How to sort out Where to Race and the Kind of Boat to Race in Washinton State area

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Lee Whiteley

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
162
I've become interested in modeling and boats again after being away from it all for some years now. I live in Tacoma, Wa and there seems to be a lot of interest in racing and the classes of boats are just overwhelming. A month ago I thought I'd just build or buy a boat and go have some fun and try my hand at racing.
The boats available are just incredible and powering them is another world with gas, nitro, and electric.
So at this point today I've concluded that I need some help in sorting this out so I can get focused and put my funds where I can be more effective in pursuing my goal to build and race in this area or Washington State.

I really like the 1/6th Scale Hydros running gas but are they racing them in my area. Also a I see a rigger boat and a Sport 40 boat and again are they being raced in my area.

With this said I would sure appreciate advice and thoughts from folks in my area that do now what I want to do. I watched some videos of the Scale Hydroplanes and that is some really exciting racing I have to say!!

One more thing are there any active clubs around Tacoma Seattle area that get together and talk boats?

Regards,

Lee
 
I've become interested in modeling and boats again after being away from it all for some years now. I live in Tacoma, Wa and there seems to be a lot of interest in racing and the classes of boats are just overwhelming. A month ago I thought I'd just build or buy a boat and go have some fun and try my hand at racing.
The boats available are just incredible and powering them is another world with gas, nitro, and electric.
So at this point today I've concluded that I need some help in sorting this out so I can get focused and put my funds where I can be more effective in pursuing my goal to build and race in this area or Washington State.

I really like the 1/6th Scale Hydros running gas but are they racing them in my area. Also a I see a rigger boat and a Sport 40 boat and again are they being raced in my area.

With this said I would sure appreciate advice and thoughts from folks in my area that do now what I want to do. I watched some videos of the Scale Hydroplanes and that is some really exciting racing I have to say!!

One more thing are there any active clubs around Tacoma Seattle area that get together and talk boats?

Regards,

Lee
 
Call Jerry Dunlap in Lakewood....He will know every aspect of RC boat racing in the Sea-Tac area....
1-253-584-7131
 
namba8.com has all the clubs and races on it. I do know they run the gas 1/6 boats up here. I believe its with RCU. I cant say much more than that. Its not my thing, the scale that is. A lot of the boaters are in route to namba nats right now. So you wont see much from them for a while. I race dist 8 series boats. We race sp40 at most races. You will have to be more specific on the rigger you have. 21,45, or larger? I personally have a nitro/gas rigger for all the classes that in namba. We dont race those that much in dist 8. Basically 12 and 21. You might see some 45 riggers next year. I know a few racers are building them right now. I just pulled mine off the shelf after 15 yrs or so for an overhaul. Looking to run 45 hydro at nats next year as well. You can PM if you want to talk on the phone.
Mike
 
Mike has a lot of good information on the non-scale boats and, between him and the previously mentioned Jerry Dunlap, they can probably fill you in on pretty much everything.
I'll try to fill in the scale hydros for you:
  • 1/10 Electric scale: These are run by E-R/C Unlimiteds. They hold their own races as well as racing with R/C Unlimiteds at some events. You can find out more at https://www.ercu-hydros.com
  • 1/8 Scale: These are run by R/C Unlimiteds. We race in a few locations along the I-5 corridor, Ellensburg and Kennewick. Both nitro and electric powered boats race in their own heats so someone with an electric won't be racing a nitro powered boat. You can find out more information about both of these and the gas scales below at https://www.rcunlimiteds.com/
  • 1/6.7 Gas scale: These boats are also run at R/C Unlimited races, in their own heats. They are, more or less, scaled up nitro scales, powered by two stroke gas engines up to 31cc.
 
Thanks for all this information. I feel like I can start narrowing down choices for a boat to build and use.

Mike. The Rigger boats and Sport 20 and 40 boats are of interest to myself and they're being raced right here in my area. I just purchased a used Sport 40 boat here on the forum. It's a Phil Thomas boat that will get me going a lot faster than trying to build a new boat. New coat of paint install radio and engine and I'll be able to start getting some experience. I like the idea of this larger boat as far as being able to see it and keep track of it. It sure looks like "stuff" happens pretty quick during a race. A rigger boat in the 20 size looks good as well. Not so tough on the pocket book and seems like there are plenty of kits and even used boats around. You got my attention when you said you're dusting off a 15 year old 40 size rigger to use next year. I'm aware there has been design changes since then. Will do some updating on this hull? I've been looking at plans and boats in the 40 size as well there are several that intrigue me for sure.

Hydro Junkie. I have watched several videos of these boats and I just cannot believe how exciting these boats are. As a kid I've attended Seattle races in the early 60's and can still remember the noise and roostertails these boats made. With that said I do plan on a 1/6th size boat in my future. The idea of a gas engine and a scale boat is a must do one of these days.

