Straight running is one of the oldest forms of model boating.
| Straight Running Introduction |
| During the early part of last century the yachts were our beginning but the enthusiasts began to build their own engines. Steam first then I.C. and electric. At Victoria there As speeds rose it became necessary to tether the speed class boats and run them on a circular course. This section today is called ‘Tethered Hydroplanes’. The steering class is known as ‘Straight Running’. The boats are free running i.e. no radio control. It is not a solitary sport one person is required to launch and one to catch.
Before the 1980s there were only two classes in Straight Running. Functional or scale and the courses were the same distance apart but only six markers the scores were 5, 3 and 1. The distance between each marker buoy would be three foot. Today there are five classes of boats. Functional, Scale Ships, Scale Boats, One Metre and Wedge. There are different courses and penalties that can be introduced but the basic steering course is as below. • At one end of the lake eight markers are erected at a set distance apart. This is the most inexpensive form of model boating and can without doubt be the most challenging. No boat whatever class ever runs the same having to work out different weather and water conditions. Plus the added enjoyment of laying out different courses to challenge the competitors. |
VMSC 