The name Tsunami was my choice for my 38' Catalina sailboat. Some didn't like it at first, but after
a few summers most sailors knew the boat well. The name was chosen long before the Asian Tsunami struck on
December 26 2004, this was one of the deadliest natural disasters in our time. Prior to this disaster most people
did not now how to pronounce tsunami or even know what a tsunami was, most everyone knows now.
The boat is
gone, but I still use her name for my race boats, it helps me remember all the good times,fun on the water, laughs, and sometimes
headaches that are associated with sailboating.
After selling the boat I needed a different venue since most
of my time from early spring until late fall was taken up by Tsunami. Radio controlled sailing vessels seemed to
be the answer.
My participation in the radio controlled sports started with RC landsailers which I still have in
my garage. I bought the first one as a kit but descided to build one from scratch using carbon fiber and fiberglass.
In
both 2004 and 2005 I placed 2nd at the Midwest RC Landyacht Regatta behind the late Bill Korsgard from Madison, Wisconsin.
Not taking anything away from Bill, but both years I had a descent leads when axle brake downs and other problems reared
their ugly heads and I was not able to finish the regatta's.
In 2004 I also had purchased a CR 914 36"
copy of the America's Cup of the day. We have 8-10 CR sailors that head out to sail at the Auburn pond to practice
and race. (although most of my time now is wraped up in RC powerboating!). We have been trying to form a One Design fleet
ever since.
That brings me to where I'm at now. At first John J. (my co-conspirator) wanted to get his 70's
era nitro boat running and I descided to look on the net for other boats. I'd come across a builder from St. Clare
Shores and we purchased two boats, John J. didn't take it as seriously as I did, so mine was built and went to the pond,
I Was Hooked!
Last count, I believe I have eight gas powered boats anywhere from ready to run, in need of repairs,
or in the building process. Lets see.... three cats (one running but needs repair, one in need repairs and not running, and
a new one that will be built soon), three mono's (one running and the other two needing repairs, one offshore hull
in need of repairs, two riggers both needing to be completed, and one crackerbox which I am currently building. You can watch
the progress on this site!
This past summer I was racing a Insane cat and a Hurricane mono. The cat ran the best
finishing third for the season, but still needs some work. The mono gave me fits all summer long until the last couple of
races. My main problem with the boats was a radio system that I won't mention (SPEKTRUM!) here but with a new system
install (Futaba 3PK with the Futaba Faast system) and some fine tuning everything is going much better. I can hardly wait
until next year, I should have four boats running every race day rather than two!
For anyone wanting to start in
this fast and fun sport, don't think you can just start winning right away, it takes time. I went thru
plenty of nervous shaking (and sometimes still do) while running around the race course.
Most of the boats in our
club, the Saginaw Bay R/C Boat Club, are seeing speeds in excess of 50+ mph or more! One of our members runs a nitro rigger
and we believe he is doing anywhere from 80-90+ mph but his top speed has not been clocked yet.
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