Old Racing Rules

Castaways Boatworx Racing Rules

General

Generally, Castaways Boatworx follows the rules as published by NAMBA. All Racers must be NAMBA members for insurance purposes.

A member must sign the registration sheet prior to the beginning of a race day.

Castaways Boatworx runs 5 NAMBA classes and must meet NAMBA specifications for the following classes, with the exception of battery limitations and we also allow the use ACQUACRAFT 1800 KV & 2030 KV, PRO MARINE 3656 2030KV, TRIPLE SSS (SAME AS PRO MARINE), DYNAMITE 3650 2000KV, Leopard 3660 2050 Kv  for use in P-Limited classes.  Castaways will allow up to 15,000 mah batteries max for all classes.

P-Limited Mono- 34” max

P-Limited Cat- 34” Max

P-class Mono and cats combined – 34” Max

Q-class  Mono and cats combined – 40” Max

Offshore Class- 40”Max

Castaways Boatworx has 2 classes specific to our membership. No Modifications are allowed in Spec classes.

Spec Hydro –2030kv motor Aquacraft or Dynamite  Equivalent or Leopard 3660, 2050kv

Miss K + Shovelnose Hydroplane, wood or fiberglass up to 30”, all hydros must have a replica engine similar to engine made by classic hydros or a replica engine cowling with exhaust pipes.  All hydros are required to have a model driver. Use of an ultra light hatch cover (made by Ken Ryker) is allowed as a replacement for the stock cover. Use of stock cover is also allowed.

4 s Only, Prop = Any prop up X442 as max size and pitch

Outrigger – Max length 33″ Any Motor, any battery, any esc.

The Maximum Number of boats in any one heat is six. If multiple heats are established for a class the race director may combine classes if the number of running boats is less than 7.  All boats must be of a color that easily seen by the participant, their pit crew and competitors, particularly if the boat turns upside down.

A participant must use the same boat in all heats for a particular class.

Race Conduct

Lane criteria – All participants must call their lane when they round the offshore buoy. And must remain in that lane until after the second turn past the start line.  The boat must remain straight in that lane without any swerving within that lane. The boat must maintain forward motion enroute to the start line.

Any participant that cuts the course short by going inside of one or more buoys will have one lap added to their race for each infraction.

At the end of the completion of the race laps, the participant must steer his boat into the center of the race course and keep it there until the Race Director declares the race is finished.  Offshore class is the exception of this rule – participants in offshore must return to the dock as soon as they completed the required number of laps.

Pit crews assist the participant by launching the boat, coaching the participant and recovering the boat after the Race Director declares a race is finished. The pit member will keep track of laps completed by the participant by raising  their fingers after the completion of a lap, informing the driver of any obstacles on the course and giving an audible of the number of laps and the participant’s position in the race. Pit crew must verify participants finishing order before leaving the race line.

If any two boats in a class have accumulated the same number of point at the conclusion of class racing,the points will be split between the drivers.

The Race Director shall have the final say in all matters concerning any race.  There is to be no arguing shouting or demonstration of poor sportsmanship. Any conversation with the race director shall be in a normal speaking voice and tone.  NO EXCEPTIONS

Driver Conduct

1. Driver safety will be defined as the necessary techniques for running a race so that all

boats may compete fairly with maximum assurance of finishing safely and without

damage. Mastery and application of these techniques, even though the driver is

separated from the boat, are the very essence of competitive skill (as in real racing)

and will go far in increasing the pleasure and challenge of model racing competition.

Driving a model boat should require the same care, precaution, and consideration for

safety as is necessary in driving a life size boat, where lack of these factors could

result in physical injury as well as boat damage.

2. The following techniques are illustrated and are either suggested or mandatory

techniques in racing as noted:

a) In using a lane of travel around the course, do not follow the wake of the boat

ahead. If its engine quits, the boat following could ram due to lack of coasting

of a boat without power. This is a suggested rule and not grounds for a driver

infraction.

b) Never go left on the course unless on obvious grounds of acute emergency or

directed by a contest official. Left corrections are necessary and may be

required for as much as 30-45 degrees from the path of the course. A left turn

into the course of more than 45 degrees is grounds for an infraction and any

left turn endangering another boat will automatically draw an infraction.

c) Right-of-way is maintained by the driver closest to the course outline as in

Section 17 – rule B.4. Passing is permitted anywhere on the course with this

in mind.

d) Launching or releasing a boat requires it to be released as much in the

direction of the course as possible, unless otherwise directed by the contest

officials.

3. A boat operating in a lane of travel around the course has the right to maintain that

lane of travel without undue interference. Any boat desiring to pass in order to

choose an occupied lane of travel must establish a reasonable safe interval before

gaining that right.

4. In racing, the natural lane of choice is the lane nearest the course outline. This lane

will have the right-of-way over other lanes of travel.

5. The above right-of-ways also apply in the turns.

6. Good driving techniques and sportsmanship decree that a relatively straight course be

driven. Fishtailing, “s” turns, or other such tactics to prevent or hinder an overtaking

boat are prohibited.

7. Violations of right-of-way will draw a driver’s infraction.

BOAT OPERATION GUIDELINES

1. Normally drivers enter into a race with all systems operable and with firm control of

their boats. Frequently, however, a driver after launching or during a heat will

discover that he is having difficulties in steering due to a fault with radio, servo,

linkage, or other gear. This could cause other boats to be destroyed, run ashore, and

otherwise damaged. Such practices will not be tolerated in any NAMBA sanctioned

event.

