by Commodore Jim

August 22, 2008

How often do you stop to think about all of the skills and intelligence we use in making and running our RC boats? Probably not too often. But take a moment and let's examine ourselves a bit.

Let's assume that you want to build a boat. First, what type do you want to choose and why? Do you like to do research in making a selection, studying some history in the process? I have found myself doing vast amounts of research, studying photos, doing copious amounts of reading, perhaps discussing the project or the prototypes with others. We can spend a lot of time and obtain a lot of enjoyment just in the research phase, sometimes learning more and more about our proposed model (and its real counterpart).

Next comes how are we planning to accomplish the project. Is a kit available or do we have to scratch-build it? What components will we need? What materials do we already have on hand, and what must we buy? Perhaps that will require a trip to the hobby shop, some Internet investigation, or some horsetrading with some other model builders.

How complicated is this project going to become? Do we need to learn more about radio equipment, electricity, electronics, glues, paints, finishes, details? Are we building a replica of some that actually exists or has existed? How closely are we going to want to have our model represent the real thing? Or is this just a fun project of our own imagination?

And now we start building. Trust me, this is an iterative process, wherein we go through a lot of the above steps again and again as we make progress on our boat.

"I didn't like the way this looked," or "I didn't like the way it worked." These are often phrases that come out of our mouths (or are in our minds) as we go along. Then we fiddle with the whatever control, change the location of a motor or servo, adjust the antenna for better reception, change this detail or that, and the list can go on and on. And finally we are ready for the maiden voyage. More adjustments, learning how to run this creation of ours.

Or maybe we just went to the hobby shop, bought a ready to sail boat, and dropped it into the water.

The point is that we put a lot of ourselves into each boat, whether is has been painstakingly built from a bunch of materials, constructed from a kit, modified to suit our interests and level of detailing, or simply bought off the shelf. The boat is a visual and operational display of what each of us wants, and how we have used our unique skills to get it sailing on the pond.

Wow!!! That's impressive, when you think about it!!!! Maybe that's why RC boating can be so much FUN.

In mid-September, we will have a great opportunity to display and run our works of art at the 20th Annual Regatta at Union Station. Each boat there will be something unique, even if two builders have brought identical craft. That's because each of us is a unique human being. Model RC boating is a hobby for each of us to enjoy. SO LET'S DO IT!!!

See you at the Regatta. Happy sailing.

Commodore Jim