Bring back IC engines

[Dr John BoothParticipant @drjohnbooth43899]

To reopen the debate about this type of power unit. 

 

In the past IC engines were the basis of most model boating and I don’t recall noise, speed or polloution being a problem in those days, in fact model boating had a bigger following and clubs went out of their way to encourage the use of petrol engines.

Dispite all of these petrol powered boats the lakes were oil slick free and crashes or speeding didn’t happen any more frequently than they do now.

 

So why were these engines banned and are the reasons given by clubs and lake owners for banning IC engines sustainable or do they begin to fall apart under close scrutiny.

 

John

 

[Dr John BoothParticipant @drjohnbooth43899]

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

This what an IC Boat looks like inside!………………….Not for me, Doc!

 

Compare this with a nice clean electric jobbie!………………Bobbie

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I think the main problem was the general public becomeing less tolerant about noise pollution and local councils responding to that.

 

But they have’t banned petrol lawnmowers yet!

 

Colin

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

John,

 

My first IC boat was a 46″ Aerokits ‘Crash Tender’ fitted with an OS 10 glow motor using an under deck silencer. Electric conversion to this craft some years later was not very successful.

 

The second of my IC boats was a multi racer, fitted with an OPS 21 glow racing engine, using an over deck tuned pipe. This boat was ‘wrote off’ in a racing crash.

 

Although I enjoyed the IC engines at the time, I really am glad I made the change to electric and sail.

 

Modern electric craft can meet all the demands, of anyone wishing to race, or enjoy the hobby, on inland lakes. Future development with electric will further strengthen this point. Offshore craft will continue to need IC for the forseeable future.

 

Tony

 

 

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

 

Be honest: regarding the picture of the IC boat that you posted, if that was your model it would be in a lot cleaner condition.

 

Colin

 

You forgot to ban IC model cars, motor bikes, outboard motors, model aircraft and pressure washers.

 

Paul

[David CrossParticipant @davidcross58331]

It shows how important model power boat are, when the last message for this post was in 2009. I am returning to model power boating and am embarking on Vic Smeed's "Vivacity". A 54" beauty, with a 34cc JAP two stroke engine.as recommended on the original plan and as I live on the coast, I will be sailing it in the sea. You remember the sea, it's that blue/green wet thing that's a bit wobbly at times but if the tree huggers get hold of it they will drain it and grass it over, health and safety you know.

We owe it to the real kids of our world to build fast noisy models to show them what can be done with ones hands and brain. Who's with me then?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello David

I totally agree with you, I was messing about with glow and petrol engines when I was eight years old and never lost any fingers……mind you I came close a few times and burnt various bits of me on hot exhausts.

The experiences gave me a very good grounding in practical skills that have served me well all of my life.

The JAP engine is a superb power pack but if you cant find one I would recommend a Briggs & Stratton 75cc 4 stroke (as found in many lawnmowers) they are almost the same size and weight as the older JAP units but have more power and fewer starting problems.

Roll on the revolution!

Paul

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

are the reasons given by clubs and lake owners for banning IC engines sustainable or do they begin to fall apart under close scrutiny….?

The reasons are not sustainable. But you need to be aware that things are no longer done in this world because there is a reason for them.

They are done because some activist group pushes for them, and makes enough protest noise for local politicians to agree to whatever demands are made. Thereafter, because the decision has now been made, all facts which support the decision are stressed, and all facts which contradict it are suppressed. If you try to argue against the decision, you will be sidelined as a troublemaker…

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

you will be sidelined as a troublemaker…

Me…..a troublemaker…….oh yes most certainly.

I've been on more blacklists than a miners timesheet

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I used to fly my little control-line model aeroplanes on the playing field immediately across the road from our house. My biggest engine was an ED Bee 1cc diesel. On the other side of the field was a very exclusive private housing estate.

I remember a gentleman from that estate turning off his petrol lawn-mower to climb over the fence, strut across the field and demand that I cease flying immediately because of the engine noise.

I think that was the first time that I ever employed 'playground language' away from school. Things have only got worse.

Dave M

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

This is so typical of the modern world. New Brighton has even banned steam for gawd's sake. And that was the club members themselves apparently.

I know of one club that actually PROMOTES IC, but that's it.

And look at how many superb old hydro venues have been lost to namby pamby Pinko councils.

The only tether car track left is in a private back garden.

Having said all that i have never yet managed to get an I.C. engine to start in a boat<G>

Cheers,

Martin

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by Paul T on 16/10/2015 16:24:55:

you will be sidelined as a troublemaker…

Me…..a troublemaker…….oh yes most certainly.

I've been on more blacklists than a miners timesheet

Paul

I see that the top French weatherman has just been designated a trouble maker as well. It's quite easy to get on the wrong side of authority these days…

**LINK**

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

They will ban hi speed electric motors next and limit lake speed to 1mph.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I used to fly my little control-line model aeroplanes on the playing field immediately across the road from our house. My biggest engine was an ED Bee 1cc diesel. On the other side of the field was a very exclusive private housing estate.

I remember a gentleman from that estate turning off his petrol lawn-mower to climb over the fence, strut across the field and demand that I cease flying immediately because of the engine noise.

I think that was the first time that I ever employed 'playground language' away from school. Things have only got worse.

Dave M

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

I would like to correct a misunderstanding .The pond at New Brighton is not off limits to steam or even IC power. Except the pond is too small to accommodate really fast models be they IC or fast electric and as such common sense prevails and the pond is seldom used for these types of models .

At the height of interest in IC speed and multi racing back in the late 1960s through the 1970s Noise , Nitro content in fuel, course safety, frequency clashes and classes of racing boats dominated the power scene . So much so that the MPBA made it mandatory in 1971 that every IC meeting was required not only to have a noise meter but to apply strict levels , ninety decibels being the maximum . Nitro content was a big issue then especially the level of Nitro in the fuel mix , If my memory is correct I seem to remember 15% as being the maximum but alas some added more , eventually Nitro was classed as a hazard and at first reduced then banned . In the same period fast electrics where limited to 42v maximum and as most meetings where MPBA battery voltage was measured and the ruling strictly enforced . This was a Naviga international ruling, and as such it was considered a hazard to exceed 42v in water Few model boaters these days are aware of how involved UK model boating { MPBA } was on the international stage and in many East European countries then part of the Eastern Block Model Boating in all its forms was considered a sport. During the 1970s there was a period when you actually had to book your place months in advance to get a racing slot.

Dave Wooley

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

I repeat what I read on another forum. Speed would not be sensible at New Brighton. As said, it's too small.

But steam isn't fast and I definitely read that had been "voluntarily" banned by the membership.

As to all the other stuff, yes, fast electrics with wiper motors and huge banks of cells were de riguer in those days.

The East Europeans were, still are astonishingly capable, considering the awful regimes they laboured under back then. I once worked with an unassuming lad who was a Naviga hydroplane champion. He wasted his time on poor pay laminating show cars for Volkswagen. A more capable modelmaker AND engineer than all we contractors by a country mile, but the Germans just couldn't bear to admit it.

What did happen to all those massively "loaded" fast electrics and their odd cells?

Martin

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

I know New Brighton lake very well indeed as its my local sailing water and for good or ill I must bear some responsibility as I was involved in the design and initial planning with the developers.

Martin you ask what happened to all those massively loaded fast electrics and their odd cells . The rules changed and gradually the big 42v boats where replaced by smaller, faster and more practical machines but it was fun while it lasted and I must confess I enjoyed beating the Soviets and the DDR at Naviga , . This view of modelling may seem strange now but it was accepted then and I was younger and keen to compete .

Dave Wooley

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