Why minimum boat length?

[OzarkKing]

Is the rule that your boat has to be a certain length an arbitrary one or is it designed to eliminate a certain class of boats (those small ones with the corvette engines)? Seems like it could be fun to get a class for fishing boats or small outboard powerboats.

[Poly Lift Mike]

It helps keep the classifications down. There are so many boats in it already that opening other smaller boat classes would create even more of a log jam and may prevent some from getting in their runs. The permits for the shootout only allow for certain times during the day that the boats can run. With out adding a third day, i dont see it happening.

[buck183]

Not to mention, someone with a top fuel drag boat could idle 3/4 of the course and then hammer it for the last 1/4 to take an easy win.

[QWKRN U]

a lot of it has to do with safety on the course as well. While a lot of smaller boats are fast, they are just unsafe at high speeds in the rollers.

[lake_carl]

yeah its a safety thing, I actually always thought it was because when first started many 30' boats would barely do 75-85 and they did not want guys in hot bass boats going faster than them

[36Tango]

Don't take this the wrong way, but watching smaller boats go fast on a one mile track can be alot less exciting than seeing the big stuff run. Kind of like the jet skiis running. It seems there is no problem filling the time with the big stuff with big power. Watching a bass boat go 80 mph just dosn't do it. Maybe they should let small boats, jetskiis, and pontoons run on Friday, and leave the weekend for the big power. I'd like to see some top fuel racing sometime, but that would take a totally different venue.

In looking over at OSO, it appeasr that the Shootout could be VERY well attended this year. I am looking forward to it.

[Von Bongo]

Not to mention, someone with a top fuel drag boat could idle 3/4 of the course and then hammer it for the last 1/4 to take an easy win.

That is the story I was told as to why . I mean letting miss bud take the win was controversy enough! I'm positive a bass boat ran a couple years ago when it was still at shooters. J He was not able to run full speed and spent a lot of time in the air. Was a Sunday . The course isn't as smooth as it is made to look. Even the 24 or so boats can get some air. Rons is smoother than shooteors though.

[24baja496]

I ran my 24ft baja last year, and it came out of the water during my run on saturday. I couldnt imagine being in a smaller boat trying to keep it on the water at full power.

[bsloop]

I ran my 24ft baja last year, and it came out of the water during my run on saturday. I couldnt imagine being in a smaller boat trying to keep it on the water at full power.

Looks like you have experience talking which was going to be my comment as well.

Too small to safely run in the potentially rough conditions of the course.

There are several potential more classes:
bass boats
smaller v-bottom like baja/formula
outboard and I/O cat boats like Eliminator/Warlock/Mirage
jet boats

All these can approach or exceed 100mph but not in the environment that has made LOTO a destination inland waterway.[smilie=rocker]


Most of the smaller boats have their own competitions on smaller, calmer bodies of water and rivers which is where they were intended to run.

[OzarkKing]

Thanks for the feedback...I only ask because just acquired a 16' outboard and live at the 31 mm where most make their last right turn before the Shootout. Now back to organizing my Sh*tout on the Osage River. It works on two levels: we run on the flowout water from Bagnall Dam and we are disqualified from the Shootout before entering - therefore Sh*tout. Only problem is, I don't want to befriend a bunch of Iowans/Wisconsinites as they seem to comprise the small powerboat population.

[Playa_G at 4-Play Games]

Looks like you have experience talking which was going to be my comment as well.

Too small to safely run in the potentially rough conditions of the course.

There are several potential more classes:
bass boats
smaller v-bottom like baja/formula
outboard and I/O cat boats like Eliminator/Warlock/Mirage
jet boats

All these can approach or exceed 100mph but not in the environment that has made LOTO a destination inland waterway.[smilie=rocker]


Most of the smaller boats have their own competitions on smaller, calmer bodies of water and rivers which is where they were intended to run.

Never thought about it - but are there no Jet boats at lake of the ozarks?

[Griff]

Never thought about it - but are there no Jet boats at lake of the ozarks?

Very few of them anymore. The jet boats were very popular in the mid/late 70's at LOTO.

[J.T.]

Years ago,
The shootout didn't have the "no wake" rule, that may have had something
to do with not allowing the smaller boats to run.