There are some beautiful stretches of water out there, here just north of London there are a few lakes. Some left over from gravel extraction tend to have steep sides but most of them occupied by fisherman.

Near me there is a beautiful well tended lake but it all is part of a fishing club, last time I heard fees were £600p.a. It is used for competition only, poor little fishes!

To be fair they did offer us the use of another lake but there was only 10% access around the lake due to trees right into the water, we declined.

In the park at St. Albans we have 2 lakes called boating lakes. However they do not like us sailing our boats there! The council neglect the lakes and the small one was roped off as hazardous a couple of years back after a lot of dry weather.
However there is a small stream/river adjacent and with use of the sluices it could have been kept in use, but these had also been neglected and they refused to use them.
Also unseen houses (very expensive) are around the park have forced the council to restrict the number of events in the park, noise levels!!! It is very quiet there. The restrictions suggest that they like their gardens but do not wish to use the park. There has been a recent political change in the Council and I hope it will improve things.

I belong to a mainly loco club but they have a small rectangular pond which is just right for sailing so that is where you can find me.

I, and a few others are busy converting them, but they are a nice lot and host a toy boat regatta twice a year.
If anyone takes Model Boats magazine the article on Adamcraft kits (September 2023) stemmed from me taking photos there and passing them on to an email friend who writes the Flotsam & Jetsom articles. I introduced the owner of the Adamcraft items and the article followed.

I think the lakes and sailing areas posted in this thread are lovely but look lonely, I suppose I have swapped this for meeting friends each week when sailing.

From a historical point of view the lakes I spoke of in St. Albans were created by the Jarrow Marchers in the early 1930's on their journey to London. On the basis of food for work they changed 3 streams into one and created the lakes and improved the park.

There are remains of Roman walls and a Hypercaust and a near deserted museum showing off the artifacts. Some things are found but nothing recently.
English Heritage forbid any spikes or stakes going into the ground in case you damage anything.

The joke is that the spoil from the lakes was put around the edges of the lakes and any 'remains' must be a good 10 feet underground.
REgards
Roy

Update on scale model boat operations in west central Florida:

Some of you might have read about us suspending operations for several months (April through mid-July) then convincing another municipality to all scale model boat in their pond. Well, we are back to our original site (since well before 1974).

After the county told me that they will let nature take its course they decided to lower the pond and clear it out. (The pond is about 100m in diameter.) Most likely had to override nature.

Attached are 3 photos, May, June and finally Aug 20, 2023.

Lew
Florida, USA

Hi Rod, just used GE pics/street view. Have my own somewhere but couldn't find them. Usually kayaks and paddle boarders on nice days in the estuary when the tide's in (covers all the sand you see) Estuary leads out to our main beach,- surf club sometimes row their surf boats up the estuary for training.
The 2 pics taken off my videos (from the boat ramp in the previous pics), are the jetty which is smothered with kids jumping in summer, main road behind, and estuary almost full tide. I live along the hill about 300m on the top right in pic 1, so quite lucky to have a boat ramp with sea access so close. The jetty has just been totally re-piled and rebuilt this year (pic's from last year).

JB

RodC
Thanks once more for the info.👍😎

Lovely locations ! I'm surprised no standup paddle boarders or kayakers in your pictures. Were any of them taken by a drone-born camera??

I'm envious as all Hell !!

Guess I'm lucky here, hardly anyone builds model boats any more, so I have free range in lots of locations,-ie large estuary 300m down the road Pics 12,- large pond 11 km away on the peninsula pics 34, or nice pond in a reserve about 20 mins away down the motorway on the way to the city Pics 5+6 The peninsula pond is used by the rc yacht club, but as long as they aren't racing the pond is free to use, (there are no rules, but I just keep out of their way so as not to upset them, as they take racing far too seriously,- worse than full size)

A previous power/sail/scale/ tethered hydro club I was in years ago (70s),(ponds PIC 7+8) -about 50mins drive away, was destroyed by rc yachters who were always complaining, when the day the were allotted wasn't to their liking, and demanding to have the powerboat day if it was nicer. Everyone got fed up and the club split up. It was a pity as the club had about 50 members and an active powerboat racing section. Now turned into a mostly sailing club (what happens when you complain long enough.

