Ackerman improvement plans

[bill34207]

Scott and I have exchanged a few emails back and forth this evening and decided it would really be better to have an open area here instead of being secretive about it. :spy:

We were talking about safety fencing so I'll let Scott pick it back up and fill in on what we disacussed so far.
This way everybody can see what's being talked about at the same time.

[tiqueman]

I picked up 100' of the orange safety net as well as the green metal poles that can be hammered into the ground. Bill suggested only having it up on race days, but my thought is after what happen Sunday which was a tnt day, it needs to go up everytime we are there. A little work each time can save us from a lot of grief that one time.

we need a few volunteers that will help and or take charge of setting it up. Chris and Bill deal with the resue boat, getting it rigged and in the water, I bring and set up the audio equipment, and its too much for the 3 of us to do it all, so please anyone willing to help set up and can be there at 8:45-9am to have plenty of time for to get it all done, let me know and lets start making it happen.

Also, we have had more discussion on bouys. Brian (kong) seems to have had success with his pool noodle bouys. theyre easy to see, stick up higher and id guess most of the time wont blow a boat over as our sty-foam balls will. Also being softer we will see less hull damage. Chris Bill and I are discussing times we can go out and start changing bouys. Itd be nice if we could find another aluminum boat or canoe and getr a couple crews out there doing it.

[RCKong]

My wife has some large pool noodles at work and I will pick some up this week.(30% off this weekend) I'm thinking green and yellow, they are the most visible and seem to color fade the least. It's really hard to drive any distance with my boat in the van. The exhaust fumes are extreme. Also on the fence we could put tubes in the ground for the poles so putting up the fence each time won't be so bad. Put 2 dog collar clips on each pole for the fencing and whaalaa...

[tiqueman]

I thought about that tube idea. We'd probably have to keep them almost ground level tho so the county mowers would clear them and they wouldnt have to weed eat around them.

Chris and I were thinking the orage would be the most visible? I do know tho that the orange does fade a bit. Im good w/ whatever as long as we get it done.
What about making the start finish and offshore bouy a different color than the others? Or at least the offshore as it may make it easier to explain the offshore course to the newcombers.

[RCKong]

What about making the start finish and offshore bouy a different color than the others?

That would be the way to go...

Also with setting the pins, If you had an anchor for the boat you could reset them without drifting around ?

[ron1950]

wow sounds good on the bouy's and fence.....as an offical bouy distroyer i love soft bouy's lol...how many of the club guys will be heading to the wave blasters next month?

[Electrifiedwake]

I can arrive at 8:30am to set up that fence on test n tune/race days. Just thinking of your idea of a different colored start finish bouy, how about one that is also larger then the turn markers? Is there an electronic laser system for lap counting being that we can't physically bury acable like on road rc. I use to run electric oval cars with transponders/lap counter with avg speed, lap times and this made racing
very competitive while also giving the driver good feedback. If you need any help setting up the new bouys sometime, I'm a 15 minute drive
away from Ackerman and free from work after 4pm.

[tiqueman]

Great Rob thanks. Weve talked about counting sytems but its far from the budget. Heck, even at the nats it was good ol fashion stop watches.
Have you been recieving the club emails?

[osprey21]

I like the idea of using tubing to make "sockets" for the poles, with as many rocks as there are in that area (heck it's hard to just get a tent peg down) it sure would save some time and effort once the tubes were in the ground. Scott, what is the width of the poles? I may have some PVC pipe we can use to make the holders.

As to the color(s) of the course markers, it doesn't really matter to me what color we use as long as they contrast well.

[RayR]

I will be there early to help setup. I also have an idea that will make setting the bouys accurately much easier.

[bill34207]

Judging by the amount of traffic and positive responses in here already looks like this was a good idea. Let's all try to keep this one on the topic of repairs and plans for Ackerman and continue to use our regular thread for general non related to improvements discussion though.
I'll make another +1 on the socket idea for the fence posts. It's starting to look like we may get rained out for plans to replace buoys this weekend though.

[RCKong]

i have the pool noodles we need. I got 3 yellow and 2 orange. You get 3 or 4 out of a stick, so we even have enough for replacements too.

[tiqueman]

Awesome!

[RCKong]

Also on the fence, we can use a steel pipe sharpened on a grinder to cut the holes for the tubes. If we make the tubes the right size, we can use orange re bar caps to mark and cover the tubes. We did this before at the RC track and it worked great.

