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What Is A Model Boat Race?
Radio controlled boats are powered by either glow ignition, alcohol/nitromethane fueled 2- stroke
engines or spark ignition, gasoline fueled modifed weedeater type engines. While many classes
resemble full scale racing boats, outrigger hydroplanes are unique to model boating. These ‘riggers are
capable of straightaway speeds of over 70 miles per hour.
Model boat racing format is much like full-scale racing. Boats race clockwise around an oval course
from a timed start to determine a winner. There may be as many as 8 boats in a heat and each boat will
race for four heats. When there are more than 8 boats in a class, heats are divided into sections with the
contestants randomly drawn for each section. The total points for all heats determine the winner.
At the Nationals this year the course is 1/5
th
mile around and the race lasts fve laps. Racers have two
minutes to start their engines and launch their boat. At the end of this time or when all boats are on the
water, there is a 30 second countdown to the start of the race, and boats “mill” around the course to
position themselves for the start. During this time a boatmay cut across the course at any point between
the starting buoy and the frst turn entrance buoy onto the back straightaway. Boats will enter the
fnal turn about fve to ten seconds before the start. A racer may not cut another of and all boats must
maintain their own lane until clearly ahead of other boats. Any boats over the starting line before the
hornmust completeanother full lapbefore starting. Cutting insidebuoys also result inaone-lappenalty.
More serious violations can result in disqualifcation for the heat. The frst boat to complete fve legal
laps wins. Boats must complete fve laps to get fnishing points. There are no restarts or reruns even if
no one fnishes. Points for fnish positions are: 1
st
-400, 2
nd
- 300, 3
rd
- 225, 4
th
- 169, 5
th
- 127, 6
th
- 96, 7
th
-72, 8
th
- 54, Did Not Finish - 25, and Did Not Start - 0.
Though most races use this format there are also other types of contests. Ofshore races emphasize
maneuvering and endurance. There is a LeMans style start and boats circle the course for a
predetermined time. In this case the frst buoy after the turnmust be passed on the inside and the total
laps completed at the end of the time period determines the winner.
Team Marathon races are for two boat teams who race for 100 laps. Each boat must complete 10 laps
before passing a fag to the next boat, which then begins its 10 laps. Consistency ismore important than
speed as dead boats cannot be retrieved.
Scale Unlimited Hydroplanes race like their full size brothers. After three heats, the six boats with
the highest total points are assigned to the fnal. The next eight boats run in a consolation race and the
winner advances to the fnal. The winner of the fnal wins the trophy regardless of total points. These
boats also win a trophy for scale appearance and craftsmanship.