From George Linder, APBA Offshore Technical Committee Chairman
The enclosed represents the recommendations of the Technical Committee for the 1997-2001 APBA offshore rules (approved November 17, 1995, APBA annual meeting).

Technical advances that may seriously impact the sport will be evaluated by the Technical Committee the ORC reserves the right to make changes as necessary.

I would like to express my thanks to Don Jones, the members of the Technical Committee, ORC Commissioners, racers, engine and boat builders for their advice, time and effort in preparing the 1997-2001 offshore rules.

Best regards,
Signed George Linder

1. No turbo or supercharging except Super Vee
2. No multi-speed transmissions
3. No diesels
4. Minimum weight in all classes, TBD by weighing all boats.
   • Minimum weight is decided at the end of the race. The weight will be an all-up weight including engines, residual fuel, drives, rigging and safety as stated in the racing rules
   • The following is not included in the all-up weight. Fuel, bow tank ballast, life jackets, crash helmets and movable ballast.
   • Weight must be an integral part of the part (UIM specs)
5. Effective 1997, all new registered boats in all APBA classes, competing in national races on the national circuit, must have canopy safety systems in compliance with the Lavin Foundation guidelines.
6. Effective 1997, all APBA racers using canopy boats must be SCUBA certified.
7. Cat and vee boats will race in separate classes.
8. Open boats will race in a seperate race and not with the other classes.
9. Boats currently racing which do not meet the 1997-2001 requirements, will be granted on a "variance" on an individual basis, to be determined by the Technical Committee.

1. Engine
   • 500 CID (1000 CID) total, naturally aspirated, RACE RPM 6,800 maximum.
   • Compression ratio
     10:1 four valve, overhead cam
     12:1 two valve, pushrod
     Note - 2 valve pushrod engines may be allowed increased compression to maintain racing parity as determined by the ORC and reviewed periodically; initially set at 12:1
2. Boat length: 38'-48', minimum weight 9500 lb.
3. For one year 1997 only, turbo-charged engines (1.4 penalty) will be allowed with 6800 RPM limit. If parity with naturally aspirated in not obtained, additional RPM or boost limits will be imposed by the Technical Committee.

1. Engine: 510 CID (1020 CID) total, current modified rules.
   • Compression ratio: 9.5:1
2. Boat length: 30'-40', minimum weight TBD

1. Performance factory modified powerhead, no change to OEM specs.
2. Outboard 186 CID (560 CID) total, triple engines.
3. Gearcase water pick-up only (TBD)
4. Boat length: 30'-37', minimum weight TBD

1. Stock factory powerhead, no change to OEM specs (1994 or later).
2. Outboards 186 CID (375 CID) total, twin engines.
3. Gearcase water pick-up only.
4. Boat length: 28'-27' will be grandfathered.

1. Engines
   • 600 CID (1200 CID) total, naturally aspirated. RACE
   • 428 CID (857 CID) total, turbo or supercharged. RACE
2. Boat length: 36'-47', minimum weight TBD.

1. Engine: 510 CID (1020 CID) total, current production rules except as follows:
   1. Any 15.5" exhaust manifold.
   2. Any four barrel carburetor
   3. Single plane cast intake manifold (unmodified)
   4. Compression ratio 9.5:1
   5. No angle milling of heads
2. Boat length: 30'-39' minimum weight TBD.

Note: Current boats with 350 CID modified engines will be grandfathered. Current boats 28'-29' will be grandfathered.

1. Engine: 510 CID current production rules except as follows:
   1. Any 15.5" exhaust manifold.
   2. Any four barrel carburetor
   3. Single plane cast intake manifold (unmodified)
   4. Compression ratio 9.5:1
   5. No angle milling of heads
2. Boat length 24'-32', minimum weight TBD.

Note: Current boats with 470 CID modified engines (no "big chief" heads allowed) will be grandfathered. Compression ratio limit 12:1