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More than 150 boats expected for regatta weekend
Racers are gathering in Lock Haven for the annual regatta over the holiday weekend.
LOCK HAVEN — Despite all of the other fun activities that surround the annual Lock Haven Area Jaycees Boat Regatta, there would be no event without the boats.
And this year, more than 150 boats from as far away as Maine, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, California and Canada are expected to be zooming through the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the city.
Lisa Jennings of the American Power Boating Association’s Central Jersey Racing Association said the Lock Haven event is one of the largest boat regattas on the East Coast. As a matter of fact, most boat racers consider the Lock Haven event the second-biggest boat race of the year, closely behind The Nationals.
The regatta will once again feature numerous North American Championship boat races, with five this year, up from last year’s four championships.
She reported the fastest boats on the river this weekend will be the the Alcohol Pro Class 125 cc and 250 cc. The latter boats can get up to speeds of around 92 mph.
“We are really pleased to have the Alcohol Pro Class boats here again this year,” said Race Chairman Scott Johnson. “They will the fastest and the loudest boats out there, so they should generate a lot of excitement for the fans. They sure did when they made their first arrival to Lock Haven two years ago.”
There was some talk about them bringing the 500 cc alcohol boats, but the schedules could not be worked out. There is some hope those boats (which can get up to 110 to 115 mph) will be here next year.”
Other boats include several classes of modified and stock outboard boats and J Class boats, which are specifically designed for younger
riders.
The J Class is based on the stock outboard A Class, but with a restrictor plate behind the carburetor to hold down speeds. In addition, all the propellers for this class are supplied by APBA. The reason for this, officials say, is to make all competitors more even in their boat performance.
There are two classes of the outboard boats:
n Runabouts make use of a flat bottom running surface. They have strict length and design restrictions, turn on the inside and require the skilled movement of the driver’s weight to control turns. The crafts are very stable, enabling drivers to run very close together and increasing the drivers and spectators excitement.
n Hydroplanes have fewer design restrictions but are typically built to trap air under the hull. This trapping of air causes the boat to actually run above the water’s surface at top speed. The hydros make use of a side fin for turning the boat in a level position. Turning in a group of boats is a different story. The side fins on a group of boats can produce a spray worse than riding through a car wash. Hydros are very tricky to run close together because of the delicate cushion of air they ride on. Too much air and you’re over backwards, a sudden change to no air under the boat can cause the bow to dive and the boat crashes.
Races normally run two heats of three laps in a counterclockwise direction. The consistent course rules allow drivers to design and rig their boats to turn left effectively.
The starts at the Lock Haven event will be clock starts where drivers are given three minutes to get their boats on the course and in position for the start under a green flag. After the three minutes have expired the clock ticks down from one minute under a white flag. The object is to get to the start/finish line when the clock strikes zero. Too early, the boater jumps the gun and is disqualified; too late, and the boater has given the advantage to the competitors. There are no lanes assigned to drivers. They fight to get lanes and have to clearly establish it 500 feet before the start line. This can often be the most exciting part of the race for the spectator.
Once the boats start, it is on to the first turn with boats still battling for their lanes through the turn. The inside lane is the shortest route and the toughest to obtain.
Boaters have remarked that one of the unique things about boat racing is that while the outline of the course remains the same, the water is constantly changing, forcing drivers to stay sharp, watching the waves as well as the other boats.
The main highlight for the boaters at the Lock Haven event is the “Dash for Cash,” which is scheduled for Sunday at around noon. The race, pitting between 15 and 30 C-Stock Hydro boats against each other, carries with it a purse of between $1,000 and $2,500.
“Donations are also accepted for that race,” Jennings said. “People can donate by going down by the boat ramp or at the judges’ stand.”
The boaters will race three laps of approximately 3/4 of a mile from just above the Veterans Bridge to just before the Tidlow Dam on Grant Street.
Boaters favorite
Jennings added that a lot of boaters enjoy the festive affair that surrounds the races.
