To Maintain The Spirit of Thunderboating in Dist 3

[mt. gay rum]

Due to the unpresidented graze in this class and the most recent rules being introduced to us,,Dist 3 Director and Asst Directors along with Our Gas Director have deceided on the following,, for the 2008 season or when NAMBA sets their own rules for this class..

We will be following the most recent Dist 19 Rules with the following exceptions!!! Due to the fact these rules just came out a week ago we do not want to impose any added expense to any boater..changing motors,hulls etc...Now that this Holiday Season is now upon us!!!!

First-- The sikk motor will be allowed

Second-- The Two Zipp Kits (roundnose-drop sponson) will also be allowed

The Orlando Winter Nationals Are right around the corner and the Thunderboat Class is NOT a High Point Class for Dist 3 for this year,,This is the time to promote this class ...We welcome all Boaters to Please bring your Thunderboats down and showcase them.

Thanks for your understanding....At this Time lets enjoy this Class and do your part in helping it Grow....

 

[captwalter]

Question: Why does District 3 always have to be different than the other Districts in NAMBA? No wonder we have picked up the nickname of the Outlaw District. Why would we want to allow Sikk engines when they have been deleted from the Thunderboat rules? Why would we go against NAMBA to allow shorter and less beamy boats to run when the rules are very specific about this? If NAMBA decides to let them run then we can also. For us to fight NAMBA and have our own Outlaw rules just doesn't make sense. I am interested to know who voted for this change. As the first Thunderboat owner in this District I would have thought that the powers to be might ask me my opinion. I have been in email contact with the Gas Director yesterday and today again and he never mentioned this to me even though I talked about the Thunderboats and how great they are. Please don't ruin them before they even get to a race. Go back to the rules as written. Perry

 

[mt. gay rum]

Perry,,we are not fighting NAMBA,,NAMBA has no ruling on this class what so ever,,,Dist 19 has rules and they are proposed rules at that... As we stated above we are following Dist 19 with the exception of the two..

No body is an Outlaw,,just with the short notice and the holidays and the Winternats just around the corner,we want all Thunderboats to be at the WinterNats and put on a great show...Then when NAMBA has set forth is own rules we will follow suite..This is a fun class and not a high point for this year,,like jersey skiff alot of owners let other drivers race their boats and SHARED SET UPS to get other boaters interested,,and running competitive...now look at that class....this is the Spirit that this Dist strives on!!! Creating new classes and help promote others....

 

[Don Ferrette]

Perry- I consider us to be friends but dude .... what the heck is your major malfunction?!?!? FYI- there are no NAMBA-wide rules yet. There is but ONE district in NAMBA, district 19, that has formally adopted a set of rules for Classic Thunderboat & they've already been changing them as well from what they started with. While I have made my feelings quite apparent on the Dock that to omit the Zippkits boats for the sake of one inch in length & two inches is width is a HUGE mistake I had not brought that here on I/W ... until now. BTW- why do you think that because you had the first Thunderboat in D3 that you should be the almighty and be consulted before any rules were made or modified to suit what the directors thought best? And tell us why you think allowing the Zippkits Rivett & Rockett Thunderboats to run in D3 will ruin the class?? Right now there flat out is no better bang for the buck than the Zippkits boat. For $169 you get a complete boat kit with all pre-cut parts, a one piece epoxy glass cowl that completely covers the motor (including the spark plug) and engine compartment, turn fin & bracket, radio box & one of the best build manuals I've ever seen. The idea behind restricting this class to stock motors was to make an affordable class that someone could be competitive in with a $200 motor instead of the $600-$800 people now spend on modded 260's. Hmmm, a complete Thunderboat kit for under $200 delivered sure seems to fit in with that AFFORDABLE theme. We want to see this class grow & not be a wallet buster in the process, that is why the IMPBA made the minor tweak down in size specs so we could allow an amazingly affordable, well made boat kit that ALREADY exists and is AVAILABLE TODAY to run throughout the organization. This boat has been around for a while now, as a matter of fact if you go to the Zippkits website there is a real nice picture of Roger Newton holding a Rivett that was taken at LAST YEAR'S WinterNats. Do you think for one minute when these boats are running that your, or for that matter most anyone else's, eyesight will be able to tell one boat is 47 inches long & one is 48 inches long when they're out on the pond?? I don't frikkin' think so!! I commend the NAMBA directors in D3 for having the foresight to see what a great value the Zippkit boats are & that they should at least give them a chance this year to see how everything shapes up. Sorry, there's nothing outlaw about that, if anything it's cutting edge. If forward thinking like that is outlaw then I've been racing with the biggest bunch of outlaws there are here in IMPBA D12. We've prided ourselves over the years on the willingness to try new things and to think outside the box, lighten up and let those around you do the same........ <_<

