Class 7 OPA "60mph" rule?

[hydrostreamvulture1]

Hey guys I couldnt help but notice after looking over the rules page this class is limited too 60mph. Was this in effort too attract more people to participate in this class? Maybe for safety reasons? I know there is quite a few 21-22 SOB boats that are easily capable of going faster then 60mph with "normal everyday" setups...just curious why?

[gotboostedvr6]

I imagine to keep people from killing themselves.

[Baja170]

It would be VERY hard to kill yourself in a 21 SOB at 60 unless you ran it aground. Interesting rule. Maybe rule out anyone who wants to have fun and can afford to race?

[berdes]

Just a matter of "fairness" and political "correctness". This way we can all cross the finish "together", have that warm fuzzy feeling of togetherness, and all BE WINNERS! Yaaaaaaaaaa!!

[FUJIMO]

Same speed for everyone. Safety is number one...

[FUJIMO]

...rules state 20' to 22' single outboard. 300 horsepower allowed. 60 mph max speed, or you are disqualified. This is not racing.

[CptAJ]

I'm all for stock racing and affordable classes. Let the pilot be the difference.

But this is a bit ridiculous.

[hydrostreamvulture1]

I agree...let the driver and setup be the determining factor. Most 20-22ft SOB wont be able to run over 75 reguardless depending on the seas..and how well the boat is setup.

[mr fun]

bet the drop in participation this year causes a rule change

[16ft superboat]

Lame! I'll stick to the 60mph and up class!

[kbirdmon]

We were told at end of 2014 season no more 300 hence the reason I hung a 250... The 60 was for safety as this was and is considered an entry level offshore class We've had a boat stuff and collapse a deck and also one roll and sink. There's been discussion and quite a few who'd appreciate maybe a bump to 65 however given the fact that AC we were heading direct into 6' faces at over 45/50 I bet very few reading this would enjoy that ride. We all broke stuff on our boats nobody hit close to 60 and over 1/2 the class broke. Manasquan was smaller and we had casualties too and no break outs and seaside was rough for a bay race with broken equipment no break outs. I'm for the safety. I'd like to see the mph tested at higher speed too but I'd never want to see anyone hurt and will 100% go with what el presidente smithy says we run. It's a great competitive class that's growing. Don't knock it til you try it. It's aflippin blast. We have whoa momma/lil momma back we have two new entries with done deal and the boat Larrys building and last team elevations making a comeback soon too. It's a killer class if you have a 22' single outboard come get some. Guarantee you go home with a smile.

[olboatman]

We were told at end of 2014 season no more 300 hence the reason I hung a 250... The 60 was for safety as this was and is considered an entry level offshore class We've had a boat stuff and collapse a deck and also one roll and sink. There's been discussion and quite a few who'd appreciate maybe a bump to 65 however given the fact that AC we were heading direct into 6' faces at over 45/50 I bet very few reading this would enjoy that r<script id="gpt-impl-0.41805139479858844" src="http://partner.googleadservices.com/gpt/pubads_impl_87.js"></script>ide. We all broke stuff on our boats nobody hit close to 60 and over 1/2 the class broke. Manasquan was smaller and we had casualties too and no break outs and seaside was rough for a bay race with broken equipment no break outs. I'm for the safety. I'd like to see the mph tested at higher speed too but I'd never want to see anyone hurt and will 100% go with what el presidente smithy says we run. It's a great competitive class that's growing. Don't knock it til you try it. It's aflippin blast. We have whoa momma/lil momma back we have two new entries with done deal and the boat Larrys building and last team elevations making a comeback soon too. It's a killer class if you have a 22' single outboard come get some. Guarantee you go home with a smile.

This is the kind of responce I think is the real deal.... "He who walks the walk can talk the talk"! Another reason this site is the best!!!! Gary

[vnemous]

Yeah those that think you cant get hurt in the Atlantic Ocean with 4-6' breakers need to walk the walk. Even the Michigan races can get hairy big water. Even the Barnegat Bay race the water was so big the spectator boats anchors couldnt hold bottom. Wind dead out of the south and the bay was 3-4' white caps. Kev couldnt even photograph the race from my 32' boat it was so rough. All the hype guys put out about there 22's eating up 3 foot chop are living a fairy tale. . I dont race my super because I see first hand what this water does to these boats, now if I had my old Challenger and a younger back I'd be all over this

[vnemous]

This is the norm for an ocean race. Not so dramatic if you are in a 40 foot cat or v bottom. These guys are not concerned with 60 mph more concerned with getting back to the pits

[Fast Shafts]

I've raced in classes 4,5, 6 and now 7. Class 7 is as competitive as any with a high boat count. Since the inception of class 7, NO ONE HAS EVER "BROKEN OUT IN AN OCEAN RACE! On the surface 60 doesn't seem too fast, however if you think your 21-22' SOB can run faster in the ocean, its not to late to register to race OPA. After Point Pleasant this weekend, we have races in Atlantic City in June, and Ocean City Md. later this year. we welcome MORE SOB style boats!
PS, NOAA is calling for 4-5 footers this weekend.