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Availability and increasing costs for boats, motors and propellers is stopping new people from entering the sport. Most don’t want to or have the budget to even think about trying boat racing.
In the beginning it was easy to try the sport. I started racing pleasure craft in the early 1960’s.
The rules were very simple....stock commercial recreational boat, stock production outboard and stock original propeller. Some models especially the moulded plywood hulls were just better performance wise and some were very competitive against the Stock Outboard Utility Hulls.

The best part was it was fun! It got far more expensive as the Canadian Boating Federation took over.

I think there has to be a reset to get back to less expensive entry level classes.
Bone stock motors and production stock propellers will definitely reduce the cost. Years ago Twin Lakes Racing Association started a T Boat entry class with stock motors and stock propellers. It has been successful and larger classes have developed from it.

Keep it simple!! The entry class is not for those who only think of themselves and their success. Entry classes are stepping stones to the higher up classes. You don’t even need to crown a champion in the class or have all the combinations of boats and motors the same. It can be a “Wild Cat” race with wide selection of boats and motors. The key is the boats need to run similar speeds and are similar in boat size.

Matt, started a thread called “Medium Performance Boats”. These were the sporty type commercial recreational boats that are a performance level below the TBoat class boats. Occasionally we see DIY people do projects with these boats. The result is a very good low cost performance boat.
The initial cost for these type boats ranges from free to a few hundred dollars. There are lots of them on the market.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4070&hilit=medium+performance+boats
The APBA Tri hull class is another example of a recreational boat being used as a raceboat.

The motors are low cost production models that sell for a few hundred dollars.

The propellers are the stock or replacement stock, thru hub aluminum or stainless steel models. No cleavers, semi-cleavers , choppers etc.

One suggestion is to have 5 of these type boats be built by TBoat racers. These boats would be leased to wannabe racers at the race event. The rental fee would cover the cost of the raceboat in a couple of seasons.
The 5 boats would only be part of the entries racing in the class, but it’s another option to get new people interested.

Something to think about!

Another idea would be the KIT DELTA. Your able to purchase in white the seat, deck and hull, plus the precut panels in either marine plywood or composite material.

So you’re looking for a 13 to 15 foot V hull that will run approximately 50 mph with a 40 to 70 hp motor turning stock propellers .

The 14 Sidewinder was produced by several companies. There are original boats and splash copies. They fit the requirements with a 70 hp OMC two stroke.
Here are two examples:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 9cfa970714

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... e_serp%3Ae
Remember you’re making a raceboat, single seat center steer.

The lighter hulls like the 13 foot Checkmate will run 50 mph with less horsepower and you could run other makes of outboards instead of an OMC.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to look at ads for low priced boats, motors and parts. Many have good inexpensive useful items.

Example:
This is a low cost mercury/mariner gearcase with a factory mercury stainless propeller. The gearcase would be a two to one ratio and the prop a 10 X 16 pitch. Ideal for a 60 or 70 hp 49 cubic inch mercury triple with a 1:84 gearcase.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... f916eca8ae

Now this is an interesting ad. The boat is of no value, but the motor is clean and has factory power trim, the trailer is an aluminum trailex ideal for a light V hull. The steering is cable and pulley good for a raceboat. It’s a good buy just for those items.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... =undefined

A stock production outboard means it cannot be altered in anyway. Most will race long shaft versions because there are more of those models on the market and they are less costly. Plus you don’t need a short shaft because the stock propellers limit how high you can run the motor on the transom. No super stock motors, no Yamaha/rude trim, no plastic reeds, stock tuners, no exhaust holes, no alterations to water pickups.. no engine mods, you run stock carburetor jets. Maximum prop shaft rated hp is 70 hp. Maximum cubic inch displacement is 50 cubic inch.