Rod I'll contact Jerry Dunlap here pretty quick and explore that avenue as well. I do have a Prather Lap Cat that I've been working on that'll be done here pretty quick.

I still need to come up with some kind of Pit Box for getting boats started. Any recommendations for a Pit Box guys. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I do have some wordworking skills so most likely will build one myself. I'm just not sure what kind of features it'll need for working with boats. Does anyone make one for sale out there? Would be a good place to start working on that part.

Thanks all. It would be great to get some recommendations for boats and kits as well. Also engines. I have some K&B engines but I see these are not being used now. Is there an engine you could recommend to get this off the ground? Also is used engines a good way to go?

Thanks so much. As you can see you've inspired me to get a move on now!!

Lee
 
I still need to come up with some kind of Pit Box for getting boats started. Any recommendations for a Pit Box guys. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I do have some wordworking skills so most likely will build one myself. I'm just not sure what kind of features it'll need for working with boats. Does anyone make one for sale out there? Would be a good place to start working on that part.

Thanks all. It would be great to get some recommendations for boats and kits as well. Also engines. I have some K&B engines but I see these are not being used now. Is there an engine you could recommend to get this off the ground? Also is used engines a good way to go?

Thanks so much. As you can see you've inspired me to get a move on now!!

Lee
A pit box is actually fairly straight forward. You need some sort of case/box to carry the following:
  • starter(if you're going 1/8 or gas scale, you will need a heavy duty starter like the Sullivan Dynatron 603. Anything smaller and you can use a starter like the Sullivan High Torque 601 as shown at http://sullivanproducts.com/product-category/starters/
  • battery
  • glow ingnitor
  • spare plugs
  • applicable allen wrenches/drivers
  • applicable nut drivers/sockets & ratchets/wrenches
  • fuel pump
  • fuel jug(most clubs won't allow metal fuel cans in the pit area due to the possibility of it failing in the sun)
  • butane soldering iron with solder and flux
  • assorted spare parts(engine, radio, driveline, fins, etc)
You could also use something like a tackle box for some of the things you may need to carry.
As far as engines, K&B is largely not available anymore. The company was sold to a guy that merged several companies together to form MECOA(Model Engine Company of America). Most of the companies that were purchased by MECOA ceased to exist soon after. Many people run CMB, AA, or one other brand(IIRC)in their scale boats.
Hope this helps
 
For a pit box, all I carry to the hot pits are the starter, glow ignitor, some spare plugs and a plug wrench. The igniter, plugs and wrench are in my apron pocket, so only carrying the starter. Working on the boat should be done in the working pits so no other tools needed.
 
Mark,
At an R/C Unlimiteds race, we don't use a hot pits area to start the boats. Everything is done in your own pit area, with boats running while being carried to the launch area. The exception to that would be when attending the NAMBA Nationals, where the hot pits are used by all. That is why I listed everything I did. I don't know how a D8 race works since I've never raced at a D8 event
 
Mark,
At an R/C Unlimiteds race, we don't use a hot pits area to start the boats. Everything is done in your own pit area, with boats running while being carried to the launch area. The exception to that would be when attending the NAMBA Nationals, where the hot pits are used by all. That is why I listed everything I did. I don't know how a D8 race works since I've never raced at a D8 event

So,
If I understand correctly what you have written. If you happen to have spectators, passer by's under your tent and your heat is up next.
Do you politely ask them to leave, or you start up and carry your boat to the launch?
Spectators are allowed to meander through the pits while all of this is going on?
 
So,
If I understand correctly what you have written. If you happen to have spectators, passer by's under your tent and your heat is up next.
Do you politely ask them to leave, or you start up and carry your boat to the launch?
Spectators are allowed to meander through the pits while all of this is going on?
Spectators are not allowed in the pits unless escorted in by someone that is associated with the boats. I personally have escorted people through the pits on more than one occasion, explaining what's going on in the various boat camps, answering questions and, most importantly, building up public relations. To be clear on this, I won't let non boaters enter the pit area during the 3 minutes prior to a heat due to the dangers involved and non boaters not understanding what's actually happening. As soon as the "YOU'RE ON THE CLOCK" announcement is broadcast, I take visitors out of the pits by the fastest and safest route possible and answer any additional questions where they're not in any danger. In your example, if my boat is up in the next heat, I will politely tell them to stand by and watch the heat from outside the pit area and then will answer questions, etc, after the heat is over. We have one site where the pits are open due the the park's layout but rarely have to say anything about safety as they normally just pass through without stopping
 
Rule seems clear.

Only NAMBA members are allowed in the hot pit area. No persons other than those
running a boat, those assisting with the running of a boat, or contest officials will be
permitted in the pit area.
 
Actually, I didn't take exception to it as we all do things in our own way. I was just explaining why I had listed everything I had in a box. If this was a question about what to include in a starter box being taken to the NAMBA Nats, I probably would have had a list very similar to yours.
 
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