IMPBA noise rule & dB meters

[Mike Larson]

Geez..... I was gonna stay away from it all, small potatoes racer, and all,... If everyone were more willing to SHARE information on how they achieved their current sound levels, things would be better for all, like, say, my nova 21 outboard works well with an Irwin quiet pipe@ 8''..... and so on...... If anyone in my group is to buy a DB meter itd be me...... I havent, fearing the readings will fail me at a future campaign.........( Maybe so, Maybe not, Im not gamblin) Big race comin up.... Half my boats are out...... 21's or not, theyre loud, Rather than hassle with, or risk infraction, Ill leave em home.... All the bickering in the world on here aint solvin squat....... Guaranteed one thing, there are alot of guys like me makin descisions based on the events of late, and the sport as a whole has taken a blow, again..... Im hoping the pipe manufactures are diligently studying new quiet protos as we fight..... If, the information on said pipes comes out with good results, Id be in line.... Ive 7 inboard boats..... thats big money to refit, and big time to retest..... I can do it....... Lets have the equipment...... and the information /feedback that goes along with it..... Euro guys, gimme some pics of an encapsulated stuffing tube.... SHARE......... Start a "Quiet Boat" post.... Engine/pipe, and whatever efforts incorporated to make the boat quiet.... I feel really sorry for you big block guys, you got a tough row to hoe...... Id like to have an F hydro one day, making one quiet is a different story........ Whatever.... Ive sport tunnels too.... What, as a whole is this group to do, when the DB levels go lower than a sport equipped tunnel? How do I make it quiet? Questions abound.... Racers await.......... Been away a year...... somebody influence me to rejoin again, with the way things are going I didnt miss a beat........... Good luck to all.......mike

 

[SayMikey]

Geez..... I was gonna stay away from it all, small potatoes racer, and all,... If everyone were more willing to SHARE information on how they achieved their current sound levels, things would be better for all, like, say, my nova 21 outboard works well with an Irwin quiet pipe@ 8''..... and so on...... If anyone in my group is to buy a DB meter itd be me...... I havent, fearing the readings will fail me at a future campaign.........( Maybe so, Maybe not, Im not gamblin) Big race comin up.... Half my boats are out...... 21's or not, theyre loud, Rather than hassle with, or risk infraction, Ill leave em home.... All the bickering in the world on here aint solvin squat....... Guaranteed one thing, there are alot of guys like me makin descisions based on the events of late, and the sport as a whole has taken a blow, again..... Im hoping the pipe manufactures are diligently studying new quiet protos as we fight..... If, the information on said pipes comes out with good results, Id be in line.... Ive 7 inboard boats..... thats big money to refit, and big time to retest..... I can do it....... Lets have the equipment...... and the information /feedback that goes along with it..... Euro guys, gimme some pics of an encapsulated stuffing tube.... SHARE......... Start a "Quiet Boat" post.... Engine/pipe, and whatever efforts incorporated to make the boat quiet.... I feel really sorry for you big block guys, you got a tough row to hoe...... Id like to have an F hydro one day, making one quiet is a different story........ Whatever.... Ive sport tunnels too.... What, as a whole is this group to do, when the DB levels go lower than a sport equipped tunnel? How do I make it quiet? Questions abound.... Racers await.......... Been away a year...... somebody influence me to rejoin again, with the way things are going I didnt miss a beat........... Good luck to all.......mike

Joe my friend all you do is ramble and ramble, the point is we all need to quiet our boats down. All your complaining does not help the isse at hand face it the member has spoken 92 db. I voted no but will comply. Is there a better way i hope so,will races suffer i doubt it. Gasoline at $3.00 a gallon is a better reason to stay closer to home and race than a muffler rule that we all knew was coming for years..Mike

 

[bzubee]

I only have one more thing to say on this and that is the noise rule will stay in place it may get modifed some to make it equal across all sites, but there will be a noise rule in place until a proposal is submitted and the membership votes it out. Until that happens you might as well count on running quieter boats and if you do not want to abide by the rules then you should most likely look for another hobby to get into. As for the Aqua Craft boats they were an "Exhibition Class" as Mike had stated no entry fees were taken the class was not on the race flyer and yes they would have been covered by the IMPBA insurance since they were being driven by IMPBA members and on an IMPBA registered lake. I think it is great that we (model boaters) finally have the attention of a national company that is actually trying to promote model boating with decent entry level boats, so we can attract new boaters into our (FUN?) hobby. If you find yourself so upset after going to the lake about the rules you should again probably look at getting out of this Hobby. A hobby is supposed to be FUN and when all you do is complain about how a race was run and the rules that were enforced or not enforced you should again look at getting into another hobby.

