class 7 growth explosion!!
 

I can't begin to tell you all how cool it is that this class is on pace to dominate boat count in a class. In under a year there has been more interest in this class than any other. IMO reasons being
1. I can finally join the fun and race a boat that wont break the bank.
2. Max speed at 60 MPH in a 22' is exciting to say the least.
3. Max HP of 225 HP will keep the cost down and not a HP war (not sure what the rule is but shouldn't be more IMO)
4. Ease of transporting
5. Big fleet to race against

Please keep it an affordable class that a guy with a $7,000 boat has the same chance as a guy with a new $50,000 boat. The ONLY way that is possible is with max HP limits. Please,please,please cap the size of the motors now before someone builds a new boat and puts in a 300 HP motor. The fastest way to kill this starter class is not restricting the HP NOW.
Thoughts?????

Its winter and its been quit here.

Randy,
You make alot of valid points. I think the biggest factor is cost. One can buy a class 7 boat for less than the cost of a new Bravo I drive. Mark has a 22 Velocity Hull and trailer for sale (with a new interior) for $5,000. Ad a 225 OB and be racing for well under $10,000.
I agree about limiting horepower. Personally, I'd like to see a 200 Horsepower limit, and NO brackett-heads up racing.
I know of a least 4 new boats that are coming out this year, possibly 7.
Out of the 4 races class 7 boats were at, we had 3 different winners.
I'd say class 7 IS off to a good start, but as you said: we need some parameters to keep it from self destructing.
Can't wait for summer and Class 7 OPA Racing!

2.5L limit.
That will keep teams at 280HP at the most, but nobody is going to run a 2.5 280...unless they want to rebuild it. A lot.
Its going to be hard to tech an HP limit..i turned my 200 into a 240 very easily.
2.5 Liter is your best bet

I am not at all familiar with outboard motors. Can we please have some civil input from some outboard guys on how it could be possibly tec'd or put into some kind of a spec? The goal being least amount of money for the owners with reliability. All that is based on HP IMO. My interest is based on what started as a few entry level boats has now the potential of being the biggest class in OPA in 1-2 years. This is exactly what offshore needs to get a new infusion of new young blood and older guys that always wanted to do it but could never afford it. Mark Henderson has done an outstanding job of fielding questions from new potential teams and even gone as far buying an extra boat that he will sell at his cost to a new team. Thanks Mark !!!!

What HP does it take to get to 60 MPH in these boats?
What is the difference in 2 stroke vs fuel injection of the same HP?Any advantages?
Is a smaller motor but WOT racing better than speed bracket?
Does anyone know the history of what happens to classes with poor HP rules?

What kept me out is motor. THe Avanti is a bit bigger/heavier than the rest of the fleet and it would have taken a 300 hp motor to run with the fleet. I found a big difference in price from the 250's to the 300's.

Be careful…may not want to change a good thing. Look at the boats that did well. There was diversity in the class for winners, and the racers had strong input into rules…

That being stated a 300 v8 is available and a velocity hull is available very very inexpensive! A rock bottom number to a OPA racer for class 7

I too think you guys have a great thing going! I would not change anything in the rules till you all have a full season of racing and full field of boats.

Ok.. I have a couple of these, whos got a boat :)

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This would be a cool class but the horsepower should be kept pretty low. A 22 Progression with a 2.5 280 will run over 90mph like this one...

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...2-with-280-EFI

The 60 mph break-out max speed limit is the great equalizer fellas.

Really hoped the class would be a spec class rather than a bracket class for flat out racing like SVL and supercat or even the small P1 class. Even if that means dropping the size down to 150 or less to keep it safe. Might be a good way to get APBA lake racers to transition to offshore.

Once the project gets going I bet OPA could probably leverage an OEM for good discounts from merc or evinrude, especially for a run of the mill engine. Either way glad to see its bringing new folks out to the sport and be great to see the boats run.

Will they run a full course? Might be neat to shorten the course and run them in front of the crowd between the larger heats.

I respect you input and agree as long as teams realize there will be possible changes in the future to keep competition tight. Now is the time to put it all on the table of what the class is about.

I just read the rules and they seem pretty clear to me as published. Don't get me wrong spec classes are awesome but based on the track record of the SVL class it tends to get unduly expensive and limits class growth. I'm hoping we get a few C7's up to Michigan in hopes to draw more racers. Good luck guys!

The problem with any type of “Spec” class racing is that people always find ways to beat the rules. The 60 mph break-out rule seems to be the best way to offer a level playing field that can’t be beat.

That alone should help attract more new entries into the class and help keep them active in the class for longer than just a season. If anyone wishes to race at over 60 mph, they should just move into the next faster class OPA offers and leave class 7 rules alone.

