Inside The Lake Race: Single-Engine V-Bottom Plot Lines

[Speed on the Water]

Plenty of intrigue around at least two V-bottom classes heading into tomorrow's Lake Race, https://speedonthewater.com/in-the-n...tom-plot-lines.

[lucky devil]

Where are you getting the 150 lbs for the OL 29? I thought the OPA rule was:

Triple Step Hulls Weight Minimum, Bravo. Imco drive 5250 lbs at first race- adjusted for parity by OPA.

instead of 4750 lbs.Did OPA change this?

[Ratickle]

No, their article is wrong.

And the rule is not just for that boat, couldn't be further from the truth. It is for all boats which have not been grandfathered at a different weight. The rule has been that way for years.

Single Step Hulls Weight minimum, Bravo, Imco drive 4750 lbs
Twin Step Hulls Weight Minimum, Bravo, Imco drive 5000 lbs at first race – adjusted for parity by OPA.
Triple Step Hulls Weight Minimum, Bravo. Imco drive 5250 lbs at first race- adjusted for parity by OPA.

From the latest OPA/APBA rules. Updated 5/13/2019

If the boat is competitive, there will never be an adjustment.

[Ratickle]

I sent Matt and Jason an email.

[Ratickle]

Well, Matt is correct. Unbeknownst to the racers in the class, except a couple I guess, Smitty changed the rules right before the event and now the single step boats are running at 4750, the twin step boats are running at 4750, and the triple step boats are running at 4900. The people I talked to on the APBA Offshore Racing Committee did not know the weights had been changed. Hopefully, tomorrow, they will actually follow the rules.

I understand the teams are up in arms and have already filed a protest with APBA and UIM.

The OPA Rule Book 2019/Version 8 – 05/13/2019 was just put on line on 5/13, and it clearly states the weights are, on page 58:

Single Step Hulls Weight Minimum, Bravo, Imco drive 4750 lbs
Twin Step Hulls Weight Minimum, Bravo, Imco drive 5000 lbs at first race – adjusted for parity by OPA.
Triple Step Hulls Weight Minimum, Bravo. Imco drive 5250 lbs at first race- adjusted for parity by OPA.

The latest APBA Rulebook;
2019 American Power Boat Association
Rules for Offshore Racing
Revised 3/15/19

Single Step Hulls Weight minimum, Bravo, Imco drive 4750 lbs.
Twin Step Hulls Weight Minimum, Bravo, Imco drive 5000 lbs at first race - adjusted for parity by APBA.
Triple Step Hulls Weight Minimum, Bravo. Imco drive 5250 lbs at first race- adjusted for parity by APBA.

Penalties: Under Weight:
This will result in a last place finish for the day. Multiple Offenders. Place will be determined by amount of weight under. No scale tolerance.

So, rules don't matter I guess, only $$$ ? Race 2 and it's already a joke. I must admit I'm shocked. I figured the new association with P1 and OPA would get rid of this kind of stuff. P1 has not only their APBA license for operations in the US, they have their UIM license to operate around the world.

[Ratickle]

It amazes me the offshore committee members had no idea their own rules were changed.

[Ratickle]

Good job by Matt and Jason. I should have emailed or texted them first, then commented.

I owe them one.

[phragle]

As the prop turns......

[Ratickle]

Yeah, it's too bad. I guess we'll see what happens in Sarasota.

[Ratickle]

I'll let you know on how the behind the scenes goes.

[phragle]

So what are they going to get caught doing this time???

[Ratickle]

Well, I'm trying to think of something they haven't been caught for yet.