Those Darned Submarine Elitists - are YOU one?

[bob the builder]

This topic came up with a recent conversation with a local R/C boat, er... ship? person.

It was his observation that R/C subbers are a pretty elitist bunch. He said he's never had much luck striking up a conversation with one, and they typically stand on the shore with their fancy polarized sunglasses and keep their distance from those "target runners".

At first I thought he was crazy, but then I though more about it. There's a lot of things that make R/C subbers an elitist group.

First off, the level of technical knowhow needed to build a decent R/C sub is far beyond that needed to build a surface runner. We need to deal with water pressure, seals, hydrodynamics, ballast, and all sorts of other issues that they don't need to worry about.

Second, R/C subs are exorbitantly expensive. An average R/C sub probably costs in excess of $1500 after you get set up. Factor in money for Propel gas and you get one expensive hobby.

Lastly, there's the inherant mystique of the submarine. This is a relatively new and emerging hobby. Just how R/C subs work is a mystery to the average person, and explaining the technical details in depth while simultaneously trying not to ram that sailboat while submerged is difficult, at best.

I've even caught myself taking up a rather 'uppity' attitude with people by the lakeside, standing there looking at my boat with pride as she cuts through the water. It's then that I'm glad that I'm the only one there with a sub. I'm da MAN! I don't want anyone else to challenge my supreme authority over these waters!

So, how about it, people? Do you think the hobby is elitist? Are things changing in that regard, or will this always be a close-knit group of "bubbleheads"?

[sam reichart]

I know that one of

I know that one of the reasons why submariners stay away from surface boats is that it's hard to drive your sub in amongst the fast electric guys that only know one speed. Since these #### things DO cost a boatload of ca$h, I would rather not have someone that is driving one of them anywhere near my model.

Most of the scale guys are OK to run with- their boats have same amount of dangling, breakable stuff that we have, so they tend to drive more cautiously.

Otherwise, that elitist stuff wasn't very prevalant at Mt.Trashmore, where I'd run a few times. Everyone kidded everyone else, and questions and answers were easily found.

[bigdave]

Well Bob, I don't know

Well Bob, I don't know about Elitist, although you are right about the technical end of it. But if there is one thing we are is CRAZY We have to be crazy to take a $1500 model submarine and drive it under the water were we can't see it. We have to be certifiably NUTS! I know I am, but hey, who has as much fun! Submarines RULE! Big(crazy)dave.

[JWLaRue]

Oh, boy.....sounds like something one

Oh, boy.....sounds like something one of our ex-members is known to insist upon.

If by elitist it is meant that from an r/c hobby perspective the skills that it takes to build the typical (mid-level and higher) r/c sub places folks at the top of the pyramid, then I agree with the assessment.

On the other hand, if by elitist it is meant that folks engaged in this hobby are stuck-up or snobby, then I most definitely disagree. With only some very rare exceptions, it has been my experience and privilege to meet some of the friendliest and open people ever. Of all the r/c hobbies, the r/c sub segment is the easiest to strike up conversations with. I cannot count even one instance when some onlooker walked up to a group of r/c sub folks that I was with and was not offered the chance to try running someone's sub. Talk about confidence, trust, and openess!

As a counter to this, the last time I went to visit the local r/c sailboat folks, I left after almost an hour of being studiously ignored..and they were not running a race. Nice boats....but lousy conversationalists.

And Sam is also right, there is a concern about running our expensive subs in the presence of the surface boaters. Nothing personal, but even when they are asked to please watch out for the sub, they do tend to cause damage. I think that they just may not be used to watching out for periscopes!

-Jeff

[crazy ivan]

....the last time I went

....the last time I went to visit the local r/c sailboat folks, I left after almost an hour of being studiously ignored..and they were not running a race. Nice boats....but lousy conversationalists.

Must be something inherent with (some, not all) sailboaters, Jeff. I've sometimes encountered similar behavior in the 1]http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_wink.gif[/img]
It helps if you speak their language.

