what we are about. So while in a perfect world I would love to see a single engine class, there may have to be some exceptions. The answere would be for the class to vote on the particular boat once you see it face to face.

WOW,,that means i can run class 5 aswell ??!!! LOL
















No, Smitty is right people,,think about it ,,,no experience and a stock boat. Verses race experience and 600 + HP single engine RACEBOATS ??!!! mmmmmhhhhh . I quess he is right.
The more boats the more fun and the fun the better !!!!!!

All u guys shold worry about smitty Kissing me this year and u know where !!! LOL:grinser010:

One other thing guys. I am fielding tons of calls from new teams. This is amazing to me, with things the way they are. Do me a favor. When a new team comes in here and shows an interest in racing, before you all blow him out of the box with rules, how about welcoming them in first. And then we'll find a place for them to race. I think we have done an excellent job of placing all of these different boats in classes where everyone is competitive. This is the most important task we have, in OPA. Trust me. Smitty

Damn Smitty you going soft on us? You are from jersey remember!!!!


:drink:


But once again the voice of reason prevails! If you can afford timewise to do a case-by-case then by all means let 'em run! Great news on the new teams. Like you said that is a bit suprising with the state of the economy - says a lot about OPA. :ernaehrung004:

Kirk we havent met but im boomer smitty's son nd ill be in 5 with my 24 carrera nd a big block nd i aint scared ''but they might be specially MaDog'' lol cant wait to race ya man

Thank god boomer,,,i don't need to worry . I can stay in class 4 now and not getting my a$$ beat'n from u.

Stay SAFE ,,C-YA !!! :grinser010:

Dont be so sure daredevil we'll settle this in practice the day before :evilb:

:eek:...........OK !!!!! :drink:

So Daredevil did you want that intake manifold plumbed for nitrous before I send it out??? :party-smiley-004:

Really? I thought we proved the opposite at Boyne Thunder???? Especially with a certain red Donzi! :evilb: :ernaehrung004:

He'll need it

Yeah but that Donzi only had twin Ilmors! :evilb:

That sure was fun wasn't it?

Scott don't you have a engine in your boat to race

Smitty does make a lot of sense.:ernaehrung004:

Yes, Smitty is right. My earlier post was in response to racing against a twin outboard boat (we all know who I'm talking about....and no not DOCKBLOOD no offense Joe). I would never want to scare off a new racer as I was a new racer last year and everyone from the OPA and I mean everyone helped me get the boat dialed in (unfortunately a little to good). This year I have asked Smitty for some more help, we will be racing in a new class and have had several conversations and or emails about it. The OPA has the highest boat count for a reason.......lets not forget why!!!

Chris

How bout single engine canopies in class 5? Maybe Simmons can move down to class 5 too.

sorry guys ..I cant take it any more. Yes...I know everyone wants to have fun, but after all, its all about competition. thats why we have rules. If you change them, you lose integrity. I thought 30 foot max, single engine was a perfect parameter for class 5.

I dont think any one wants to chase new teams away. but what happened to building boats for a class? Not the other way around. Everyone can't be happy. many of these teams have been around since day one. Im sure you dont want to chase them away.

remember.................

"If your not first ....your last"

SHAKE n BAKE

2nd place is the first loser :drink::drink:

NOT YET !!!!:party-smiley-004:

Bruce,

You racing this year?

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues

Maybe. Not sure where.

Looks like OPA is offerring a SVL class for you and the other local SVLs. Cant beat the price, location or prize money. So what's the deal? Run it!

I doubt that the SVL fleet would be able to run OPA races. They can barely get the entire OSS schedule in. And that is their priority.

We'll see