Revised marathon rules

[hunton69]

1: Not sure if this subject has been covered before but who was responsible for changing the rules regarding classes in marathon racing?

2: The UIM obviously wrote the rules but does the RYA approvel?

[alice]

Originally Posted by hunton69

1: Not sure if this subject has been covered before but who was responsible for changing the rules regarding classes in marathon racing?

2: The UIM obviously wrote the rules but does the RYA approvel?

what are the changes

[hunton69]

Originally Posted by alice

what are the changes

Sorry the question wasn't very clear

Not sure when it happened but I have noticed between RB8 and now the classes in marathon have changed from power to weight ratios to length times weight ratios.

Seems very strange to me as I thought the RYA and I would presume the UIM are there to improve the safety of the sport without medling with the sport.

As we all know the performance of any vehicle is dependant on power to weight ratios it now appears to me that this is not the case.

With the development of hull designs the boats are going quicker with the same power and engines are becoming more powerfull.

As an example you could have 11.3 meter boat in class A that only has to weigh 4,633 kg put could have twin 1350hp engines given a power to weight ratio of 1.72 kg per hp. (probably as quick as Richard Carr P1 when not restricted 130mph ish)

Another example was our 10.5m RB8 rib the max HP we could have before was 1,000hp before we would have to add weight now we could easily chuck in twin Ilmores 1450hp + 200kg (not sure that would be wise)

Another point regarding weight is that a marathon boat does not want to break when your 20 miles off shore and safety cover is limited surely boats should be built like brick shi_ houses

Having watched many motor sports over the years the organisers are constantly slowing cars down so that safety is not compromised by development.
eg the Lemans 24 had to put chicanes in the mulsanne straight, F1 reduced down force and tyre widths ect.

It appears to me that on one hand the RYA have toughened up on Licenses, I guess to improve the quality of drivers (RB8 and CTC since has had a great safety record with the old system) but given no regard to the speed of which someone could rig a boat in marathon.

I would be interested in other peoples views or am I talking out my ass again

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by hunton69

I would be interested in other peoples views or am I talking out my ass again

I might be guilty of the same crime but I think it's been like that for quite some time now. I don't have any old copies to hand but I think RB08 was the same as now - certainly our boat was designed and built to those rules.

[hunton69]

Originally Posted by Cookee

I might be guilty of the same crime but I think it's been like that for quite some time now. I don't have any old copies to hand but I think RB08 was the same as now - certainly our boat was designed and built to those rules.

Class B in RB8 was 3.5kg per hp Not sure regarding A class

Class B now is 360kg per meter therefore max weight required for a 10.3 Meter is 3,708kg regardless of power. ER Crazy in the wrong hands

Checking old posts it looks as though it was changed about 2 years ago.

Speed is essential in racing but not at the expenses of what is sensible.

I'm sure there is a very good explanation from the people behind theses changes it would be nice to here from them.

[still no worries]

so theres no max hp just weight per metre ? in all the classes

[hunton69]

Originally Posted by still no worries

so theres no max hp just weight per metre ? in all the classes

Thats how I read it

410Kg per meter in Class A max 27 litre with a 1.4 reduction on forced induction

360Kg per meter class B 18 litre with a 1.4 reduction on forced induction

So yes I understand no limit on hp

[Jon Fuller]

There never was a reference to power, only capacity, and certain regs that were there to hopefully stop silly HP per litre, but some of those rules have been changed (namely forced induction correction factor which was set at 1.6 when we did the 2009 rules, which deliberately excluded the big merc, sterling etc 1200+hp motors).

The focus on capacity and fundimental engine configuration, rather than horsepower produced, was because you cannot 'police' power, but engine displacement, exhaust type etc, is easily measured & policed by the scroots.

Plus there were quite high minimum weights for each class, which I think may have been lowered now.