Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
And OPA SV is almost identical to SVL except twins.
Headlines
Proposal for classes
- Thread starter F1-00 Racing
- Start date
And OPA SV is almost identical to SVL except twins.
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
I don't know of any.....
F1-00 Racing
Competitor
National Guard and Deans Bat boat are the only two I can think of. Deans is a different breed than Rendal's so I dont feel that you could include those
MOBILEMERCMAN
Founding Member / Competitor
So no sense adjusting SVL for 2 boats that may not be interested anyway.
SVL teams together make the most cohesive group I have ever participated with.
phragle
Charter Member
I look at the racing scene from a slightly different prospective, as right now I work at the races as opposed to racing (though I have had a few discussions with a couple people about starting to race, probably in '11). I think the first thing you need to do is step back, away from your class and your boat and look at the entire picture.
1. you need to come to a common picture of what you want racing to be. Untill you have an orginized picture or goal, you will never achieve it.
2. Figure out what it will take to achieve the goal.
3. figure out what stands in the way.
only then can you start talking solutions.
It's like going to the doctors and saying "I don't feel good" The doctor does no assessment, just hands you some pills... that doesn't work..so you take some different pills...still doesnt work, you get some surgery...then more surgery.. tons of fixes that only make you sicker without ever figuring out why you felt sick in the first place.
So say everybody wants racing to have lots of boats racing creating excitment which draws large crowds, media exposure and sponsor dollars...
To achieve that, you need a healthy boat count of big fast boats racing hard.
the problems: very limited boat count at the top premiere level, 2~3 boats spread over a 5~10 mile course is not exciting.
solution possibilties: first you have to "grow" people with the knowledge,skills and desire to race at that level... to do this you need a "ladder" "p" class. you need an affordable and fair way for new people to start racing in inexpensive manner, but on top of that, you need INCENTIVE. you need a way to make climbing the ladder attractive or people will stay at a lower level indefinitly. This has advantages and drawbacks. to move up you will need a bigger fast boat, and you will no longer be the dominate force in your class. But if you stay at a lower level when you have mastered it, you discourage new racers. "Joe offshore wins every race..no one can beat him unless he breaks...coming in 4th constantly sucks" If there is a continual upwards turnover, there will be competitive boats available to the lower levels as people move up. Turbine cat doesn't have to be the top..there can be several "top levels" smitties V class for example, once you make it there, you have grown past the GPS equalizer stage to an upper level of skill and equipment. YOU WILL NEVER have a bunch of fast boats unless you start will a bunch of slow boats that provide an area of entry into the sport. Just as you will never have college graduates if you let people stay in 3rd grade forever, because they get straight a's without significant effort.
This isn't ment to be a blueprint or even a suggestion, just an example
1. you need to come to a common picture of what you want racing to be. Untill you have an orginized picture or goal, you will never achieve it.
2. Figure out what it will take to achieve the goal.
3. figure out what stands in the way.
only then can you start talking solutions.
It's like going to the doctors and saying "I don't feel good" The doctor does no assessment, just hands you some pills... that doesn't work..so you take some different pills...still doesnt work, you get some surgery...then more surgery.. tons of fixes that only make you sicker without ever figuring out why you felt sick in the first place.
So say everybody wants racing to have lots of boats racing creating excitment which draws large crowds, media exposure and sponsor dollars...
To achieve that, you need a healthy boat count of big fast boats racing hard.
the problems: very limited boat count at the top premiere level, 2~3 boats spread over a 5~10 mile course is not exciting.
solution possibilties: first you have to "grow" people with the knowledge,skills and desire to race at that level... to do this you need a "ladder" "p" class. you need an affordable and fair way for new people to start racing in inexpensive manner, but on top of that, you need INCENTIVE. you need a way to make climbing the ladder attractive or people will stay at a lower level indefinitly. This has advantages and drawbacks. to move up you will need a bigger fast boat, and you will no longer be the dominate force in your class. But if you stay at a lower level when you have mastered it, you discourage new racers. "Joe offshore wins every race..no one can beat him unless he breaks...coming in 4th constantly sucks" If there is a continual upwards turnover, there will be competitive boats available to the lower levels as people move up. Turbine cat doesn't have to be the top..there can be several "top levels" smitties V class for example, once you make it there, you have grown past the GPS equalizer stage to an upper level of skill and equipment. YOU WILL NEVER have a bunch of fast boats unless you start will a bunch of slow boats that provide an area of entry into the sport. Just as you will never have college graduates if you let people stay in 3rd grade forever, because they get straight a's without significant effort.
This isn't ment to be a blueprint or even a suggestion, just an example
MikeyFIN
Competitor
That´s the key to a good class!
Sean Stinson
Founding Member/Contributor
You're right sorry SVL guys I just overlooked you my bad!!!!
glassdave
Founding Member / Competitor
no Deans boat was actually built by McManus or Armada. Not sure but i know it was not Reindl.
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
I forgot about the National Guard boat.
An Armada I believe, not positive. But, the Batboats are illegal for SVL because of the ruling the wings were a lifting device like the tunnel on a cat, and they are only 24 feet long. Otherwise, the 28 Batboats would be legal and the class would be ruined much like the other classes with new technology have been. So it is a non-issue. The SVL guys made an exception to allow a couple of us to run with them in St Clair. I thank them for it. I'd love to take a stab again, different issue though.
The main reason they consider Dean's differently, it has no Volvo duo-prop but a Bravo and tabs. Faster, doesn't accelerate quite as fast as a duo, but can run in P5 where all the others run P6.
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Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
My opinion on SVL. The only thing they could consider to improve the class for more boats. Maybe allow open boats that fit all the rest of the current rules. That's about it. I'd like to see the boats go 100, but with the sealed 525, don't see that happening.
100 in a 30 foot open boat??
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
Yep, I've crashed at over that skiing and survived. And there are currently classes going over that with open cockpits. Didn't say it would ever happen, but that's just my opinion. Not everyone agrees I'm smart...... (sound like DD????)
MOBILEMERCMAN
Founding Member / Competitor
I have broken all my ribs on my left side at 60 mph in Key West too.
The boats will naturally continue to find increments of speed. There is no reason to invite more speed.
What is needed is a schedule of courses where we run in a variation of water. Sarasota for example this year was nice. We were all running low 80's. Top speed didn't matter there. It shouldn't matter in offhshore. It is supposed to be about set ups, prop choice, control, endurance and willingness to find your limitations.
As far as open boats I personally don't care. In anything bumpy they won't be able to keep up. In smooth I don't think anyone will appreciate how close we are willing to run to each other.
DAREDEVIL
Banned
I know a 29 Phantom ,,tha runs 96 + mph,,,U DON'T WHANT TAH IN A RACE !!!!!!!!!!! TRUSST ME.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE DD !!!!!!
MOBILEMERCMAN
Founding Member / Competitor
I didn't think I could get hurt racing a 65 mph boat. I ran it like I was indestructible, with complete disregard for well being.....big mistake.
I am happy I survived my F2 days.
I am happy I survived my F2 days.
imco offshore
Competitor / Charter Member
that is what i,v been saying for a while thank you
imco offshore
Competitor / Charter Member
scott i call bull s it name it or go get it i,ll be at sarasota monday morn 11 am i,m calling your bluff in front of all these people....now man up ,,, o yea tell me he has a sealed 525, or does he have a 650 hp like you ,,,, in that case i,ll put 1000 dollars and race him from sarasota to the sky way and back OUTSIDE ,, now come back with some more bull sh1t !
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
Let me know when the race is. I'll get the spectators, judges, and maybe someone from Jersey, originally or still there, to handle the action......:sifone:
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