User Manual

Although it is very enjoyable to go out and run the U-18 Miss
Vegas Hydroplane by yourself, the real fun and excitement of
R/C boating is experienced when you get involved in racing.
Racing against other boats is much different than running
your boat alone. The following suggestions will provide
helpful strategies when racing a model boat.
A good set-up for running alone may not be the best for
racing conditions. Race water conditions create challenges
different from running alone. Five or six boats racing against
one another will create rough water conditions on the race
course and to successfully compete in racing situations, it
may be necessary to “tighten” the ride characteristics.
Wakes caused by other boats can upset the balance and ride
characteristics of even a well trimmed model boat. When
running down the straight-aways, don’t follow in another
boat’s wake. Wakes generated by other boats while entering
and negotiating a corner are especially dangerous.
Racing other boats through a corner presents possibly the greatest
challenge. The first corner after the start of a race can be especially
challenging. The boat entering the corner first has the task of
holding its position (often called “holding your lane”) through the
corner and following boats must then attempt to hold their lanes.
Changing lanes and crossing a wake to gain position in a turn can
have disastrous results. Executing a good start in the inside lane is
one key to successful racing.
Avoid beating yourself. In any type of racing, there are some
situations you can control and other situations that you
cannot control. The ability to set the needle-valve on the
engine so it runs the entire race without stopping, checking
the linkages, fasteners, fuel tubing, amount of fuel, glow plug,
and radio system are conditions/situations that can be dealt
with prior to the start of a race. During the race, making a
good start and driving defensively are controllable actions. By
focusing on tasks and actions that can be controlled,
successful racing outcomes can be achieved.
Another good source for information regarding all aspects of
model boat operation is:
http://www.intlwaters.com/
There are three national model boating organizations in the
United States and Canada:
APBA or American Power Boat Association
(RC Boat Category)
www.apba-rcboating.com
IMPBA or International Model Power Boat Association
www.impba.net
NAMBA or North American Model Boat Association
www.namba.com
Each of the three organizations has its own rule book governing
model boat racing, sanctioned events, and recognized records.
Organized model boat racing is offered at both regional and
national levels. Location of clubs, race dates and locations,
membership applications, and other information can be
obtained through their respective websites.
Of course, racing does not have to be an organized and
sanctioned competition to be fun. Small informal races can be
very exciting without the stress that comes with formal events.
Here are some suggestions for setting up a simple racecourse
for boats:
• Make 2 to 4 simple and inexpensive “marker buoys” with
empty milk jugs, string, and heavy objects for anchors,
similar to the above sketch.
• For “drag racing” place the buoys similar to the above sketch.
• For “oval racing” place the buoys similar to the above
sketch. Note: The above patterns are not based on any sort
of official standards; therefore, you may set up racecourses
any way you choose. Smaller courses provide more action
and excitement.
The length of the races can be determined by a set number of
laps around the buoys (for example, the first boat to complete
NATIONAL MODEL BOATING
ORGANIZATIONS
RACING
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