model boating topics. We cannot have a
Propwash
unless people write articles.
So please take the time and write
something about our hobby. It really
matters.
Anyway, here’s an update on the
status of the new NAMBA Nationals
banner. I asked two ladies who stated
they are very good at sewing and both
said it would be easy to replicate our
initial banner from 1972 to 2011. After
four months, I checked with them on the
status and to see when I could pick it up.
Well, they didn’t do a thing – nada,
nothing, zero! That really ticked me off
because I’ve always tried to go through
life with the aspect of “if I say I’m going
to do something, I do it.” Too bad
everyone can’t follow that logic.
Especially when others are depending on
them. It seems the world is filled with
procrastinators who study for a test at the
last minute, pay a bill on the date it’s
due, waste time all day, and then rush
around at the end of the day to finish one
task. I told the two of them “Thanks for
nothing”, and then left. Now what do I
do? We have the 2013 Nationals in Salt
Lake City this year and I told Al Waters
I would get a new banner for the next 40
years. All of a sudden, it hit me. Why
don’t I contact the person who made the
replacement banner we have now!
So I contacted our multi-talented,
versatile go-to-guy, Dave Bestpitch.
Dave was happy to step up and make our
second banner. It is in process and I will
be sending him the 2012 patch from
New Hampshire. Thank you Dave! One
thing for sure is that Dave Bestpitch eats,
sleeps, and dreams NAMBA.
PROPWASH
April 2013
7
Three Fast Electric Proposals From District 19
by David Newland
NAMBA FE Chairman
District 19 has submitted three Fast Electric rule proposals for your consideration.
The first is to add a Catamaran Specialty Class to the FE section of the rulebook.
Currently, catamaran hulls are allowed only in our four minute Offshore classes. Since
the FE portion of the rulebook is predominately based on NAMBA nitro rules, there
has never been an official catamaran class for sprint racing.
The increase in FE catamaran racing has predominantly been driven by the
excellent RTR support we have received from manufacturers over the past few years.
They have box-stock boats that are legal in our most popular P-Ltd classes. I ask for
your support on this proposal so catamarans can have their own class in FE for sprint
racing.
The second proposal states that FE Offshore classes no longer be eligible for
records. The specifics of this proposal focus on the fact that Offshore records have too
many variations as well as some duplication with other classes. To help narrow the
focus of FE records, I feel it’s best to eliminate offshore records so that FE has a more
traditional NAMBA approach to record eligibility.
With regards to the many variations mentioned above, there are currently two
different Offshore Courses (M Course and Offset Course), as well as two different
legal starting methods (LeMans and traditional). Maintaining an accurate and
meaningful set of records with so many courses and start variations, in my opinion, is
too difficult and diminishes the importance of records.
As mentioned above, duplication also has to do with SAW/ Two Lap Records that
have been set under the Offshore Specialty Class. In the past, it has generally been
accepted because it’s the only place where an FE catamaran could run for an FE SAW/
Two Lap Record. However, mono’s have also set SAW/Two Lap records under the
Offshore Class and then went back out on the course to set a mono record as well.
The catamaran proposal above gives the catamaran boats a class of their own to set
records. I feel it’s time clean up the FE records section by eliminating Offshore
records. I ask for your support of this proposal.
The third proposal also focuses on FE taking a more traditional NAMBA approach
regarding a legal course. FE currently has its own legal course definitions that include
three different courses (1/10
th
, 1/8
th
and 1/6
th
mile courses). As FE has gotten faster,
we put bigger courses in the books. However, we didn’t want to shut the door on clubs
that were running the smaller courses, so the smaller courses would remain with this
proposal.
I feel it is time for FE to consolidate our course offering and follow the legal
NAMBA course. To assist those clubs that physically cannot fit a 1/6
th
mile course on
their pond, there is additional wording to help their situation. However, no records
would be allowed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (602) 670-8994.
.
NAMBA Nationals History – Article 12
By Dave Rychalsky
NAMBA Historian Chairman
Wow! I can’t imagine anyone would want to read the fourth or fifth edition of my
articles, but now here’s number 12. I wonder how many readers of our
Propwash
see
the title and just jump to the next page. I guess I’ll never know, but one thing for sure
is that there ARE members reading this! I thank all of you who take the time to read
my articles, as well as the others. In fact, it is good to get some feedback so we all
know that people are reading the
Propwash
.
Over the years, Lohring Miller has provided some phenomenal articles that are well
written and extremely informative. They are all juicy bits of literature that take time to
think and time to write. On the same note, Al Waters has written a ton of articles that
provide us with critical information and tips on helping everyone on a variety of