A

Scale Model Steamboat

for

Official Class Racing

under the auspices of

the

Winona Steamboat Racing
and
Historical Society

Official Rules
2002

Construction:

Of any material desired. It should float. If it floats, it is desirable that it moves, and if it moves it should be able to be steered.

It must be built to 1:48 scale! 1/4 inch to the foot.

Mandatory! ... to maintain relative authenticity of racing and visual experience. Up to 10 % variance from scale is allowed in racing events. Variance from scale detracts from static judging event's points only. Need not float for static judging event.

Photo of boat and copy of quoted dimensions required.

Where no photo or dimensions are available as when the boat is of owner's original design, it must be of scale proportion ... meaning deck height, must be in proportion to length and width. Deck height shall in no case exceed 15 feet. except the first deck, which shall not exceed twenty feet.

Hydroplaning hulls are not allowed!

At the owner's discretion boats capable of hydroplaning can be loaded until they are incapable of hydroplaning.

Radios:

The following transmitter frequencies and channels are permitted:

75 MHz Channels 61 thru 90 (30 channels)
27 MHz A1 thru A6 (6 channels)

No aircraft channels permitted. You are not permitted to transmit at 72 MHz when operating a surface vehicle. 72 MHz transmitters are not allowed unless the steamboat can fly, is equipped with a functional paddlewheel, and you have proof of insurance.

Suggestions:

Hull - Foam, wire cut or shaped with sand paper or sure-form, fiber glassed or painted 4 - 6 long

1/2 x 1 or so, Longerons for sternwheeler or sidewheeler.

Bond foam to longerons with epoxy or gorilla glue or Use screws into glued wood blocks for later replacement.

Scoop out hollows for steel shot ballast, or washers.

Deck with Ply for wood tone. Scribe if desired. Luan mahogany can look nice ... is inexpensive.

Secure to longerons or glued blocks.

Pillow blocks support 1/4" brass or steel wheel-axle.

Filed or ground with quartering flats, set screws on quartered arms

Steel or brass cylinder mechanism for rotary to longitudinal to rotary motion.

Electric motor/gear reduction, to cylinder, to wheel

Paddlewheel made of ply and pine painted, reinforced with musky line and screws possibly welded or soldered plates on hub. Popsicle sticks might be used for spokes if shaped properly.

Probable wheel RPM not to exceed 120 ... Two Rev/sec.

A Speed 400 motor turning 12,000 would need a 500:1 reduction

A speed 400 motor is probably more than enough! 1.5 to 5 volts is probably adequate. A digital system might consume very little current. A boat like this has very little drag, and the motor is geared way, way, down to achieve a low RPM.

Radio Minimum Requirements:

two channel radio throttle (speed/direction) steering

Other: Lights (one million candle power Q-beam)on/off by steering control push on push off port side direction & altitude another two channels. Thats four, for throttle steering and light control

smoke pushon pushoff starboard

Whistle bell and calliope through CD IR.

deck and engine room lighting other side push on push off

smoke white black cylinder assisted chuffing

sounds on board boom box IR CD remote hi-fi. whistles calliope, horn on CD

Superstructure of wood and strathmore styrene or plastic or shower board vinylite .... or make from foam and paint. cut doors with hot wire cutter(?) gingerbread with cardboard Lace(?) or etched brass

Smoke stacks PVC

Feathered stack tops of aluminum cans or brass rigging fishing line musky cord

block and tackle make from wood or buy.

Material cost under $300 .... spend more if you wish!

You will need:

Two channel radio Radio and Battery
Charger
Boat
Controllers and misc hardware
Paint


Inaugural Race days are Sat and Sun June 28 - 29

Steamboat Days weekend!!

Youll regret it .... if you miss it!
don't be late ..... Participate.

Sign up now for news and more information on activities and development news and developement testing!

We'll all want competitive boats by Steamboat Day's!

Its not too late .... participate!

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