MODEL HYDROPLANE CLUB MODEL HYDROPLANE CLUB

MODEL
HYDROPLANE
CLUB
Club Secretary - Sonia Collins
[email protected]
020 8590 4318
MODEL
HYDROPLANE
CLUB
The MODEL HYDROPLANE CLUB
is affiliated to the
MODEL POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION
© Model Hydroplane Club & A V Collins
To compare speeds the earliest model speedboats were
timed over a straight course, but as speeds rose stopping a
boat at the finish line became more hazardous. From 1908
competitors decided to run their boats tethered to a central
point thus providing a circular course, apart from safety this
method of running a boat offered the ability to easily calculate
its speed. Once the benefits were appreciated this method
became universally adopted for speed competitions. Various
distances have been used to calculate the speed, but today 5
timed laps of a 100m circumference course is used.
When a competitor is satisfied that their boat has reached its
maximum speed and will continue for the next 5 laps they
indicate this to timekeepers, who time the 5 laps and calculate
the speed. Making the right judgement when indicating to the
timekeepers requires close knowledge of the boat and is a
great part of the fun in competitions.
Initially hydroplanes were steam powered, then home built
internal combustion engines and commercially manufactured
engines were used. Various classes were assigned according
to method of propulsion and weight. In the UK most classes of
hydroplanes are still run, some classes have been renamed in
accordance with the international body NAVIGA.
Some of the most impressive hydroplanes to watch are
indeed the steam powered classes, the current speed record
for A/S class (steam powered, maximum weight 16lbs) is
129.33mph. However the overall fastest are A3 (10cc water
screw) at 135.57mph and B1 (2.5cc airscrew driven) at a
staggering 154.91mph.
The website for history and information
about tethered hydroplanes and cars
www.onthewire.co.uk
[email protected]
The history of the Model Hydroplane Club goes back to the early
1960s when a lake at Woburn, Bedfordshire became available for
running tethered hydroplanes, with no model boat club established
in the area the Woburn Club came into being. The Woburn Club
continued until the lake became unavailable in the 1970s,with no
other venue in the area to run at the club was dissolved. Club
members however remained active as they were also members of
other established model boat clubs.
Unlike other forms of model boating tethered hydroplanes need
very calm water and protection from the wind to run successfully.
Also due to their high speeds a location where spectator safety is
present. These factors precluded many of the older more
traditional locations i.e. public parks.
With these considerations in mind former Woburn Club members
began the search for a new location, eventually a lake at
Bradwell in Essex was found and the Model Hydroplane Club was
established.
Subsequently other locations were found at Milton Keynes,
Farnborough and most recently at Althorne in Essex. Members
compete at events organized by the club and those hosted by
other clubs.
2014 Regattas
Althorne lake
Burnham Road, Althorne, Essex
April 13 - working party, May 4, June 8, July 6, July 19-20,
Oct 5
Kingsbury Water Park
Bodymoor Heath Lane, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
June 22, July 13, Aug 3, Sept 21
Rowden Lake
Lindley, Nuneaton, Leicestershire
Sept 6-7
Victoria Park
Cadogan Terrace, Hackney, London
April 27, May 25, Sept 14
Verulamium Park
St Michaels Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire
Aug 23 and 25
The club continues to promote the building and running of
tethered hydroplanes, new members are always welcome with
existing members keen to share their knowledge and experience.
In order to encourage new competitors a Sport 40 class has been
introduced, the idea being that this relatively easy to build craft
uses an off the shelf engine and that any other components can
be easily crafted using only basic tools. Full size plans are
available.
If SPEED is for you then contact the club secretary for further
information.
[email protected]
The website for history and information
about tethered hydroplanes and cars
www.onthewire.co.uk
[email protected]