new guy questions

[tommyschloss]

Hello all my name is tommy. I have been looking into getting started racing with aprsuperleague. I live in Dayton,OH and this series looks like a lot of fun. I was thinking of running f2. all of this is new to me but have experinced other racing adventures.

Questions......If i build a new boat can I use the optimax instead of searching for 120 parts. if so are they scored the same. There are used rigs out there but trying to find good used parts is not somthing I want to experince being a rookie to this sport. I dont want to buy used up equipment ( dont know what I'm looking at) then replace them when i could buy new to start.

Does anyone live around the Dayton area that would be willing to help guide me in the right direction.

Thanks Tommy

[Rob D]

Jim Sr runs the Optimax. Contact him and I'm sure he can help you out with some info

Rob



boatbusters@netscape.net

[Zonker]

Help

Barry W ( Largecar91) is active with the APR SST 120, and lives in the Dayton/Cinn area. He would be glad to help you. Contact Erick ( also on this board ) for more information regarding this motor's performance, and hull choices. He has extensive experiance with them.
In my opinion, your choice of the Optimax motor is a very smart one. Because of the lower RPM level, it will keep the week to week cost of racing down. True, your initial costs will be substancial, but you will quickly recover these, as the weeks roll by. I think you would be very happy with the performance of this motor. Also, this is the motor for the future, and will be around for the long run.
Gary Pugh has built hulls for this motor, and the performance of them at the last Champ race indicates that they are quite competitive.
Good luck with your search, and WELCOME to OPC racing.
Zonkercraft@aol.com

[tommyschloss]

Thank you for your help this will get me started. can anyone recommend any books to read or reference material, set up, rigging

Thanks Tommy

[PitBoss]

TOMMY:[/SIZE] Welcome to the sport! Great to see "new interest" in powerboat racing. You will enjoy running with APR and meet a great bunch of people, and learn much.

This coming year will be our 3 rd running the Optimax. No breakdowns No engine failures No expensive rebuilding...another plus for Optimax. It's definetly easier set up..no jetting worries..timing etc.

If you have questions give my driver a call..weve run both motors. If you are looking for a hull...Have a 2003 Lamb f2 that has never be wrecked..complete with steering that needs a good home..Too many boats..too little room! Will sell very reasonable.

Driver info on APRSuperleague F-2 Kelly Kidwell 77

Good luck Pitboss77

[jerry book]

Tommy I live in portsmouth ohio and i have an f2 boat for sale and i know a guy who has a 2006 sst 60 boat that has 2 races on it for sale . give me a call 740 858 4271 if you are interested. both boats are turn key

[race4kaos]

welcome tommy. my name is kevin ladd. i would serve as your region 6 commissioner for opc. one of my goals is to make it easier for someone new like you to get into opc racing. so i am especially interested to hear about your experiences over this next year. specifically, what could we do as a category to make it better for you. please pm me if you have any questions or comments - i'd be glad to give you my number.

my initial advice is: i find it very admirable that you are looking for new equipment and even considering building your own boat. however, boat capsules are quite complex and the lay up must undergo [destructive] testing and approval. this might be a lot for a new comer. you could however buy a capsule and build your own hull around it. yet still, probably the easiest way to race your first year would be to buy a truly turn-key rig. there are several rigs available right now - of all sizes and prices. finding someone that will work closely with you is also important. unfortunately, some people may just be interested in selling their old equipment. find an unbias voice you can trust in making your decisions.

opti vs. 120: experienced people have had limited success with the optimax. it is getting closer all the time. it still has a disadvantage off the dock, but is now showing more top end than even the best 120's. you could probably buy 2 or 3 120's for the cost of an opti, but in the end it may out last them.

we do not neccessarily have instructional books, but the apba rulebook is a good place to start. it details safety and several boat & engine requirements.

120 is not usually a starter class like SST45 & SST60 are, but it is doable. the APR series races all around you and the ChampBoat series plans to head to some big cities near you next summer (Cincy & Loiusville).

good luck, and welcome to the family-

[Rob D]

Kevin,

Has Champboat posted any results for the savannah race for the 120's?
I can't find them, maybe I'm looking in the wrong spot.

Rob

[race4kaos]

no, they are not available online yet that i've seen. you can try emailing tim or mike @champboat.com and request. or if you have a specific question, i can ask the scorer(s).

[largecar91]

Tommy, give me another call on my cell please. I was going to call you back and your number comes up unavailable. Barry

[Dave M]

Can He Buy

A new boat turn key ? If he wants new equipment, why not put him onto some boat builders that sell new boats ? I am sure most builders would be happy to help him out.

Just an option I did not see listed yet.

[tommyschloss]

Big thanks to everyone for helping me get started. After talking with Jim Sr and Barry Wolf I'm leaning towards buying a good used rig and start from there. I still need to educate myself and will make a move the first of the year after the hollidays. I want to get off on the right foot and not jump in. the support you have shown is awsome. keep the info coming


Tommy

[Zonker]

I'm glad that you are getting information & support that's required, for you to get started in OPC racing. You'll find most everyone friendly & helpful.

I would urge you to go to the APBA website & read the comments from the OPC Chairman, contained in this month's report. It is specific to the SST 120 motors.

In reviewing the comments, you'll find that Optimax motor, is the motor of the future. The inital cost of the motor is high, yes. But when you consider that with this motor, maintenance costs are lower, reliability is higher, & manufacturer support will be there for the future. You'll have the motor for the future.

Look carefully at the cost of maintaining the exsisting 2.0L SST 120 motor, the availability of new, replacement parts, gearcase repair or replacement, and the longivity of this motor under racing condition. Remember, this motor was never designed to run at the elevated RPM levels, required to be competitive in SST120 class. Ask yourself "How long am I going to be able to afford to repair, replace, and race this motor? What is the cost of repairing a badly damaged 2.0L powerhead? What is the cost of repairing a blown #6 gearcase? How many spares will I need for the weekend? What will I be racing, in the future? What will my 2.0L equipment resale value be?"

Tough question, but you should be asking yourself these questions, before you invest your money in racing equipment.

I wish you the best of luck in your choices, and in your racing.

Just my thoughts,
Zonkercraft

[jerry book]

I spoke with mercury high performance about buying an opti to race . I was told they are working on the engine trying to get it to start faster off the dock and it looks like the engines wont be available for sale until sometime after the racing season starts.

[Howie Nichols]

Tommy,
The Optimax 200 is a great engine that has lots of potential. 2 guys finished on the podium in Savannah. The first time for the OPTI, is does come with a hefty price tag of somewhere near $19000 dealer cost (and yes that is US Dollars) They are currently working on a redesign to make the motor even better. The point is if you want to start there are many people that know how the old 120 motor works and get you going, they also will have props and engine / setup details that could help you unlike the new 200 which only has a few people up and running. It is the future so ultimately it is your choice. Like others I also have equipment forsale and would love to have you or someone buy it, but even if you didn't get my stuff as long as you get something, We welcome you to OPC. Best of luck and if you have any questions don't hesitate to call or email

321-626-0666 cell or apba113@aol.com

Here is a link to my equipment if you would like to have a look.

http://www.hydroracer.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11863

Howie Nichols