I know OPA, Class 5, has a "BOAT SIZE LIMIT 30FT". Our race boat is a 30’ Hydra Powerboats. It measures 30’ 4”. Is there any leeway on the 30’ rule?

I would think 30ft 4" would be fine.

Rick..I wouldnt be so quick to speak. 30' 4" then 30'6" then 32'. Where does it stop?

and to add insult to injury with a blower motor???? I dont know bout that.

I strongly suggest both of you speak with OPA. your boats will create problems with the P-5 class.

Well my question is the length; I have email Smitty about it. Thanks.

As far as the blower motor. It is a pump gas, 89 octane motor that will be in an older (13 year old) OPEN COCKPIT boat that is 30' 4" with a single motor. Boat is being reconfigured for racing/poker runs/ family boating. Boat is turning a 22 pitch Bravo I four blade with a 1.5 gear at 6000 rpms. Older, straight, deep V hull has about a 10% slip factor, do the math? 75 mph is 75 mph, no matter how you achieve it, right? So why would it create problems?

Johnny,

Unfortunately for you, but the cut-off for Class 5 is 30 feet Maximum.

Also note this from the OPA Rules: "Inspectors do not have the authority to waive any aspect of the OPA Rule Book."

I am sure you will know how to get that boat to run up to 85mph.

Johnny,

I have to agree with Bruce on this one (standing here in disbelief lol) but 30 ft is 30 ft. One suggestion would be to clarify how OPA measures the boats and go from there. ie per APBA LLC specs my boat is 26' 10" for a 29 ft model boat. They dint factor the beak or the swim platform.

In looking at the pictures, I dont know about you, but I am pretty sure I see a 5" beak on your boat Tim has proven that he is a closet Beaker lolol

Trent

That is the Anti Stuffing Bow Plane...It's not a beek boat.

We measured her from the very tip of the most forward front rub rail edge to the very back edge of the transom’s furthers point on the rub rail. That is the longest measurement we came up with and it was 30' 4". Rules are rules. If 30' 0" is the cut off, then Class 4 it is. I will just have to measure every Class 5 boat to make sure they are under 30' 0" mark as well. No fudge room, zero tolerance is a good thing, that was my question. I didn’t want to put her in Class 5 and dominate, then get to the Worlds and be measured and ruin a good year over 4"

Just wanted to clear it up, up front! I am sure we can turn the wick up and get to 85 mph out of her for Class 4 and give those race only OSS SVL style canopy boats a run for their money!

I think its kewl how USAuctions.com, Team Jersey Boyz, R&S Twin Screws finished 1, 2, 3 in points in open cockpit boats over some of those Race Only Canopy OSS SVL style boats. Kind of gives the pleasure boat/stock racing style owners something to cheer for like Pro Stock drag racing cars. Fans can relate to them.

I agree with that Bruce, I was thinking his boat was listed from the manufacture as a 30'4 model and may have been only 29'9 or something like that buy the tape.

Lucky mines only 29'8

Dont think they raced all the races for one, and in P-4 barring any mechnical issues , Typhoon rules the seas, Randy raced 6 races at the worlds, won P-5 Title, and was kicking a$$ until the steering coluum broke off, in one race and the coupler let loose in the other, and he still managed to race all the OSS races of the worlds.