Welfare responsible for decline of boat racing?
Ron Hill's newsletter is great and very much appreciated. Its a very valuable news digest.
In his recent transmission, Ron suggests that the decline of boat racing is due to public welfare.
" I feel the reason boating and boat racing is suffering is the fact we have 88 million people on welfare. The working people of this country can't afford a boat because their taxes pay for these 88 million welfare recipients."
In my opinion there are many reasons for the decline of our sport that have very little or nothing to do with welfare. A partial list might include:
No affordable new production factory motors for stock outboard (except for used Yamatos)
No motor manufacturers' or robust APBA advertising campaigns about racing.
Open exhausts now banned on most waters.
Speeds limited on most waters
Environmental restrictions on most waters.
Some racers will not race in salt or rough water.
Racing craft so specialized that most cannot be used for recreation as well.
Many competing sports.
Loss of good water close to populations of spectators
Courses too far away from drivers homes
Recession
Massive job losses
Loopholes in some stock classes that do not level competition where money= winning
Loss of household wealth from real estate crash
Need for modern fiberglass boats that are affordable
Courses do not enhance spectator viewing/excitement: too long & far from viewing areas
Conflict and infighting in APBA, clubs and classes
Too may classes creating boring competition in most classes
Under-representation in the media
Ancient technology: such as no out-drives, use of rope or recoil starting and kneel-down
High cost of racing travel and fees
Feel free to add to this list.
BTW: When I was racing in the 50s/60s in the bay area I personally knew several drivers that were very low income and some were on welfare.
Too FAST for the average person
I've said this many times before. All of you are partially correct! All of the above reasons contribute to the decline of boat racing. As for me, well my family wasn't very well off financially. However my dad always found money somewhere for his pleasure. As I grew older and could afford this sport, it just got a little too fast. It became difficult to explain to your family how to be safe and smart? How do you punish your child for doing stupid things with a car when you are out riding a piece of plywood with a motor doing 100+ miles per hour? What happened to the racing of the 50's & early 60"s. Speeds from 42 MPH to 75 MPH. Being raised around alky's, what happened to the noise? Look how many of your average drivers quit or retired when speeds rose and the thought of the danger could effect your family life? Who jumed in and took Pep Hubbell's place when he past? The people that were making enginees wanted to be the fast & the best. Boats became lighter and not as strong as before. The inheret danger to the driver! Just look at all forms of what used to be affordable amatuer sports. Motorcycles, cars, dirt bikes, dune buggies, bass fishing boats, jet ski's, the list is almost endless. I couldn't be selfish enought to risk our childs or childrens form of financial support just to satisfy my desire to participate in a dangerous sport. One of the reasons I left what used to be a fun and pleasurable sport.