London Bridge Model Boat Racing Enthusiasts Gather For Fun And Sport

By Becky Maxedon

Anyone who has ever taken a stroll along Rotary Beach in Lake Havasu City on a Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday morning has doubtless noticed a gathering of model boat enthusiasts, racing, talking and having fun.

RiverScene Magazine caught up with a couple of these racers recently to talk about their hobby.

Mike Nance has been a model boat racer for about 10 years and is a member of the London Bridge Model Boat club.

“We come out here every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday and mostly test and tune and have camaraderie and talk and goof off,” Nance said. “Just a bunch of guys goofing off.”

Each year, the club hosts the London Bridge Model Boat Race, under London Bridge. The next one will be Jan. 25, 2025. It will be the 22^nd annual event.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Nance explained there are several model boat race classes from stock to modified.

The boat he was racing during this interview was a monohull.

“It’s actually a fiberglass boat. I bought this one empty and installed the engine and the drive and did the radio work. I have one at home that’s completely wood. I built it out of a kit,” Nance said.

He said a fiberglass boat could be put together in a day or so, but a kit could take six weeks or more building them.

“I just clocked this one at 55 miles per hour. Should be able to get more than that. The modified should go well into the 60s – at least the low 60s.”

Fellow club member Bud Cornelius has been racing for a while.

“I’ve been doing it for about 20 years or so. I raced professional drag boats for about 20 years,” Cornelius said.

“I just quit that two years ago. I’ve traveled all over the country with these small boats and with the big boats.”

Bud Cornelius works on his boat Saturday morning at Rotary Park. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Cornelius, who will turn 90 years old in November said he just loves racing boats – big and small.

His boat is an outrigger. “It’s the fastest class of all the boats.”

When RiverScene talked to Cornelius he said his boat had just clocked at 88 mph. “I’d like to hit 100, but I haven’t yet.”

He said it’s a costly hobby.

“Probably the same as golfing or bowling but we prefer to do this.”

Cornelius said motors alone sell for nearly $500 or more. The propellers are $100 apiece.

“There is probably at least $400 to $500 to start. In a good boat, you’ll probably have $2,000 in it. If you have a twin motor, they can run $1,200 to $1,300.”

The London Bridge Model Boat club is a member of the North American Model Boat Association International.

NAMBA International is a nonprofit association of radio-controlled model boat clubs. The local club is part of District 19 which consists of Arizona, Southern California, Southern Nevada and Southern Utah.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“There are districts all across the country – and overseas,” Nance said.

The NAMBA Nationals will wrapped up at Sunset Park in Las Vegas, Nev., last Saturday.

Racers come from all over the world to participate in Nationals.

“There have been racers from Japan and Australia. It’s a big deal. Anyone can come and race,” Cornelius said.

For more information about NAMBA, or for a membership application, contact: NAMBA International, C/O Al Waters, 162 Avenida Chapala, San Marcos, CA. 92069 760-522-9138 or by email at info@namba.com.

For information on the London Bridge Model Boat club, visit www.lbmb.com/aboutus. You can also find them on Facebook at London Bridge Model Boat Club.