Again Thank you to the Evansville club, the IMPBA board members, and all of the spoonsors that donated their time and support of the model boating hobbies, and most of all thank you to all model boaters who still have fun at the boat races. That is what this hobby is for to have fun try it some time.

Bill Zuber

IMPBA President

 

[Chris Wood]

Do the guys over sea's run nitro??? I think they run alcahol?? am i right.

if that is the case there is a major contributor to the reason they aren't as loud..

go to a top alcahol race some time and then go to a nitro race.....

just a obeservation.

chris

 

[Joe Warren]

Geez..... I was gonna stay away from it all, small potatoes racer, and all,... If everyone were more willing to SHARE information on how they achieved their current sound levels, things would be better for all, like, say, my nova 21 outboard works well with an Irwin quiet pipe@ 8''..... and so on...... If anyone in my group is to buy a DB meter itd be me...... I havent, fearing the readings will fail me at a future campaign.........( Maybe so, Maybe not, Im not gamblin) Big race comin up.... Half my boats are out...... 21's or not, theyre loud, Rather than hassle with, or risk infraction, Ill leave em home.... All the bickering in the world on here aint solvin squat....... Guaranteed one thing, there are alot of guys like me makin descisions based on the events of late, and the sport as a whole has taken a blow, again..... Im hoping the pipe manufactures are diligently studying new quiet protos as we fight..... If, the information on said pipes comes out with good results, Id be in line.... Ive 7 inboard boats..... thats big money to refit, and big time to retest..... I can do it....... Lets have the equipment...... and the information /feedback that goes along with it..... Euro guys, gimme some pics of an encapsulated stuffing tube.... SHARE......... Start a "Quiet Boat" post.... Engine/pipe, and whatever efforts incorporated to make the boat quiet.... I feel really sorry for you big block guys, you got a tough row to hoe...... Id like to have an F hydro one day, making one quiet is a different story........ Whatever.... Ive sport tunnels too.... What, as a whole is this group to do, when the DB levels go lower than a sport equipped tunnel? How do I make it quiet? Questions abound.... Racers await.......... Been away a year...... somebody influence me to rejoin again, with the way things are going I didnt miss a beat........... Good luck to all.......mike

Joe my friend all you do is ramble and ramble, the point is we all need to quiet our boats down. All your complaining does not help the isse at hand face it the member has spoken 92 db. I voted no but will comply. Is there a better way i hope so,will races suffer i doubt it. Gasoline at $3.00 a gallon is a better reason to stay closer to home and race than a muffler rule that we all knew was coming for years..Mike

Mike......Good Luck on your fall race & gas was has been @ 3.00 per gallon for a while now....

 

[waltr]

Do the guys over sea's run nitro??? I think they run alcahol?? am i right.

if that is the case there is a major contributor to the reason they aren't as loud..

go to a top alcahol race some time and then go to a nitro race.....

just a obeservation.

chris

Chris,

If you look back, some of the people from across the big pond are running the same nitro we're running.

 

[Chris Wood]

Do the guys over sea's run nitro??? I think they run alcahol?? am i right.

if that is the case there is a major contributor to the reason they aren't as loud..

go to a top alcahol race some time and then go to a nitro race.....

just a obeservation.

chris

Chris,

If you look back, some of the people from across the big pond are running the same nitro we're running.

Hey waltr,

That's cool, I just wasn't sure if they did or not.

chris

 

[jaxracer]

6. IMPBA Noise Rule

At all IMPBA sanctioned events all boats MUST meet the following conditions,

and boat operators accept the included mandates.

a. A commercially available noise measurement device (Radio Shack or

equivalent) must be used. The noise measurement device will be set to the

"A" weighted measuring scale, fast response.

b. The maximum allowed db level for IMPBA Sanctioned events will be 92 db.

c. Measurements must be made from the shoreline area, between buoy #6 and

the starting line. The measuring device will be set at a minimum height of 4'

to 6' above the ground, with the device pointed approximately 90 degrees to

the running path of the boats 25 feet back from the waters edge*. 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.

d. 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 event.

e. Measurements will only be made on boats that are on the race course, and are

well under way (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 on the front

straightaway.

f. 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.

g. A competitor must be warned promptly after the CD determines that their boat

exceeds the db limit. If during the subsequent round the boat still exceeds the db

limit, the boat will be disqualified from competition. All points earned during

the previous rounds will be valid.

h. The host club shall provide the measuring device.

