Legal or not?

[blueskyracer]

What about boats that have the letter before the numbers??
Is that illegal??? Someone,, please respond with the facts concerning this
situation... I have a boat coming that I will have to change the numbers on and
in the past I always put the letter before the numbers.. Was never a problem
in the past,, but now,, I do not know.

I have always wondered about that too..There are so many boats with the number after the letter in stock it is not even funny and this is not just an APBA problem but is also in AOF and the rules read the same on this subject!!!!

[14-H]

There is nothing wrong with the Numbers rule for SO/Mod/Pro. It is the drivers themselves that push the rule.
If I as Referee or my wife as chief Scorer cannot read the number on a boat legal or not we inform the driver the problem. We may even have the driver/owner do lap sheets on the judges (barge) stand. Most of the time that will make a believer of them.
Most, or should I say many do not know the rule book. Most do not even have one now that it is on line.
The only problem we have is enforcement. Many race Committees will not DQ or fail to score a driver over numbers.
The Problem with boat numbers is in the Inboard Category. Have you all looked at some posted pictures lately?

Bill: I totally agree with you about this... especially your method of enforcement. I just cannot understand how some people think you MUST disqualify people in order to enforce the rule. Your method of enforcement, I think, facilitates understanding and, most importantly, sportsmanship.

[bill boyes]

When you join APBA and mark Pro as your primary Category you will be issued a number with your area letter first. My sons number is C-21 as when he joined as an 11 year old he joined the Pro Category J pro.
Likewise if you first joined as in stock he would have been issued 21-C. It is possible to have a C21 and a 21C in the same area.

[14-H]

True Story --- Some years ago at a Nationals a driver was thrown out in inspection after a win because his deck numbers were not in a contrasting color - the numbers were in chrome vinyl and and the inspector said "chrome is not a color". Just another cook spoiling the broth here.

Pretty sure the same guy who made the call on that one also participated in the outcome of this most recent one.

[bill boyes]

Deck numbers? The rule Now reads that deck numbers on hydroplanes are recommended only. Fact is most races courses the Race Committee cannot read them on decks anyway.

[DiGia54D]

I would say that 70% of the hydros, stock or mod in reg 1 or 2 dont have any deck numbers on them and havnt for years

[bill boyes]

Bill: I totally agree with you about this... especially your method of enforcement. I just cannot understand how some people think you MUST disqualify people in order to enforce the rule. Your method of enforcement, I think, facilitates understanding and, most importantly, sportsmanship.

Only one time did we get really hard on someone who just would not listen about the numbers on his daughters boat. after about 3 events they were still the same after 3 warnings so the Scorers just did not score her ASH. Simple as that. the father corrected the numbers.

[T Chance]

It seems this number thing has been going on forever. Over 40 years ago, in the days before vinyl, when the rule book stated that numbers had to be painted and you could run a taped number for one race only. I had a friend that was into his second season with taped numbers and was told that if he did not have painted number at the next race he would be DQ'd. The next race came around and I looked at his boat and said to him that it looked like he was about to get disqualified. He smiled and said: "Nope, I painted the tape!".

Can't remember what happened after that.

[mr.b51]

Legal or not?

This thread is so comical it can,t be real. Back in th 70's I had a yellow CSR with black numbers and a black CSR with yellow numbers. I also had one boat was white with blue numbers and another one painted red with white numbers. Raced from Jersey to Iowa to Fla and never once was told the scorers could not ID me. Thinkink about getting my grand kids into racing but if this stuff is how to paint your boat when you have a good sponser who want's his colors think about it. In endindg Ithink the DEWALDS had blue boats with white numbers

[runabout333]

My question was not really answered..
I plan on using Y-33..
APBA-- MOD.
NBRA MOD.

[bill boyes]

Call APBA. If the number in Mod is not assigned then they will give it to you. Do not Know about NBRA.

[bill van steenwyk]

I will try to help, BUT..................

My question was not really answered..
I plan on using Y-33..
APBA-- MOD.
NBRA MOD.

............since, at least in APBA, the driver is ultimately responsible for abiding by the rules, I suggest you check the rule book. and no I cannot tell you where in the APBA book it is, or how to retrieve it from their web site. They do not publish a rule book per se any more, just on the web.. Be advised in APBA there are specific instructions on numbers/letters measurement and color. As you can see by this thread, there are a number of differing opinions on just how the rule is and should be enforced regards colors and size in addition to whether the number or letter comes first.

Art and Kieth Kampen are two NBRA members who live in the STL area and could be of help with your questions. I have an idea you are only going to get more confused here.

The NBRA does have a web site and a link can be found to it at the top of the HR portal page.

The APBA question was answered within a couple of posts of your asking. The answer was that in APBA MOD and STOCK, the letter (which signifies which region you are from) comes AFTER THE NUMBER, in your case if you want to run APBA and no one else has the number 33, you would receive 33-Y for a number.

In NBRA, (and I am not an expert by any means on their rules, you need to read them yourself at the place indicated) the numbers must be at least 6" high, with a 1 1/4" stroke, in contrasting colors.

What I get from this, is you would need to have Y-33 for NBRA and 33-Y for APBA, or possibly 33-Y would also work for NBRA. As far as I read in the rule, it was not clear about this (no mention was made if a requirement for the letter or number be first.) In APBA they have specific color requirement, but only contrasting in NBRA.

I am assuming you live in Missouri, with a Y number wanted, and unless you are willing to travel a distance for APBA MOD races, NBRA is your most reasonable bet for racing close to you. As you are probably also aware, there are a number of NBRA drivers in the St. Louis area.

If you want to run both, unless one or the other has a reciprocity agreement on numbers from one organization to the other, the difference starts with the first number/letter you put on and goes from there.

Again, the NBRA rule book is very easy to access from Hydroracer. Just look at the top of the portal page where all the threads are listed.

Good Luck on your racing next year>

[propfxrO84]

I can promise you that no one in NBRA will disqualify you from the bank for putting the letter before or after your number. That has to be the most chicken $h!? Thing I have ever heard of.

[bill van steenwyk]

I can promise you that no one in NBRA will disqualify you from the bank for putting the letter before or after your number. That has to be the most chicken $h!? Thing I have ever heard of.

I completely agree, BUT I have seen a lot of things like this since 1968 when I paid my first dues to APBA. Just wanted him to be aware that it (letter before number or vice versa) was not clear in the rule, if it was an issue with NBRA.

There are many things to like with NBRA versus APBA. as you are aware if you have looked at the USTS web site lately. Hope all can agree this would be good for both organizations and resolve the agreement post haste.

[runabout333]

Thanks to all.. BUT.. Missouri is NOT the only state using Y...LOL..
When I carried both an APBA and an AOF card,, both cards I believe showed
Y-33 and those were the #'s on my boats.. I doubt anybody has taken them
as the number of Y boats has really diminished and for that I am sorry.