Parker 300

[GRADS]

So did RiverDave pull this off or not? Dish the dirt.

[Milkmoney]

My mom calls me an asshole, top that

My mother introduces me as her #1 asshole son.

[bb88]

So my plan for an outer Channel Islands fishing trip was "blown" away due to weather so I decided I could still do some fishing. Caught me a big one at home watching football.

[hallett21]

I think a way to beef up the racer entry number would be to promote more 17-19ft outboard boats. Looking on craigslist for an F3 (ski race boat) boat and they are ranging from 2-5k and over of course. But assuming the hull was sound and the motor was decent you could probably have a fun enduro boat on a budget. Obviously not the fastest but a good way to bring back the "grassroots" vibe to the race. The big boys can still run hard at over a 100 and maybe a few guys can battle it out in the budget class. I just got into ski racing last year and I have a lot to learn about racing but I think there is a lot of hate on outboards when in reality they seem to be a lot more affordable than an inboard boat. And arguably more reliable

Edit:

I realize racing is not about saving pennies but a lower startup cost would be more attractive to newbies

[gn7]

What exactly do you mean by promote more 17-19 ft outboards? give special treatment? Who should promote them? The race promoter, or the other guys running 17-19 ft ski outboards?
I understand what you are saying. just don't understand who you think should be doing this "promoting"

[hallett21]

I mean the veteran racers. Something that I have to credit ski racers with is they seem to be constantly trying to get people into the sport. WOT marine is a great example. They got me into racing and basically said show up ready to ski and we will get you racing. And I was hooked. And I have seen them do it with others as well. They try to get you as passionate about racing as they are. BJ aka Crazy hippy has leant me equipment at multiple races to keep me on the water. As has Justin Hill.

That whole soapbox pertains to one guy skiing behind a boat. In my first races that was built up from completely newbies I'm sure every guy being towed had the same similar story.


And I know that those same people exist in boat racing. The same people that will help turn a wrench to keep you running, lend a prop etc. So I am not trying to put one racer over the other.

I think what happens to a lot of people is they see WOT Nordic Teague Bloodshot etc and say holy crap that's awesome but there's no way I am running the family boat against that, or am I forking out 40k to hang with them. But everyone has to start somewhere so pushing the 17-19 ft outboard boats seems like a good way to tell the masses that while yes you can run a $100k+ boat at the enduro you can also run an avenger with a 150. Of course it's not glamorous but you just added one more guy to the fleet. And hopefully that person stays with the sport and moves up the ladder.

It seems like there should be more focus on bringing in new blood to racing. Just an opinion.

Btw I make no claims in being a expert or even knowledgable about boat racing. Just spitballing ideas.

[gn7]

I mean the veteran racers. Something that I have to credit ski racers with is they seem to be constantly trying to get people into the sport. WOT marine is a great example. They got me into racing and basically said show up ready to ski and we will get you racing. And I was hooked. And I have seen them do it with others as well. They try to get you as passionate about racing as they are. BJ aka Crazy hippy has leant me equipment at multiple races to keep me on the water. As has Justin Hill.

That whole soapbox pertains to one guy skiing behind a boat. In my first races that was built up from completely newbies I'm sure every guy being towed had the same similar story.


And I know that those same people exist in boat racing. The same people that will help turn a wrench to keep you running, lend a prop etc. So I am not trying to put one racer over the other.

I think what happens to a lot of people is they see WOT Nordic Teague Bloodshot etc and say holy crap that's awesome but there's no way I am running the family boat against that, or am I forking out 40k to hang with them. But everyone has to start somewhere so pushing the 17-19 ft outboard boats seems like a good way to tell the masses that while yes you can run a $100k+ boat at the enduro you can also run an avenger with a 150. Of course it's not glamorous but you just added one more guy to the fleet. And hopefully that person stays with the sport and moves up the ladder.

It seems like there should be more focus on bringing in new blood to racing. Just an opinion.

Btw I make no claims in being a expert or even knowledgable about boat racing. Just spitballing ideas.