Another factor was, a woman who bought a newly built house in a tiny subdivision at the end of the pond, (see how far away they are,-pic7) constantly complained to the council about the noise (maybe 1 day a month when races were on) - club had been there for many years previous to that with no complaints from the houses all round the ponds (ex sewage settling ponds then stormwater collection) The council put noise restrictions on, just because of 1 constant moaner (probably to get rid of her)
Also, the original 70s badge (Northern Maritime Modellers society and the new one- Northern Maritime Model society,- model not modellers and no power boats any more.

Same thing happened to our Western Springs international speedway track, which was pretty much destroyed by 'trendy' new residents moving into old established areas round it and immediately complaining. The track had been running since 1939 with no problems, with many international drivers and riders competing. Big concerts there as well,- Guns n Roses, David Bowie, Alice Cooper, ELO, Pink Floyd, Rolling stones etc, also the WWE wrestle mania show, etc. Now just a shadow of what it was due to restrictions caused by 3 or 4 moaners.

This guy, Fred Martin, just lived round the corner from me when I was young, (his daughter was one of our group in the 60s/70s ). He was one of the originators of Marblehead yacht racing in NZ, and designed and built many boats for people.


https://www.wattlefarmsailing.nz/Auckland%20Star.jpeg
https://www.wattlefarmsailing.nz/Fred%20Martin.jpeg
https://www.wattlefarmsailing.nz/1989%20Freds%20Workshop.jpeg

https://www.wattlefarmsailing.nz/index.html

Just read the notice it only mentioned "electric powered speed boats".

For me that does not include scale model ships or say you can't have steam power either.

I wonder who enforces the rules? If you launched a non-speed boat but electric powered will you be stopped?

I would try the slow boats first and then try launches but not the fast ones and see how things go.

Roy

Chugalone100: ANTENNA...it's tiny for 2.4 GHz. Just keep it above the waterline. I put my rcvrs high in the hull or even in the superstructure. Certainly more convenient than those long wires we used for 75 MHz.

FIGURINES: I suspect those are 1:24 (a very popular dollhouse scale) or 1:25, cast resin or 3D printed. I dont know as it was a used vessel & they were already aboard upon delivery...indentured servants so to speak. Try AMAZON, there are a tremendous # there. I recently bought 1:12 dollhouse scale figures from MELODY JANE (on AMAZON). Not inexpensive but painted & very well executed. Here is one, seated position, wearing glasses, cat on lap. Doesnt look too out-of-place aboard my ZIPPKITS tug (kit from Florida).

GREY PAINT on the tug is a self-priming acrylic porch & floor paint manufactured by our Canadian flagship hardware chain HOME HARDWARE. PEARL GREY, I hav used it on a 'real' boat that didnt sit in the water except when in use.

Thanks for asking!!

WOW!!! - thanks to all of you that responded.

I think the RC sail boaters are the ones that influenced the city officials to post the "sailboats only" sign. (I agree with them about the noise and speed problems associated with RC speedboats.)

Dave B (and all interested) - good sign, gets to the point. I am attaching the sign currently at this potential new site for us. As per this sign (and the city's own ordinances that allow toy and unmanned boats) it seems apparent that powered (not "speed") are allowed, but one can't use the dock to safely launch and retrieve powered scale model boats. [I am posting a picture of that sign so you can see what I am up against.]

Conflict between the RC scale and sail boaters should not be a problem. I'm willing to work that out with the sail boaters.

As we can not use our current (weed choked, smelly) location I sent them a link to a video [also linked here] so they can see for themselves what we are about.

This video was created by professionals contracted by a local TV station. If you want to see a feel good video on scale RC boats want to see please check it out.

Lew
Florida, USA

https://www.wfla.com/news/suncoast-scale-model-boat-club/

RodC, thank you for those pictures and all the information you provided me.
I’m saving your pictures and text to go by when I start building my tug.
At the moment I’m in the process of selling my home and purchasing another one, so all of my model projects are in the back burner.
But mean while I’m watching and learning from all of you great model makers.
I have two questions.
Your antenna does not goes out any farther than that?
Stays like that (short) after you cover it?
Where can I purchase figures like that?
Than You
Jul

Like most anything else, a few people with poor or no judgement can ruin things for everyone.

