Is your FE Sport Hydro legal under the proposed IMPBA Rule Change?

[LuckyDuc]

Just a heads up to some of you running sport hydros in IMPBA. Here is the new rule proposal for Sport Hydros. I believe this not only affects nitro, but FE sport hydros as well.(see the new diagram) Sport Hydro Rule proposal:

I have checked the new rules against my 3 sport hydros and discovered that my PT SS45 fits within the supplied pictorial dimensions, but my Whiplash Sport 20 and Sport 40 fail to meet the sponson keelson criteria. The sponson keelson line appears to narrow before reaching the 50% after plane mark (Dotted line in attached pic). I imagine that the Insane FE 30 will fail to meet these new rules as well, but I can’t confirm as I don’t own one.

If anyone else is interested, the dimensions from my SS45, Whiplash Sport 20 and 40 are attached below. I have also attached a picture of my Whiplash Sport 40 illustrating how it doesn’t meet the 50% after plane /sponson keelson criteria… same issue with the Whiplash 20.

What other hulls are affected? What are your thoughts?

[Grimracer]

Sean,

As I know it.. This does not come into play in FE racing. The proposal clearly states IMPBA Sport 20 and Sport 40 classes.

Grim

[Ksheren]

Sean,

You need to look at the rules that apply to fe NOT nitro. Here is a copy of the FE Sport hydro rules from the 2012 rule book that is on line at WWW.impba.net.


Sport Hydro
General
1. Records and racing will fall into the N,P,Q,S,T classes.
Boat Specifications
1. Boat must be inboard powered with only one motor.
2. Hull must be a three (3)-point full-bodied hydroplane configuration and
resemble a limited or unlimited hydroplane design of past or present.
These hull types, Outrigger, modified outrigger, tunnel, or canard hulls
are not allowed.
3. Boat will be painted/coloured in the sprit of racing and must include
sponsor's name, logo, and/or a racing number affixed to hull. A local,
national, or fictitious sponsor name is acceptable.
4. Boat must have a driver and/or simulated enclosed cockpit.
5. The three riding surfaces of the hull will be considered to be;
a. The propeller and will be referred as the rear riding surface.
b. The aft, lower most part of the two sponsons, which may or may
not be equal distance from the bow of the boat. These two points
will be referred to as the forward riding surfaces.
6. The forward riding surfaces will be located within 50 and 60 percent
forward of the transom for the overall hull length and measured at a 90
degree perpendicular to the hull centre line.
7. Picklefork hulls shall not have open areas ahead of the forward riding
surfaces totaling more than 25% of the total hull length. No other hull
vent(s) are allowed.
8. The width of the bottom of the transom must be 65% or more of the width
between the forward riding surfaces. On a shovelnose hull that has a
tapered transom bottom the 65% rule will apply to the hull bottom at a
point three a one half inches forward of the transom.
9. Only one strut and rudder is to be used. The maximum strut size is, 9/16
inch wide and 3 inches long. The strut maybe mounted under the hull or
to the transom. The strut must be mounted in a fixed position when the
boat is running on the water
10. All running hardware must be of a suitable size and installed in a manner
that does not add to, create another riding surface or add any lift to the
hull. All running hardware and installations may not be aggressively
oversized for the intended function.
11. The stuffing tube will not be considered as a ride/lifting surface but must
maintain a cylindrical shape throughout its length. Where the stuffing
tube exits the hull a single triangular support as viewed from side will be
allowed as long as its primary purpose is to house the stuffing tube and
the dimensions don’t unreasonably exceed that purpose.
12. Transom cutouts, cutups or bottom extensions are not allowed.
13. Rear shoes are not allowed.
14. Air dams that extend to the rear may be a maximum 1/8 inches wide.


Kevin Sheren

[LuckyDuc]

Hey Mike!

While the written proposal addresses the nitro classes, the diagram itself will be included in the hull section describing/defining what a sport hydro IS under IMPBA.

Taken from Page J-18 in the Fast Electric section for sport hydro...

"Boat and Hull Specifications:
Will follow the same rules as Sport Hydro with the following exception.
1. Hull will not be less then 23-inches in length."

I took that to mean that whatever is outlined by IMPBA as a Sport Hydro is what the FE will have to adhere to as well. I may be misinterpreting it.

I like what the new rule is trying to do... I'm just fearful that I will no longer be able to run my whips in IMPBA.

[Ksheren]

The rule applies to nitro only! Please read my above post on FE.

Kevin

[LuckyDuc]

Thanks for the clarity Kevin!

I appreciate it.

Sean

[detox]

The rule applies to nitro only! Please read my above post on FE.

Kevin

So only my Nitro powered Whiplash 20 is not legal?

[LuckyDuc]

So only my Nitro powered Whiplash 20 is not legal?

If the sponson keelson line narrows before the 50% aft plane mark, then yes, it is not a legal nitro sport hydro under the trial rules.

[detox]

Where are the FE boat length rules? If the keelson rule does not apply to FE then neither does the nitro length rule?

[Darin Jordan]

If the sponson keelson line narrows before the 50% aft plane mark, then yes, it is not a legal nitro sport hydro under the trial rules.

Oh, THIS is going to be fun to watch...

[detox]

Can you rewright the FE rules more clearly?

[LuckyDuc]

Can you rewright the FE rules more clearly?

Mr. Sheren has done a very good job of "cleaning" up the rules. Here is the FE section stipulating lengths http://www.impba.net/attachments/132...ric%202012.pdf
For a P sport hydro the length is 27-34". The 23" sport hydro length exception applies to LSH only (brushed motor class)

[Doug Smock]

Can you rewright the FE rules more clearly?

Planning on finally attending a IMPBA sanctioned race Keith? We'd love to have ya.

Yes Mr. Sheren has done a outstanding job, and is arguably the hardest working member on the board with the possible exception of Mr. Equi.

D.

[T.S.Davis]

So all the guys that own and race nitro powered Whips are screwed? Good plan.

[line6]

So all the guys that own and race nitro powered Whips are screwed? Good plan.

Probably winning to much

Jason Sims