New equipment question

[jeff55v]

OK, I have a little question concerning new equipment.
Why do people buy new boats? Why not just use the old boats they already own, or the used ones that are always for sale?

[Team B&H]

So you can lap it faster

[crfabbro2F]

New boats are always faster. I thought everyone knew that.

[B Walker]

The theory is that new wooden boats are stiffer, flatter, and stronger when they are new, therefore faster.

As wooden boats age and experience cooling and heating cycles through a year they shrink and expand a little bit. This breaks the joints and cracks the resin most boats today are built with. Critical dimensions are not maintained, bottoms "move", some boats "flex", others go "limp" or "dead".

Also, wooden boats gain weight every year. If you run in a very competitive class you cant afford to give up 2-5 lbs of weight gain every year for very long.

Runabouts are especially sensitive to these very small changes.

Of course all this could just be propaganda from the boat builders to make us buy more boats because they make sooooooo much money from us cheap boat buyers!

BW

[jeff55v]

New boats

Ok, so it's widely accepted that generally, a new boat is faster than an old boat. So, my next question related to this: Is that fair to people who drive an older boat?

[bh/]

How 'old' was that Flyer that won DSH at the NATs last summer ???
I think Walker's comments apply more to the pre-epoxy boats that would absorb water, swell/contract, and change shape. But even epoxy breaks down, -but how long,
if kept out of the sun?
Then the composites are a different game entirely.
Personally I think it takes three seasons to get a new boat dialed in. But , I always have been slow

[B Walker]

Dunno about "fair". I kinda dont like that word. It hints that everyone has an inherent right to something. I have accepted I will not ever be a NFL running back, or a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or walk on the moon. But I dont think it is "unfair" that I have not worked hard enough or born with a great talent level to accomplish any of those things.

A person with an older boat just has to work harder to stay competitive than a person who can afford 2-3 new boats every year.

Here are two tips to level the playing field:

Consider climate controlled storage for your boat instead of against the side of your house under a tarp all winter.

Learn basic woodworking skills and be an anal retentive fanatic about keeping your boats original dimensions dead on the money or even improving on the manufacturers original dimensions.

Then there is the case of "special" boats. That is, boats that are good for unknown reasons and the newer boat is never as good as the old one.

Dave Dewald had a 15SSR that was special, he raced the same basic boat for 8-10 years (with LOTS of repairs) constantly trying new boats and could not replace it. More recently "Worm" Runne had a CSR that he made multiple copies of and could not improve. Terry Whitham had a DeSilva CMR that alot of people considered to be one of a kind.

Everyone is looking for that special boat, motor, or prop to set themselves apart from the pack. I dont think it is either "fair" or "unfair" when a competitor finds a little something and improves a little bit.

Thats just racing.

Good racers have simply gathered thousands of tiny bits of knowledge. Good racers then figure out how to assemble that knowledge into equipment that works with their racing style and to accomplish their goal. Then, good racers execute that knowledge with precision and consistency to achieve the goal.

BW

[Trihedral_1]

Special boats. 20ss Record was set when boat was 16yrs old. Won Nationals when 17 (and thank goodness for the 27yr old prop and even older motor).

It's a mystery even to me.

Jimi O (305-R).

[bh/]

Anthony Hopkins portrayal in the 'Last Indian'
Was it 45years it took that guy to set his world record with the Indian Scout?

[jeff55v]

An Advantage?

OK, so this thread didn't exactly drive itself where I thought it would.
I agree with most folks, New equipment usually yields an advantage to the driver. New materials, building methods, design tweaking, all lead to a better racing machine.
When a new boat design is rolled out, and is percieved to have an advantage over the old design, it is heralded as being the next big thing.
Everyone who wants to win, needs to get one.
So...why are there no restrictions on racers who use a three blade prop rather than a two blade?
Should people who drive a boat less than ten years old have a higher weight minimum?
How about carbon or Luce style boats? Where's the debate on these new possible advantages?
I'm not suggesting this be debated, just making a point.
So when a new MOTOR design is rolled out, and is percieved to have an advantage over the old motor design, why is it considered a threat by many, rather than an evolution? Why restrict motor progress?
Many people on this site say we need to support new motor suppliers. I agree! The best way to make a new motor sell is if it wins races! Why would anybody buy a new motor when they are assured that their old motor will be kept competitiive? (parity)
Ok, fire away.

[sam]

OK, now I see where you are going.

We already have this, it is called the PRO division ... motors are as open as boats in that division.

[raceright]

OK, now I see where you are going.

We already have this, it is called the PRO division ... motors are as open as boats in that division.

Right come on aboard

[jeff55v]

We already have this, it is called the PRO division ...

Funny, when I answered my own questions in my head, that's the answer I came up with also.

[jeff55v]

Thanks Bill for your input.
Perhaps what made me think about new equipment is to look around the pits at races. I see all new (or nearly new) tow vehicles, motorhomes, shiny new enclosed trailers, new boats, custom paint jobs, big prop boxes chock full, new safety gear, etc. Nothing about this sport is cheap. Ever try to travel to races with a family of five (and two dogs ) ?
When I think about all the expenses envolved in boat racing, a new motor every 10 years is a pretty small part of the expense.

I'd go race PRO, except fuel is so expensive and hard to get. Whereas, in Stock Outboard I can just go to the local gas station and... oh wait, never mind. I just paid $10 a gallon for legal gas at the nationals.

[Merc1]

Jeff we pay 2.85 per gallon for our fuel. There is no such thing as cheap racing! It is all about how expensive you want to make it.