Something to take into consideration, part C. of the noise rule states that the db metermust be set 25 ft. back from the waters edge. Therefore, the db meter's placement is set according to the shoreline and not set in relation to the course. So, from course to course, the db meter placement in relation to the actual driving lanes could change resulting in higher and lower db readings at different locations. Example, at any given location according to the rulebook bouy 6 can be placed at varible distances from shore, anywhere from 50-150ft(page K-10 in rulebook section 5). This part of the rule should be amended to state that the db meter should be placed x number of feet from bouy 6, not 25ft. from shoreline.

We need to get this type of stuff out of the grey area make it black and white. Not "measure somewhere between buoy 6 and the starting line" Tell us a location to measure from and that will be that and then it won't be open to personal opinion.

~Mitch

 

[Mark Bullard]

6. IMPBA Noise Rule

At all IMPBA sanctioned events all boats MUST meet the following conditions,

and boat operators accept the included mandates.

a. A commercially available noise measurement device (Radio Shack or

equivalent) must be used. The noise measurement device will be set to the

"A" weighted measuring scale, fast response.

b. The maximum allowed db level for IMPBA Sanctioned events will be 92 db.

c. Measurements must be made from the shoreline area, between buoy #6 and

the starting line. The measuring device will be set at a minimum height of 4'

to 6' above the ground, with the device pointed approximately 90 degrees to

the running path of the boats 25 feet back from the waters edge*. 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.

d. 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 event.

e. Measurements will only be made on boats that are on the race course, and are

well under way (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 on the front

straightaway.

f. 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.

g. A competitor must be warned promptly after the CD determines that their boat

exceeds the db limit. If during the subsequent round the boat still exceeds the db

limit, the boat will be disqualified from competition. All points earned during

the previous rounds will be valid.

h. The host club shall provide the measuring device.

Something to take into consideration, part C. of the noise rule states that the db metermust be set 25 ft. back from the waters edge. Therefore, the db meter's placement is set according to the shoreline and not set in relation to the course. So, from course to course, the db meter placement in relation to the actual driving lanes could change resulting in higher and lower db readings at different locations. Example, at any given location according to the rulebook bouy 6 can be placed at varible distances from shore, anywhere from 50-150ft(page K-10 in rulebook section 5). This part of the rule should be amended to state that the db meter should be placed x number of feet from bouy 6, not 25ft. from shoreline.

We need to get this type of stuff out of the grey area make it black and white. Not "measure somewhere between buoy 6 and the starting line" Tell us a location to measure from and that will be that and then it won't be open to personal opinion.

~Mitch

Mitch,

I sure am glad that there are some people that can read a rule book and find the pit falls of a bad rule. I have been making this statement for over three years when this hold thing started. I was in a board meeting a couple of years ago before I became a Director. And I made the same statment. I was told that if we put the dB meter back say 175' from the bouy line that some meters would be in the woods or in the middle of the street. But the main reason that we could not do that was we could not catch anyone or DQ them because we would not be able to measure the dB limit.

Mark Bullard

 

[bzubee]

Mark it's not a matter of "catching or DQing" people it's a matter of sfaety and the ability to observe the boats and the meter at the same time. If you are a 100 feet back from the waters edge how are you going to observe a boat and the meter at the same time. The 25 feet was chosen since that is obtainable at all lake sites without being placed ain a roadway or swamp. It is a standard measurement in our safety rtules since all people are supposed to be kept back from the water's edge at least 20 feet. This way the person taking the reading is also out of the higher risk area. The rule, however it is composed, must be able to work at all lakesite locations and reading for specific boats as they pass by must be able to be obtained.

If you measure from the buoy line to the shore it can vary but so can the lane the boat driver chooses to drive in as you well know when you had your solitary run at the Internats and hit more #6 buoys than you had the whole time you have been running boats so you could stay father away from the DB meter location.

Which most people in your position would have done also.

 

[SayMikey]

Mark it's not a matter of "catching or DQing" people it's a matter of sfaety and the ability to observe the boats and the meter at the same time. If you are a 100 feet back from the waters edge how are you going to observe a boat and the meter at the same time. The 25 feet was chosen since that is obtainable at all lake sites without being placed ain a roadway or swamp. It is a standard measurement in our safety rtules since all people are supposed to be kept back from the water's edge at least 20 feet. This way the person taking the reading is also out of the higher risk area. The rule, however it is composed, must be able to work at all lakesite locations and reading for specific boats as they pass by must be able to be obtained.