 

[Scott Norris]

I've never seen a Thunderboat and this is happening already? WTH???

 

[Don Ferrette]

I've never seen a Thunderboat and this is happening already? WTH???

Here's mine-

 

[VenomCC]

Don

AMEN!!!

And that's all I have to say about that!!!!

 

[Scott Norris]

I propose that neither IMPBA nor NAMBA consider adding any more classes for the next 10 years to Save the sport of R/C Boat Racing! This is my Opinion and only MY Opinion!

Crucify Me if You Wish. I can take it!!!

 

[Buckshot]

I propose that neither IMPBA nor NAMBA consider adding any more classes for the next 10 years to Save the sport of R/C Boat Racing! This is my Opinion and only MY Opinion!
Crucify Me if You Wish. I can take it!!!

AMEN!!!

I'll second that!

-Buck-

 

[Norm Doerr]

Now how are we going to pick these things up with the chase boat. Or should we tow them

 

[mt. gay rum]

Norm.. good question...have to come up with a towing harnes.....

 

[Don Ferrette]

Now how are we going to pick these things up with the chase boat. Or should we tow them

If you build a Zippkit Thunderboat it's only a few inches longer (47") than an 1/8th scale.

 

[FloridaScaleBoater]

**** Don, did you roll with that one or what!?!?!?!?!?!?

Rick

 

[ronratoff]

Thank you Don and everyone else who responded.

Here's the history of my actions -

After reviewing the origional District 19 rules, I thought they were well written and I decided to have our district 3 follow them. Why rewrite something that alot of effort seemed to be put into.

Then, when District 19 decided to change the origional rules, and disallow the Zippkit boat and others like it for a minor dimensional difference, (only an inch smaller), I felt there was a mistake being made. Why would we want to exclude a manufacturer who has supported our sport for years?

After confering with my assistant directors, I felt that the best way to make this class grow was to provide our district 3 racers as many choices as were out there in hull choice and in inexpensive powerplants. Therefore the decision was made to change the dimensions allowed to accept the Zipkit boat in Classic Thunderboats.

Next as far as Zenoah vs. Sikk engine, again, district 19 changed the origional rules. I believe a year of testing is exactly what is needed to see if one engine clearly has an advantage, and if so a decision may need to be made, but for now the Sikk is a very good bang for the $$$$. The3 origional District 19 rules allowed either motor.

I hope this explains our decision and we can go on and enjoy our great sport rather than spending time defending our actions. Hopefully, when all the smoke clears all districts will agree that we should keep the class inexpensive to enter into, with as many options as possible.

Sincerely,

Ron Ratoff

Namba District 3 Director

 

[Don Ferrette]

**** Don, did you roll with that one or what!?!?!?!?!?!?
Rick

Ummmm, guess you know why I've been kinda quiet lately. :lol: Actually the Zippkits boat is fairly easy, a couple things I'd do a little differently during the build if I did another one (I also changed some stuff during this build, imagine that ) but all in all one hell of a deal @ $169 and a nice boat too. There are a few guys already running them & say they really run well, can't wait to try mine. B)

Here's a link to the in progress build up gallery I just added. As always click on the plus "+" sign next to the word title in the main header to put them in proper order.

https://www.intlwaters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=942

 

