time for a new class?

[Adam]

Had a very interesting meeting with an ex. racer recently who is keen to race again but doesn't like current classes. Got us thinking is it time for a new class?

Maybe too many as it is - but there is nothing for inboard boats except V24 and that is not doing that well and is a one design only.

It seems that 'big boat' racing has lost it's way and is out of touch with the world today. It is pretty obscene that class 1 needs 16 litres of power. The world has changed and the class has not. Expense has gone out of the window and look what could be achieved with class two limits!

Class two is also far too expensive for National racing and the class has all but died.

Came up with an idea of a class as follows:
open hull design upto 28' long
minimum length?
single inboard around 400hp, diesel or petrol
longer distance races of around 100nm
weights to limit speeds / expense
cockpits?

Would give a relatively affordable class with potentially relaible packages and good racing. Like anything - very difficult to get of the ground but a 'big boat' class would help the sport in general and make events a lot more attractive. Could also be a class where the V24's could race?

What do people think?

[Jon Fuller]

Originally posted by Adam
Came up with an idea of a class as follows:
open hull design upto 28' long
minimum length?
single inboard around 400hp, diesel or petrol
longer distance races of around 100nm
weights to limit speeds / expense
cockpits?

Sounds like Touring Class!

[Adam]

yes and no!

boats could be more race orientated hulls, one offs or production, no cabin requirements etc.

at same time I'm sure there could be some boats that fitted into touring class that could fit this idea.

[verytricky]

Could be cool.

It would allow 'tweaking' of the V24's I think they have a load more potential to go faster.



V24's seem to be having a revival in Spain and Portugal. I cant believe the class went from 13 boats to four in 1 year!

[Ben]

Originally posted by Jon Fuller
Sounds like Touring Class!

Damn, beat me to it.

[Jon Fuller]

Originally posted by Adam
yes and no!

boats could be more race orientated hulls, one offs or production, no cabin requirements etc.

at same time I'm sure there could be some boats that fitted into touring class that could fit this idea.

By the time it became 'T' class, there actually wasn't that much in the way of cabin regs, or cube rule etc.

The main difference then would be open hull choice, ie, no requirement for minimum 5 produced etc.

I think mr tricky would have to chainsaw the canopy off the V-24. should really be open boats only to avoid the whole heli cover/safety aspect.

[verytricky]

Originally posted by Jon Fuller
I think mr tricky would have to chainsaw the canopy off the V-24. should really be open boats only to avoid the whole heli cover/safety aspect.

A pox on you Mr Fuller!

[Ben]

The type of class that Adam is proposing seems a good idea to me (as did Touring/Grand Touring at the time.) TD, JF and I spent many hours researching, arguing and finally agreeing rules that were hoped to encourage new blood into the sport and to bring some old boats out of retirement.

It worked for a while and some of the people who started in T/GT still race today albeit in other classes. The problem that T/GT encountered was a lack of participation and commitment after a couple of years. This unfortunately seems to be an all too common occurence.

[JBP]

would the sunseeker xs fall into this class too?

[Scand]

I really like the concept of not limiting to only mono hulls and not having any limits to hydrodynamic shapes that can be applied.

[Tony Davis]

Originally posted by Scand
I really like the concept of not limiting to only mono hulls and not having any limits to hydrodynamic shapes that can be applied.

You gonna stick your dick in the custard then?

[Scand]

Custard?