Rookie

[ckwilkins2]

Hi people, Very new to this, Very excited to get racing, What would you suggest for an old beginner boat type, Where to buy? ? I am 45 yrs old and live in Temecula CA, I would love to join a friendly club, Very willing and able to help out wherever I could, Where to start?? Help please, Also my email ckwilkins2@aol.com
Merry Christmas and Happy new year

[Kev43V]

first and foremost WELCOME to the boat racing family
IMHO the 2 most important things determining what class you should start in are:
1) what classes are run regularly in your area
2) your size. since most classes have min weights. being close to the min. boat-motor-driver combination while not necessary, is extremely helpful.

[Skoontz]

Welcome to the club!

Seems new interest in boat racing in region 12 for sure!

First, as Kev said, your size, and along with that, consider that unless you want to drive to region 11 for every race, you will be limited to hydroplanes in region 12.

We have a growing J class, you are too old for that, AXS class will launch for the first time next season, A class, 20SS, and C all stock classes. There is also a very strong 45 class if you want to go OPC.

For the most part we race through the SCSC club, comprised mostly of inboards.

We have many places to practice and make perfect.

Ernie Dawe builds a quality boat, we have one of his, as does Daryl Sorenson, both are local.

If you like, you can call me at 858-583-6444 anytime and I will help you in any capacity I can, and if I cannot, I'll refer you to people who can help you.

[ckwilkins2]

Thanks for your replies, I am 5ft 8" 155lbs, I will look into the classes you have suggested to see what they are, Is Sand Diego the only club local ? I looked on the APBA site and it seems so, Hope your all having a very merry christmas. Does Ernie Dawe and Daryl Sorenson have web sites ?? Thaks again for yor input.

[mercguy]

Thanks for your replies, I am 5ft 8" 155lbs, I will look into the classes you have suggested to see what they are, Is Sand Diego the only club local ? I looked on the APBA site and it seems so, Hope your all having a very merry christmas. Does Ernie Dawe and Daryl Sorenson have web sites ?? Thaks again for yor input.

you have 3 clubs in your area:

SCOA (S.Cal Outboard Assoc)
SCSC
B&B Racing (Bobby, Bill and Roger)

best bet is to contact Roger Carr (Reg12 Chairman)

[CSR4C]

Here is a link to my web site:
http://www.boatracingr11.com/sorensenmain
Darrell Sorensen

[Kev43V]

Hi people, Very new to this, Very excited to get racing,

Do you mind me asking:
How did you hear about us?
what was the "catalyst" that made you decide that "this is something I want to do"?
And a merry Christmas to you and yours also!

[ckwilkins2]

I have been in the USA for about 11yrs, I am from the UK, We used to have powerboat racing in the Bristol Docks where i lived, From a kid i used to look forward to going there each year, The noise, the smell of the racing fuel, the speed, Well you know LOL Then I came to the USA and CA, Have bee working like a slave for 11 yrs earning a living and desperatly need a challenge and hobby, Saw that the racing was on at the Salton Sea a few weeks ago and took the RV down there for the weekend, That was it, Now i have to do it :-) I have a boat where I live but its only for wakeboarding and stuff, We have a 35 mph speed limit, Boats have always been in my blood always had one, Also was a mechanic for years in the UK, on cars though, I searched the internet and came upon this site which is great, Thanks to the people who have showed an interest in a newbie like myself, I am looking forward to Lake Havasu next month.....

[ckwilkins2]

Can I ask what is the AXS class ? I like the look of the super stock class or tunnels but it may be out of my price range for now.

[Skoontz]

AXS basically uses the same boat you run in A class, legal engines are the OMC 15HP with a 3/4" APBA approved restrictor, or the Mercury 15HP 2 stroke.

We have a few C hydros out there and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but you can choke that engine down and run 20SS as well.

[KG4]

You are perfect for the A class.Its a fast and very competitive class.Good luck,Their is a lot of knowledge on this site.

[ckwilkins2]

You know what they say too much knowledge can be dangerous, LOL I am reading and reading and getting more and more confused, I am now leaning towards 45 class I think as long as I can find the right rig..

[Kev43V]

In many ways it comes down to:
How fast do you want to go?
How much do you want to spend?
do you want to run kneel down or do you want to sit down?
what classes run in your area?
if you want to run kneel down.
your weight is a good for A. you could also run ASX for double the boat time.
if you want to go faster than that. OSY has no weight restrictions. so you could run OSY and not add a bunch of lead to your boat.
at 155 lbs you are also a good weight for the B classes.
C classes you would have to add a lot of lead to a boat. or run a very heavy boat.

[Skoontz]

CK:

Lets start with reality, as we all must often come down to. Reality is, budget and has nothing to do with what you are attracted to.

So, budget wise lets talk numbers here.

AXS, and A class, all new prices.

Boat, $1,500-$2,500, it will arrive with a broom finish epoxy and need much TLC and paint to race.


Hardware, i.e throttle, steering wheel, cables, kill switch $500, -,+

Safety gear, cut suit, helmet, life jacket $1,200, -,+

Engine,

Merc, $2,300 plus tax, $400 to tweak it, $640 for the conversion kit
$1,000 for the racing gear case.


OMC, race ready motor all goodies listed above for $3,000 (used) or maybe a little less

Add $350 per propeller

$150-200 for a boat cart used to get the rig to the water.


total value of the ddeal for a Merc, with the kleast expesive boat you can find $7,850, deduct $1,200 for an OMC engine.

OPC, or 45 rig. New boat, $7,500, trailer, $6-800, engine, I do not know the cost of hardware in a 45, but I bet it could hit $2,000, engine and mid, $3,000, then ad $1,500 for the race gear case.

Add another $600 per prop. Ad another $1,200 for helmet and capsule suit.

So, where we at now? $$16K??

Don't let these numbers scare you, there are pleanty of fun competitive rigs complete, ready to go out there for half or less on both equations.

So, start with budget, get into the game, then your goal is to step up.

[ckwilkins2]

Ok that helps a lot, Thanks, I am in region 12, Temecula CA, With a limited used boat budget, 46 yrs old, Wanting to get into racing, I dont need to break world records or go like a rocket just want to have fun and race, I would like to sit but not if it's going to cost me way too much, I would think budget maybe $5,000 less is best though :-) Thanks for all your advice guys... I am going to find what classes run in my area.