IMPBA DB NOISE RULE

[John Knight]

I printed off the new Roostertail yesterday and read it last evening. As Pat noted, the proposed rule change to a max of 95 db passed by a landslide. From previous discussion on this board, prior to the vote, the current rule of requiring a muffler was NOT to be affected. Means that a muffling device was still required regardless of the outcome of the vote. That is what I understand. Am I correct?????

Note on the bottom of the 2005 race sanction form near the end of the Roostertail. It states the following: "It is understood that a tuned pipe OR a muffler will be required for all fuel powered boats at all IMPBA events."

From that one word (or), I can draw only one of two conclusions:

1. It is a typo

2. The intent of the rule has just been changed.

The original goal was to firmly establish as max DB rule for IMPBA for the first time. That was done. My personal preference is like Don Ferrette's. Meet the DB rule with or without a muffler, period. We are not there yet and may never. But the vote did not serve that purpose or intent. Essentially all of us use a tuned pipe and it could be a nitro pipe.

Not wanting to start another pitched battle, but how do others see it? Am I reading more into it than it is? If it is a typo, then the next edition (Mar '05) Roostertail needs to correct it.

 

[Slideblues]

Hey John,

Its not just you, I asked the same question at my APBA Dist meeting, ( We are at 92 DB ) My question was,

"If your pipe already meets the rule are you required to add a muffler or are ya good to go"

I still dont know either :lol:

 

[John Knight]

Hey John,Its not just you, I asked the same question at my APBA Dist meeting, ( We are at 92 DB ) My question was,

"If your pipe already meets the rule are you required to add a muffler or are ya good to go"

I still dont know either  :lol:

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Gene,

Well that is another twist to this dilemma. We have more work to do!

John

 

[Ron Jefferson]

John... Joe Knesek is the only one I know of that talked to Pat about this very subject in person. He came away with the impression that the old rule would be unchanged and that you would not only need to comply with the 95db rule. But, you would also have to run a muffling device as well. Clarification sure would be nice.

Ron

 

[Don Ferrette]

I KNEW this was going to happen!! :angry:

This is why I campaigned for the just meet it I don't care how you get there approach. :unsure:

 

[John Knight]

I KNEW this was going to happen!!  :angry:
This is why I campaigned for the just meet it I don't care how you get there approach.  :unsure:

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Don,

I was right there with you! My gut feeling said the same.

Ron,

I know Joe and am sure that he had it right from Pat. And that was what I understood. Confusion over this rule is raging again, even 4 months before it is take effect!

 

[Slideblues]

Seems to me its a simple enough question.....problem is figuring out the rule as writen........ :wacko:

Gene

 

[Buckshot]

This is one of the wost, and most rediculus problems in our hobby today. Why the hell can't the *******'s at IMPBA get their heads out of their ***'s?????? The answer is sooooo simple.

Set a damm db limit and let eveyone do what they will to achive that db. If your boat meets it with out a muffler great, if not put a muffler or a muffled pipe on and let's go race.

Don't meet the db limit in one heat/round and you get caught, fix it by the next heat/round, if you don't fix it or get caught agin.... Pack you crap and head to the house!!!

Now I don't know about the rest of the country but I'm sick and tired of hearing about this problem!!!!!!!!!!!

Your P.O.'ed Texan :angry:

BUCKSHOT

 

[Don Ferrette]

"Set a damm db limit and let eveyone do what they will to achive that db. If your boat meets it with out a muffler great, if not put a muffler or a muffled pipe on and let's go race.

Don't meet the db limit in one heat/round and you get caught, fix it by the next heat/round, if you don't fix it or get caught again.... Pack you crap and head to the house!!!"

Well that pretty much sums up how I've felt about it all along.

 

[Slideblues]

Thats what I thought they were say'n........... :lol:

Ahh Crap! That mean's I am agreeing with Don????????

 

[John Knight]

Thats what I thought they were say'n........... :lol: Ahh Crap!  That mean's I am agreeing with Don????????   

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Gene,

I agree with Don all of the time. And I have lived for another day! Besides we are both from Virginia. We are bro's by our heritage.

John

 

[Don Ferrette]

Thats what I thought they were say'n........... :lol: Ahh Crap!  That mean's I am agreeing with Don????????   

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Gene,

I agree with Don all of the time. And I have lived for another day! Besides we are both from Virginia. We are bro's by our heritage.

John

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you guys crack me up!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[EatMyShortsRacing]

I thought (from an observers point of view) that the new rule was introduced independant of the muffler rule so the muffler rule could be voted out at a later time. The intention was that race organisers would enfirce the 95 db rule and not the muffler rule. I believe it was too hard to replace the muffler rule for some technical reason - maybe where it is in the rules????

Now I know I can get under 95db without a muffler on a 21 (think it almost got under 90db here in Australia - yes we run under 90db) so those with 21s would be real stiff if they got pulled up at a race for no muffler if they were under 95db

Common sense should prevail.... the muffler rule will basically be forgotten and I assume removed in good time.

 

[Ron Olson]

I've been with Don all along, just Git R Done any way you can, no muss, no fuss. There was another questionable area that needed defining, that boats .21 and under didn't need mufflers. Is that still on or are they part of the neccessary mufflers also?

 

[offshoremodels]

This is how I remember last seeing it. This is how it was when Mike Neil Ted Dauphinee and myself finished it and made it law in district 1. After that I don't know what has happened to it but it saddens me to see something so dam simple still being an issue over a year later. Bottom line is shut it up or put it up.

Here is the finalized noise rule for all IMPBA District 1 races beginning January 1, 2004. Please pass the word. Thanks.

IMPBA District 1 Noise Rules

The following specifies the philosophy and rules regarding noise limitations at all IMPBA District 1 races.

