Mystic/MG/ MC cats ???

[Tim leyde]

Question, I am in IMPBA. If one were to buy a RTR cat by PB or AQ ( may put different P LTD motor/esc in it ). What class would the boat run in? In our club we have P LTD mono, P LTD tunnel, P LTD sport hydro. The IMPBA rule book states a catamaran is a "tunnel" under hull specifications.

Just new to FE and confused.

TL

 

[ron upton]

prob (p spec off shore ) or some clubs are starting a p spec sprint cat racing class

 

[HTV Boats]

Traditionally "cats" have run in the hydro class due to not enough boats to have their own class. Anything other than a mono can be classified as a hydro. In FE there are records for catamarans called tunnels. There are also classes for OB tunnels. Since IMPBA has no official LTD classes it is up to clubs to make their own LTD classes and rules. The key word here is "outboard", if it is not designated P-LTD tunnel could be interpreted either way.

Mic

 

[Tim leyde]

Mic

Thanks, very well said. My thoughts exactly. Are clubs class reads "P LTD tunnel". The reason for posting this thread. Was because while talking to a club member. He mentioned the cat would have to have an outboard on it to race in the in the "P LTD tunnel" class. I disagree due to the fact the word OUTBOARD is not in the title, just as you stated.

Does it really matter IO/OB? It's not like there is an advantage One way or the other. After all the power and batteries being used are close to identical.

TL

 

[T.S.Davis]

Don't get too hung up on what the rule book says. There are no "P limited" in IMPBA yet. There should be and there could be but there is a perpetual argument over ESC's despite the successful implementation elsewhere. Those on each side of the debate can't compromise because they have to be right. The racers have to wing it.

Your very best bet is to find out what the local gang of hooligans is running and do that. You may find the local guys running a P limited offshore class. If they aren't they might be willing to add it in. 4 minute heats and 12 plus laps is a riot. That's like running two heats each time you hit the water.

With the tunnels think of OPC as meaning Outboard Performance Class and Tunnels as cats. I doubt anybody is running an actual P limited tunnel class anywhere. At least I've not seen it. Sure could though. Might be cool. Why not? We've run just about everything that floats on that power combo. We have a retrieval rig with that in it. 2 more and we'll race them too.

 

[T.S.Davis]

Oh and an IO and an outboard tunnel are two entirely different animals on the water. It's almost impossible to compare them. With the outboard you're actually turning the thrust as you round the corner. Makes for a different approach to getting around the course. Takes much more finesse in my opinion.

 

[jayt]

Too, it is much easier to make an I/B faster, and in general they are less prone to blowing over. Hull design is the biggest difference.

BTW, the 'current' IMPBA rule book says that the "Tunnel" class MUST be inboard powered. Page J-12:

Tunnel

Records and racing will fall into the N,P,Q,S,T classes

Boat Specifications

1. Hull will conform to the catamaran definition covered under technical specifications.

2. Boat must be inboard powered with only one motor.

.

 

[Tim leyde]

Good, so it looks like I will be able to run my Miss Geico ( catamaran ) with the OB tunnels!

TL

 

[ron upton]

tim...... if a spec tunnel runs around 50 and a mg hits maybe 40 without major mods i think its out classed.....but maybe all the tunnels will blow over....

 

[Tim leyde]

tim...... if a spec tunnel runs around 50 and a mg hits maybe 40 without major mods i think its out classed.....but maybe all the tunnels will blow over....

I agree, I due plan on putting a UL1 motor and ESC in it. With the offset rudder.TL

 

[T.S.Davis]

You can get into the 50's with a MG. Especially with it being only a sprint.

Just make sure you check in with the guys you want to race with. If they are calling their class OB Tunnel they're likely all thinking they are running OPC's despite what they are calling their class. Then you show up with your "by the book" boat and somebody has a cow. Not every club runs "by the book". Especially since "by the book" doesn't include any spec classes. In essence the club or districts spec classes are what ever they decide they are. If they decide their tunnel class is outboards then it doesn't matter how IMPBA defines tunnels.

Pushing them out of their bubble on a technicality wont thrill them.

 

[DPeterson]

Tim

Unfortunately I was unable to get to the MM race a couple weekends ago. Hopefully next time.

This weekend we (myself, Sean K and Jeff C) will be at the Badger club's race in Racine WI. This is an IMPBA Club in D4. We run P-Limited Sport Hydro, P-Limited Hydro, and P-Limited OPC Tunnel. We may not always call it OPC, but the intent is to run OPC. P-Limited Cats would fit into the P-Limited 4 minute offhsore class as I see it. We hope to work towards a P-Limited mono class and a P-Limited Offshore class as we progress.

Later - Doug

 

[Tim leyde]

Doug

I spoke with Bill Sr. He informed me he wants the class to run OPC style. I will just get a sport hydro going instead. No big deal. Hope you guys make it on June 17th. The Iowa boys are coming also!!!

TL