A Gentleman’s Sport
By Alan Hobbs
NAMBA Past President
About 40 years ago I became
interested in model boat racing. Tether
boats had been around for years and
radio controlled boats were just
becoming popular. My first radio was a
three channel HeathKit. Slow does not
describe it by today’s radio standards.
The local hobby shop had no idea of
what I was talking about when I asked
about marine engines, competitive boat
kits, and hardware items, such as rudders
and propellers.
It was not easy to get into the model
boat racing hobby. But there were some
hobby magazines that covered model
boats. I found out about a company
called Octura. One August, my family
and I went to Spokane, Washington for a
weekend getaway. As we drove by the
river park, there were people actually
racing model boats in the river. While
my wife and children went shopping,
saw the city, and enjoyed the weather, I
spent a whole day watching the model
boaters. One of the men came over and
asked if I had ever seen R/C model boats
race before. We struck up a conversation
and he introduced me to his friends from
Seattle, the Tri-Cities and the Spokane
area.
They told me about their clubs, where
to get the right engines, where to get
good boat kits and hardware. I was
impressed by how nice they were,
friendly and helpful. The boat racing
group was made up of families.
Children, mothers, and fathers were
racing model boats. They were having a
lot of fun and enjoyed each other’s
company.
Within a few years, I owned a Dumas
Hotshot with K&B outboard power. I
had a Huey Rigger with a K&B 6.5cc
marine engine. I had an OPS 60 powered
mono. Then, in 1976 I was transferred
to Oklahoma. After our house was
settled and I had a shop downstairs, I
started looking into model boat racing in
the area. NAMBA was active in
Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Dallas,
Amarillo, Wichita Falls and New
Mexico.
Continued on page 22
PROPWASH
November 2012
21
That stunk I thought to myself. Then I started debating and arguing on these forums.
Heated arguments I tell you. I would actually slam my computer shut and Natalie
would look at me and ask what’s up with that? I would respond that some moron that
has never raced at altitude has no idea what he is talking about. Then I would rant and
rave about all the morons on the forums not realizing I was one of them.
The fun was gone. Instead of being heaven sent now I believe they are the work of
Satan. To me, they were becoming a hiding place for lynch mobs, so called experts
that want to bully, and for the morons that tell me how wrong my set ups are. The
experts were gone, the friendly banter was gone and my fun was gone.
I stepped back from them for awhile because most of my pain was probably self
inflicted, yes I know, I can do that to myself. I went from being on them daily, hourly,
to now visiting from time to time. Mainly just to see what’s for sale and them I am
gone. My sickness is now over and I don’t need that fix anymore. But the sickness on
these forums is running rampant. Everyday a new argument starts by bystanders who
have no dog in the fight, it’s hard to find good relevant information and I am now
afraid to post because of retribution.
Come on boaters, it is now time to bring my happiness back and give me a reason
to ignore my family again. It is so bad for me that I’m actually getting along with Al
Waters and starting to agree with him on policies and procedures. I need my forums.
Please refrain, use discretion and bring the enjoyment back to my forums.
Winter is coming soon and with out clean fun forums I may have to take up needle
point. I wonder if they have a forum.
Proposed NAMBA Nationals Rule
By Robert Holland
NAMBA President
I hope you all take the time to vote for the
NAMBA Nationals rule that District 20
submitted. The rule will allow a club/district to
have a choice to hold a shorter NAMBA
National event (6 days minimum) or a longer
event (8 days maximum) depending on their
locations and potential entries.
The recent trend has been the shorter
duration events around the nation have drawn
larger attendance than the most recent NAMBA
or IMPBA Nationals. The make up of attendees
for these events come from around the nation
and are not just local people. At a recent race in
Hobart, Indiana, a three day event, contestants
came from Los Angeles, Seattle, areas of
Florida and everywhere in between with over 300 boats. This same trend is happening
at the World Cup in Las Vegas, the Orlando WinterNats in Florida, the Gas World
Championships in Louisiana, and the Tunnel Championships in South Carolina. The
Fall Nationals in Charleston, South Carolina had over 225 boats entered in six hours.
Now I do believe these large short events do not allow people to forge the same
friendships or relax and enjoy themnselves as the longer events. Nor do you take the
time out to explore the local areas but it is something to ponder.
The proposed rule would allow smaller districts with traditionally less attendance
in their area to still put on an event without wearing out the local NAMBA members.
It would also allow the out of state contingent to take less time from work and
families.
The racing could start on Sunday and end the following Friday. This would allow
time to get to the event, test, race for six days, travel home on Saturday and recover on
Sunday with only taking one week off. The option is still there for the larger areas that
generally draw bigger attendance to still have the traditional eight-day event.
Whether you agree or disagree, please vote.