It has been some time since I last sailed at the San Diego yacht basin, but the three groups using the pond had specific days and hours, for exclusive use, including dates for tournaments. However, most week days were for free sailing. Sometimes, someone who had built - or more likely had been given a fast boat would show up and endanger the other boaters. The Basin is big enough that many times those persons could be asked to use one end, but there have been incidents when those poorly controlled boats did cause damage. Similarly, there were some incidents at Hanson Dam.

Sometimes some help goes a long way, but there will always be those who believe they have free access to a public site.

Chugalone, as requested. Grumpy Owl & both storeys of wheelhouse ended up on the bottom of the pond at Hamilton Steam & Technology Museum 10 days ago. That was Owl's maiden voyage & i'm going to pry her off the roof, as she made the tug topheavy. I didn't build her, i purchased used. Power is abt a 380 brushed, battery is 3600 mAh 7.2V NIMH. Shaft tube needed more support hence the unpainted triangle twixt bottom of hull & shaft tube. You can't see him but there is a Captain at the wheel. Dome light, searchlight & navigation lites run off 2-AA's. LOA 42cm, 16-1/4". scale abt 1:24 based upon my calc'n of door height.
Thank You for asking. I didn't arrive here on my own. I've been very fortunate to hav the assistance & wise advice of club members who hav decades of experience.

RodC
Nice little red River push tug you got there.
Is it yours? I would like to see more of it, inside and out.
Jul

Len & Lou, our temporary scale boat site just recently developed it's annual WEED problem which is typical this time of year. We hav lots of coastline across this city of over 3million however there are very few places where we can access Lake Ontario. We are currently making do with 4 public launch ramps that are built in pairs. Parking is free in the daytime until 5pm, then $$$, & the parking is closed to new cars at 7pm. Gates are locked at 11pm.
The sail people are currently hosted by City of Mississauga to the west of us. I havent seen their Lake Promenade site this year yet as it's abt an hour's drive thru Toronto to get there, & i am not a "sail'-er so not very motivated to travel that far.
Our traditional 3 boat ponds midway between the two sites hav been drained for renovation of the park since many new condos adjacent & those people need park facilities. We hope to get use by 2024 but the depts hav not made promises as city projects drag on, & on, & on. We hav no idea what they will be like when they do open. Previously we had multiple launch shores & one you cud put your boat in the water from a wheelchair, it was abt 1" above the water surface. However weeds were typically a problem by early July as they stopped using herbicides in the 3 ponds years ago.

First pic is the launch edge of the primary old pond. 2nd shows our boats perched on a curb at the edge of the sidewalk that surrounds the public launch slots...we hav no tables. The 3rd pic is from last week's electric scale session with the edge of the public launch slot in the background. Lake Ontario water level is very high this year.

We hav a new city bylaw this summer, "do not feed the wild animals" which includes Canada Geese. We hope this will reduce the production of goose poop adjacent to the water but from what I've seen recently some people "didn't get the memo" & are still feeding. Birds who consume domestic bread develop a disease called "Angel Wing" & can no longer fly. It's the SUGAR

Lew, I feel your pain as we have the same issue here on Long Island, NY. There are only a few ponds/lakes that are suitable for our needs but are off limits to model boats of any type or anything other than sail boats. The pond we use is clogged with weeds and Goose crap this year around the border and makes access to the water a problem. Just a question, why are Canadian Geese considered a protected species?
Hope you maker out better than we have.

No problems I know of at least in the water,one or two messing about on dry land catching props on clothing or unprotected hands.