[tiqueman]

I will call the county again tomorrw and speak w/ Mary about leaving things in the ground. Id think as long as they are really close to grade level so a mower can go over them they would be okay. We would certainly have to mark them with something like the orange rebar caps to not only help locate them but to help recognize as a potential trip hazzard. We have to remember, unlike a "RC track" people use this when we are not there. the last thing we need is someone to trip over one, roll down the bank and split thier head over our pole holders. I still think we keep it simple and bang the posts into the ground. Little tiny 3/16 china tent stakes and a bat are certainly going to be tough to get thru some places out there. One of these steel poles and a small sledge should not be a problem at all.

[bill34207]

The caps are a good idea if we put in pvc for the actual fence posts to slide into. Not only make them easier to spot but to keep them from getting filled up by dirt and trash.

[osprey21]

After mulling it over, simply hammering the poles into the ground would be the simplest way, at least then we needn't involve the county and having to grovel for their blessing. I have a 3lb hand maul that will handle that job nicely.

Are the poles like these?

http://i.imgur.com/khirL.jpg

[RCKong]

Ya a 1/2 hour every other sunday with the three pound hammer ought to be fun...

[tiqueman]

After mulling it over, simply hammering the poles into the ground would be the simplest way, at least then we needn't involve the county and having to grovel for their blessing. I have a 3lb hand maul that will handle that job nicely.

Are the poles like these?

http://i.imgur.com/khirL.jpg

Thats the ones


Ya a 1/2 hour every other sunday with the three pound hammer ought to be fun...

Its not going to be a big deal, and I doubt it will take more than 10 min per side. Once we get it down it will probably take 10 min all together

[tiqueman]

Heres my latest thought. Im going to assemble the fence and posts here at the house this week. 2- 50' sections. I will zip tie the fence to the posts to help keep everything inplace and then roll up each section. Then we they arrive on site, with 2 people they can quickly be unrolled and driven into place. Yes, holes in the ground would make it even quicker, lets just remember that its county property and how long they take to reply to do or get permission to do something (most of the time). Lets start simple and work on improving for the future. if it works out to be simple, we will stick with it, if its a p.i.t.a, we will change it?

[tiqueman]

Kong, Ive had several ideas of the rigging of the "standing pool noodle". How did you guys do it down south?

[RCKong]

put the line in a large styro bobber and tape it. Put the bobber in the bottom of the noodle they fit tight. I used elastic straps too attach to the rope anchors. It allows for the water going up and down. and they will stand up.

[bill34207]

Are we still on for buoy replacement this Saturday? I know that Brian has the noodles we plan to use but should I go and pick up some more rope for setting them with? Do we need some blocks or bricks to be used as anchors?

Also, just as a thought since the kayaker's tend to be there on Saturdays. Maybe we should approach them and offer them our old buoys while explaining that we would appreciate it if the new ones don't get tampered with.

[RCKong]

I'm good to go for Sat about 9;30 AM. I have 100' of poly rope, noodles, bungie cords, and bobbers. It would help if we had an anchor for the boat, so we don't drift around while we work. Can we re use the existing anchors? We need to ask them kayakers not to move our stuff.

[ron1950]

ill be down there and will come on by at 930 if thats the time all will show up.....dont know how much help i can be but will give it a try!!!!

[tiqueman]

Talking to the kyakers would be great if they are there. keep it professional as I know you all will. Brian, if you have receipts give them to Bill so I can get a check to you asap.
Thanks mates

[osprey21]

0930 it is. I don't have an anchor per say, but one can be rigged.

[osprey21]

FWIW... I'll be there about 0900.

[bill34207]

I'll make an effort to do the same.

[osprey21]

For all intents and purposes the buoys are done. We may need to tweak the positions somewhat as the freakin' wind was a blowin' (imagine that) at a good clip, but they're close. Yellow pins for the oval and Orange for the offshore markers.

The kayakers were there in force today and witnessed what we were doing - "hopefully" they got a clue and our course markers won't be repositioned when we return on the 27th.

[tiqueman]

Awesome! Thanks gents. Was anything said to the kayakers or are we assuming they are smart enough?

[osprey21]

Awesome! Thanks gents. Was anything said to the kayakers or are we assuming they are smart enough?
Nothing was said, and from what this particular group were doing, I can't see why they would have had any reason to move them. Besides, that theory was at best sheer speculation on OUR part. Just sayin'.