[John Finch]

**** Don, did you roll with that one or what!?!?!?!?!?!?
Rick

Ummmm, guess you know why I've been kinda quiet lately. :lol: Actually the Zippkits boat is fairly easy, a couple things I'd do a little differently during the build if I did another one (I also changed some stuff during this build, imagine that ) but all in all one hell of a deal @$169 and a nice boat too. There are a few guys already running them & say they really run well, can't wait to try mine. B)

Don,

You were here while you were looking for yourself but I turned my back and you were gone. I have no fear, for you are still looking for yourself and I know when you find yourself you will be here to tell me to keep you here until you are found. That's a reply to your signature. It makes about as much sense as this thread. Race Boats! I'm gonna race my sport hydro in the thunderboat class if we don't have enough boats to fill the class here in district 12 until we have enough thunderboats to fill the class. Who is going to say NO. I don't want to see you sitting under your tent with a long face because no one else came out with a thunder boat to play boats. We WILL make it work. Yes, it's another class, but it's what this hobby is all about...........building boats that resemble the real thing. What better way is there to preserve the history of racing.

 

[Don Ferrette]

**** Don, did you roll with that one or what!?!?!?!?!?!?
Rick

Ummmm, guess you know why I've been kinda quiet lately. :lol: Actually the Zippkits boat is fairly easy, a couple things I'd do a little differently during the build if I did another one (I also changed some stuff during this build, imagine that ) but all in all one hell of a deal @$169 and a nice boat too. There are a few guys already running them & say they really run well, can't wait to try mine. B)

Don,

You were here while you were looking for yourself but I turned my back and you were gone. I have no fear, for you are still looking for yourself and I know when you find yourself you will be here to tell me to keep you here until you are found. That's a reply to your signature. It makes about as much sense as this thread. Race Boats! I'm gonna race my sport hydro in the thunderboat class if we don't have enough boats to fill the class here in district 12 until we have enough thunderboats to fill the class. Who is going to say NO. I don't want to see you sitting under your tent with a long face because no one else came out with a thunder boat to play boats. We WILL make it work. Yes, it's another class, but it's what this hobby is all about...........building boats that resemble the real thing. What better way is there to preserve the history of racing.

Hey I can run it in our D12 stock gas class if I have to but I think we'll be fine, there are 3 Zippkits already being built just in the ODMBA club. But just the mere fact of offering to run with us so we can play is what it's all about, thanks! B)

I added a link in my previous post to the gallery build pics I just put up but here it is again-

<a href="https://www.intlwaters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=942" target="_blank">https://www.intlwaters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=942</a>

BTW- this is a super easy kit to build, I've only be at it less than 2 weeks a couple hours a night. If it wasn't for the time you spend waiting for epoxy to cure this could get built in a couple days.

 

[mercguy]

Thank you Don and everyone else who responded.
Here's the history of my actions -

After reviewing the origional District 19 rules, I thought they were well written and I decided to have our district 3 follow them. Why rewrite something that alot of effort seemed to be put into.

Then, when District 19 decided to change the origional rules, and disallow the Zippkit boat and others like it for a minor dimensional difference, (only an inch smaller), I felt there was a mistake being made. Why would we want to exclude a manufacturer who has supported our sport for years?

After confering with my assistant directors, I felt that the best way to make this class grow was to provide our district 3 racers as many choices as were out there in hull choice and in inexpensive powerplants. Therefore the decision was made to change the dimensions allowed to accept the Zipkit boat in Classic Thunderboats.

Next as far as Zenoah vs. Sikk engine, again, district 19 changed the origional rules. I believe a year of testing is exactly what is needed to see if one engine clearly has an advantage, and if so a decision may need to be made, but for now the Sikk is a very good bang for the $$$$. The3 origional District 19 rules allowed either motor.

I hope this explains our decision and we can go on and enjoy our great sport rather than spending time defending our actions. Hopefully, when all the smoke clears all districts will agree that we should keep the class inexpensive to enter into, with as many options as possible.