[witchblade]

Not elite, more like an

Not elite, more like an outcast. Most people I run with, don't kow more then the Tug-boat then have.

Here in Holland there are very few people with subs, and unknown things make people suspicious. They think it looks nice, but they don't want to run there boat in the vicinity of it. Perhaps they are scared that they hit it or that I hit them.

Our club also presents itself on events. Most of the time, when I have my T-class or U-boat along, I'm explaining how they work to the people. I hope this way more people get involved in this hobby (I even have people from my club joining the questioneers). Sometimes I let them run my Robbe Seawolf, it's a simple dynamic divers, but people like it and get a bit of the feeling we have when all things go right.

When explaining, don't do your best to impress people. Don't start with how much they cost. Begin simple, and try to keep in mind that most people don't know anything about pistontank, pressures, gassystems and such. I usually explain thing by comparing it to daily things like tirepumps.

grtz.

Danny van Dijk
Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Europe

[anonymous]

Elite is OK but it

Elite is OK but it is a problem if we are seen as being as unfriendly and "stand-offish" to the general public and fellow boaters.

At the British Submarine Centenary at Barrow, Cumbria we had submarine veterans coming up and speaking to us at the Lakeside. Trying to control a sub and conduct a conversation is difficult (to me anyway!) and the only decent thing to do was surface and turn everything off.

What do other people do in these circumstances? Any advice from model flyers in our group? I've noticed at public events that flyers are "fenced off" from the public.


My Webpage

[PaulC]

I've found r/c submariners in

[color=#000000]I've found r/c submariners in my neck of the woods to be very friendly and outgoing. However, I do struggle with answering questions while underway. I'll stay till the last question is handled around the picnic tables.

When my boat is in trim and sailing true I also have no qualms about handing over the stick. However, if she's acting funny for some reason, I won't do it -- too many $ signs flash before my eyes.

On the subject of elite price tags, I thought we were the high end of the hobby spectrum. Until I recently saw the price for a 1/8 scale r/c tank kit]

[bob the builder]

I was thinking about making

I was thinking about making a sign for when I go out, because there are always the same questions asked]It's a remote-controlled alligator.[/i]

2. Does it go underwater?
Only when it dives.

3. How fast does it go?
She'll do mach2 if I push her, but I usually keep her under 4mph so I don't skewer anybody.

4. How deep does it go?
As deep as you can see it. After that it is mysteriously teleported to the Land of "Lost".

5. How much does it cost?
One million dollars.... or your right arm. You pick.


I'm just kidding, of course. I try to answer everyone's questions as best I can. Getting into the deep technical details of how it works while simultaneously trying to keep track of a submerged boat tests my skill, however, and it's hard not to get snippy.

Like Davy said, I usually just surface and put her to a stop while we talk.

[boss subfixer]

This might answer Davys question

This might answer Davys question about fencing off the flyers.
I used to watch them at a local balloon festival every year, If you think about it those things are a projectile flying through the air at a pretty good speed. It would be veryyy dangerous to distract the pilot on the ground.
As far as rc submariners being elitist, I had a gentleman hand me the controls to his boat after the second time I came to a meeting, I wasn't even a member yet nor had I ever piloted a boat before! I have talked with just about everyone that has been to the last three regatas and was never made to feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.
Just my two cents.
BSF

["horridoh"]

]http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_smile.gif

]http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[bob the builder]

Darren,


I'm not trying to 'take

Darren,


I'm not trying to 'take sides' at all. I was just pointing out that there are several inherant factors involved in R/C subs that keep it beyond the abilities of a lot of people to get into. This then makes that fact of R/C subbers being an elite group as being an acceptable statement (in my opinion).

Don't get me wrong... I find that the sub guys that I chat with are some of the most helpful and outgoing people that I know. It's just that some others that I've spoken with in the surface boater community find our hobby a bit "snobbish". Whether this is due to fact, or simply interpretation is not determined, though I lean towards the latter.