Sonstraal Dam is rated a Safety Risk

Membership is open to all ages from 16 and older.

However, as a club member, we have certain rules in place which is in part imposed by local authority by-laws to protect the public, the environment and the future use of the water source.

Sonstraal Dam “open hours” are between sunrise and sunset.

No RC Sailing will be tolerated after these hours. Please apply for a Low Impact Event Permit from the City of Cape Town and notify all RC Clubs 30 days prior to the date of the planned event.

Radio Transmitters & RF Interference

All radio transmitters must operate in the transmission spectrum allocated and licensed by ICASA. The frequency is 2.4 GHz. No other transmitters are allowed at Sonstraal Dam.

It is recommended that only 2.4GHz MHDSS or MHDSS2 transmitters are used

Boats and types

Only battery powered or sailing boats are allowed. Nitro, Petrol, Diesel or Gas powered boats are strictly prohibited.

Boats must be constructed of plastic, wood or glass fibre. No steel hulled models are allowed.

Boats must be fitted with flotation or buoyancy devices, such as foam or pool noodles to prevent it from sinking.

Boats must be fitted  with sound damping material to reduce noise levels from the electric motors. Where sound modules are fitted, the sounds transmitted from the module must not be audible further than 3 meters from the water’s edge.

No boats longer than 2,4 meters are allowed.

Rules of the Road

While operating your model RC boat, you must observe the “rules of the road” as it applies to ships in real life. This is to prevent damage to other boats on the dam as some models are expensive and well taken care of.

1. A Sail boat always gets right of way. This means you need to pass a sailboat from its rear or stern and not in front of it (the bow side).
2. In a head-on approach, the “kept right” rule applies. This is called a Port-to-Port pass. Your boat will pass the approaching boat on its starboard side (you turn right to pass  its left side).

 

When a boat is approaching from the side, the following rules apply:

(a) If the approaching boat is on your 3-o-clock, you pass behind it and it keeps going.

(b) If the approaching boat in on your 10-o-clock, you continue going and it will pass behind you.

 

 

Batteries & other waste materials

No batteries may be disposed in the municipal rubbish bins installed at Sonstraal Dam. This applies to all types of batteries. If your batteries run flat, take them home with you and dispose them as directed by the manufacturer.

LIPO batteries

Only the number of LIPO batteries needed for the day are allowed on site. Do not bring your entire stockpile of LIPO batteries at it poses an unnecessary fire hazard.

All domestic waste, such as bottles and cans, plastic bags etc, must be taken home ad disposed of. Due to the unpredictable wind and uncontrolled access to the dam, we do not want our members to be blamed for plastic bags or bottles floating in the dam.

The Environment

All boats must be operated in a responsible manner. As the dam is home to a number of bird and fish species as well as plants, the protection of thereof is part of being a NCRS member.

1. No boat may be used to deliberately chase or hunt any bird or fish. During breeding season, tiny ducklings frequent the water. Any person found chasing these duckings with a model boat will be removed from our membership.
2. Bait boats are not allowed in the Club. Kindly note that at present any form of fishing at Sonstraal dam is illegal.
3. No boat is allowed to encroach the plant life near the water’s edge and the dam wall. Boats may get stuck and the retrieval thereof causes damage to plant life.  Any boat stuck in the reeds will have to be rescued from the water, either by another boat or a one-person kayak, which are available during Ranking Events.
4. Until further notice, no gazebos may be erected as shade cover. We are in the process of getting permission to put up one or two 3mx3m gazebos on sailing days.
5. It is advisable to bring a sun hat or cap and use sun block during summer.

Local Residents

Sonstraal dam is located in a residential area and noise must be limited to the minimum, particularly on Sundays where the ambient noise is much lower. For this reason, the following best practice rules are applicable:

1. All boats with electric motors must be fitted with noise suppressing material or liners.
2. No revving of electric motors on land.
3. Toy grade models tend to make more noise than professionally built models. Noise levels must be kept within acceptable levels.
4. No shouting, loud laughing or music is allowed (general rule of all parks).
5. Do not address a complaining member of the public, but refer them to the Club.
6. Keep written record of any complaints received and pass it on to the Club for immediate follow-up.

Updated 25 April 2022