If you measure from the buoy line to the shore it can vary but so can the lane the boat driver chooses to drive in as you well know when you had your solitary run at the Internats and hit more #6 buoys than you had the whole time you have been running boats so you could stay father away from the DB meter location.

Which most people in your position would have done also.

AMEN TO #6 BOUY

 

[AWaddle322]

I would like to get the ball roling on a way to improve our current db rule. i am looking for constructive critcism of why any of my ideas would not work. I am not interested in hearing we do not need to fix the rule. I am not interested in hearing just got your boat to 85 db's. I am interested in peoples opinion of how to make a db rule work consistanly.

There has been some conversation about trying to make the radio shack db meter work. I personally do not believe that this is going to be a viable option as they are not self calabrating. I for one thought that maybe a once a year calabration would be surfice but after doing some research I have found that this is not viable. This quote is taken dirrectly from on osha guildline "Calibrate all noise-measuring instruments according to the manufacturer's instructions before and after each day of use and whenever the temperature or relative humidity changes significantly. " This can be viewed at the following website under Calibration http://www.environmental-center.com/articl.../article138.htm. In research of meters I have found that significant tempature or releative humidty changes are defined as tempature changes of 10 degrees or humidity changes of 5 percent. I at this time am unable to find the instruction manual of were this was found, but I would be willing to change the numbers to anything that we can find scientific data to support. Keep in mind as near as I can tell it takes approximately five secondscalabrate these meters.So it would not be that difficult to say meter needs to be calabrated hourly. Also notice on the above website concerning osha it indicates that the meter is what changes instead of actual noise level when atmoshphereic conditions apply. this is quite from the above mentioned site under Effects of the enviroment "Temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, and dust can all affect the performance of noise-measuring instruments and their readings. Magnetic fields can also affect the performance of instruments. Each of these factors is discussed below. " This to me indicates that when the tempature for example climbs that the actual noise level does not change but the calabration of the meter actually changes.

I would like to see the rule changes to say that the meter should be some ditance from racing lanes. our rule book states that the maximum the front straight can be from the shore is 150' so maybe our rule should state the meter should be 175 from lane 1. To help with logistics of each site there should be no rule on exactly were the db meter has to be because if it is written that it should be between start clock an buoy 6 at some sites that may be in the middle of the street or in the lake. My point here is to make the db meter a specific distance from lane 1. It should not matter if the meter is in the front streth or the back stretch or even in one of the turns.

I would like to see the rule written were peak noise is measured instead of parrallell to the meter. This makes it easier for the person operating the db meter. There may need to be an adjustment to go from 92 dbs to 94 dbs. This is not increasing the sound people this is simply making it easier for the person running the db meter. maybe Buddy Bindict could help with what he saw from parrallel to the meter and peak measurements to further define this. I think a 2 db differnce is what I remeber seeing. This help keeps judgement calls down.

There needs to be a place dedicated for the meter that is clear for some distance. the db meter should not be placed in the vacinity of the retrive boat. The db meter should not be placed in the vacinity of tents or anything that can cause a vibration as this is prone to giving false reading by the db meter.

There should be one tripod specified as different tripods may cause different vibrations that affect db meter in differnet ways.

There should be one meter specified. there are meters that do everything we need to do in $250.00 range.

The only variable that i do not know how to address is wind and magnetic fields. Anybody got in ideas?

I think the above ideas would make the db rules work much better. I have provided you with a couple of websites that contain OSHA guildlines and I believe what iam saying to be true. If you think that I have taken something out of context please explain. I am no noise expert but I am trying to help ind a cure to this problem. I have not tested any of this and there are a number of variable that may need to be addressed. if you see one of these variables please post.

Sincerely,

Allen Waddle

MARK, THE THIRD AND FORTH PARAGRAPHS ADDRESSES THIS IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE DONE AT ALL SITES

 

[piper_chuck]

Something to take into consideration, part C. of the noise rule states that the db metermust be set 25 ft. back from the waters edge. Therefore, the db meter's placement is set according to the shoreline and not set in relation to the course. So, from course to course, the db meter placement in relation to the actual driving lanes could change resulting in higher and lower db readings at different locations. Example, at any given location according to the rulebook bouy 6 can be placed at varible distances from shore, anywhere from 50-150ft(page K-10 in rulebook section 5). This part of the rule should be amended to state that the db meter should be placed x number of feet from bouy 6, not 25ft. from shoreline.

