Amen!

It all depends on your goal.

If you want a national professional touring series, you need the big boats. They are the guys that have the resources to do the extensive travelling required.



If you are looking for a grassroots, affordable offshore organization based in the Northeast, OPA would seem to fit the bill.

We have all seen them come and seen them go. Big cats with big budgets blowing cash like it grows on trees. Yes i know fans come too see all the glitz and glamor but in the end its the little shoe string budget guys keeping the sport alive. If not for the little guys there would be 6 boats in the pits and 45 minutes of racing at best. Lets all hit the lottery and blow our brains out on million dollar boats and trucks so we to can have a hand full of trophys and pics on the wall only to remind us of better times. Or lets get our heads out of our asses and make the best of what we got. Any body in opa think a first place payout of say $1500 bucks means a dam thing to any body racing a supercat or better? how about helping out the little guys by taking the purse from the 2 giant money pits that show up in a couple of the elite classes and put it into the smaller less fortunate or should i call us the retreads of racing lmao.only being serious
Peace out

A class for my 28 Cigarette to fit into? I would love the opportunity.

I agree with both posts.I think offshore powerboat racing is very similar to off road racing in many ways.Off road racing has a few premiere classes that get the majority of the fan interest,media attention,sponsor support, and higher purse pay outs.In SCORE;the main sanctioing body for off road racing,the featured classes are TROPHY TRUCK and CLASS 1.The level of equipment and cost to compete is very high in the top classes.But SCORE also offers many other classes for all types of trucks and cars, motorcycles and ATVs; to fit just about any type of budget.The entry level classes feature stock trucks,jeeps and even VWs!These limited and sportsman level classes are part of every major event(the biggest being The Baja 1000) along with the professional classes.SCORE considers the limited and sportsman classes as an important part of thier overall race program;and these classes make up the majority of the entries.And SCORE usually has 200 to 300 total entries per event!

I think the idea of an affordable entry level class or classes does not dilute our sport.It opens it up to more potential participants.Its not meant to take away anything from the established higher classes.I do think it makes sense to keep this class or classes as trophy only and no prize money.And to keep it affordable as possible by offering reduced registration fees.It is also very important to note, that many great drivers and throttleman over the years got thier start racing at this level..and some are still racing today at the highest level in offshore!

Does anyone know what the smallest ft of boat is allowed per the K & K insurance policy? Most base policies are 24 ft and up but I am sure exemptions could be made at a higher cost rate of course. Before all of this talk of allowing 23 ft and smaller boats into the fleet as an entry level class, maybe the insurance question should be answered and obviously the more boats the merrier lol but if it makes the policy rate go up, they should cover that cost, unless all the big money guys talking on this thread want to step up and absorb the cost

I agree, ocean races should be 1 race. My first race was point pleasant 2005'. It was 1 race, it was foggy as ****, it was big, it was fun. I'll admit it was hairy getting passed by boats going 115+ but it also made it more challenging. Much better show for the fans also. Having all the boats go out on the course at once is key.

I agree! Its the same deal if you go to your local dirt track...you cant just hop in a Dirt Modified and go! I love watched the sprints and mini sprints run

Agreed! That sums it up perfectly

Back to "Entry Level" class. What I have noticed in this conversation is that a few racers are giving their opinions on what is best for the org or themselves. My opinion is that you should take a look at what you want to achieve before you consider adding another class.

Consider that with a few exceptions, most sites don't stay around for more than a couple of years, (same with the racers). The reason for this is they are not getting enough back for their costs. So if you keep on burning through them you wont have any left.

As a former Class 6,5,2 and SV Racer and Promoter I would tell you that what the racers want isn't always what the sites want. They want a huge bang for their buck. Most spectators at these events don't follow racing. Their only experience is at that single event. They want to be impressed and have a great time. So lets face it, Offshore Racing isn't set up for the spectator since most of the race is out of site and after the second turn most boats are spread out. You need to give them the pit party, bands, beer tent and hardwear that they haven't seen and can't afford. A guy with 42 Fountain or even a 38 Sea Ray isn't going to be amazed with a 26' battle wagon with a big block. Or for that matter a 24' with an outboard.

You got to consolidate classes, shorten the races and courses, and bring in the bling to keep getting someone to invest in your hobby.