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Tethered Hydroplane Introduction

Tethered hydroplanes are one of the oldest forms of model boating. It was natural that when organised competitions were held model boaters wished to compare the speed of their models at these events.

The first races were held over a straight course but, as the speeds increased, it was decided to use a circular course. This means that the model is tethered to a central pylon by a cable of known length. The advantages of this are twofold; firstly it is much safer and secondly the speed of the model can very easily be calculated.

The models are divided into various classes, depending on the size of the engines. At present these range from 3.5 cc to 30 cc for waterscrew driven boats and 2.5 cc for airscrew driven models. All of the waterscrew models are capable of speeds over 100 mph; the fastest being the 10 cc class with speeds of 135+ mph. The airscrew boats are approaching 160 mph. There are also classes for steam driven boats and the fastest of these regularly reach 100 mph with top speeds of over 118 mph.

Competitions are held regularly from March to October at venues especially adapted for racing this type of model and an international event is held every year at St. Albans, where we have had competitors from America, Armenia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Russia attending.

Stuart Robinson

For more information download the Model Hydroplane Club of Great Britain's leaflet here. (PDF format)

  BRITISH CLASSES

ALL BRIDLES MUST BE SOLDERED

THE COLOUR CODE FOR 2010
IS BLACK & YELLOW