Are electrics allow with nitros in racing?

[BlueBlaster]

Hello , I have a question that may seem stupid but are eletric boats allowed to race with nitro boats. I am planning to run 1/8 scale hydroplane but go electric instead of nitro. I have seen FE scale and they can run with the nitro guys but are they allowed to or if not in an open class maybe. i figure if the speeds are close then it still give even field but i dont know of the impba rules if its allowed :huh: Thank you

 

[jayt]

IMPBA rules state very clearly that B Hydro class, for example, is an Internal Cumbustion Engine class with engine sizes between 0.130 to 0.219 cubic inches. The rules do not allow for FE motors at all. The IMPBA Large Scale Gas classes do not allow for nitro or FE. NAMBA A through X are "nitro only" classes. Only in club-sponsored "Open" classes can FE run with nitro and/or gas - unless an individual club wants to allow it outside IMPBA or NAMBA rules. A lot of nitro and gas racers do not want to run with FE due to the perceived performance and reliability advantages. Many don't care one way or the other.

.

 

[AlanN]

For ex: Yesterday at our club run we had 4-5 nitro powered B OPC tunnels and they allowed 2 FE powered hulls to run with them. Since this is for club points it was allowed...not district points. Mine did not have the speed that a good B tunnel has but definitely more reliability. The first heat all the nitros died on the mill but mine kept going.

We have ran some nitro with FE mostly and overall legally (as Jay mentioned) in the Open classes. But have some FE's run at the club level. I think more and more nitro guys are starting to rethink next years power plants.

 

[Joe_Knesek]

For ex: Yesterday at our club run we had 4-5 nitro powered B OPC tunnels and they allowed 2 FE powered hulls to run with them. Since this is for club points it was allowed...not district points. Mine did not have the speed that a good B tunnel has but definitely more reliability. The first heat all the nitros died on the mill but mine kept going.
We have ran some nitro with FE mostly and overall legally (as Jay mentioned) in the Open classes. But have some FE's run at the club level. I think more and more nitro guys are starting to rethink next years power plants.

As a 20 year nitro veteran I'm thankful that our club mixes nitro & electric boats. I'm impressed with how well the electric boats run. Alan is being modest. His FE tunnel is capable of winning against a Nitro boat.

When funds allow me the opportunity, I would like to do an FE outboard build out article to include in my section of the Roostertail. I'll need everyones help when to do justice to this segment of the hobby.

 

[lohring]

Several NAMBA Districts run open classes. At the Grand Prix and Gold Rush races in District 9 electric cats raced gas cats in open cat. These are expensive electric boats at the present state of the art, costing at least twice as much as a similar gas cat. It's a lot more affordable to run the spec classes like Super V 27, Limited Sport Hydro, or the spec OPC class. You get better reliability than nitro with similar cost and performance. Our club has run 3.5 mod tunnels with the spec tunnels and the speeds are very similar. The power plant cost is also similar. These spec electric classes were among the most hotly contested at the Electric Nationals and in District 8 electric racing.

The same 14.8 volt tunnel with an open motor and speed control will cost much more, but be faster than many nitro tunnels. The two lap record is under 30 seconds.

Lohring Miller

 

[RichardB]

Several NAMBA Districts run open classes. At the Grand Prix and Gold Rush races in District 9 electric cats raced gas cats in open cat. These are expensive electric boats at the present state of the art, costing at least twice as much as a similar gas cat. It's a lot more affordable to run the spec classes like Super V 27, Limited Sport Hydro, or the spec OPC class. You get better reliability than nitro with similar cost and performance. Our club has run 3.5 mod tunnels with the spec tunnels and the speeds are very similar. The power plant cost is also similar. These spec electric classes were among the most hotly contested at the Electric Nationals and in District 8 electric racing.
The same 14.8 volt tunnel with an open motor and speed control will cost much more, but be faster than many nitro tunnels. The two lap record is under 30 seconds.

Lohring Miller

I am noticing that the neu motor 1512 or 1515 runs is cost at about 250.00. of course the speed control and batteries would be more money.. but it is listing the motor at 60.000 rpms. with lippo batteries and everything done correctly. what would these motors turn

rpm's at the prop on an outboard maybe using the stock k&B bottome end or lawless. (using same props as .21 nitro)

 

[AlanN]

RPM in fe for heat racing is mostly between 20,000 to 30,000.

The listing of 60,000 rpm is a max rating.

3.4-3.6V per lipo cell x KV=unloaded rpm.