You have the right idea Hallett, and you seem to understand, I think. Who's responsibility it is to promote a give type racing and or boats. That's what confused me about the "promoting" of 17-19 ft ski boats. I thought you were suggesting it was some how partially my responsibility, or the guy racing K boats or drag boats or offshore boats. We all do what we can to help anybody get started, IN THE CLASS AND TYPE OF RACING WE ARE INVOLVED WITH. I can't help promote ski boats because I know zip about them. That's WOT's job, or some other group involved. I don't remember you or WOT getting anybody involved in K boats, or GNs, and I don't expect them to. Its not their thing. You get my point Hallett. Don't mean to sound harsh, but had a problem with who your original post was aimed at. Exactly who do you suggest do this promoting of 17-19 ft ski boats. I think you answered your own question.

[hallett21]

You have the right idea Hallett, and you seem to understand, I think. Who's responsibility it is to promote a give type racing and or boats. That's what confused me about the "promoting" of 17-19 ft ski boats. I thought you were suggesting it was some how partially my responsibility, or the guy racing K boats or drag boats or offshore boats. We all do what we can to help anybody get started, IN THE CLASS AND TYPE OF RACING WE ARE INVOLVED WITH. I can't help promote ski boats because I know zip about them. That's WOT's job, or some other group involved. I don't remember you or WOT getting anybody involved in K boats, or GNs, and I don't expect them to. Its not their thing. You get my point Hallett. Don't mean to sound harsh, but had a problem with who your original post was aimed at. Exactly who do you suggest do this promoting of 17-19 ft ski boats. I think you answered your own question.

Ya I understand what your saying. Same way a dirt bike racer will help another guy get into riding track and probably not driving trophy trucks.

I was speaking more towards the enduro rather than GN, COR, ski race etc. the enduro seems like a year closer or opener depending on what you race that allows all different kinds of boats to compete. So obviously you get a melting pot of racers. And maybe the key to building it up is by promoting the enduro in the smaller racing classes that happen year round. Jazz up the gn, COR, ski race guys about competing in the enduro.

As an outsider looking in the enduro appears to have the potential to add a lot of fresh blood because it only happens once a year. So the cost throughout the year wouldn't be as high compared to a guy running 5-10 races a year. And if your lucky the guy gets bored racing once a year and starts entering other races throughout the year

[gn7]

Ya I understand what your saying. Same way a dirt bike racer will help another guy get into riding track and probably not driving trophy trucks.

I was speaking more towards the enduro rather than GN, COR, ski race etc. the enduro seems like a year closer or opener depending on what you race that allows all different kinds of boats to compete. So obviously you get a melting pot of racers. And maybe the key to building it up is by promoting the enduro in the smaller racing classes that happen year round. Jazz up the gn, COR, ski race guys about competing in the enduro.

As an outsider looking in the enduro appears to have the potential to add a lot of fresh blood because it only happens once a year. So the cost throughout the year wouldn't be as high compared to a guy running 5-10 races a year. And if your lucky the guy gets bored racing once a year and starts entering other races throughout the year

The GN and COR guys were already jazzed up, and have been for years. They became UN jazzed. As for the ski race guys, that your area. Most circle guys never see them or even know most of them.
I seem to sense you think maybe the promoter should put more push on the smaller less expensive boats? At the risk of ignoring the bigger/faster boats?
If I am a promoter, I want all the boats and as many as I can attract, WITHOUT PLAYING FAVORITES. Not saying that happened here or any time before. Saying you don't want that to start. Its a bad idea.
What I saw here was exactly what Singleton posted. The promoter spent all his time promoting himself, primarily on his own website, to his own group of loyal followers who had no intention of entering the race, but he loved the praise he was hearing, and less promoting the race and the racers. This thing from day one was all about RD and his rushing in to save the day. Like Obama. Its SUPER DAVE, and I am here to save boat racing. YAWN!

[Singleton]

IMO the promotor did not do enough. I heard about the race on this site and RDP.
Maybe saw 1 article posted in the Parker Express the Thursday before.
If you are going to promote it, you do all that is possible to draw the largest crowd and entries.

Did promotions during college and IMO, the promotor leveraged his online network and Teague.
If you take those away, not much occurred. I was always told do at least 10 things that were not done last time and you did your job.