Hounddog wrote:
I am going to use T Class as the example. It is equally important in all classes and it is a major factor in your success.
Your driving skill can be equal or better, your equipment can be equal or better, but if your package boat, motor and driver is 50 lbs more. You cannot beat that competitor.
It is a BIG ADVANTAGE if you have a weight advantage.
-50 lbs is 2 inches in pitch= same acceleration with 2 to 3 miles an hour more top end.
- if it is in the weight of the driver, that nose weight is 3 times what the same weight would be in the stern. You need more trim because of the weight and more power is used from the motor to carry the nose. That is power than could have been used to push the boat forward. The heavier nose also hurts setting the boat into the turn.
- your pushing more weight and the boat will not accelerated as quickly. The top end can be exactly the same, but the lighter outfit gets to that speed faster and its response or reaction times on and off the gas if much better. So the boat runs better in traffic.
The smaller the motor the larger the GAIN. Weight in T750 is VERY IMPORTANT!! The class minimum is 599 to 600 lbs.
If the boat and motor are 475 lbs and the driver weighs 200 lbs. The total of 675 lb puts you 75 lbs over the minimum.
That weight likely costs you a few seconds in acceleration every lap.
You thought Stef would not be a problem.....WRONG! Same boat and motor weight 475 and a lighter driver. Jake's boat will
run BETTER Stef will not need to air it out the same and it will not need the excess trim to carry the nose.
Maybe the excess weight of a heavy set back, battery, power trim is slowing you down. Plus it costs you MONEY! We run a clock start, so maybe a manual, start motor is all you need. FACT: The current world record is set by a manual start motor.
Don, i dont think it is legal in the rules to run manual start? i also think it is very hard to get a t 750 be close to min weight unless you have a very light boat