Offshore racing? Offshore or beachside?

[Sean H]

Here ya go, it was an idea from the Unification thread. Which would you rather watch/participate in? More importantly, which would you PAY to see?

Assume all other factors are the same (TV, radio, internet, boat count, etc), which course style is better for the sport?

[Sean H]

Here is an example of the mixed style. You could make that long lap go out as far you like depending on the race site and conditions. I would like to see the "long" laps be close to twice what a regular lap is. That way you join back in with racers as you come off your lap.

Ignore the red line, that is the start procedure. The green line would be the long lap course. Each team can choose when they do their long laps.

[phragle]

I think both have there place and a season should include a mix of both. there also needs to be intelligent scheduling to do that. You cant have a rough offshore race that truely test ones equipment etc. and the following weekend have another race. By nature a true offshore race tears stuff up, and you need more than a couple days to go over the boat before the next race.

[Sean Stinson]

Here is an example of the mixed style. You could make that long lap go out as far you like depending on the race site and conditions. I would like to see the "long" laps be close to twice what a regular lap is. That way you join back in with racers as you come off your lap.

Ignore the red line, that is the start procedure. The green line would be the long lap course. Each team can choose when they do their long laps.

That would be way to confusing I think I am trying to get Nick to merge our polls together I am for a mixed course but as a sprint race and an endurance race at different times or days!!!!

[Sean H]

The schedule should allow time for all teams to participate ideally. With the season starting in March and ending in November, racing back to back weekends shouldn't be required. With schedules only having 6-10 races, you can race once a month roughly and still get in 9 or 10 races. Allowing travel time, repair time and setup/testing time is a must if you want full fields of boats at more race sites, but that is another thread.

[Sean Stinson]

I think that a course needs to be over a 100 miles total distance not 30 miles total distance...

[Sean H]

That would be way to confusing I think I am trying to get Nick to merge our polls together I am for a mixed course but as a sprint race and an endurance race at different times or days!!!!

Really? How hard can it be? Other race orgs do it already with no issues. The only teams that would have issues are the ones that can't count laps now.

[Ratickle]

I think that a course needs to be over a 100 miles total distance not 30 miles total distance...

Just a comment. Today's boats are not built for that. Very few would finish a 100 mile race.

[Ratickle]

Really? How hard can it be? Other race orgs do it already with no issues. The only teams that would have issues are the ones that can't count laps now.

Guilty......

[MarylandMark]

Mixed but with the last lap the long one when light on fuel and a real showdown to the finish line..

[Sean H]

Just a comment. Today's boats are not built for that. Very few would finish a 100 mile race.

A good percentage of boats aren't built to finish more than 1 or 2 laps.

[Pete B]

Sunny Isles seems to be a somewhat successful event with Friday to Bimini, then closed course racing on Sunday, but with 2 years under their belt and a great venue how many " old Time Offshore Racing teams" show. The Meat and potato's of the whole event is still the guys that do the close to beach course!

This past weekend's event first race, 6 boats out of 14 did not make a more than 2 laps!
at a National Championship race!! That ought to make for some great TV, fans will be glued to their seats Im sure.

before Offshore racing considers moving offshore they need to condense what they have. back to the other thread.

[Sean H]

Just a comment. Today's boats are not built for that. Very few would finish a 100 mile race.

Modern electronics take care of that anymore... big red number tells ya what lap you are on.

[phragle]

Just a comment. Today's boats are not built for that. Very few would finish a 100 mile race.

It's just my humble opinion, but if you want to race 'offshore' part of that to me is building and prepping a boat that can run and race offshore. That was originally part of the challange. Some of todays "offshore' course are akin to making a TT track in a stadium and calling it a desert race. If somebodies desire is to go in an oval driving a potatoe chip, theres always hydroplanes and tunnel hulls to race. True we want races with big crowds and attention like St. claire, but you still need a couple races that test more than prop choice and not breaking out.

[Pete B]

Today's boats are not built for that.

Teagues SKATER, as well as a few others seem to hold up well!

[Sean Stinson]

Here is my thought if you want to race a tunnel boat buy one....if you want to race a bigger tunnel boat buy an F-1 tunnel boat......if you want to race a big boat on an inshore lap course buy a hydroplane.....and last but not least if you want to race offshore........HIKE YOUR SKIRT UP AND STOP WHINING!!!!!!!

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

It's just my humble opinion, but if you want to race 'offshore' part of that to me is building and prepping a boat that can run and race offshore. That was originally part of the challange. Some of todays "offshore' course are akin to making a TT track in a stadium and calling it a desert race. If somebodies desire is to go in an oval driving a potatoe chip, theres always hydroplanes and tunnel hulls to race. True we want races with big crowds and attention like St. claire, but you still need a couple races that test more than prop choice and not breaking out.

Hear Hear

[smokeybandit]

I'm hoping I started a conversation that gets to the heart of the matter. It seems to at least have peaked some interest.

[SVL66]

theres not enough boats on the course to make a beach front race exciting. If you send them offshore, the fans will get bored after a drink or 2 and forget there is a race goin on. The more time that lapses without some kind of close racing, the more fans become disinterested. Just my perspective

[smokeybandit]

Here is my thought if you want to race a tunnel boat buy one....if you want to race a bigger tunnel boat buy an F-1 tunnel boat......if you want to race a big boat on an inshore lap course buy a hydroplane.....and last but not least if you want to race offshore........HIKE YOUR SKIRT UP AND STOP WHINING!!!!!!!

Give 'em hell Sean!