| When you think of Montana, you probably don't think | | | | What Is A Race Meet Like |
| of water, let alone boat racing. But Montana | | | | A model boat race is held out in all weathers nest to |
| possesses many large bodies of water which draw | | | | the shore of a lake or other large body of water. |
| thousands every year to come fishing, sailing, water | | | | There is a surprising amount of organization for what |
| skiing, swimming, camping or model boat racing. | | | | appears at first to be a bunch of guys with toys. |
| Although there are real boats that appear on the | | | | Folding tables are set up so the competitors can make |
| waters of Montana lakes, more and more people are | | | | last minute adjustments or repairs to their racers. |
| discovering the joys of model boat racing. Montana | | | | There is a course of buoy markers laid out in the |
| has one of the nation's premier model boat racing | | | | water. Usually, the course is a circular path around the |
| clubs, NAMBA District 8 (North American Model Boat | | | | markers. |
| Association). | | | | Each of the boats in a heat gets a few laps along the |
| Not only are model boats raced at these meets, but | | | | course to warm up. An announcer on shore counts |
| sometimes model submarines, too. The boats can be | | | | down to when the race or racing heat begins. The |
| to scale of real ships past and present, or a work of | | | | boats don't start all in a straight line, so things look a bit |
| extreme fancy. Some races will even require a model | | | | more chaotic that it really is. Model boat racing |
| "driver" to sit in the boat. | | | | (Montana or anywhere else) has their own set of rules, |
| Advantages Of Model Boats | | | | depending on the club that's hosting the event. |
| There are many advantages that the small, remote | | | | Usually the races are more a question of how fast a |
| controlled boats have over their larger brethren. First | | | | model boat can get around the course in the |
| off, they don't cost as much as the real thing. | | | | predetermined number of laps rather than trying to |
| Secondly, model boats are much more portable and | | | | finish in front of the others. However, there are model |
| easy to store than real boats. You also don't need to | | | | boat races that want to look more like a horse race. |
| get insurance for a model boat. And, perhaps most | | | | Again, it all depends on the rules of the hosting club. |
| importantly, you won't get seasick model boat racing, | | | | Where To Find A Race Meet |
| Montana style. | | | | Model boat racing can be a little confusing to the |
| Model boats also don't cause the great waves and | | | | casual observer, but many meets will encourage |
| the subsequent shore erosion that life-size boats do. | | | | spectators. You can look online at NAMBA for model |
| So, you can get to go outdoors and have fun | | | | boat racing Montana events (or events held anywhere |
| competing and meet people with similar interests | | | | else) or you can search for what's called RC clubs |
| without a significant impact to the environment. | | | | (the RC stands for "radio controlled". |