[ron1950]

they really look good.....as i was moveing them from my kayak ......actually it was way too hot today to mess with em lol,,,,bill and chris did a great job on the pins and brian dug up a new set of stairs down the bank about 100 ft.....

[tiqueman]

NO CHANGES TO LAND ARE TO BE DONE WITHOUT CONSULTING ME SO I CAN AT LEAST LET THE COUNTY KNOW. Besides, now thats more area to watch. I wish that wasnt done. I appreciate the effort Brian but in my mind, that was a No, bad idea! We will be undoing that. If we need another set we will do them next to the current or widen what we have. Theres no reason to have a set wherever you did them.

[tiqueman]

Not my rules, not our property

[karlhh]

Economy Tackle demos kayaks there I think at least once a month maybe they can be notified.

[ron1950]

dont worry scott if it rains they will be gone as we didnt put any slab stones at all on them. there is a shore line there now as the water is soooo low its about 3 feet from the old stairs

[tiqueman]

I had to go down to beeridge today and get fitted for a real knee brace. Stopped by Ackerman on the way home. New pins look fantastic guys. thanks to all who participated. :beerchug:

[ron1950]

they do look good dont they? and much easyer on a bouy strike

[tiqueman]

Yeah they do. Id heard from a member yesterday that the yellow were difficult to see. I didnt have any problem and feel they are a lot easier to put an eye on than the half broken white foam balls we had out there. I I gazed from outside the gate, I didnt even get that close to them

[bill34207]

I'm just happy to hear they are all still there (and hopefully in the right spots). :smile:

[tiqueman]

LOL I checked that too. Distance wise, I dunno, they look good to me, and sitting int he dirt parking lot, everythings nice and inline from one end to the other. id venture to say it looked better in formation than the other course.

[bill34207]

Looks like TS Debby is pretty much done with us now. Just thought I'd check to see if there would be any interest in trying to put together a little gathering this coming weekend to reset some buoys and maybe a little fun running after we're done.
Our next scheduled run is July 8th and that's the end of 4th of July week.

[tiqueman]

Ill be at the "real deal" racing event in SRQ Sat and Sun.

http://www.suncoastoffshore.org/

[bill34207]

I used to do that back when I still had my old 23' Searay cruiser. Anchor up around the outside and watch em run. Picnic & party.

[RCKong]

Yea I'd like to run some boats It's been a while for me. I'm dealing with two broken ribs...lots of fun. It seems to be getting more tolerable so I could probably come up Sat or Sun with the new bouys. I have enough material to make others if needed, but I dont have anymore large zip ties or anchor blocks. Bill do you still have rope ? I would imagine the lake is up a couple of feet by now.
79771

[bill34207]

That looks like a new cat in front of the noodles. Bet it's really fast when it gets wet. :biggrin:

I'd say lets wait until Chris has tiime to check in before making any major plans one way or the other.
I do still have some rope and nylon ties around 15" long. I'll try to get by Lowes or the Depot and pick up some bricks for anchors. I think they would be plenty heavy enough and a lot easier to pull than those big cinder blocks.

[RCKong]

Thats Dottie our new little one.. a ten week old terror LOL
Red bricks with holes in them work great. You gotta use two of them though or they will float.

[osprey21]

The water at Ackerman is the highest I've seen it. I didn't walk down to the launch area but, my best guess is that it's 14-16" higher than last time we were there.

Now the bad news... the only remaining buoy is the one on the west end.

With luck (and I do mean luck) I may be able to snag at least one of the anchor lines on the east end to give us a reference point.

Let me know what y'all want to do. :tiphat:

[bill34207]

Any thoughts on whether we'd rather do Saturday or Sunday. I'm game for either day myself.

[RCKong]

Sunday sounds good. I built a new boat to play with too.
79841

[hebner]

Nice looking hull. How long and what's the set up?

[RCKong]

Its 30" LSO with a 1800 AQ and a 120 speedo

[osprey21]

Sunday sounds good
Ditto.

[bill34207]

Looks kind of like a cross between a hydro and a cat. I like it.:thumbup1:

[bill34207]

Ditto.

What he said. :biggrin:

[RCKong]

I picked up a nice radio system I want to try out too.
79844
I can put two heat sensors in the boat for onboard temps.:thumbup1: Sure will be handy for setting up boats.

[bill34207]

Hmmmm isn't that the same brand of radio that we used to see Jim holding over his head when his boat would start acting up?

[RCKong]

Airtronics MT-4 these have good reviews. I bought Jims Mono and it had controller issues. It kept cutting off