The current climate of R/C boating?

[Glenn Gates]

Tom hit the nail on the head for part of it, The other is the younger ones need instant gratification........

Ala internet, I phones, video games etc.

To take the time to build up something, test it, tune it, and then go after some speed,

They are on to other things.

Gene

Gene, Clubs make up their own rules. If a club decides to go to a all racing format and no fun runs they will drive off some of the older members who are not so interested in racing. and newer potential members that have boats that fit no racing classes that the club offers.

 

[Slideblues]

Yup, Well said Buddy

Gene

 

[Tim Kish]

I think that we have lost some of the family atmosphere we used to have. Mom and Dad raced. The kids went to the races with Mom and Dad and when the kids were old enough,they started racing also. The kids learned how to fix engines, build boats, adjust struts, etc., with their Dad and other friends.

Let's look at why someone would not take his family to a race. Maybe Dad does not want his wife and kids hearing some of the language. Maybe thie kids are intimidated by some of the racers who are so determined to win that they don't think about how everyone else should be treated.

We do need to attract younger boaters. I think the way to do that is to give some respect to attracting families into the sport as well as middle aged men with a lot of money.

At many of the races I attend, I would not ask my wife or grandchildren to go and put up with the way some of us act.

We need to make our hobby good for everyone in the family. If Dad is racing boats, let's try to make his hobby attract new members from his family.

Al Hobbs

Well said Mr. Hobbs

As a father of two racing children I have to say that we are very fortunate to have some of the best people in D1 that have been nothing short of awesome with my kids.

They are always made to feel welcome and receive nothing but positive feedback, it makes a huge difference to a child to feel they belong when playing with the adults in an adult game.

Maybe that's the reason why D1 is the fastest growing and second largest district in IMPBA now, well that and Luc's tireless efforts.

Things are good in D1.

Tim

 

[Zach Vought]

I definitely agree with Al on the family aspect, my view is a little different. The interaction has to start at home though. I think, many families don't interact at the boat pond because they don't interact at home. That doesn't negate the fact that manners at the pond could be improved. I have been guilty of choice words at the pond. Especially when that 170.00 dollar carbon fiber 90 pipe disappeared....... I really do believe the family aspect is probably one of the more logical approaches to growing the hobby.

 

[Zach Vought]

Glad to hear that Tim! Hopefully we see that kind of growth all over

 

[Zach Vought]

On the topic of instant gratification, FE boats is a great revolution in our sport. It's easy to get into and not terribly costly and they haul buggy!

 

[Joey Jones]

You can add 1 to the new guy list.

I'm primarily a Heli guy. Have been for decades. I just now got into boating, because of the competition aspect. There's really nothing that describes competition like racing. Heli competition is nothing like racing. It's aerobatics...fun, but it's judged. Not quite as cut-and-dry as 1st-2nd-3rd across the finish line. Don't get me wrong...I love flying helis and always will. Boating just scratches that itch that I have.

Yes, there's recently a new interest in speed runs and such in the heli world. But, that really requires a dedicated model, that has many mods and is generally electric to be a contender (which I'm not a fan of). I don't want a dedicated speed machine either.

With boats, I love the screaming engines...I love the technical aspects. I like the idea of being side-by-side for position; best boat winning. That's why we're race fans to begin with, right? It's gut-wrenching..it's exciting.

So far, I'm more than impressed with the folks that I've been in contact with in regard to this hobby. I've only run my VisionCraft tunnel a handful of times, but **** it was awesome. I haven't even raced yet, and am already thinking about a second boat.

It's fun. I like this stuff.

-Joey

 

[Zach Vought]

You've only touched the tip of the iceberg. My first boat was an OLD roadrunner 21 with a k&b 45 in it. It was neat. Bought a new 21 engine for it and ran it for a little while longer. Then bough a firefighter .12, then a eagle sg. Then I wanted a 90 rigger. Then a sport 40 and so on and so on. Within a years time I had 10 boats. I used to be a car guy lol.

 

[Duke Mordja]

It does start at home with the kids. I know it is a challenge. My twin boys have very little interest. So much other "fun" things to do.

Thinking about a jersey skiff to bring some laughter to the pond. Sometimes we don't need to be serious all the time. Need to make our toy boats fun for the kids too.. h34r: .

 

[Jim Angier]

The thing to remember this is a HOBBY.

Most people for get this. That is the trouble. That is why these people are so RUDE!!

 

[Jim Angier]

The current climate of RC boating STINKS!!!

 

[Glenn Quarles]

I can't comment on any particular location, but I am selling more stuff now than i have in the previous 6 years!

GQ

 

[Tom Foley]

This is it for me right here : Quote Joey Jones "

With boats, I love the screaming engines...I love the technical aspects. I like the idea of being side-by-side for position; best boat winning. That's why we're race fans to begin with, right? It's gut-wrenching..it's exciting. "

All I can make time for is racing and I can't do that as much as wanted either due to time and money . When you go away to a race it costs between $ 500 -$ 1000.00 hard to justify this in my economy today . I think it's cyclic to some point and it's on the upswing now from what I am seeing, but engine , parts , fuel costs are a tough one to beat . I have a young daughter but she has little to no interest in running boats , she's 14 . When I'm gone my stuff will be sold off and that will be the end of Foley Racing some I'm gonna drive hard while I can still do it ! :lol:

 

[Tim Kish]

This is it for me right here : Quote Joey Jones "

With boats, I love the screaming engines...I love the technical aspects. I like the idea of being side-by-side for position; best boat winning. That's why we're race fans to begin with, right? It's gut-wrenching..it's exciting. "

All I can make time for is racing and I can't do that as much as wanted either due to time and money . When you go away to a race it costs between $ 500 -$ 1000.00 hard to justify this in my economy today . I think it's cyclic to some point and it's on the upswing now from what I am seeing, but engine , parts , fuel costs are a tough one to beat . I have a young daughter but she has little to no interest in running boats , she's 14 . When I'm gone my stuff will be sold off and that will be the end of Foley Racing some I'm gonna drive hard while I can still do it ! :lol:

Its very difficult getting children interested today because they are overwhelmed with shiny flashy options .Last year at a race my family attended there was only a couple kids in the novice class yet there was tons of kids running around at the race .

