Can't say we want to.


Rich

You know you want more POWER

HP also doesnt matter quite as much in the ocean, which we should have more of next year

Not really. I think 500 HP is enough to push a 26' foot boat around.

Guys,

This is an inherit problem with "Bracket Racing". Here's the bigger issue, in February, there is a rules meeting/awards banquet in New Jersey and yes I have only attended last year, but I heard only complaining and nothing about being apart of the solution and trying to solve this mess. Thankfully at that time Smitty proceeded to the awards as it was obvious that nothing was getting accomplished. The only time it is discussed is with our little private pow wows and here on the boards. That being said, nothing will ever be solved or fixed. I am sure Smitty would have no problem if you as classes had calls or meetings and prepared a written proposal to make it better. As long as it meets insurance, safety guidelines, and the financial framework of OPA, I am positive he would let it fly.

Another issue is as much as we enjoy winning, how can you as a "new" race team expect the rules to be changed every time a "new" boat comes out to race? This brings up the old cliche of "Build a boat for the class, not a class for the boat" Every boat is different which is made evident by the personnel piloting the machine to the hull design. ie 26' Joker with 500hp makes it a 70 mph boat, 26' 10" Fountain with 500hp makes it an 85mph boat. Your trying to tell me that 10" gives it an extra 15 mph??? uhhh no

Jason, The rules were changed in SBI based on the racers wishes and was put to a vote, nothing more, nothing less. OPA has the same capabilities however we as racers MUST go about it in a professional and dignified way. There are easy solutions as well as tough solutions and no not everyone will be happy, however we as Racers must look in the mirror and quit putting blame on any organization. We, the racers are the problem, what are we, the racers, going to do about it?

Well said. I agree with the Build a boat for the Class policy.


Can anyone else tell winter is coming?

I think Bilgerats point is: Is the unregulated horsepower good for class 6?

No. Not in whats supposed to be an entry level class. Ok...ill go back to my class 5 business now

This class 6 topic normally starts after christmas early start this year .
Remember people keep clean keep it nice everybody can see what we are talking about.
Ill start with entry level boat what is considered entry level.
Horsepower cap thats the biggie lots of opionions on that one.
These two things that i listed should keep everybody going for a while lets here some opions.

Entry level needs to be considered, and if I was an entry level guy i would want to be able to come in with an inexpensive hull and horsepower and still have a chance to win within the rules. I don't consider myself Entry Level, but would sure like to get back into the OPA, and will probably be able to do it quicker with a class 6 boat. I think a loose horsepower cap is a good idea, problem is need to keep costs at a minimum and loose is a loose word. I'm not gettin on Gary, I had a 26' Velocity with a 385HP 454 MPI, boat ran an honest 72mph. There is several of these hulls that come for sale affordably, PFE may not really want to run that boat 75mph against 30' boats. The big horsepower has a better chance to breakout thing is a non-topic, any decent throttle hand can keep that from happening. By the way is there a single outboard powered 26' V hull that will go 70 MPH??