“It is a favorite among all of our drivers,” she said. “The wives of the boaters love to come due to the craft show and the kids love the carnival. Most of the racers make their reservations for the next year before they leave that year.”
Numerous boaters have remarked to Jaycee members that their event is one of their most anticipated with spectators flocking to the Corman Amphitheatre to watch the many races. They say in most other places, no such venue exists and doesn?t bring the excitement that Lock Haven does.
The love of the event can be seen on one of the industry’s Web site, Hyrdoracer.net.
On that site, racer Steve French called Lock Haven a “must-be-there event” in one of the many forums.
“There is something for the whole family to share in at this race,” French wrote. “Good time, good friends, great racing. Thank you Lock Haven.”
Meanwhile, another racer states: “Lock Haven has to be the best weekend of my year. The ramp is a little steep, but great pits, good size course, well over 100 boats and tight turns make for some good dogfights.
Joe Silvestri, of Akron, Ohio, thanked the Jaycees “for all the hard work that you put into the race at Lock Haven. I have been attending the
race since 1994 and thoroughly enjoy the race and everything else it has to
offer. I can’t wait till next year.”
A boater from Ford City also thanked the Jaycees for putting on a “stellar” event.
“Your efforts and support have made the Lock Haven race a growing, premier and long running event. It is the race in the East each season!” he wrote.
That love affair with Lock Haven will, hopefully, overshadow the
increasing cost of gas, which adds to the enormous expenses for boat racers, both in their boats and transporting the boats to events.
Hurricane Katrina occured right before last year’s regatta, but the
boaters continued to flock into Lock Haven, with about 150 boats that year
as well.
Boaters said their expensive habit could run as high as $10,000 a year for some of the smaller boats and much higher for the larger, faster boats. That expense includes not only the cost of the boat and motor, but fuel props, a vehicle and trailer expense to get to events, and the motel and food costs while at the events.
Most of the boaters will be able avoid the large cost of lodging by taking advantage of numerous camping sites available to them on the Lockport side of the river.
Racers are gathering in Lock Haven for the annual regatta over the holiday weekend.
LOCK HAVEN — Despite all of the other fun activities that surround the annual Lock Haven Area Jaycees Boat Regatta, there would be no event without the boats.
And this year, more than 150 boats from as far away as Maine, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, California and Canada are expected to be zooming through the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the city.
Lisa Jennings of the American Power Boating Association’s Central Jersey Racing Association said the Lock Haven event is one of the largest boat regattas on the East Coast. As a matter of fact, most boat racers consider the Lock Haven event the second-biggest boat race of the year, closely behind The Nationals.
The regatta will once again feature numerous North American Championship boat races, with five this year, up from last year’s four championships.
She reported the fastest boats on the river this weekend will be the the Alcohol Pro Class 125 cc and 250 cc. The latter boats can get up to speeds of around 92 mph.
“We are really pleased to have the Alcohol Pro Class boats here again this year,” said Race Chairman Scott Johnson. “They will the fastest and the loudest boats out there, so they should generate a lot of excitement for the fans. They sure did when they made their first arrival to Lock Haven two years ago.”
There was some talk about them bringing the 500 cc alcohol boats, but the schedules could not be worked out. There is some hope those boats (which can get up to 110 to 115 mph) will be here next year.”
Other boats include several classes of modified and stock outboard boats and J Class boats, which are specifically designed for younger
riders.
The J Class is based on the stock outboard A Class, but with a restrictor plate behind the carburetor to hold down speeds. In addition, all the propellers for this class are supplied by APBA. The reason for this, officials say, is to make all competitors more even in their boat performance.
