Learnt over the years you can't scale engineering design in steam as the theory falls away with efficiency.
Take an example of a 46" Sea Queen correct speed would be just above walking but that is like watching paint dry so we sped up to make it look good

I've been saying that for years Mike, - you can't scale water,- drag, surface tension etc. Do what you like, it's your boat, your money and your time😁.

JB

I agree with ToraDog and MTurpin. Knowing that it's impossible to scale water or air, scale appearing is the best we can do. I like to build a little more speed into my boats than what they really need, but it's more self preservation than anything else. Some operators watch their boat exclusively and have no idea what's in their trajectory. Being able to get out of the way of the unconscious skipper is a good reason to have too much power, but having it and using it are two different things.

Some wonderful models being enjoyed by a lot of people. There will always be models that are run too fast. I'd bet that most individuals do not figure the true scale speed of the model and then do not apply it or adjust it. No worries... If most models actually went true scale speed they would not appear to be moving at all! So, to me, there are two scale speeds, the real scale speed and the appearance of scale speed. Then there are those models that run several times their hull speed......😀
Have Fun! That is all that matters.

Ummmmmm.
Some lovely models but way off the scale realistic speed which spoils it somewhat.
Speed isn’t everything.
Regards Bill👍👍

Don't forget there were some really well modelled boats and all the participants were enjoying themselves. Question - does scale speed require scale wind and water, if so where do you get it from.
Again Don't forget there were some really well modelled boats and all the participants were enjoying themselves.

As with boats going to fast most don't understand speed to size that going as fast as possible is all they see. With my train club it is the same thing put it on the track and get it going top speed. For trains I think it started with Lionel trains as they seamed to two speeds fast or stop.
Rick

Some very nice models, I particularly liked the Swiss lakes paddlers. reminders of happy holidays in years gone by. Excellent selection of tugs but I do agree with Ron, most were going far too fast to be in scale. Not an uncommon problem everywhere. I thought the blue MGB could have been going faster, though not by much and the cargo boat Martin P was one of the very few at what looked like a correct speed. However, I'm not really criticising because it is such a widespread problem. Do they make motors too big?

Cheers, Nerys

Why do people sail their model faster than the scale of the vessel? As you watch the video, the steam paddle wheeler with masts and sails for example. Some of the tugs too. Others rock about too much, because they do not have enough ballast. Maybe, I am to critical! It reminds be of seeing folks flying seaplanes with floats doing aerobatic stunts. Yuk.