We need to get this type of stuff out of the grey area make it black and white. Not "measure somewhere between buoy 6 and the starting line" Tell us a location to measure from and that will be that and then it won't be open to personal opinion.

If you travel to other sites it has become quite clear that it's in your best interest to figure out a measurement location, similar to those in the rules, that will record your boat at its LOUDEST and then do what is necessary to get your boat comfortably below the limit. Doing so should ensure that you will be ok even in the worst case scenario. If someone prepares by measuring at 175 feet and then gets warned/DQ'd because the race site measured at 75 feet, it's not the fault of the hosting site. If you prepared for 75 feet and the site turns out to be 175 feet, don't sweat it, there's been plenty of evidence that quiet doesn't mean slow.

 

[AWaddle322]

Something to take into consideration, part C. of the noise rule states that the db metermust be set 25 ft. back from the waters edge. Therefore, the db meter's placement is set according to the shoreline and not set in relation to the course. So, from course to course, the db meter placement in relation to the actual driving lanes could change resulting in higher and lower db readings at different locations. Example, at any given location according to the rulebook bouy 6 can be placed at varible distances from shore, anywhere from 50-150ft(page K-10 in rulebook section 5). This part of the rule should be amended to state that the db meter should be placed x number of feet from bouy 6, not 25ft. from shoreline.

We need to get this type of stuff out of the grey area make it black and white. Not "measure somewhere between buoy 6 and the starting line" Tell us a location to measure from and that will be that and then it won't be open to personal opinion.

If you travel to other sites it has become quite clear that it's in your best interest to figure out a measurement location, similar to those in the rules, that will record your boat at its LOUDEST and then do what is necessary to get your boat comfortably below the limit. Doing so should ensure that you will be ok even in the worst case scenario. If someone prepares by measuring at 175 feet and then gets warned/DQ'd because the race site measured at 75 feet, it's not the fault of the hosting site. If you prepared for 75 feet and the site turns out to be 175 feet, don't sweat it, there's been plenty of evidence that quiet doesn't mean slow.

Chuck,

What you are saying is true but it does nothing to make anything uniform. We are looking for consistancy.

Allen

 

[piper_chuck]

Chuck,

What you are saying is true but it does nothing to make anything uniform. We are looking for consistancy.

Allen

This was discussed at length before the rule passed. The problem was that since not all sites are laid out the same, it's not possible to put a specific distance in the rules. For example, 100 feet from bouy 6 might work at one site, while it could be in the middle of the water at another. This discussion could go on forever and we still may not come up with the "perfect" rules.

 

[Mark Bullard]

Lets look at this another way. The way the present rule is written it is totally not policeable. If you keep the present distance from the shore line you will have sites with there dB meter at a distance from the bouy line of 175' and a minmium of 75'. Now with everone trying to comply it will be very hard for boater to get there hardware to comply at smaller lakes than the lake they set up on if they run on larger lakes. Now if a few racers from a large lake go to a race that has a small lake what do you think the end results will be. Well unless they were super quiet I am afraid they will be going home very upset. And then the next year when that race comes along the same racers will go somewhere else. And what do you thing will happen to the club that has the small lake site.

It would be a undue burden on racer to try to comply for smaller lakes using his larger lakes site. And of course it will be even harder for a racer to try to comply at a small lake site. He may even get mad and just quit.

Now we could set the meter at 175' from the 1 and 6 bouy line and we may also in the same deal be able to lower the dB level to 85dB or even 80dB. Would this not make all of the people wanting to lower the dB level happy.

There is one thing for sure I have always been able to see the forest for the trees.

Lets see if we can get it to 80dB.

Mark Bullard

 

[Don Ferrette]

Now we could set the meter at 175' from the 1 and 6 bouy line and we may also in the same deal be able to lower the dB level to 85dB or even 80dB.

175 feet? You're joking right? :blink: So how would you do that? Not allow anyone within 100 feet of the lake? What do you think will happen to your readings when someone fires up a boat on shore getting ready for the next heat ? h34r:

Mark you're my friend but I think you need to face up to the thought of running something else besides internal stingers on big blocks. I tried internals & they were too loud on 80's. I think it is going to take more than that on our big motors. :blink:

 

[piper_chuck]

Lets look at this another way. The way the present rule is written it is totally not policeable. If you keep the present distance from the shore line you will have sites with there dB meter at a distance from the bouy line of 175' and a minmium of 75'. Now with everone trying to comply it will be very hard for boater to get there hardware to comply at smaller lakes than the lake they set up on if they run on larger lakes. Now if a few racers from a large lake go to a race that has a small lake what do you think the end results will be. Well unless they were super quiet I am afraid they will be going home very upset.