There are two classes of the outboard boats:
n Runabouts make use of a flat bottom running surface. They have strict length and design restrictions, turn on the inside and require the skilled movement of the driver’s weight to control turns. The crafts are very stable, enabling drivers to run very close together and increasing the drivers and spectators excitement.
n Hydroplanes have fewer design restrictions but are typically built to trap air under the hull. This trapping of air causes the boat to actually run above the water’s surface at top speed. The hydros make use of a side fin for turning the boat in a level position. Turning in a group of boats is a different story. The side fins on a group of boats can produce a spray worse than riding through a car wash. Hydros are very tricky to run close together because of the delicate cushion of air they ride on. Too much air and you’re over backwards, a sudden change to no air under the boat can cause the bow to dive and the boat crashes.
Races normally run two heats of three laps in a counterclockwise direction. The consistent course rules allow drivers to design and rig their boats to turn left effectively.
The starts at the Lock Haven event will be clock starts where drivers are given three minutes to get their boats on the course and in position for the start under a green flag. After the three minutes have expired the clock ticks down from one minute under a white flag. The object is to get to the start/finish line when the clock strikes zero. Too early, the boater jumps the gun and is disqualified; too late, and the boater has given the advantage to the competitors. There are no lanes assigned to drivers. They fight to get lanes and have to clearly establish it 500 feet before the start line. This can often be the most exciting part of the race for the spectator.
Once the boats start, it is on to the first turn with boats still battling for their lanes through the turn. The inside lane is the shortest route and the toughest to obtain.
Boaters have remarked that one of the unique things about boat racing is that while the outline of the course remains the same, the water is constantly changing, forcing drivers to stay sharp, watching the waves as well as the other boats.
The main highlight for the boaters at the Lock Haven event is the “Dash for Cash,” which is scheduled for Sunday at around noon. The race, pitting between 15 and 30 C-Stock Hydro boats against each other, carries with it a purse of between $1,000 and $2,500.
“Donations are also accepted for that race,” Jennings said. “People can donate by going down by the boat ramp or at the judges’ stand.”
The boaters will race three laps of approximately 3/4 of a mile from just above the Veterans Bridge to just before the Tidlow Dam on Grant Street.
Boaters favorite
Jennings added that a lot of boaters enjoy the festive affair that surrounds the races.
“It is a favorite among all of our drivers,” she said. “The wives of the boaters love to come due to the craft show and the kids love the carnival. Most of the racers make their reservations for the next year before they leave that year.”
Numerous boaters have remarked to Jaycee members that their event is one of their most anticipated with spectators flocking to the Corman Amphitheatre to watch the many races. They say in most other places, no such venue exists and doesn?t bring the excitement that Lock Haven does.
The love of the event can be seen on one of the industry’s Web site, Hyrdoracer.net.
On that site, racer Steve French called Lock Haven a “must-be-there event” in one of the many forums.
“There is something for the whole family to share in at this race,” French wrote. “Good time, good friends, great racing. Thank you Lock Haven.”
Meanwhile, another racer states: “Lock Haven has to be the best weekend of my year. The ramp is a little steep, but great pits, good size course, well over 100 boats and tight turns make for some good dogfights.
Joe Silvestri, of Akron, Ohio, thanked the Jaycees “for all the hard work that you put into the race at Lock Haven. I have been attending the
race since 1994 and thoroughly enjoy the race and everything else it has to
offer. I can’t wait till next year.”
A boater from Ford City also thanked the Jaycees for putting on a “stellar” event.
“Your efforts and support have made the Lock Haven race a growing, premier and long running event. It is the race in the East each season!” he wrote.
That love affair with Lock Haven will, hopefully, overshadow the
increasing cost of gas, which adds to the enormous expenses for boat racers, both in their boats and transporting the boats to events.
Hurricane Katrina occured right before last year’s regatta, but the
boaters continued to flock into Lock Haven, with about 150 boats that year
as well.
Boaters said their expensive habit could run as high as $10,000 a year for some of the smaller boats and much higher for the larger, faster boats. That expense includes not only the cost of the boat and motor, but fuel props, a vehicle and trailer expense to get to events, and the motel and food costs while at the events.
Most of the boaters will be able avoid the large cost of lodging by taking advantage of numerous camping sites available to them on the Lockport side of the river.