HPBCANADA.COM

I know the stock outboard guys worry about hitting a turn buoy and damaging their boat or causing a flip etc.
But what about 32" balls. Would they not be better? Now that we have updated to our digital start clock why not new turn buoys.
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... Z382659869

Those are not CBF or APBA legal. They are too hard. They cause crashes. I've hit buoys that dont burst. They hurt you and your boat. Very dangerous.

Size does not matter, as long as they will distruct on impact.

I have sourced buoys. They are $25 for 24", $46 for 40. I think highly visable 24" is fine. Could get a 40" turn entry buoy? and 24" for rest of turn.

Rules say they must be atleast 24"

They come in orange or green. Orange can be left turn, green can be right turns (when Thundercats are there)

If someone would like to order just two, so we can check them out. Maybe some fund raising can be done to buy a couple sets. First we need to see if they will bust reasonably before we buy a pile of them. We can order the small size to test them, same material. out less money.

http://www.meetsupplies.com/ecommerce/b ... -buoys.cfm

Don, I've been so busy, I've not had time to complete the Officials Shirts. If you would like to direct your $500 to buoys instead, that is fine with me.

do you think those will blow apart when hit?

I'm not sure, that's why we need to see 1 or 2 before ordering a bunch, and the small ones will do. They are about $15 each, then ship to an Ameri-friend.

These are 0.5 mm thick. I'm guessing that's about half what your boats are. And I'm guessing the fabric in them (if there is any) is no where near as strong as the stuff in your boats. Sounds like they would work... but yeah, have to try them.

Here is a link the Bema buoys... same sizes. Several clubs in Flordia area use these, Ontario use to use them in the OPC days too. I've "tested" these, they burst no problem. haha.

http://www.splashinternational.biz/40002.html

These are 16 gauge thick (no fabric in the PVC), on my chart that converts to 1.3 mm or so. So the the MeetSupplies.com ones should be pretty light, like a beach ball or something.

We use to get charged $75 if we hit one of the BEMA ones. We'd have to do similar... but maybe $25 is more reasoanble due to cost difference.

I found nothing cheaper anywhere than the Meetsupplies ones... even ordering direct from china. But if anyone finds something cheaper, please pass the info along.

Andrew, I hit one of those large inflatables with a CSR a few years ago..

The boat kind of bounced off. I was tight to the buoys and caught the bow of the boat on a loose rope which pulled me in. Some of these buoys have a tether rope on the top and bottom, not sure why - it was bad news and got me all tangled up. The buoy itself was OK to bump into with the runabout, but I can see a small hydro getting bounced off and flipped ass-over-tea kettle.

I share Mark's concern. Hitting a larger impenetrable buoy at 50-60-70mph with a hydro will launch the sponson/boat up, with ugly unnecessary tumble/crash. Alternatively if buoy is penetrated, boat keeps going, is dq'd, 5min to replace buoy rather than stopping a heat, fishing boat/driver out over 20min.

for our boats Thundercats , its not a issue the rest of the free world uses them, but maybe you could use a break away line on it so that it becomes disconnected when hit.

Or just don't hit them lol.

Todd it helps that your whole boat is a giant bumper lol.

I'm fine with what we use now...I can't get close to them anyway..so as long as I can see them I couldn't care less what they are made from.