If they are the type who has to push the limit and setup their boats to be just legal at 175' then yes, they will be unhappy. Of course they may also be unhappy when they go to a lake that has different accoustics. Gee, does this sound familiar? OTOH, if they are interested in racing instead of looking for an excuse to be pissed off, then they'll figure out that it's better to setup the boat to be legal at 75', just to be safe. What is it about some people that they would rather push the limit and risk a DQ than be a bit safe and have a good time?

If we all know that we might race with the line at 75', but for technical reasons may sometimes happen to be at a lake that measures at 175', doesn't it make sense that we would ALL be ready to be measured at 75'?

And then the next year when that race comes along the same racers will go somewhere else. And what do you thing will happen to the club that has the small lake site.

It would be a undue burden on racer to try to comply for smaller lakes using his larger lakes site. And of course it will be even harder for a racer to try to comply at a small lake site. He may even get mad and just quit.

Complying with the rules at all of the potential race sites is an undue burden?

Now we could set the meter at 175' from the 1 and 6 bouy line and we may also in the same deal be able to lower the dB level to 85dB or even 80dB. Would this not make all of the people wanting to lower the dB level happy.

Our lake is in a bowl. If you put the meter at 175' from the bouy 1-6 line, it will also be elevated significantly above the level of the lake. That is bound to significantly mess up the results.

There is one thing for sure I have always been able to see the forest for the trees.

Lets see if we can get it to 80dB.

A great goal!

 

[Roxyflash]

At are pond if you set the DB meter 25 foot from waters edge you would have to close the road.Thats not goin to happen it needs to be alot closer so we can do it properly.Need a set distance....

 

[Mark Bullard]

Lets look at this another way. The way the present rule is written it is totally not policeable. If you keep the present distance from the shore line you will have sites with there dB meter at a distance from the bouy line of 175' and a minmium of 75'. Now with everone trying to comply it will be very hard for boater to get there hardware to comply at smaller lakes than the lake they set up on if they run on larger lakes. Now if a few racers from a large lake go to a race that has a small lake what do you think the end results will be. Well unless they were super quiet I am afraid they will be going home very upset.

If they are the type who has to push the limit and setup their boats to be just legal at 175' then yes, they will be unhappy. Of course they may also be unhappy when they go to a lake that has different accoustics. Gee, does this sound familiar? OTOH, if they are interested in racing instead of looking for an excuse to be pissed off, then they'll figure out that it's better to setup the boat to be legal at 75', just to be safe. What is it about some people that they would rather push the limit and risk a DQ than be a bit safe and have a good time?

If we all know that we might race with the line at 75', but for technical reasons may sometimes happen to be at a lake that measures at 175', doesn't it make sense that we would ALL be ready to be measured at 75'?

And then the next year when that race comes along the same racers will go somewhere else. And what do you thing will happen to the club that has the small lake site.

It would be a undue burden on racer to try to comply for smaller lakes using his larger lakes site. And of course it will be even harder for a racer to try to comply at a small lake site. He may even get mad and just quit.

Complying with the rules at all of the potential race sites is an undue burden?

Now we could set the meter at 175' from the 1 and 6 bouy line and we may also in the same deal be able to lower the dB level to 85dB or even 80dB. Would this not make all of the people wanting to lower the dB level happy.

Our lake is in a bowl. If you put the meter at 175' from the bouy 1-6 line, it will also be elevated significantly above the level of the lake. That is bound to significantly mess up the results.

There is one thing for sure I have always been able to see the forest for the trees.

Lets see if we can get it to 80dB.

A great goal!

Well it is a thought. The average distance from the shore would be about 50' for most sites. This falls into the same distance that NAMBA uses. And remember the europeans distance is 32.8' from shore. And also if you look back at the post 30 that Dave Marles posted. He said that they were over looking the bigger motors because of problem of getting them below the numbers. Of course what you posted Don is right. And I feel that some of the problems is the fact that we have so many trailers, tents, and other things where we are trying to test it at that its giving us false readings. As you can start to see there are alot of technical problems that are showing up to this problem.

Mark

At are pond if you set the DB meter 25 foot from waters edge you would have to close the road.Thats not goin to happen it needs to be alot closer so we can do it properly.Need a set distance....

Do you have cars coming down the road? If you do you going to be picking up cars with the dB meter and not boats. They will pass at about 95dB depending on how smooth the road is. Where do you suggest we place it.

Mark