The 60mph speed bracket rule was implemented with safety,parity,and cost in mind.We also wanted teams to be able to "run what you brung" to get the class going.The seven currently registered boats have engines ranging from 200-300HP.There is no doubt that having more horsepower can be a competitive advantage,but several other factors are important to running well:boat set up,reliability,and the ability of the driver and throttleman to work well together etc.With that being said, I think long term a stock 200hp outboard makes sense.

Randell, are you running a class 7 boat?

I think a standard 200hp 3 liter optimax would be a good spec engine. As far as cheating and making sure that nobody is cheating, its simple. Anybody who wants to accuse another racer of cheating can simply pay for a tear down and inspect of the accused cheaters engine.

I was trying to work with a new team that has interest. Its all about the money and cost to maintain between races.

I wish the florida races were still on the schedule . Got a 22 velocity that would make a good class 7 boat. Have to see if i am going up to maryland

The boats with the 3.0 engines will never be balanced as well as the ones with 2.5L engines. I guess that helps the no HP limit...I bet a boat with a 300pm on it gets spanked in the ocean. On my boat I went from 8in of setback to 10....made a huge difference. Going from a 2.5 to a 3.0 will make an even bigger one

Thats a heavy and expensive motor that will take a beating offshore. You need at least solid mounts, lighter cowls, etc to make the stuff last. It really isnt that simple either. Who is doing the teardown? Bracket is the way to go. Usually the people who dont think bracket racing is competitive racing...have never done either.

200hp is the perfect amount on these boats for running 60. You dont have to run loose, stuff will last, etc. But 3.0s are not an offshore motor...at least on these boats.

Maybe this isn't the place ? as I believe the rule book says 300hp. But since I am assembling a boat now, what am I shopping for? A buddy found a 250, if I pop on that am I screwing myself for the season, when it changes down to 225? I don't have an engine yet so I can acquire what I need, but only plan on doing it once.

Smitty needs to address this now IMO. Either have a conference call with teams and prospective teams and toss around the pros and cons or leave it be the wild west of HP and money. Do this class right and it will grow big quick. Let class 6 be the learning lesson and turn it down a notch or 2 IMO.

Talk to Mark Henderson, although as I understand it its staying open HP but Bracket Speeds.


Randy you cant compare 6 and 7. Weight makes such a big difference in these little boats...a 3.0 engine (250s, 300s, etc) is going to throw the balance of the boat way off. By the time you throw 100lbs up front to balance it, the guy with the smaller HP 2.5 is going to spank ya.
I get what you mean though

There are a couple 22's that will run 90+ with a 2.5 280, if you propped that thing to run in the bracket it would accelerate like a rocket :eekdrop:

If it is a 250 merc, it can be detuned to 225 very easily, or even up tuned to close to 300 almost as easy.

And have to be rebuilt every other race.
They are also super light weight boats, with tons of setback. Not an ocean runner....
Right now the 21s running near 100 all have 300x motors.

A 22 foot Bat Boat or Backdraft with a Stock 90 Merc runs about 72MPH in the ocean. No other 22 footer will see it in the rough with anything less than a 2.5 . My 23 Bat Boat ran 103 with a 2.5 260 offshore propped for flat conditions. Set up for the ocean it ran 97MPH. On any typical offshore race day with a 6 mile course I was lapping my class by the third lap while texting from the drivers seat. My class was comprised of Progressions, Activators, Phantoms (British version), Superboats, Velocity. The closest was the Phantom.

Anyone have a 22' BatBoat they want to trade for my 22' Velocity ? ? Sounds unbeatable.

Lol.
.I was thinking same thing

Bilge,
I was thinking the same thing-I guess this guy could race in class 3 or 2 and kick everyone's azz?? LOL
Class 7 is deep V's only, no cats or air-entrapment hulls.

What race was that????

has potential....http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/25368

racing in Bermuda....

I sent Ryan some info on a batboat. Hopefully he will post it here. I can't post attachments. My original post was intended to be a heads up before someone, like I would, if entering class 7 brings a gun to a knife fight like what happened in SVL. Randy, I sent you a pm.

You're still bracketed at 60...

The class 7 is for older type boats. A batboat would never be allowed in....

I don't know Ryan, if its an outboard and the right length. Know one that I know has wanted to register one yet. And like Johnny said they are racketed to 60 and there are some real fast teams and they are not just old boats. Whens your little guy getting in a boat? lol

Connor is doing well, he's been out in the boats since he was 8 weeks old. He has been in my 24' Skater several times and ran in a 36' Skater for the New Years Day Fun Run. The Bat Boats would destroy the class in any condition. It is not a Vee hull, it is a air entrapment hull, that is what the wings do.