2. It will be the driver’s responsibility upon experiencing any sign of inability to control

his boat while on course to immediately notify the Race director and at the first

opportunity bring the boat to shore while any vestige of control exists. His first

action will be to attempt to steer the boat away from the active part of the course, or if

possible, to another part of the water. The Race director will then warn other drivers

and officials when possible.

3. Should a boat show erratic, random, or other behavior indicating possible control

problems, a contest official will warn the driver. Should the behavior continue, the

boat will be ordered off the course and given points for a “Did Not Finish.”

4. Should a driver, after showing marked signs of control inability, and after being

warned and given opportunity to leave the course, not comply with the order to cease

operation, he will be banned from participation in any further heats and be given zero

points for the heat in question.

5. A driver experiencing control problems will not be allowed to enter another heat

unless he can demonstrate that the problem has been corrected.

6. Should a driver re-enter a heat after establishing controllability and should he

continue to show erratic operation, his aimless maneuvers will be termed inability to

drive properly and he will be ordered from the course.

7. Substitute Driver any boat owner may substitute another driver to participate with their boat. All points accrue to the boat owner.

PENALTIES

1. General Penalties

1. A driver who accumulates three “driver infractions” or “buoy infractions” will

be automatically ordered off the course and awarded a “Did Not Finish.”

2. Driving Infractions
4. A driver’s fault or infraction will be called by the designated contest official

should any driver operate a boat in violation of the general racing rules of

NAMBA or in an unsafe manner as outlined above.

1. Driver infractions will be penalized as follows:
2. i) Normally, an infraction will draw a penalty of one extra lap over

those required to complete the heat.

1. ii) Should the infraction be of a serious enough nature as to endanger

others (boats, contestants, spectators) or a flagrant violation of these

rules (in the opinion of a contest official) the offender may be

ordered off the course and disqualified from that event.

Disqualification carries no points above a “Did Not Finish.”

iii) All infractions must be called within one lap of their occurrence to

have a penalty assessed against the driver.

1. iv) If a driver hits a called dead boat, that driver will be disqualified for

that heat and will receive zero points.

1. v) If a driver finishes a race and then hits a dead boat. that driver will be

disqualified from that heat and will lose the points which he has

earned for that heat. The remaining drivers, if any, will not advance a

position when they finish the heat. The points that the offending

driver lost due to the disqualification will not be awarded to the next

driver who finishes.

3. Buoy Infractions

1. A one lap penalty will be assessed when a boat cuts inside a course marker or

when the boat jumps over or makes an obvious hit on a buoy. No penalty will

be assessed for a boat that touches a buoy on the outside causing no damage

or displacement.

1. A one lap penalty occurs when one or more buoys are cut on a turn or when a

straight-away marker is cut. Offending boats must yield right-of-way to

others on the course when re-entering

1. Lap penalties will be assessed during Pit Time, Mill Time, and Race Time. If

a buoy is cut after the boat has finished its part of the race, then the boat will

receive a 100 point reduction in earned points in the heat. If the driver has

completed the heat in 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th place, he will be awarded 50 points

for that heat.

1. Buoy infractions will be called by a duly named official and any decision

made will be final.

POINTS AND AWARDS

1. Boats will score and accumulate points in order of their finish positions according to

the following table:

1st Place – 400 points 6th Place – 96 points

2nd Place – 300 points 7th Place – 72 points

3rd Place – 225 points 8th Place – 54 points

4th Place – 169 points Did Not Finish (DNF) – 25 points

5th Place – 127 points Did Not Start (DNS) – 0 points

2. Contestants will carry over points toward the year end champion either as determined by their overall class finishing position in the classes they ran. (for example, the first place finisher for the day carries over 400 point for the year end totals) or by the total points earned in the class for that day.

3. Points will be awarded to the boat owner in order of finish and the entries then placed in order of total accumulated points for the ultimate class and race results.

4. In case of point ties, the boat with the fastest heat time will take precedence.

5. A boat that fails to complete the heat due to the actions of another boat, that results in

the disqualification of the offending boat, will receive 4th place points (169 points).

This rule will be in effect from the beginning of Pit time until the end of Course time

(Race Time). This does not affect the place of finish or points awarded to other boats

finishing the heat.

Starts – Castaways will use the “Flying Clock Start”

1. i) The clock system uses may an audio tape .

1. ii) An audible sound or statement will start the Pit Time. Pit Time will be

5  minutes, and an audible sound will signal the start  of this

time period.

iii) Clock Time (Mill Time) will commence immediately the one miute announcement and will last for 60 seconds. At 10 seconds, no more boats will be allowed to be launched. Any boat launched after

this time will be ordered off the course and will receive a “Did Not Start” for that heat.

1. iv) All boats will leave the launch area and will go to the left of the start

line .  Driver may choose to launch anytime during “mill time”.

1. v) The start of the race will be at the end of Clock Time when the

countdown reaches zero.

1. vi) All boats coming from the right turn at the start of the race will adhere

to the five second rule. All boats jumping the start will proceed

around the complete course to the start line for a legal start. No boat

may be stopped on the course for the purpose of waiting in order to

better time the start. A disqualification will be given for this

infraction.