Can anyone tell me if there are any official specificaitons for 26cc size off-shore racing.

eg. Hull length and width?

Do the v's run against the cats in the same class?

Do the hulls have to look like or be similar in looks to full size scale off-shore boats?

Is there a world championship class for off-shore racing?

What is the international bodys' ruling on use of pirated hull copies of originals at world level events?

Here in SA, we put a 26cc engine in any hull shape or size, stick on a boat number and you're in the race!

Hope you guys can give us some great advice.

You can read up on the rules for the 2 major racing organizations in North America here:

IMPBA: www.impba.net/rulebook.html

NAMBA: www.namba.com/ Look under Resources-Rulebook

Cats and Monos race together. No other hull types are allowed. The Offshore class is usually offered at most National events. No rulings on "splashes" or copied hulls that I am aware of.

I suppose you have only been to a practise meeting. SAMPBA (South African Model Powerboat Assosiation) is affiliated to naviga . If you are new to RC Powerboating in South Africa , make sure about your statements before you blab it out to the world. DID YOU PAY YOUR AFFILIATION FEES TO NAVIGA . I suppose you dont even know naviga exists.

Hi Fielies

Sounds like you can help. Can you give some advice on the original question. IT is interesting to me that there are no quantified specifications for hull size etc.. That's OK for me, but what about the guy who thinks that racing V's against cats is unfair?

It seems that both types have their pros and cons.

PLease give some more info on naviga. Does one have to belong to NAVIGA (paid up) to race in SA? I know about the GMPBA fees per year. Are there also SAMPBA fees.?If so, where can I pay them?

What is your opinion about running the 2 types together....that's all I'm trying to find out.

Also on the other question, how do you feel about copied hulls being named after the original design? Normally that is called plagerism? I feel that it is better to re-name a copied hull and or make some modifications to the hull at least so that it is somewhat different to the origianal design?

It is common for many imitators to copy successful designs - eg. the Aeromarine Avenger has been copied by many in the world. They even warn people in the US about copies. I am sure that you would agree, that if a competitor had to attend a world champs, say in the US, it might be somewhat of an embarrasment to enter an "Avenger" and then the other competitors find out that it is just another copy and not the original Aeromarine product?

I say copy and make whatever one likes, but to use the name of someone else, I honestly feel is wrong...what do you think?

I say that if ANY part of an original boat is used in the plugg or mould it is a COPY and should not exist and if it does and need a name it should be named as "Copy of xxxxxxxx". If you want to have your own mould have the decency to make your own design/plugg/mould. If you are not skilled and energetic enough to do so you are not worthy of having your own mould.

About cats and vees running together, it is okay by me, there are enough classes to more than fill the day anyway. The diff in the two hulls is not big and it makes for an interesting option and diversity in the class. I like it.

About the NAVIGA rules. For offshore only surface drive with prop behind transom is allowed. Open hull must have scale driver and wheel. Cowled boat must have marked cockpit window. Size and shape of number plate is specified. Hull length less than 2.5m gas engine less than 35 cc noise less than 82 db.

it is the sad truth that everything will get coppied . The Styrker cat has been copied and is been sold internationaly all around the world . They have renamed the boat but have not made any changes of any kind . We have noticed that the copies are of such poor Quality.

The International rules for offshore differ from country to country , We in South Africa try to follow the NAVIGA rulling body and have had many boaters travel abroad to race in the NAVIGA sanctioned events . The Racing in South Africa is very small so we try make up the numbers buy not chasing boaters away .

Agreed. Everyone is welcome and the more the merrier.

Apparently boating in SA used to be HUGE...I heard a discussion that there were 300+ registered SAMBA members...does anyone know what happened?

I think Patrick has a point....if one does't have the time or energy ot whatever to design a plug, mould etc. then the right thing is probably not to rip off the product. However, it is also said that "imitation is a complement". One should look very closely and determine the extent of the copy and the changes made. How much "change" is neccessary to call it an original. My point of view is an origial will only come off a purpose built plug that is not useable as a boat. Any boat that was used as plug constitues a copy?

As WAC says, everything will be copied. Perhaps it is OK to make duplicates for oneself, and commercial copies outlawed? If anyone has ever calculated the cost of making a mould, it does not take me by surprise that one is tempted to sell units to make up the cost of the mould.

The amount of work in glass and resin work is enourmous....not for me...

I have heard a lot in SA that the Averger is the 2nd best boat in the world....can anyone confirm this? And then.....what is the best boat....or are they all good "best" just different?

Go to jrcbd.com and check under there poles they vote the Avenger the best ruff water boat and the second best boat for Heat racing . www.jrcbd.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=43 .

There was a couple of factors that chased the boaters away from SAMPBA . First was the water availability , second was the people in the commitee and a thirdly was the availabiltiy of boating hardware and hulls .

Thanks for the informative reply.

At least now things are getting going again.

Looking forward to racing against you this season.....