Lew,
Our club works closely with the park management regarding the usage of the pond.
Last year we did have a couple incidents where a fast electric boat struck and damaged and/or sank one of our scale boats.
We decided to be proactive and approached the park manager to establish rules for pond use.
The park management while they liked the idea, didn't want to take on added responsibility for policing or enforcing park rules.
We came up with the following rules, the park had this sandwich board sign made (at our club's expense), and we have access to it in the park maintenance building whenever we are using the pond.
We kept the rules as simple as possible, and agreed to help remind other users of the rules.
So far, this co-relationship with the city park management has worked well.
Wishing you the best of luck in your efforts.
Dave B

Hi Lew
I agree with Roy.
I can sympathise with your predicament and offer the following thoughts.
Is the lake being used by sailing yachts? and is there a club holding regular meetings? If so I suggest you make contact to discuss what may be possible - perhaps sail and power days.
I would also visit the site on each day of the week and see what if any activity is taking place on and off the water (ie the surrounds and car park etc). If there are houses in the vicinity you could try calling and asking politely if there are any issues with noise from the park.
Once you have a better understanding of the current situation and possible objections/issues you can plan a way forward any get the Council on board.
I suspect many of the issues relate to noisy fast electric models being used by individuals and could have resulted in some H&S and noise concerns involving the public.
If you can demonstrate that you are a functioning club with rules and insurance and are prepared to help the council control the situation then I would hope an agreement could be reached allowing your club to use the facility on set days and times. possibly when no yachts were sailing if this could be an issue.
dave976

Hi Lewz, You seem to be in touch with the authorities, who are objecting to your use of the lake. May I suggest you offer to meet their representative with a selection of your models at the lake and demonstrate your models.

Many people make legislation or will not adjust the rules from a distance. Most expect a worse case and are unaware of how quiet the models are or how attractive they are for the general public to watch.

In the U.K. insurance and risk assessment are the big worries for the authorities mainly due to the high cost of other council activities, and just saying No is easy.

I had this problem in 2005 when we were being told we could not use the lake at the Park. It was called the Model sailing pond!

Myself and our Chairman got the park manager to the lake in the way mentioned above and he could see we were generally an older and responsible group with sailing boats and scale models.

We agreed with the existing speed limit and most these days do not want the bother of i/c engines.

We had also created a Risk Assessment document outlining what we were doing and what we would do to have a safe activity for members and observers during a sailing session.

Be aware that being knee deep in water was regarded as a safety hazard here!

Look at all 'hazardous' situations and come up with solutions or safety proceedures.

Can you monitor the sound models make in decibels? Have a limit on this noise level, which is published. I suggest some comparative noises and the decibel values to illustrate.

Lastly have insurance for the activity so there is no financilial risk to those making the rules.

We have these measures in place and have the use of the local lake.
It is best to do all of this so that your end is fully prepared from the outset.

A good course of action is not to ask permission!

But ask what regulations and objections are there to stop you from sailing your boats. Make the other side quote the problems as you may have already considered them. Remember that car parking may be objected to as well.

Make sure you have an organised group with a responsible contact for the authorities, hopefully your Chairman.
In the UK it is a good idea to register your club or society with the local authorities, so that you have a public face and known address for contact.

If you run a web site keep contact addresses and Officers under anonymous titles so that messages will get to the people concerned. This will avoid to some degree the people who like to insult and annoy over the Internet.

If you have a web site keep it updated and answer questions etc.

Hope this helps.

Roy

What a fantastic facility 👍👍
Very envious.
Regards
Bill

our pond has been especially built for us by the local government. Completely in concrete and about 120 cm deep. On top of that to avoid wind problems it's about 200 cm lowered as the ground level. In the past we had petrol driven boats until th neigbours complaint about the noice. Our club had sailing yachts, steam and electric. The sailing side has left us last year because of the lack of wind( which is understandable) In the past they loved it because the A class sailing yachts had no winches and the skippers had to run around the pond to adjust their yachts. But in those days we had an agreement when there was a competition going on for the sailing yachts no other boats were allowed that day. the same apllies for the steam and the electric. And this agreement stands until today. When no competition is on electric and steam driven do meet without any problem.And when a boat has sunk it is due to the skipper who made a mistake. Hereby a picture of our pond and how it looks.

Hi
The Swiss Cottage MBC's lake are in the grounds of a Public House (Pub) we only run electric boats and sail boats, so no problem with noise, we do have an understanding that any fast electric boats can only go onto the water when every sail boat is off the water, that works well for us.

Moin Lew I can't remember any case here in Stade, Germany and I've been on the road with Rc boats for over 30 years. However, only with electric motors. Luckily I haven't had any problems with the Stader Oberhäupling. But with the body of water, which is a small river, tourists are also driven around in small motor boats, so our small boats will probably not be a problem.