All 15 proposed rule changes approved

Two weeks of voting is complete, and all 15 proposed rules changes have been approved by the membership.

With 45 registered members, and 24 members participating in the vote, a 53 percent turnout isn’t too shabby. Many thanks to all who voted.

The 2022 rulebook will be updated in the coming weeks and shared with the membership directly before the end of December.

Here’s a recap of the proposed changes and the total vote counts for each. Club bylaws require a minimum of a 2/3-majority of the total number of members voting for passage. All measures easily eclipsed the 2/3-majority minimum.

Many thanks to the Competition Committee for the hours of work the members spent working through ideas in order to provide a recommendation to the board and ultimately to the membership.

Proposed Change #1 : Approve recommended boat registration rule change to: “Members are allowed a total number of boat registrations equaling two times the number of classes of hull registrations across all divisions at any one time and not to exceed three registrations in any one class. Registration can be made at any time by mail or in person to the club’s registrar/treasurer.” Passed by a margin of 22-2 (92%)

Proposed Change #2: Approve recommended boat registration rule change to: “A boat registration shall be defined as inactive when: (a) the boat has earned no season points in two consecutive racing seasons. A one-time purchase of one additional year of registration may be purchased by payment of $30 to the club’s registrar/treasurer.” Passed by a margin of 22-2 (92%)

Proposed Change #3: Approve recommended motor rule: Limit motors to a max Kv rating of 2000kv with a top breakout threshold of 2100kv and instruct the Competition Committee & Board of Directors to identify and adopt an accurate method of Kv testing in the field. Passed by a margin of 23-1 (96%)

Proposed Change #4: Approve recommended propeller rule: “Any propeller may be used up to a maximum diameter of two inches (50.8mm).” Passed by a margin of 21-3 (88%)

Proposed Change #5: Approve recommended battery rule to eliminate the “C” rating limitation. Passed by a margin of 22-2 (92%)

Proposed Change #6: Approve recommended skid fin rule to create specific sections to list skid fin rules per class, even if the rules are repeated or cross class lines. Passed by a margin of 21-3 (88%)

Proposed Change #7: Approve recommended permanent adoption of 1 minute 30 second audio countdown clock to start each heat after boats are on the water or ready to be put on the water. Passed by a margin of 23-1 (96%)

Proposed Change #8: Approve recommended one-lap penalty for any boats off plane or stopping after the 30-second mark. Passed by a margin of 20-4 (83%)

Proposed Change #9: Approve recommended adoption of: “No boat may cut the course after the clock strikes five seconds.” Passed by a margin of 22-2 (92%)

Proposed Change #10: Approve recommended adoption of: “After the five second mark, any boat that crosses the starting line before the clock is at zero has not started and must round the full course to make a start.” Passed by a margin of 20-4 (83%)

Proposed Change #11: Approve recommended adoption of: “Each driver must have a NAMBA member spotter.” Passed by a margin of 22-2 (92%)

Proposed Change #12: Approve recommended removal of: “Driver can stop heat.” Maintain “Referee may stop heat for any reason, including by request of a racing driver.” Passed by a margin of 23-1 (96%)

Proposed Change #13: Approve recommended removal of all penalty provisions for striking parts on racecourse and maintain all striking dead boat penalties. Passed by a margin of 22-2 (92%)

Proposed Change #14: Approve recommended change: “To participate in a consolation heat or final heat, it is a prerequisite that a boat score points in a preliminary heat.” Passed by a margin of 22-2 (92%)

Proposed Change #15: Approve recommended removal of severity from driving infractions. The referee already has the discretion to issue a warning, lap penalty or disqualification based on the driving infraction. Passed by a margin of 21-3 (88%)