Why do we do what we do?

[Steven Vaccaro]

First my I state I have been racing electric r/c for 17 years on and off.
I went to the local hobby shop today for some basic parts the owner gave the usual, "still building electric boats. when are you going to step up to gas" he has never seen a FE before and is pretty arrogant anyway. But I thought to myself on the way home what keeps me drawn to electric r/c? I am still pondering the question. So I thought I would ask everyone else what kept them interested in electric's?
StevenV:rolleyes:

[Climate]

Not to offend anyone, (some of my best friends race nitro and gas) but simply put, any knuckle dragger can stick an unlimited amount of horsepower in a boat and go fast.
Electrics take finesse. We have physics working against us, and the challenge is to manipulate every last ounce of power to create a boat that is not only fast, but runs for long enough to be enjoyable.
It is this challenge that keeps myself, and I am sure several others, in FE.

[J Tracey]

I agree that the challange is the draw, but the friends that you get together with every sunday is the biggest draw for me. FE people are the absolute best people that you could hope to meet.

[Pooley929]

Anyone can take all kinds of power and make a boat go fast, With us every thing MUST be correct for your boat to work I know I've been through some stuff to make a boat fast I really just had a break through I made a Viper go fast (I would have posted a pic of it but the last pic I used was too big I don't wanna take up the page and upset someone

[Drobie]

The gas guys will really get after me for this one:

Gas is an invasion. We run on a pond that's essentially a nature preserve. Even the tree huggers don't have a problem with us and our "toy boats".

On the other hand, some guy tried to run gas there and he was nearly tarred and feathered. One neighbor complained to me that from 500 yards away inside his living room, it sounded like a chain saw was being operated in his yard.

Bottomline, aside from the engineering challenges, electric is just cleaner.

[Tony T]

What I like about electrics is the ability to run any where I want.. SO in the summer while the gas guys have to retreat to the mountians away from the public (the lake & beaches get busy), I can stay right down with the people.. sometimes having 30 people just watching, other stop in their tracks to watch. I've considered many time to have a gas boat also.. but it's to dangerious to run around people in the summer.. while electrics are dangerious too, I run where no swimmers are aloud, but to small for gas.. it's great..:D

[Randy Naylor]

Well, I run them all Electric's, Nitro and gas. I have built Monos, Hydros, cats, OPC tunnels and riggers from micros to 1/6 scale. Most of my nitro friends come to the electric races and help me put on the race. Most of my electric friends would help me any way that they could and do when I ask. I have run cars electric and nitro, I have flown a few planes whew! not for me too hot, no water, take parts home in a bag. In 95 I left electric's for a while I missed it and came back. I probably will not have any money saved when I get too old to race a boat. why do I do it? It is my passion, creation with mechanical a purpose and as in Unlimited's and off shore beauty is an extra.

[Paul]

Hello Guys,

I pretty much enjoy all of electric RC in general, FE boats are definitely my main passion. Just putting one together and having it work right gives me a thrill. Now that I've got back into scratch building I'm really having some fun, unlike nitro which I raced for a long time (not any more) you can be very creative with electrics.

I can't wait for the day when we can run 10 minutes at race speed, one day it will come.

Paul.

[AndyKunz]

Originally posted by Paul
I can't wait for the day when we can run 10 minutes at race speed, one day it will come.


Paul,

The day is here already! Barry Janzen (whom I trust implicitly) tells me they are turning laps about 2 seconds slower than P Sport Hydro averages.

With a Speed 700.

For 10 laps.

Limited Sport Hydros Forever!

Andy

[will_myster]

What draws me to the FE is the magnetic pull from the motor ( i was told i always had metal in my head). The technical side of things is what grabs my attention. Working with technical things keeps me accupied for ages. Then you use this technical stuff to reward your goals. That's what keeps me going setting goals, especially if it takes more than one step. Nitro didnt work as power was a plently ( you can make a stable door fly if you put enough power to it) ;)

[Ray Bidwell]

Andy 10 minutes not 10 laps. 10 laps is only about 2 minutes.

[AndyKunz]

You are right Ray. It's closer to 2.5 minutes. For 10 minutes we'd have to run Li cells.

Andy

[Trent Hare]

Why do I do it?

My wife told me long ago that if I didn't spend at least 5 hours a week in the garage doing something boat related, she would divorce me. ;)

All kidding aside - talking to other boaters I've discovered that we all seem to really enjoy being near the water - pond, lake, whatever - with our boats or not.

I found that kinda interesting.


Actually, I just love being in the water:

[Dunk]

My grandson and me stopped by a race held by EUN.We had our toy boats along. I think a mrp "Mr. Pringles" and a "Great Planes Wildcat". Took one look at what guys like DickCrowe, Scott Bickford, Larry Kirby, and of course Ray Fuller, were running. I was hooked, bought my first Maus hydro from FFE that same day, scrapped my junk and within a couple of weeks had the club holding the races in my front yard. Pure heaven, my wife loves it and has said, more then once, that " this is the most fun we've had since we built a house on this lake." The neighbors have all commented on how much they enjoy the weekly races and how they love the quiet boats.

Other than a quick stop in the poor house, Fast Electrics has been a total and complete experience. It gives me an outlet for my urge to build and "DO Somethin" I enjoy and can do, until I'm as old as Ray.;)

[Steven Vaccaro]

The most excitement I get out of FE is when a someone asks about the boat and the shock they have when they find out it "ONLY ELECTRIC"! People cant believe the speed at which our electric boats travel. Now we only need to extend the run times. For me 4-minutes is a must.
StevenV
Plus if I pulled out a nitro boat at the cottage I say at the neighbors would probably call the police. Nice people they are!

[roostertail11]

i like the building, and tweaking them most. i love when the boats i build turn out to be pretty fast. a lot of fun is being around other people at the pond and racing.