Sincerely,

Ron Ratoff

Namba District 3 Director

Ron and Mike:

The D3 meeting voted on the issue and it was decided to follow the D19 rules which includes only the Zenoah engine with a 257 carb and a minimum of 48 inches long and a minimum 24 inch beam. I won't get into the technical differences of the Zenoah and the Sikk at this time but there are quite a few. How can you just override the voting majority of the district on your own. I understand that you want to include a few boats that don't meet those rules but that was not what we decided on at the meeting! I urge you to reconsider that decision!

Bill Hoch

 

[SayMikey]

Thank you Don and everyone else who responded.
Here's the history of my actions -

After reviewing the origional District 19 rules, I thought they were well written and I decided to have our district 3 follow them. Why rewrite something that alot of effort seemed to be put into.

Then, when District 19 decided to change the origional rules, and disallow the Zippkit boat and others like it for a minor dimensional difference, (only an inch smaller), I felt there was a mistake being made. Why would we want to exclude a manufacturer who has supported our sport for years?

After confering with my assistant directors, I felt that the best way to make this class grow was to provide our district 3 racers as many choices as were out there in hull choice and in inexpensive powerplants. Therefore the decision was made to change the dimensions allowed to accept the Zipkit boat in Classic Thunderboats.

Next as far as Zenoah vs. Sikk engine, again, district 19 changed the origional rules. I believe a year of testing is exactly what is needed to see if one engine clearly has an advantage, and if so a decision may need to be made, but for now the Sikk is a very good bang for the $$$$. The3 origional District 19 rules allowed either motor.

I hope this explains our decision and we can go on and enjoy our great sport rather than spending time defending our actions. Hopefully, when all the smoke clears all districts will agree that we should keep the class inexpensive to enter into, with as many options as possible.

Sincerely,

Ron Ratoff

Namba District 3 Director

Ron and Mike:

The D3 meeting voted on the issue and it was decided to follow the D19 rules which includes only the Zenoah engine with a 257 carb and a minimum of 48 inches long and a minimum 24 inch beam. I won't get into the technical differences of the Zenoah and the Sikk at this time but there are quite a few. How can you just override the voting majority of the district on your own. I understand that you want to include a few boats that don't meet those rules but that was not what we decided on at the meeting! I urge you to reconsider that decision!

Bill Hoch

Its your ORG. and your deal but leaving out the Zipp Kit is a pretty silly move

 

[mt. gay rum]

Bill.. You are not correct in one of your statements..At the time of our voting Sikk motors were allowed and only rear cockpits.. As of Monday last week Dist 19 proposed new rules and passed...So what we did was vote on old rules....did you know these rules were going to be changed at our meeting.....Dist 19 doesn't even start racing until Feb 22-24 of 08 ,,they have plenty of time to make changes...

Again most racers in the country dont have the weather we have and the ability to race year round...They have 2-4 months to save $,,build boats and purchace engines.. With the Winter Nats 5 weeks away and Holidays upon us.....Why on earth would we say to racers comming from out of town,,plans made,hotels booked,,etc,,etc Sorry plans change on the 11th Hour,,your hull, motor is not legal to race in 5 weeks,,,now that person is either going to spend unexpected funds over the holidays to race in this class...Or simply not show up to race THUNDERBOATS and we dont want this....

That is not what any of us are about...NAMBA's first statement is TO PROMOTE MODEL BOATING and that is what we are doing UNTIL NAMBA sets its OWN rules for All NAMBA Dist to Follow and when that happens WE WILL Follow those rules to the TEE..Just like we always have...

The VooDoo did this last month and had a great turnout,,boats/engines of all kinds and had a BLAST showcasing these Boats...With no freakin backlash,,just pure fun...Hum think about that...

Again,,,We know what rules to follow and will do so,,all we want is to let the guy who has already built his/her boat come out and play with the full KNOWING that Dist 3 will Follow NAMBA RULES when this class becomes a HIGH POINT EVENT or NAMBA sets its own rules,,which ever is first......Until then LET HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!