Excessive noise is an issue that threatens the future of our District 1 racing sites, and creates potential safety issues. For 2004, the maximum permitted db level for boats at District 1 races will be 95 db. It is our intention to monitor noise levels and learn more during the 2004 season, with the goal of lowering the db level for 2005 races to 92 db. It is also our intention to work together to help all District 1 members who need assistance in meeting the decibel limit.

Here are the specifics of how noise will be measured at District 1 races, and the rule enforced:

1) All engines must be equipped with a device specifically designed to reduce noise levels, as specified by existing IMPBA rules (section K, Item #6 of IMPBA rule book).

2) A commercially available noise measurement device must be used with resolution of at least .3 db. The noise measurement device will be set to the "A" weighted measuring scale for all races.

3) Measurements must be made from the shoreline area, near the starting line between buoys #1 and #6, and approximately 50 to 150 feet from lane #1. The measuring device will be set at a height of between 4' and 15' above the waterline, with the device pointed approximately 90 degrees to the running path of the boats. Stable mounting such as a tripod is strongly recommended. Care should be taken to assure the operator of the measuring device is in a safe location.

4) If more than one measurement is made, the highest reading will be used. At the discretion of the CD, a participant may be required to make a solo run to determine a db reading. If a participant refuses to make a solo run, they will be disqualified from the class for the weekend.

5) Measurements will only be made on boats that are on the race course, and are well underway (i.e., not getting on plane or being launched or in the pits). The boat should be traveling approximately perpendicular to the direction the measuring device is pointed, and the boat should be located approximately in front of the measurement device in one of the racing lanes.

6) Measurement of the noise level should ideally be performed by the CD, but he/she may be assisted by others appointed by the CD if this is not practical.

7) A competitor must be warned promptly after the CD determines that their boat exceeds the db limit. If after the second heat the boat still exceeds the db limit the competitor will receive no points for the heat. If during the third heat the boat still exceeds the noise limit the boat will be disqualified from competition, and will lose all points accumulated for that class at that race.

8 ) If a competitor is found to be slowing his/her boat to influence the accuracy of the db measurement, the CD will warn the competitor of possible disqualification. If the CD determines the competitor is again slowing to influence the accuracy of the db reading, the CD may then disqualify the competitor, and the competitor will lose all points accumulated for the class at that race.

9) While not required, it is strongly recommended that all District 1 races have two db measuring devices (one for measurement and one for back up). It is recommended that both devices be available during open water for competitors to use. It is recommended that one device be set up for officials to use during racing, and the other device be available for competitors to observe during races (to minimize crowding and disruption of the official meter).

10) For 2004 the maximum allowed db level for IMPBA District 1 races will be 95 db. All competitors should use the 2004 season to work down to 92 db, since it is our goal to race at 92db in 2005.

 

[Mark Anderson]

Wow, no gray area there! 50-150 feet! Most anything will make 95 at 150 feet. Then put the meter up to 15 feet above the water and everything is legal. Seems that everybody wants to take baby steps towards this. It is not rocket science to quiet a boat. The rest of the world does it with out all the B.S. why can't the IMPBA?

Mark

 

[Geraghty]

Mark,Just be patient.This too shall pass.

This is so typical of a membership run organization.They run in circles in ever decending radii until they climb up their own ***** into complete darkness and destruction.Once in gridlock these membership run organizations must re-organize or quit breathing.

3-4 years ago,the words "noise abatement",weren't even allowed at an IMPBA meeting and now they are arguing over a "noise abatement" rule that is in place.Granted the current rule ain't perfect but at least there is one in place to argue about.

The political heirarchy of the IMPBA has changed considerably over the last few years and items such as noise abatement are now being addressed.

NAMBA in the past,if you remember, has also been faced with the same political heirarchy organizational concerns.If you recall one of those led to the formation of the APBA RC model category.NAMBA had to re-structure to survive.

Hell NAMBA itself was formed by a group that left the IMPBA because they were not being served by political heirarchy of the IMPBA at that time.

[Just as a comment;I predict the next uprising in NAMBA will be over "StockOutboard".You know as well as I do this is just a matter of time.]

My next prediction is,eventually the RC model "noise abatement" rules will be consistant throughout the world in all organizations with NAVIGA as the pacing organization.With the ever increasing environmental [pollution] awareness this is the only path this noise thing can follow.Never again will we ever see a policy of "the more noise the better".

Later,Rod

Wow, no gray area there! 50-150 feet! Most anything will make 95 at 150 feet. Then put the meter up to 15 feet above the water and everything is legal. Seems that everybody wants to take baby steps towards this. It is not rocket science to quiet a boat. The rest of the world does it with out all the B.S. why can't the IMPBA?
Mark

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[topfuel443]

Good post Rod....



~James

 

[Eric Canto]

I know I will be unpopular for this one....but........all this "noise reduction" sure did help the Orlando club keep a pond.....oh wait a minute......it had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with noise.....proving some of my prior posts, if property owners do not want a public gathering, you are gone, noise or not. I know this is a non-P.C. post right now, but the truth is the truth.

 

[Joe Warren]

Eric is correct. You could be running electric boats or slot car racing. when a large group starts gatering & the rest of the general local population does not know what is going on. Someone is going to complain, The law is going to show up & You are going to be ask to leave the property. IMPBA is currenlty in position of enforcing the 95 db rule...... Is it NOW you 20 size racers want those mufflers off your Nitro Pipes????????? WEll you voted for it........ Live with it...... I wonder if we have Lost the VERY LAST Pond Now that IMPBA is 95 Db or lower?????? I say NOT...... there has been about 10 Million hrs wasted debating this already DEAD Horse...... If the Same time was spent promoting IMPBA and RC Boating. WE could be in the X Games by Now........