I spoke with the president of the club about it, he spoke with the parents and this year there was double the kids racing at the same event.

Maybe sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we're doing we forget to include our kids .

Someone mentioned the internats being cancelled.

That race should be held in the Summer when families can attend not two weeks after one of the biggest races in our hobby .

I felt bad for Carlo and the host club, at least they tried.

Tim

 

[Ron Olson]

Tim's right, it was scheduled for a bad time of the year as most people will use up their vacation time in the summer and if you've got kids in school then forget it.

I had a lot of plans for racing this past year but serious health issues prevented that from happening. Things are much better now and it looks like I'm headed for a medical retirement which hopefully will allow me more time to play with and race the boats.

I hooked up with some plane guys this past summer who run on Sunday mornings at a boat access. It's run what ya brung with everything from sailboats to gassers.

 

[dwilfong]

AS far as race events go there are to many grabbing for the brass ring.
There are only so many racers out there and thy can not go to every race.
It takes substantial funds to attend a out of state race.
Most avid racers can only go to one maybe two if thy are close.
Now with new venues being made to try and grab the brass ring it only splinter what racing there is.
Racing is for fun. Not to see who is the master of the TOY BOAT.
There are no sponsors and no purses to be won.
It is just a TOY BOAT RACE.
I think this has bin lost some where along the way as the few that are left scrap over the bones.
Two national events one week apart and 50 mile from one and other?
Come on cut me a break!!!!!!!!!!!
Zip your pants up already.

 

[chris1088]

I think that we have lost some of the family atmosphere we used to have. Mom and Dad raced. The kids went to the races with Mom and Dad and when the kids were old enough,they started racing also. The kids learned how to fix engines, build boats, adjust struts, etc., with their Dad and other friends.

Let's look at why someone would not take his family to a race. Maybe Dad does not want his wife and kids hearing some of the language. Maybe thie kids are intimidated by some of the racers who are so determined to win that they don't think about how everyone else should be treated.

We do need to attract younger boaters. I think the way to do that is to give some respect to attracting families into the sport as well as middle aged men with a lot of money.

At many of the races I attend, I would not ask my wife or grandchildren to go and put up with the way some of us act.

We need to make our hobby good for everyone in the family. If Dad is racing boats, let's try to make his hobby attract new members from his family.

Al Hobbs

Well said . One of the reasons I got into the hobby is because it is a family hobby. My family may not come to every race and race but they do come to watch and talk to all the other families and boaters. If we can show the public that we are more than grown men playing with toy boats ...but that we are families playing with toy boat we can more families into the great world of RC Boats.

Chris

 

[lohring]

I think three threads show the current issues. .

IMPBA Nitro Nats Canceled

2014 NAMBA Electric Nats

2013 World Cup

Some types of events get canceled for lack of entries and some run into their entry limits. Times are changing.

Lohring Miller

 

[Hydro Junkie]

Many of the comments made in this thread I have to agree with. We have issues in costs, racers that take it too far in how serious they get, lack of family participation as well as the "Sunday" boater that just wants to have fun trying to run with the "semi-pro" racers and getting a bad taste in the mouth in doing so. Just reading some of the posts through out the forum shows another "issue" that we really need to look at. That being "How do I represent the hobby to others?" For example, I've been cut down, ridiculed and insulted many times by others due to how long it's taken me to build a boat or that I haven't made every race within a three state radius. How does this look to those thinking about getting into the hobby where their first exposure to boating is in the forums, be it IW, Jim's, RCU, etc. I know I've been just as guilty as many others so I'm not going to claim to be an "angel" but, at the same time, we say things in the forums behind a shield of annonimity that we would never say to someone's face. There's no doubt that this has an impact on non-boaters and whether they join our ranks or not. The same goes at the pond. Have you ever commented about someone's driving style or aggressiveness in front of those that have come to watch? One derogatory comment could be enough to sway that person away from getting into the hobby that otherwise might have ordered a Vegas, TS3 or something else when they went home and joined the ranks of happy boaters.

 

[John Finch]

I think that we have lost some of the family atmosphere we used to have. Mom and Dad raced. The kids went to the races with Mom and Dad and when the kids were old enough,they started racing also. The kids learned how to fix engines, build boats, adjust struts, etc., with their Dad and other friends.

Let's look at why someone would not take his family to a race. Maybe Dad does not want his wife and kids hearing some of the language. Maybe thie kids are intimidated by some of the racers who are so determined to win that they don't think about how everyone else should be treated.

We do need to attract younger boaters. I think the way to do that is to give some respect to attracting families into the sport as well as middle aged men with a lot of money.

At many of the races I attend, I would not ask my wife or grandchildren to go and put up with the way some of us act.

We need to make our hobby good for everyone in the family. If Dad is racing boats, let's try to make his hobby attract new members from his family.

Al Hobbs

Ditto Al