Speed logger for model boat?
Discussion
Our local boating lake has a "no fast electric" rule, but no actual definition of what "fast" means. It's a public lake, with plenty of wildlife (swans, geese, ducks, etc.) so that's understandable.
Our club follows this rule, and the chairman decided it would be a good idea to actually set a speed limit, rather than leaving it open to interpretation.
With the aid of a helper with a stopwatch, he timed his fastest boat over a measured distance.
I'm wondering if there's a better way? GPS data logger maybe?
Purpose-built RC data loggers seem to be quite expensive. Best idea I can come up with is an app on an old Android phone, sealed in a ziplock bag inside the boat.
Our club follows this rule, and the chairman decided it would be a good idea to actually set a speed limit, rather than leaving it open to interpretation.
With the aid of a helper with a stopwatch, he timed his fastest boat over a measured distance.
I'm wondering if there's a better way? GPS data logger maybe?
Purpose-built RC data loggers seem to be quite expensive. Best idea I can come up with is an app on an old Android phone, sealed in a ziplock bag inside the boat.
I would have thought something like this would be the easiest option.
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/skyrc-gnss-performanc...
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/skyrc-gnss-performanc...
smokey mow said:
I would have thought something like this would be the easiest option.
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/skyrc-gnss-performanc...
Something like that for about £30 would be idealhttps://www.modelsport.co.uk/skyrc-gnss-performanc...
Simpo Two said:
Don't the members have the necessary judgement to use an appropriate speed? And who is going to enforce the speed limit?
Frankly it sound like ridiculous micro-management of a hobby.
The regular members do, yes. We sometimes have problems at our open days though, as well as members of the public who turn up during our normal Sunday and Wednesday meetings.Frankly it sound like ridiculous micro-management of a hobby.
It might seem a petty thing, but at least one local club has folded because of the behaviour of one or two members with very fast boats scaring the wildlife and endangering the public using the lake.
It's not really about strictly enforcing a speed limit on a regular basis, more about putting a figure on "fast" by testing a few of our boats, so that everyone knows where they stand.
Internal combustion engines are prohibited by local bylaws, as are "fast" electrics.
Our club lake is in a local park, managed by a trust. Loads of resident and migratory birds, a pedalo hire business, kids feeding the ducks, etc. We are lucky to have free use of it, and have to consider all the other users.
How would club enforced speed limits stop a member of the public running a fast boat?
If it is just to set the boundaries then a minimum time between two set points should be sufficient. This can be used as a demonstration of correct speed and subsequently as a check if anyone looks to be a speed demon.
If it is just to set the boundaries then a minimum time between two set points should be sufficient. This can be used as a demonstration of correct speed and subsequently as a check if anyone looks to be a speed demon.
clockworks said:
Internal combustion engines are prohibited by local bylaws, as are "fast" electrics.
Ah well in that case you can just go up to anyone with an IC boat or 'fast electric' and say 'Sorry mate you can't use that here' and wave said bylelaw under their nose. Solves the problem at source regardless of speed.Measuring speed between two points is fine but if the offender doesn't go from A to B as planned you can't measure it...
Obviously club members can't tell random members of the public what to do, nor would we really want to. All we can do is advise them.
What we don't want is for something outside our control to be linked to us, potentially losing us our ability to hold our meetings at the lake. We have the use of a club hut which belongs to the trust. We pay nothing for this facility, we just agree to maintain the building out of club funds - basically a coat of paint and a bit of woodwork as necessary.
If someone's "misbehaving" and we have a word with them, we have done all we can.
We can only enforce the rules amongst our own members, which works fine most of the time. There are one or two who push it a bit.
Putting a number on it makes it black and white - "you can't go faster than so-and-so's boat, and we have something to check that with".
Most of the members have yachts or scale electric boats. I'm pretty sure we'll find that the fastest boats there are the large-scale lifeboats, not the smaller speedboats and pleasure boats. There's a massive catamaran too, which I'm sure would beak the speed rules if the owner gets it working properly. Wouldn't be against the rules though, as it's wind-powered.
The whole thing is a bit of a minefield, and causes a big debate at each AGM. A hard and fast number will stop that - if we can agree what the number should be....
I'm glad I'm not on the committee.
What we don't want is for something outside our control to be linked to us, potentially losing us our ability to hold our meetings at the lake. We have the use of a club hut which belongs to the trust. We pay nothing for this facility, we just agree to maintain the building out of club funds - basically a coat of paint and a bit of woodwork as necessary.
If someone's "misbehaving" and we have a word with them, we have done all we can.
We can only enforce the rules amongst our own members, which works fine most of the time. There are one or two who push it a bit.
Putting a number on it makes it black and white - "you can't go faster than so-and-so's boat, and we have something to check that with".
Most of the members have yachts or scale electric boats. I'm pretty sure we'll find that the fastest boats there are the large-scale lifeboats, not the smaller speedboats and pleasure boats. There's a massive catamaran too, which I'm sure would beak the speed rules if the owner gets it working properly. Wouldn't be against the rules though, as it's wind-powered.
The whole thing is a bit of a minefield, and causes a big debate at each AGM. A hard and fast number will stop that - if we can agree what the number should be....
I'm glad I'm not on the committee.
Ten years ago a crack model boat club had a speed limit imposed by the council for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly formed a committee and escaped to the Cornish underground. Today, still wanted by the council they survive as boaters of fortune. If you have a problem... if no one else can help... and if you can find them... maybe you can hire... The Community Model Boat Speedwatch Team.
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