Loose is Fast..., right?

[Pachanga_rick]

Couple great shots from this weekends OPA race in Port Huron MI.

It's difficult to accelerate racing against big power singles and bigger power twins, but I can see this
turning in a great affordable spec class.

Light weight
Good on gas
easy to tow
fast (100)
reliable and inexpensive power (200-225)
Safe
Affordable - 25k to 50k for complete packages..

[cyhuff]

Saweeet pics, nuthin' but prop!

[AZMIDLYF]

What are the boat size regs?

[madtunnel]

Would be great to see those hook up with the p1 class to give the venues different styles of boats. Not to race against one another but off set heats. GREAT SHOT of a flying cat

[Pachanga_rick]

What are the boat size regs? !

OPA Class 4 is bracket class limited to 85mph and under.

Hull type - Cat or V Bottom
Size Limit - 40ft
Power - Singe or Twin.

Needless to say its difficult to run with a 900hp inboard, but its fun to try.

[AZMIDLYF]

How are they monitoring if a boat breaks out of the limit?

[Pachanga_rick]

How are they monitoring if a boat breaks out of the limit?

Each race team is required to buy a sealed GPS tracking unit that is plugged into the boat. At the end
of the race you take your sealed unit to the OPA/GPS trailer and the data if downloaded.

If you went over the 84.99mph limit you are DQ'ed

[BayouBiggin]

Awesome pics!

[Charger20sv]

I enjoyed watching you guys race yesterday. I always root for the outboard guys.. those are some good pics!! really cool boat

[Brabender]

Love that boat

[PORT]

Do you prop the boat to just rev and not go over 85, or do you just keep you eye on GPS?

[Rayzor]

Great pics! It would be neat to see a class started around your setup, rather than having to race a P class with it (which is very advantageous to the bigger/heavier/more powerful boats imo). I think that if offshore racing is going to rebuild itself, it needs to start with the grass-roots classes such as yours.

[JPEROG]

Would be great to see those hook up with the p1 class to give the venues different styles of boats. Not to race against one another but off set heats. GREAT SHOT of a flying cat

I agree, it would be a great addition to bring into the P1 group. P1 has done a excellent job of providing race venues but if they could pack more racing into the weekend for spectators to watch, the events will get more support.

Joe

[JPEROG]

Great pics! It would be neat to see a class started around your setup, rather than having to race a P class with it (which is very advantageous to the bigger/heavier/more powerful boats imo). I think that if offshore racing is going to rebuild itself, it needs to start with the grass-roots classes such as yours.

For sure--

Joe

[Pachanga_rick]

Do you prop the boat to just rev and not go over 85, or do you just keep you eye on GPS?

We try to set the boat up to run 85mph at 7000rpm. The fun part with the michigan races is the strong river, it flows at 8-11mph.

Lets say you have it running 84mph in flat water, now you race on the river you are only getting 77mph upstream.. so you run a bigger prop to get the number..
Now you are running down stream at 95mph.. lol... St Clair and Port Huron are very difficult, but each team is on the same course so we all deal with it.

Great pics! It would be neat to see a class started around your setup, rather than having to race a P class with it (which is very advantageous to the bigger/heavier/more powerful boats imo). I think that if offshore racing is going to rebuild itself, it needs to start with the grass-roots classes such as yours.

I have been getting lots of positive feedback about the boats and interest in building a spec class. But we need 5 boats committed before we can approach the OPA with it.

I can see this class growing as its an affordable way to race offshore, its light weight making towing simple, its easy to work on with a single outboard, its 100mph fast, safe and fun..
They "look" like race boats, not just a bay boat with stickers *(no offense to other teams, we also run a open boat in 6)