New members to our hobby

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi DG

There is a company on the Isle of Man called Duke Video that specialises in filming motor, rallycross, speedboat racing and special interest events.

Hello Colin

I am disappointed by the lack of interest to this thread but the members who have bothered to contribute, no matter what their opinion, have done so with gusto and obvious commitment and to these chaps I give my grateful thanks.

I am beginning to think that unlike other model building disciplines model boating is the last preserve of the grumpy old man.

Paul

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by Paul T on 20/01/2016 15:53:17:

…..

I am beginning to think that unlike other model building disciplines model boating is the last preserve of the grumpy old man.

Paul

It was the first place that I went to when I decided to be a grumpy old man.

At the age of nine and three quarters…

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

……..

I am also sure that this Forum and Model Boat Mayhem would be more than pleased to provide a platform for such issues to be discussed although the contributions to this topic have actually only attracted very limited participation in terms of numbers despite being extensively viewed by people who are presumably already interested in the hobby.

I haven't got access to the tools that the Webmaster has, but just scanning down the Soapbox topic I think this thread has had the highest number of responses for this topic in the last 12 months? In terms of views it's probably in the top 10 already, in spite of the fact that it's quite new.

I wonder how it matches up to all the other threads?

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Continuing the discussion about a single class touring racing proposal, it seems to me that it would be a good idea to have SMALL boats in this class.

Big racing boats need a LOT of water, and can have safety and noise issues. If we want to take advantage of water stretches around the country, some of which may be quite small and near nature reserves or housing, then small is a distinct advantage. They are also easier to cart around! And small boats are more attractive as a first boat for beginners – they are cheap and don't need that much room to build and store…

With that in mind, I wonder about the Pacific Balsa series of hydroplanes? I had thought of doing a similar boat for the EeZeBilt 50+ range. They are about 15" long – here is a set of shop images..

And here is a video of one in action: Dictator Video

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

DG

I agree about a small boat and one already exists in the form of Club 500 **LINK** but for the idea to work other classes of standardised small boats would be required.

This does have the making of a good idea but would model boat clubs be open to such radical proposals?

Paul

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I've been mulling over the idea of a nation wide series of stage racing events and theoretically it would be quite straight forward to organise and ultimately self financing.

Based upon a minimum of 12 teams competing in 3 different levels of speed and skill, each event would take place over 2 days (weekend) and be divided up into practice and full race heats. 12 events taking place over the summer months, only 2 boats per team per level.

The periods between practice and races would be occupied with scale, junior and sailing competitions.

The whole event would be a busy two day schedule cumulating in the 3 level stage finals.

Each of the competing teams would host one stage (one weekend) which would be an opportunity for the 'home team' to raise some cash (public entry fee, side shows, stalls, classic cars…etc.)

At the last stage event the overall winners of the 3 levels would be announced and prizes given.

All this would need is the cooperation of the national association and 12 clubs

Paul

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

I'm not a race specialist, but that looks like some kind of league?

As stated, though, the races would all be held on the club's' own lakes. A fundamental part of the original idea was to expand public awareness by hosting a travelling event in places which didn't normally have model boats, or a club.

I can't see anything about that in the proposal. What I had hoped was that some suitable venues which had no club presence could be identified, and negotiations with local councils undertaken to see if the event (and a league race with sideshows is a great example) could be held there…

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

DG

Not a league but based upon the way F1 operates.

I opted for enlisting the support of existing clubs as people with local knowledge are already in place but to maintain consistency they would sign up to follow a prearranged format that covered organisation, advertising, rules etc. however once established the season could expand onto larger waters in areas where 2 or 3 clubs might combine to run the event.

I see it as a fundamental importance for existing clubs to be part of this scheme as there are precious few model boaters as it is without creating potential divisions in the hobby.

If clubs didn't want to be involved the task of finding, organising and hosting the events would be almost impossible.

Dear All

Still open to opinions, thoughts or criticism so please join in.

Paul

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

You are right that clubs and the racing circuit need to support a new set of racing meets, otherwise it won't be very successful.

But just running this as another racing meet won't really address the issue of falling membership – we already have racing meets around the country, so they are nothing new, and I don't suppose they have improved participation in the hobby a lot?

The key point I wanted to stress was that we should host events more in the public's eye, in areas we hadn't been to before. You suggested Club 500 boats – I don't know much about the Club 500 scene, but are these a standard class for racing inside a club? Are there already inter-club competitions? If there are, then simply looking for some suitably public inter-club venues could fit the bill nicely…

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

DG

I agree that there has to be wider participation but isn't it better to utilise an existing system by improving the infrastructure and then concentrate on promoting the events to a far wider audience.

The huge advantage of incorporating existing clubs is that they have the local knowledge and contacts when it comes to councils, press and feet on the ground ability to drum up local interest (flyers, posters etc) and the physical work involved in managing the event….ticket sales, parking, setting up and dismantling, visitor control, liaison with local authorities and police, temporary welfare facilities……and on and on.

Basically when it gets down to the nuts and bolts this idea cant work without club support.

Paul

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by Paul T on 21/01/2016 19:59:28:

DG

I agree that there has to be wider participation but isn't it better to utilise an existing system by improving the infrastructure and then concentrate on promoting the events to a far wider audience.

……..

Basically when it gets down to the nuts and bolts this idea cant work without club support.

Paul

As far as I can see we are in agreement. I have already made the point that the clubs need to be on board, as does the hobby generally. Nothing will work without dedicated volunteers prepared to provide free resources – that 's the way things are happening at the moment.

The question for me is whether we need to do things any differently. And it seemed to me that the hobby would speak for itself if we could show it to more people. As our public boating ponds were withdrawn and we were shuffled out to lakes in the country, we lost the change to get passing interest. Which is why I thought that pushing for intermittent use of new, more public venues might be a way to address this…

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Maybe this is being looked at from totally the wrong direction and instead of trying to push new ideas through a series of existing and apathetic committees the idea could be taken up by Martin at Mayhem.

The Mayhem site is vibrant and has access to many dedicated and above all very active people who, in my opinion are best placed to undertake this kind of project.

Paul

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

It could well be a good place to suggest such a push. It is the most popular model boat site in the country, with many active members. I believe that Mayhem run a Wicksteed regatta in a public park – just the sort of thing we are talking about. However, I have suffered under the Mayhem moderating once too much, and no longer go there – so I'm afraid that you're on your own with that one…

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Well the idea is out there now so perhaps someone will pick it up meanwhile my crusade is over

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